CEDAR SPRINGS
Red Flannel Christmas – Come Mingle with Kris Kringle
Dec. 7: Come celebrate the kick off to the Christmas season with a Red Flannel Town Christmas, presented by the Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce. Creative Technologies Academy will have an arts and crafts fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; local businesses will be open and running specials beginning at 10 a.m.; and the Cedar Springs Historical Museum will do Christmas crafts from noon to 3 p.m. New this year is the Red Flannel Town Christmas Parade, with registration at 4:30 p.m., and parade at 5 p.m. Following the parade will be a live nativity scene, tree lighting, caroling, and mingling with Kris Kringle at the corner of Main Street and Ash. Bring the whole family out for a fun, old-fashioned, red flannel town Christmas celebration.
Second annual Christmas concert at the Kent
Dec. 14: The Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Christmas Concert at the Kent Theatre on Saturday, December 14, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Cedar View Choir will perform this year, along with some performers from last year and more. Bring the family and have some fun. Admission is $5, and free for kids under age 5.
Make a gingerbread house
Dec. 14: Calling all Kids to decorate a Gingerbread House at the Cedar Springs Public Library. Sign up for one of three sessions: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., or 12 p.m. All ages welcome, preschoolers must have parent present. Stop by the library to register or call 616-696-1910.
Christmas Dance Extravaganza at the Kent
Dec. 15: The Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Christmas Dance Extravaganza at the Kent on Sunday, December 15, from 3 to 5 p.m. They have a variety of dance styles lined up to perform. Bring out the family and have some fun. Tickets are $10, and free for those under age 5.
GREENVILLE
Hometown Christmas
Dec. 6: Come and celebrate “A Hometown Christmas” in beautiful Historic, downtown Greenville. It’s so much more than just a parade. Events start with a Santa park party from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Lafayette Park (next to the bakery). Santa will visit with children, and pose for photos with kids; there will be face painting, live Christmas music, hot cocoa and cookies, and plenty of holiday merriment. The tree lighting ceremony begins at 5:45 p.m. at Lafayette Park. Santa will do the honors and light the tree. The parade follows at 6 p.m., and then kids can visit with Santa at the Flat River Museum immediately following the parade until 8 p.m.
Heritage Holiday Village
Dec. 8: 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Montcalm Community College. Free. Enjoy an old-fashioned holiday in the village, including caroling, crafts, photos with an 0ld-fashioned St. Nicholas, and more. 2800 College Drive, Sidney, Michigan 48885.
Tree of Lights Celebration
Dec. 8, 17: On Sunday, December 8, the Spectrum Health Foundation United & Kelsey Hospitals will hold its annual Tree of Lights celebration at 4 p.m. at United Hospital in Greenville. On Tuesday, December 17 at 6:30 p.m. the Tree of Love celebration will be held at United Church of Christ, 115 W Fifth Street in Lakeview. Funds raised from this year’s Tree of Lights and Tree of Love will help purchase a video laryngoscope for both United and Kelsey Hospitals. A laryngoscope is a lifesaving medical device used to place breathing tubes in a patient who is unable to breathe on his or her own. Enjoy the musical sounds of the season, delicious refreshments and listen as the names of those who are read.
SAND LAKE
Polar Express Party
Dec. 11: All aboard! Hop on the Polar Express and enjoy a magical storytime train ride at the Sand Lake/Nelson Township Library at 6:30 p.m. Play games, make a reindeer ornament, enjoy an edible train and more at this cozy holiday party. For all ages. The library is located at 88 Eighth Street.
Christmas with Santa
Dec. 14: Santa will be at the Sand Lake/Nelson Township Library from 10 a.m. to Noon a.m. on Saturday, December 8. Visit with Santa and enjoy crafts and treats. Gifts aplenty for the first 200 children! Prize drawings will be held. For all ages.
SPARTA
Pet night with Santa
Dec. 12: 6-8 pm in Santa House, 94 N. Union. Bring your furry friends to visit with Santa! Photo with $3.00 donation or pet food or blanket donation to go to the Humane Society.
Santa Train visits Sparta
Dec. 14: The Santa Train will visit Sparta at approximately 10 a.m. (visit www.spartachamber.com for exact time.) Follow Santa in the kid’s parade to the Santa House and visit Santa until 1 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 280 will serve hot cocoa, and the Coffee Stop will give out free samples of gourmet coffee. Find Bruce the chestnut grower and try a free roasted chestnut. There will also be free horse and trolley rides until 2 p.m.
Santa in Santa house
Dec. 19 and 21: Santa will be in the Santa house (94 N. Union) on Thursday, Dec. 19 from 6-8 p.m., and on Saturday, December 21, from 11 to1 p.m. Bring your own camera.
Living Nativity
Dec. 21-Dec. 24: The Ballard Church of Christ, 1633 10 Mile Road, presents “The Living Nativity” from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Dec. 21-24.
Horse drawn trolley rides
Dec. 24: Horse drawn trolley rides from 6-9 p.m. Loading area and treats at Sparta Fire Department.
SPENCER TOWNSHIP
Gingerbread Lane
December 5: Stroll down Gingerbread Lane at the Spencer Township Library and enjoy tasty gingerbread stories from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Each child will make a simple gingerbread house. Pre-registration is required and participant spots are limited. For all ages. Arts and crafts.
