December is a busy month in Lowell, Michigan with activities planned by the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, area churches and businesses. Here’s breakdown of everything that is happening in the area. The main event – the annual Night-Time Santa Parade – happens this Saturday, December 4, 2021.
Christmas Festivities in Lowell – December 4, 2021
Rouge River Artisans Annual Fine Art and Craft Holiday Show – Now in its 38th year, this art show features work from more than 100 juried artisans. The show is held at Lowell High School from 9am-4pm, and there is a $2 admission fee.
Friends of the Library Book Sale – Stop by the Englehardt Branch of Kent District Library to peruse the book selection in the community room. The sale runs from 9:30am–5pm, and books are $1 for hardcovers and 50 cents for paperbacks.
Heidi’s Farmstand Live Nativity – Head south to the corner of Alden Nash Ave. and Cascade Road, near the I-96 interchange, to see a live nativity at Heidi’s Farmstand. The event will run from 11am-3pm, and visitors who talk to all five historical characters in the nativity will get a free donut and hot chocolate.
Santa Visits on the Showboat – At long last, Santa will be back on the Showboat for visits with area children. On Saturday, December 4, Santa will be available from 2:30-4pm, and Bruce Doll will be taking photos that can be accessed online. There will also be cookies and hot chocolate, and while visits and treats are free, a $2 donation is suggested. Keep scrolling down to see more times to visit with Santa.
Rudolf’s Craft Workshop – Before or after visiting Santa, kids can stop by the Chamber building on the Riverwalk for some crafty fun sponsored by Curiosity Corner Preschool and the TOTS program. Crafting will be available from 2:30-4pm.
Pancake Supper – What could be better than breakfast for dinner? Swing by the King Building at Recreation Park (Lowell Fairgrounds) to enjoy a pancake supper brought to you by the Kent County Youth Fair. Dinner runs from 4pm-6pm with a suggested donation of $5 per adult and $3 per child. Proceeds benefit the Kent County Youth Fair. Word is the man in red – that would be Santa – will make an appearance.
Annual Night-Time Santa Parade – The day caps off with the annual nighttime parade, this year featuring the theme “Light it Up with the Magic of Christmas.” The parade starts promptly at 6pm and runs from Riverside Drive, through the historic downtown on Main Street and ends at the Lowell United Methodist Church.
Santa Visits on the Showboat
In addition to December 4, there will be other opportunities to visit with Santa on the Lowell Showboat. Dates and times are as follows:
Dec. 8 – 5:30-7pm
Dec. 11 – 10:30am-1pm
Dec. 15 – 5:30-7pm
Dec. 18 – 10:30am-1pm
Dec. 22 – 5:30-7pm
Plus, you can see Santa during A Nite of Christmas Cheer. More about that next…
A Nite of Christmas Cheer
On Friday, December 10, there will be old-fashioned fun during A Nite of Christmas Cheer. Running from 5:30-7:30pm, stop by the Riverwalk to enjoy the following:
- Visits with Santa
- Hot dogs sponsored by Arctic Heating & Cooling
- Roasted chestnuts sponsored by the Lowell Area Historical Museum
- Horse and carriage rides
- Live reindeer
- Hot cocoa and cookies
- Warming fires
Christmas Movie Sundays at Lowell United Methodist Church
Lowell United Methodist Church will showing family-friendly Christmas movies in their Wesley Hall on the following days:
Dec. 4 — Elf
Dec. 5 – Home Alone
Dec. 12 – To Be Determined
Dec. 19 – To Be Determined
Movies will start at 4pm, and free popcorn and hot cocoa will be provided. There is no charge to attend. After the movie, the fun moves outside where the church plans an “O Christmas Tree Advent gathering” with Christmas carols and a warming fire.
On December 4 – the night of the Santa Parade – the church will also be open from 4pm-9pm as a warming station, and bathrooms will be available. After that evening’s movie is done, there will be caroling in the west parking lot until the parade reaches the church. Cookies and hot cocoa will also be available after the parade.
Luminary Hike at Wittenbach Wege Center
Held at the Wittenbach Wege Center, across from Lowell High School on Vergennes Road, the annual Luminary Hike for 2021 will span three days:
Dec. 10 – 5-9pm
Dec. 11 – 5-9pm
Dec. 12 – 5-8:30pm
Saturday, December 11, is family night and will include stringing popcorn or making pinecone birdfeeder ornaments at the cabin on the trail. At the center, there will another craft activity as well. Hot cocoa will be available for $1.
On Friday and Sunday, visitors are invited to enjoy a luminary-lighted walk in the woods, but there will be no craft activities.
The 2021 WWC Luminary Hike is a one-mile walk with the option to add an additional half mile loop. No dogs are allowed, and hikers are asked to use whisper voices when walking. The center is requesting a donation of $2 per person or $10 per family for the event. Proceeds will support the center’s programming.
To avoid overcrowding, participants must sign up for an arrival time via Sign-up Genius. Access the sign-up page using this link.
Who Will Be the Next North Pole Star?
Each year, the Lowell High School Drama Department puts on a holiday production and this time it’s “Who Will Be the Next North Pole Star?” Showtimes will be:
Dec. 16 – 7pm
Dec. 17 – 7pm
Dec. 18 – 10:30am
The play revolves around Mr. Jack Frost’s efforts to find a star for his next hit series. General admission tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door of the Lowell Performing Arts Center at Lowell High School.
Christmas Service of Lessons and Carols
Down the road at Ada Christian Reformed Church, there will be a Christmas Service of Lessons and Carols on December 19 at 6:30pm. Featuring music from Jubal Brass, the service will include Bible readings, traditional hymns and Christmas carols. Refreshments will be served afterward.
LowellArts Artist Market
For handcrafted gifts from local artisans, head to the Artist Market. It can be found in the LowellArts gallery at the corner of Main Street and Broadway Street in the historic downtown.
Hours for the market are:
Tuesdays-Saturdays: 10am-6pm
Sundays: 12-5pm
The market runs through December 24 and features the work of more than 50 artists in mediums that include pottery, fiber, wood, soap, leather, jewelry and more.
2021 Lowell Holiday Lighting Competition
Lowell Light & Power and the Lowell Rotary Club are teaming up once again to hold a Holiday Lighting Competition. Anyone in the Lowell Light & Power service area can enter by decorating their home or business. Call, email or message Lowell Light & Power to let them know you want to be in the running to win a prize package, trophy and bragging rights for having the most festive house or business in Lowell.
Businesses face stiff competition as Greenridge Realty has been the perennial winner in that category. Meanwhile, past residential winners seem to be upping the ante this year.
Need some inspiration? Take a look at the winning displays from 2019 and 2020.
The 2021 winner will be announced on December 13 so you have about two weeks to get your property decked out for the holidays.
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