Your Silver Bells in The City Survival Guide
Silver Bells in the City is coming up in two weeks, and this crash course will help you and your family enjoy it even more.
First off, Silver Bells in the City is happening on Friday November 22nd. The festivities will be kicking off at 5 PM and be running through most of the night all around Downtown Lansing and The Capitol Building. A lot people show up around 2 PM, so if you are planning on going and want a good view, make your plans now to spend a lot of time in Downtown Lansing.
If you have never been to Silver Bells, know that there is a lot going on all night. Silver Bells Village starts at 5 PM (located on the 100 E. Block of Allegan Street between South Washington Square and Grand Avenue) and it is a place for you to get into the holiday spirit more and also pick up some gifts.
There are three noteworthy things that you don't want to miss. The first is the Electric Light Parade, which starts at 6 PM on the Corner of Lenawee and S. Washington Sq. (See the parade route below). Also this year's Electric Light Parade Grand Marshals are Dan Petry and Dave Rozema from the 1984 Detroit Tigers World Series with Paws, the Detroit Tigers mascot, making an appearance. You also want to catch the Official Christmas Tree Lighting at 7:35 PM on Capitol Lawn and then the fireworks show at approx. 7:45 PM above the Capitol. Along with all of that, there are also going to be plenty of performances from Ben Sharkey, a community singer of holiday favorites, and at 8 PM inside the Lansing Center 80s & 90s Popstar Tiffany will be performing.
Next, parking is always an issue, especially downtown, so the map below should help you on where to park. If you want to be close to the parade route, you should think about parking behind the Capitol Building so west of the Capitol. If you want to be near musical performances and more downtown restaurants, then park east of the river.
Finally, the long range forecast for November 22nd is looking cold but not unusually cold with temperatures in the low 30s and probably dropping down to the 20s later in the night. Also there doesn't seem to be a forecast calling for rain or snow, which is good since rain and snow will cancel fireworks, and if it's really bad, could cancel Silver Bells (which has happened before). So make sure you and the kids are bundled up and keep an eye on the weather as we get closer to the event.