Tag Archives: holiday traditions

Three West Michigan organizations add some ‘light’ to the holiday season

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Holidays, Recreation, , ,

By Anna Johns
WKTV Contributing Writer

Light shows have been a holiday tradition for many families during the season. From holiday train rides to Christmas carolers, West Michigan has much to offer.

The Gilmore Car Museum will be light up for the holidays. (Supplied)

Winter Wonderland at the Gilmore Car Museum

This holiday season the Gilmore Car Museum has teamed up with Bluewater technologies to present the first-ever “Winter Wonderland” at the Gilmore Car Museum.

“Winter Wonderland” is a drive-thru holiday tour that takes place on the museum’s campus. The drive is 1.5 miles long and guests can drive along the path as they view lighted historical barns, decorated vintage-era dealerships, and 25 individual light displays. Guests can also view artwork exhibits from automotive illustrators including Art Fitzpatrick, Van Kaufman, and Jeff Norwell.

“Dashing Through the Snow” is an additional opportunity for families to ride in vintage cars from the museum’s collection. Families can choose from Ford Model Ts, a Checkered Taxi Cab, a ’63 Cadillac convertible, and several other vintage cars. Tickets are limited for this opportunity and can be purchased for an additional $20 on-site.

Each ticket includes access to the museum on the same evening. Inside the museum, guests may view “Gilmore’s Festival of Trees” alongside classic cars and observe exhibits showing Christmas through the decades. There will be holiday food and beverages available for purchase along with opportunities for holiday gift shopping. Children can visit Santa or play reindeer games. On Friday and Saturday nights, there will be live music.

“Winter Wonderland” will run throughout the holiday season, from Nov. 24 to Jan. 9, on Wednesdays and Thursdays, the museum will be open from 5 – 9 p.m., and on Fridays to Sundays and special holidays, the museum is open from 5 – 10 p.m. Gates close one hour before the end of each night.

The Gilmore Car Museum is located at 6865 W Hickory Rd, Hickory Corners, just outside Kalamazoo. Tickets are sold per person. For adults 18+ tickets purchased at the door cost $20 or $17.50 when purchased online in advance. For those ages, 5-17 tickets cost $12 at the door or $9.50 when purchased online in advance. Children 4 and under are free. Tickets are now available for purchase at GilmoreCarMuseum.org.

Scenes from Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World exhibition and events. (Supplied/Dean VanDis)

University of Michigan Health-West Christmas & Holiday Traditions

The annual University of Michigan Health-West Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition is back at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

 

This is the 27th year of their annual horticulture exhibition. Every year during the holiday season the Gardens transform into a winter wonderland. The exhibition features 46 international trees and displays showcasing different cultures and continents. This year the gardens will be illuminated by 300,000 lights. Inside guests can view the companion Railway Garden exhibition. This is a unique horticultural display that incorporates moving trains and trolleys alongside handcrafted replicas of Grand Rapids landmarks.

 

On specific dates, the Dickens Carolers will be roaming the Bissell and Gunberg corridors singing holiday favorites. They will be at the Gardens on Nov. 23, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, and Dec. 21 from 6 – 8 p.m.

Outside guests can bundle up and enjoy an outdoor discovery walk. This year the walk themes are Birds and Their Senses, and Holiday Carols and Symbols. On Saturdays, until Dec. 18, the Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farm will be hosting reindeer visits from 1 – 4 p.m.

The gardens are open on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m, and on Mondays – Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For the holidays season, they have extended their late hours to 9 p.m on Dec. 20-23 and 27-30. They will be closed on Nov. 25, Dec. 25, and Jan. 1.

To enter the gardens tickets for adults are $14.50, students (with student ID) $11, children ages 5 to 13 are $7, children 3 to 4 are $4, and children 2 and under are free. The exhibition will run from Nov. 23 to Jan. 2..  For more information about the holiday exhibition, visit www.meijergardens.org

The Christmas Lite Show returns to the Whitecaps home, LMCU Ballpark in Comstock Park. (courtesy Christmas Lite Show)

Christmas Lite Show

The Christmas Lite Show has become a holiday tradition for many families in West Michigan and this year the attraction is back to spread holiday cheer.

