Festival of Lights

Mid Nov - Downtown Big Rapids

The Big Rapids Downtown Business Association brings you the Festival of Lights Christmas Parade and Annual Downtown Tree Lighting. This popular parade features about 30 floats and groups of walkers loaded with Christmas lights, live reindeer, plus Santa & Mrs. Claus’ grand entrance! A short program and tree lighting ceremony takes place after the parade in front of the downtown Chemical Bank branch. Prizes awarded to the most creative float, float with the most lights, and the largest group of walkers and best Christmas/ Winter Scene. There will be plenty of hot chocolate stations to keep you warm as well!

Entry Rules to participate in the parade:
- $10 entry fee
-Line-up starts ay 4 p.m. along Michigan Avenue
-Please be COMPLETELY set up by 5:30 p.m.
-Walkers enter the parade at the Public Library
-Only Christmas music shall be played on floats
-No throwing of candy from floats, may be handed out by walkers
-all entries MUST be lighted

Prizes awarded to:
-Most Creative
-Most Lights
-Largest Group
-Best Christmas/Winter Scene