Millions of lights. Thousands of people. One very special guest. Are you ready for Lansing’s premiere holiday event?

The entire city will glow with millions of lights for the 28th Annual Silver Bells in the City, bringing together family and friends from all over Michigan to celebrate the holiday season.

This year features even more activities and special outdoor performances, all highlighted by the very special 16th annual Electric Light parade which steps off at 6:10 pm, Friday, November 16 from the corner of Washington Avenue and Lenawee.

Immediately following the parade, the steps of the State Capitol will sparkle as the State Christmas tree is lighted, followed by a spectacular fireworks display cascading over the capitol dome (weather permitting). Be sure to check out the schedule of events for all of this year's exiciting Silver Bells festivities.

2012 Schedule:

Main Attractions

Silver Bells Fun Run

• Starts 5:00pm

  2.5 mile Fun Run (walk) starts in front of the State Capitol at 5 pm. Costumes are encouraged. The Fun Run is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and coordinated by Playmakers and the Chris & Louise Holman Foundation.

  Register for the Fun Run at runwalkjog.com/silverbells

Radio Disney Road Crew

• 5:00-6:00pm

  Music, games and prizes on the steps of the State Capitol.

Silver Bells Village

• 5:00-9:00pm

  The Silver Bells Village is the perfect place to start your holiday shopping, get some refreshments and purchase your 2012 Silver Bells commemorative ornament. The Village is located on the 100 E. Block of Allegan Street between South Washington Square and Grand Avenue.

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  5:00-9:00pm
  The Silver Bells Village is the perfect place to start your holiday shopping, get some refreshments and purchase your 2012 Silver Bells commemorative ornament. The Village is located on the 100 E. Block of Allegan Street between South Washington Square and Grand Avenue

• 2012 Commemorative Ornament

  

• Remember ringing in the holidays at Silver Bells in the City for years to come by getting a 2012 Silver Bells in the City commemorative ornament! The perfect gift for family, friends or a co-worker. The 2012 Silver Bells ornament is three-dimensional, engraved on the back and made in the U.S.A. They are available for $15 each online or at the Lansing City Market. On the night of the event, the ornaments are also available in the Silver Bells Village (100 E. Allegan Street)

• American Crepes

  • French Food at American Prices. Specializing in a variety of delicious Crepes!

  Artie's Filling Station

  • Gourmet Drinks including coffee, hot chocolate, and cider! Locally owned and operated in Old Town Lansing

  Breads & Threads

  • Fresh Baked sweet breads and hand crocheted heirloom pieces

  Delaina Cooper

  • Glow sticks, light up toys, and other novelty toys for children

  Doll's Cookie Basket

  • Homemade cookies

  Grandma Shirley's Famous Peanut Brittle

  • 44th anniversary of making Grandma ShirleyÕs Famous Peanut Brittle Recipe

  Hot Chocolate Bliss

  • Over 35 flavors of gourmet flavored hot chocolate

  Kettle Corn of Michigan

  • A variety of kettle corn made fresh on site

  LJ'S LEAP

  • Fiber Art pieces, Paper Art

  Love That Soap

  • All natural soaps and lotions

  Ofilia's Burrito

  • Homemade burritos and tamales

  Rightfully Raw

  • Great tasting, fresh, healthy, and raw foods including dips, salsas, desserts, and snacks

  Uncle Calvin's Sweet Potato

  • Homemade Baked Sweet Potato Pies. Comes in 3 or 9 inch sizes

  U.P. Pastie Company

  • Fresh or Frozen homemade Pasties, including mini-bite size pasties served with hot gray or our special cherry ketchup sauce

  What Up Dawg

  • Gourmet Hot Dogs

16th Annual Electric Light Parade

• Steps Off at 6:10pm

  Bring the whole family to enjoy the Electric Light Parade. Over 60 units all decked out with thousands of lights, local High School Marching Bands, horse drawn carriages and more!

Lighting of the Official State Tree

• Approximately 7:20pm

  The tree lighting takes place in front of the State Capitol.

Fireworks

• Approximately 7:30pm

  Enjoy a dazzling fireworks display (weather permitting) over the dome of the State Capitol.

Coco Jones live in Concert Hosted by Radio Disney AM910

• Approximately 7:45 pm 

  Coco Jones, the talented 14 year old actress/singer/rapper and Disney star recently starred in the Disney Channel's Original Movie Let it Shine opposite Tyler James Williams and Trevor Jackson. She also has recurring roles on Disney Channel's So Random! and Good Luck Charlie. Jones recently signed to Hollywood Records and has been in the studio co-writing and recording all-new original music for her highly anticipated debut album.

