LANSING, Mich. — Hear them ring! Silver Bells in the City, Downtown Lansing’s storied holiday extravaganza, is returning for a 41st year on Friday, Nov. 21, from 5 to 9 p.m.
First held in 1984, Silver Bells in the City has transcended modest beginnings to become a touchstone event which annually attracts more than 40,000 to Michigan’s capital city on the Friday before Thanksgiving. In 2024, the economic impact of the celebration was estimated at $1.4 million. The Lansing Board of Water & Light & the City of Lansing annually present this festive season opener.
Silver Bells in the City is heralded by the Light the City program. The rooftops of more than 120 downtown buildings are illuminated by more than 15,000 linear feet of cable and approximately 85,000 lamps throughout the holiday season.
Electric Light Parade Sparks Joy
The signature Electric Light Parade has anchored Silver Bells since 1997. This year’s parade steps off at 6 p.m. from the corner of Lenawee Street and South Washington Square. The parade features more than 70 entries decked out with thousands of lights. Entries include nine high school marching bands, horse drawn dignitary carriages, Santa Claus atop his sleigh and more! Special guests this year include Paws — beloved mascot of the Detroit Tigers — the Drum KINGZ, the Petoskey Steel Drum Band and the Mott Campus clowns.
39th State Christmas Tree Hails from UP
Following the parade, the festivities continue with the annual state Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Capitol building. Dignitaries will flip the switch that sets it aglow at approximately 7:30 p.m. This year’s state tree is a gorgeous 68-foot-tall spruce donated by Sault Ste. Marie resident Linda Reid, who donated the tree in honor of her grandparents, Lawrence and Nettie Richey. The spruce will be harvested Oct. 30 and arrives downtown Nov. 1.
For those unable to attend in person, FOX 47 broadcasts the Silver Bells in the City Electric Light Parade live from 6 to 8 p.m. The broadcast also airs locally at the same time on Comcast Channel 12 courtesy of the Lansing Public Media Center.
Replays air on FOX 47:
- Thursday, Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day), from 8 to 10 a.m.
- Friday, Nov. 28 (Black Friday), from 9 to 11 a.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 21, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day), from 10 a.m. to noon
Additional airings occur on City of Lansing-TV every Friday and Saturday evening from Nov. 21 through Dec. 31 beginning at 7 p.m.
