Last updated: November 11, 2024
Excitement is building for the holidays in Walker! Use our guide to discover all the festive fun. Whether you're a Walker veteran or a wide-eyed newcomer, our guide ensures a magical holiday experience.
Popular events this season offer something for everyone. Experience the charm of the Christkindl Markt, where local artisans and festive treats create a delightful holiday atmosphere. Another highlight is the Grand Rapids Ballet's The Nutcracker, showcasing timeless performances filled with enchanting choreography and stunning visuals. And the Christmas Lite Show is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring a dazzling display of lights that will brighten your holiday season. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Walker Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Light Show at Lake Michigan Credit Union Ballpark
- What to Expect
- Animated drive-through light show with over a million lights.
- Description
- The Christmas Lite Show at LMCU Ballpark is West Michigan's largest animated drive-through light show, featuring nearly two miles of over a million lights, animated displays, and lighted tunnels.
- Where
- Grand Rapids | More Info : Holiday Light Show at Lake Michigan Credit Union Ballpark
Walker Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christkindl Markt
- What to Expect
- Traditional European-style Christmas market with artisan food and handmade gifts.
- Description
- The Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt is a traditional European-style Christmas village featuring 60 outdoor vendors selling artisan food and handmade gifts. Enjoy live holiday entertainment, festive family fun, and unique holiday experiences illuminated with international flair.
- Where
- Grand Rapids | More Info : Christkindl Markt
Walker Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Grand Rapids Ballet's The Nutcracker
- What to Expect
- World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
- Description
- Grand Rapids Ballet presents The Nutcracker, a holiday performance featuring Tchaikovsky's renowned score, immersive sets by Chris Van Allsburg and Eugene Lee, and gorgeous choreography by Val Caniparoli. The story follows Clara as she receives a magical nutcracker doll from her mysterious godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, and embarks on a grand battle against an army of mice. After helping the Nutcracker defeat the Mouse King, Clara is guided on a magical adventure by the elegant Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier through the Land of the Sweets.
- Where
- Grand Rapids | More Info : Grand Rapids Ballet's The Nutcracker
Grand Rapids Symphony Holiday Pops
- What to Expect
- Seasonal favorites performed by renowned ensembles.
- Description
- The Grand Rapids Symphony Holiday Pops features a long-standing holiday tradition with conductor Bob Bernhardt, the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, the Grand Rapids Youth Chorus, and the Embellish Handbell Ensemble. The concert includes seasonal favorites like "Joy to the World," "O Come All Ye Faithful," and John Williams' selections from "Home Alone," along with a Christmas Sing-Along and the "Hallelujah" Chorus from "The Messiah." A surprise visit from the North Pole adds to the festive atmosphere.
- Where
- Grand Rapids | More Info : Grand Rapids Symphony Holiday Pops
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
- What to Expect
- Contemporary dance fusion of hip-hop and Tchaikovsky's music.
- Description
- The Hip Hop Nutcracker is a contemporary dance spectacle that re-mixes and re-imagines Tchaikovsky's timeless music with hip-hop dance, featuring a powerhouse cast of all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Kurtis Blow. This holiday event transforms E.T.A. Hoffmann's classic story into vibrant, diverse sights and sounds of contemporary New York City, celebrating love, community, and the holiday season.
- Where
- Grand Rapids | More Info : The Hip Hop Nutcracker
Christmas & Holiday Traditions at Frederik Meijer Gardens
- What to Expect
- A breathtaking display of holiday plant life in a beautiful garden setting.
- Description
- This seasonal celebration features stunning displays of holiday flora, unique themed exhibits, and seasonal performances set against the backdrop of the beautiful gardens. Visitors can experience the joy of the season while strolling through pathways adorned with twinkling lights and vibrant decorations, highlighting diverse cultural traditions.
- Where
- Grand Rapids | More Info : Christmas & Holiday Traditions at Frederik Meijer Gardens
Walker Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Pub Crawl Event
- What to Expect
- Holiday-themed bar crawl with exclusive drinkware and festive attire.
- Description
- Join the 8th Annual 12 Bars of Christmas Crawl in Grand Rapids, where you'll enjoy holiday-themed drinks, special deals, and outrageous costumes at multiple bars.
- Where
- Grand Rapids | More Info : Christmas Pub Crawl Event