  Learn more about Coco Jones by visiting therealcocojones.com

Downtown Entertainment

Lansing City Hall

• 7:15–8:00pm

  Glen Erin Pipe Band

• 8:00–8:30pm

  Capitol City Jass Society (Instrumental Jazz)

Mainstage, Corner of Michigan & Capitol

• Following Parade

  Lighting of Michigan’s Official Christmas Tree & Fireworks Display (Weather Permitting)

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 218 W. Ottawa

• 7:30–8:00pm

  St. Paul’s Handbell Choir

Washington Square, 100 S. Block

• 5:30–6:30pm

  Strolling Clowns

• 7:30–8:30pm

  Water Wonderland Chorus of Sweet Adelines International

Washington Square, 200 S. Block

• 5:30–6:30pm

  Strolling Clowns

• 5:30–8:00pm

  First Congregational Church Celestial Handbell Ensemble

• 7:30–8:30pm

  Capitol City Chordsmen (Barbershop Quartet)

Washington Square, 300 S. Block

• 5:30–6:30pm

  Strolling Clowns

Cata Transportation Center

• 5:00–6:00pm

  Lansing Concert Band (Woodwind Quartet)

• 6:30–8:30pm

  Caricature Artists

• 6:30–8:30pm

  Clowns and Face Painting

• 7:30-8:00pm

  Ann's School of Dance

• 8:15–9:00pm

  Spur of the Moment Gang (Acappella)

Downtown Lansing Library, CADL

• 5:00–8:30pm

  Model Railroad Exhibit

• 5:30–8:30pm

  Clowns (Balloon Animals)

• 5:30–8:30pm

  Sally May Britton (Face Painting)

• 6:30–8:30pm

  Instant Photo Booth, capture memories in an instant

• 7:30–8:00pm

  Joel Tacey’s Comedy & Magic Show

• 8:15–8:45pm

  Joel Tacey’s Comedy & Magic Show

State Capitol Building

• 5:30–8:00pm

  Self-Guided Tours of the Capitol

Michigan Library and Historical Center Lobby

• 5:00–6:00pm

  Patch Chords (Barbershop Quartet)

• 5:00–9:00pm

  Michigan Historical Museum Exhibit Galleries

• 6:00–7:00pm

  Wanda Degen (Dulcimer/Autoharp/Singer)

• 7:00–8:00pm

  Tangent

• 8:00–9:00pm

  Namenlos Early Music Consort

Lansing City Market

• 5:00–9:00pm

  Live Reindeer and Santa & Mrs. Claus

• 5:30–6:30pm

  Doug Berch (Dulcimer/Banjo)

• 5:30–8:30pm

  Children’s Crafts

• 6:30–7:30pm

  MSU Community Flute Ensemble

• 7:30-8:30pm

  Dan MacLachlan - Acoustic guitar

Lansing Center - Exhibit Hall A

• 6:10–7:25pm

  Live Broadcast of the Electric Light Parade, Christmas Tree Lighting and Fireworks

• 5:00-6:00pm

  Irish Dance Company of Greater Lansing

• 7:30–8:30pm

  Meridian Community Band

Lansing Community College

• 8:00-9:30pm

  Live Broadcast 89.7 WLNZ "A Christmas Carol-Scrooge" Studio audience welcome at Dart. Admission Free

Radisson Hotel, Corner of Michigan & Grand

• 5:00–6:00pm

  Christian Baes (Soloist)

• 6:00–7:00pm

  El Ballet de Maria Luz

• 7:00–8:00pm

  Ruhala Performing Arts

• 8:00-9:00pm

  Alexis Dawdy (Violinist)

Riverwalk Theatre

• 7:45pm, 8:15pm & 8:45pm

  “No Hole Holiday” (3 shows)

Central United Methodist Church, Corner of Capitol & Ottawa

• 4:45–5:30pm

  Kari Anne and Lost Creek

• 5:30–6:15pm

  Tangent

Breakfast with Santa

• troppo.org/breakfastwithsanta

Ride CATA

Ride CATA for just 50-cents round trip fare when you board a Silver Bells route bus or use your CATA fixed route pass. Children 42" and under ride for free. If you pay with cash, you must have exact change. Transfers to other buses may be made at boarding centers or bus stops along the route. CATA fixed-route transfers are free. Just ask the driver for a transfer ticket when you board your first bus.

The Silver Bells in the City Bus Route will operate: Friday: 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. Buses will run approximately every 10 minutes.

Park & Ride CATA

Take CATA from home to Silver Bells or park in the Michigan Historical Museum parking lot and ride CATA's Silver Bells bus route to the parade and later to the various entertainment sites.

Turn-by-Turn Directions

• Michigan Library & Historical Center
• Exit MLHC south to Kalamazoo Street
• Left (east) on Kalamazoo to Pine Street
• Right (south) on Pine to Main Street
• Left (east) on Main Street to Grand Avenue
• Left (north) on Grand to Lenawee Street
• Left (west) on Lenawee to the CATA Transportation Center (Bay #7)
• Exit CTC to Kalamazoo Street
• Right (east) on Kalamazoo to Grand Avenue
• Left (north) on Grand Avenue to E. Michigan Avenue
• Right (east) on Michigan to Larch Street
• Left (north) on Larch to Shiawassee Street
• Left (west) on Shiawassee to Pine
• Left (south) on Pine to Kalamazoo Street
• Right (west on Kalamazoo to MLHC drive
• Right (north) to MLHC

City of Lansing Parking Ramps

All City of Lansing owned parking ramps are free and open to the public starting at 5:00 pm