LANSING — Lansing’s Silver Bells in the City is getting ready to celebrate its 41st year with another installment of fun and festivities to go around.
Between the parade, tree lighting and fireworks show, there’s plenty to check out at Silver Bells this Friday.
Here’s what you need to know about the winter event, including where to park, how to receive alerts about weather and traffic, and even participate in a Silver Bells food drive.
What time is Silver Bells?
Silver Bells in the City will kick off at 5 p.m. and go until 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21.
The Silver Bells Village will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., welcoming vendors from throughout the state for shopping, including the 2025 Silver Bells commemorative ornament, designed by Tiffany Marie Luke of La Fille Gallery. Ornaments can also be ordered online at silverbellsinthecity.com/commemorative-ornament.
The 28th annual Electric Light Parade is set to begin at 6 p.m., featuring performances from nine high school marching bands and from the Petoskey Steel Drum band. Former Detroit Lion Herman Moore is serving as the parade’s Grand Marshal.
Santa Claus will be at the parade, as will the Detroit Tigers’ mascot Paws.
The annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be held at 7:30 p.m., setting aglow the state’s 68-foot-tall tree, donated by Sault Ste. Marie resident Linda Reid in honor of her grandparents, Lawrence and Nettie Richey.
After the tree lighting, singer-songwriter Zach Seabaugh will lead the community sing, which will be followed by a drone light show and then fireworks.
How do I watch from home?
If you can’t make it to Silver Bells in person, you’re in luck.
FOX 47 will have the live parade broadcast on from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21. Comcast channel 12 will be showing the broadcast locally as well.
There will be broadcast replays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day Thursday, Nov. 27, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 28, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21, and 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Dec. 25.
Where should I park for Silver Bells?
People visiting downtown Lansing can find parking garages at the North Capitol Ramp on the corner of Ionia Street and Capitol Avenue, at North Grand Ramp on the corner of Ottawa Street and Grand Avenue, at the South Capitol Ramp on the corner of Kalamazoo Street and Capitol Avenue, at Townsend Ramp on the corner of Washtenaw and Townsend streets, and at the South Grand Ramp at the corner of Allegan Street and Grand Avenue.
Additional parking options are available near the Lansing Center, Jackson Field and Lansing Community College.
The full list of options can be found in the program brochure at silverbellsinthecity.com.
What’s the weather going to be like?
Silver Bells is a rain or shine event, though people coming to this year’s event may just feel a bit of a chill.
According to AccuWeather, Friday, Nov. 21’s evening temperatures are expected to be around 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
The daily high is expected to be 48 degrees and the low should fall around 29 degrees.
How do I get involved?
This year, a coalition of non-profits churches and food pantries are joining forces for a food drive.
People can bring non-perishable items to Central United Methodist Church on the corner of Ottawa and Capitol avenues starting at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21. Volunteers will also be at the church until 9 p.m., and donations will be accepted during the 5k run from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Nov. 22.
Monetary donations will be accepted as well.
How can I stay up to date?
People interested in getting updates about Silver Bells, including weather, traffic and emergency alerts can text SilverBells to 78015.
– Contact Karly Graham at kgraham@lsj.com. Follow her on X at @KarlyGrahamJrn.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Silver Bells in the City returns to Lansing Friday. Here’s what you need to know
Reporting by Karly Graham, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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