Silver Bells in the City 2024
Friday, November 22, 2024 from 5-9:00 PM
Downtown Lansing
Silver Bells in the City 2024
Friday, November 22, 2024 from 5-9:00 PM
Downtown Lansing
Millions of lights. Thousands of people. One very special guest.
Are you ready for Lansing’s premier holiday event?
The entire city will glow with thousands of lights for the Silver Bells in the City celebration, bringing together family and friends from across the state of Michigan and beyond to kick-off the holiday season.
Silver Bells in the City is a Lansing tradition that is loved by generations of families. Silver Bells in the City attracts more than 45,000 people to the capital city each year and takes place annually on the Friday before Thanksgiving in Lansing, Michigan.
Silver Bells is a rain or shine event. For weather, traffic, and/or emergency alerts for Silver Bells ONLY, sign up to receive text messages by texting "silverbells" to 888-777.
Silver Bells in the City is presented by the Lansing Board of Water and Light and the City of Lansing and is coordinated by a dedicated Coordinating Committee under the direction of the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority. Silver Bells in the City is produced with the assistance of many passionate volunteers and remains free to all through the support of many generous sponsors along with assistance from the State of Michigan and City of Lansing.
About Our Event
About Our Event
About Our Event
Started from humble beginnings in 1984 by the Arts Council of Greater Lansing, to the full blown extravaganza the city experiences today, Silver Bells in the City has been providing fun, merriment and joy to thousands for a quarter century. Silver Bells in the City started as a modest event, enveloping the city in the holiday spirit with 2,500 luminaries that framed the Washington Square Mall. A community sing was led by Mayor Terry McKane. It wasn’t until the third year that the State Tree was lit during Silver Bells festivities.
Over the years the event grew adding more attractions including ice sculptures, carriage rides and local venues open to the public free of charge. In 1995, a small Santa Parade was introduced on Saturday morning. Two years later, the first Silver Bells Electric Light Parade dazzled onlookers on Friday night and attendance jumped significantly. Santa and his reindeer made their first appearance in 2000 at the Lansing City Market, and in 2001 fireworks lit up the sky behind the Capitol dome. In 2003, through a partnership with IBEW Local #665, roof top lighting was added to more than a hundred downtown buildings framing the city in lights for all to see.
In 2010, the torch was passed to Downtown Lansing Inc. to keep the cherished tradition that is Silver Bells in the City alive. In 2010 the first Silver Bells Village will make its debut on E. Allegan Street. This holiday market features unique goods, refreshments and artist wares from twenty vendors for those who want to get started on their holiday shopping.
Downtown cultural institutions and venues will also be open and free to the public featuring nearly 50 arts and cultural entertainers. In addition, free cookies and cider will be available at five locations throughout the city. The evening will culminate with a concert at the Lansing Center.
In 2019, the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority took the reins and Silver Bells in the City promises to be all that it has been and so much more for years to come.