The attraction typically takes half an hour to drive through. This year organizers have added several new animated displays along with new lights and tunnels. Another option is to take a ride on the Memory Lane Train to experience the show. To ride the train tickets are $30 per bench seat. Benches fit two adults comfortably and small children are allowed to sit on laps for free. The train has 10 benches and can fit 20 adults comfortably. Train tickets must be purchased online and are not available for purchase at the station.

Tickets for the drive-thru are available online or at the ticket window. Tickets start at $28 and vary depending on the size of the vehicle. Once purchased tickets are good for one-time use anytime from Nov. 24 to Jan. 1. The attraction is open on Sundays to Thursdays from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays, it will be open from 5:30 to 10 p.m.

The attraction is located at LMCU Ballpark in Comstock Park. Tickets and more information can be found at www.christmasliteshow.com.

The Weekend Edition: Things to do Nov. 25 – 27

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

screen-shot-2016-11-21-at-1-45-13-pm

 

’Twas the Night Before Christmas

The Creative Arts Repertoire Ensemble continues its holiday tradition with the annual presentation of the “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” ballet Thanksgiving weekend.

The original ballet, based on Clement C. Moore’s familiar poem and set to traditional holiday music, features mischievous mice, dancing stockings, magical toys and Santa with his prancing reindeer, all combining to create a wonderful hour of family entertainment.

 

Because the show is about an hour long, it is great for any age and a nice way to introduce younger children to the arts. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25; 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, at East Grand Rapids Performing Arts Center, 2211 Lake Drive SE.

Tickets are $15/adults and $10/students. This show does sell out quickly. For tickets, go to careballet.org.

 

A nativity scene from Italy is part of the Meijer Gardens holiday display. (supplied)
A nativity scene from Italy is part of the Meijer Gardens holiday display. (supplied)

Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World

 

So you ate a lot of turkey over Thanksgiving and now are looking for a place to walk it off that does not necessarily involve shopping. Head over to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1000 E. Beltline NE, which has opened its annual Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World.

 

The exhibit features more than 40 international trees and displays as well as the railway garden that meanders through four indoor garden spaces and features recreated Grand Rapids landmarks. There will be narratives and special displays from Iceland, Ghana, Germany and the countries and other counties and cultures.

 

The exhibit runs through Jan. 8. For more information, visit meijergardens.org.

 

straightnochaser

Have Another

The popular a cappella group Straight No Chaser returns to DeVos hall Friday, Nov. 25, for its “I’ll Have Another…World Tour.”

 

The North American leg — which celebrates the 20th anniversary of the cappella group’s foundation in 1996 and the first show at Indiana University — will be at 8 p.m. at DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW.

 

The group became pYouTube sensation with is holiday performances. They have been touring since 2008 and in the past several years and in the past several years have made a departure from holiday music. This year, the group has returned to the holiday classics with its latest recording “I’ll have Another…Christmas Album.” The new album features a number of holiday classics, such as “All I Want for Christmas is You” and “Winter Wonderland,” along with such songs as “Run, Run Rudolph” and “To Christmas” (The Drinking Song).

 

Tickets for the Straight No Chaser concert are $34.50 – $64.50. The concert does sell out quickly. for more information or for tickets, visit devosperformancehall.com.

 

mlk9-e1471880123600A walk in the wintry woods

 

Blandford Nature Center, 1715 Hillburn Ave. NW, is open year around and offers lots of seasonal opportunities.

 

Complete a self-guided hike using one of the center’s free, themed-trail day packs located at its Visitor Center or rent snowshoes for a different way to explore the nature center’s trails. There are also Blandford’s Heritage Buildings that allows visitors to take a trip back in time along with an opportunity to visit with the songbirds, birds of prey and mammals in the observation area.

 

Cost is $3 per person. Blandford Nature Center is open 9 a.m. — 5 p.m. Monday — Friday and noon — 5 p.m. Saturday. For more information about upcoming events and activities, visit blandfordnaturecenter.org.