There are a lot of Christmas themed activities this weekend...including the Santa Parade in downtown Grand Rapids. There is also the International Wine, Beer and Food Festival, a concert on the Mighty Wurlitzer organ at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, Hockey, Basketball and more!

Some activities include the kids, while others are more for the adults.

Click on the event title for additional information.

 

  • 1

    2018 GR International Wine, Beer & Food Festival

    DeVos Place Convention Center, 303 Monroe Ave., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

    Thursday, November 15th, 2018 - 6:00 pm-9:00 pm

    Friday, November 16th, 2018 - 4:00 pm-10:00 pm

    Saturday, November 17th, 2018 - 2:00 pm-10:00 pm

    Cost: Admission (21+ Only):

    Single Day Admission Ticket: Thurs – $15, Fri – $20, Sat – $20, 3-Day Pass: $40. Tasting Tickets: $0.50 each (All food and beverage samples require varied amounts of tasting tickets.)

    Now in its 11th year, this festival has established itself as Michigan’s premier tasting event, measured by 1,500 wines, beers, ciders and spirits from around the world, along with creations from the area’s finest restaurants. From the connoisseur who lives and breathes for the finer things in life to the novice looking for an introduction to the world of food and spirits, this Festival will deliver a grand experience that is sure to please every palette.

  • 2

    Pizza Parlor Classics with Brett Valliant

    Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

    Friday, November 16th, 2018 - 7:00 pm-9:00 pm

    Saturday, November 17th, 2018 - 2:00 pm-4:00 pm

    Cost: Members Adult $8, Children (ages 3-17) $4. Non-Members Adults $10, Children (ages 3-17) $5

    If  you remember Roaring 20’s Pizza you will want to check out this concert. The same organ that was at Roaring 20’s is now permanently installed at the Grand Rapids Public Museum! Brett will play songs including “Maple Leaf Rag”, “In the Mood”, “Phantom of the Opera”, “Rock Around the Clock” and more! Brett Valliant is an American organist who is highly in demand for his ability to perform many different genres of music on the instrument he loves. Whether at an organ in a concert hall, a majestic church organ on Sunday morning, a mighty Wurlitzer in a theatre, or a Hammond B-3 in a jazz club, Brett is right at home. Critics have defined his performances as “exciting,” refreshing, “unorthodox, and astonishing.”

  • 3

    Basketball: The Grand Rapids Drive

    The DeltaPlex Arena, 2500 Turner Ave., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544

    Friday, November 16th, 2018 - 7:00 pm - Grand Rapids Drive vs. Windy City Bulls

    Saturday, November 17th, 2018 - 7:00 pm - Grand Rapids Drive vs. Canton Charge

    Cost: Tickets start at $5.00

    The Grand Rapids Drive play two games at home this weekend. On Friday, they will take on the Windy City Bulls and it will be Veteran’s Night. Saturday night will be Pistons 90’s Night and the Drive will play the Canton Charge.

  • 4

    Hockey: The Grand Rapids Griffins

    Van Andel Arena, 130 Fulton St. W, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

    Friday, November 16th, 2018 - 7:00 pm - Grand Rapids Griffins  vs. Ontario Reign

    Saturday, November 17th, 2018 - 7:00 pm - Grand Rapids Griffins vs. Manitoba Moose

    Cost: Tickets start at $16.00

    Friday night’s game features $2 hot dogs and $2 beers. On Saturday, there will be a lunchbox giveaway sponsored by Chick-Fil-A, it will be Princess Night and there will also be a post-game autograph session.

  • 5

    Art Van Santa Parade

    Downtown Grand Rapids, MI

    Saturday, November 17, 2018 - 9:00 am

    Cost: Free

    Join the annual tradition for the 99th year and join the Grand Rapids Junior Chamber in kicking off the Christmas Season with the 2018 Art Van Santa Parade! Don't forget to visit the PNC Bank after the parade for a FREE photo with Santa! The parade starts at the corner of Michigan and Monroe and will travel down Monroe to Fulton. Come join the fun and see our Grand Marshall and Guest of Honor Miss Michigan 2018, Emily Sioma. Of course, you know who's coming to town.... SANTA CLAUS! You better watch out! The parade can also be watched LIVE on WOOD TV-8.

  • 6

    Santa's Workshop

    Grand Rapids Public Library - Main Library, 111 Library St., NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

    Saturday, November 17th, 2018 - 10:00 am-12:00 Noon

    Cost: Free

    After the Santa Claus Parade, stop by the library to indulge in more holiday cheer. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be stopping by after the parade to meet all the good little girls and boys in Grand Rapids.  Listen to stories with Mrs. Claus while you warm up with a cup of hot chocolate. Create a holiday craft and help us light the Library Tree! Visit with Santa and tell him your holiday wishes. Holiday crafts and hands-on fun for all ages! Storytime with Mrs. Claus is at 10:30 am and Santa visits at 11:00 am. Free and open to the public.

  • 7

    GR Symphony presents “The Snowman”

    DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

    Saturday, November 17th, 2018 - 3:00 pm

    Cost: Tickets are $15.00

    Back by popular demand! Based on the award-winning children's book “The Snowman” by Raymond Briggs, this concert captures a magical night for a boy and his snowman friend. Live orchestral music accompanies the Oscar-nominated 1982 movie. A great way to kick-off the holiday season! Join them at 2 pm for FREE pre-concert kids activities including crafts and an instrument petting zoo!

  • 8

    Red Nose Run 5K and Winter Wonder Walk

    Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 West River Dr., NE Comstock Park, MI 49321

    Saturday, November 17, 2018 - Run is 6:00 pm-8:30 pm, Walk is 7:00 pm-8:30 pm

    Cost: 5K Registration is $32 for Adults (over 12), $22 for Children under 12. The Walk is $20 for Adults (over 12), $10 for Children under 12, free for Children under 5 or in strollers or wagons

    West Michigan's largest, animated, drive-thru light show, which is now celebrating its 21st year, of entertaining people of all ages. Enjoy nearly two miles, over a million lights, animated displays, lighted tunnels, and more. This is the first year they will be hosting a timed 5k! The Red Nose Run is open to runners of all ages. There will be t-shirts, hot cocoa, and Santa's Reindeer. Make sure to stick around after the 5k to walk through the show at a slower pace with your friends and family during the Winter Wonder Walk. Bring the whole family for a night out of fun!

  • 9

    Elvis Costello & the Imposters

    20 Monroe Live, 11 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

    Saturday, November 17th, 2018 - 8:00 pm

    Cost: Tickets start at $65.00

    Elvis Costello & The Imposters will frame selections from 1982’s "Imperial Bedroom” album with "the songs that led in and out of that velvet-trimmed playhouse.” Asked to elaborate on the show, Costello added, "You must have known by now that we wouldn't play this kind of show by anyone else's rules. You'll hear all the songs that fit the bill; hits and headlines, waifs and strays. In the words of the great Eric Morecambe, ‘I am playing all the right notes but not necessarily in the right order.’" Since 2002, Elvis Costello has toured and recorded extensively with his band The Imposters, featuring bassist Davey Faragher along with original Attractions members, drummer Pete Thomas and keyboardist Steve Nieve.

  • 10

    Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical

    DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

    Sunday, November 18th, 2018 - 7:00 pm

    Cost: Tickets start at $29.00

    The beloved TV classic “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. Come see all your favorite characters from the special including Santa, and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph, as they come to life in Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical. It's an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different can be what makes you special. Don't miss this wonderful holiday tradition that speaks to the misfit in all of us.

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