LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Tens of thousands of Michiganders are gathering downtown tonight for Silver Bells in the City, Lansing’s beloved holiday tradition. The annual celebration brings together community, lights, music, and magic, and it’s a long night of festive moments.
Earlier in the day, vendors from across the region hustled to set up in the Silver Bells Village. One vendor, Sammy, said, “I’m just really excited to see all of the people smell all the really good food.” Around 30 local artisans and food trucks line Washington and Allegan Streets, offering everything from handmade art to coffee and sweets.
For food stand owners like Mario of Taqueria Monarca, this is more than a sales opportunity. “This is our third year … it is beautiful. We love to see a lot of people coming together as a community,” he said, highlighting how the event connects neighbors and small business owners alike.
The Electric Light Parade has been a fixture since 1997, featuring over 70 illuminated entries, including nine high school bands, carriages, and a special appearance by Santa.
After the procession, the crowd turned its attention to the State Capitol for the lighting of Michigan’s official Christmas tree. This year’s tree is a 68-foot spruce, donated by a Sault Ste. Marie resident in honor of her grandparents.
The night sky sparkled to cap off the night, not just with lights on buildings, but with a coordinated Firefly drone light show. Over 200 drones, choreographed by professional artists and engineers, danced in sync to music.
The grand finale was a fireworks display over the Capitol, capping the evening with a burst of color.
It takes hundreds of people to pull off the celebration. City crews spent the day erecting barricades, running power, and stringing up thousands of lights. One of the crew members setting up the state, Jason, said Silver Bells is about more than the lights. “There’s so many great projects connected to this event, an electric lights parade, a drone show, fireworks, tree lighting, a Christmas sing-along, and even projection mapping on the Comerica building,” he said.
One local business owner, Trisha Kosloski from Hob Nob Coffee, joked that her favorite part of each year is watching whether the tree lighting will turn out as planned.
As the evening winds down and families begin to head home, what remains is a warm glow, not just from the lights overhead, but from the spirit of togetherness that defines this night. From small business vendors to event crews, and from first-time visitors to longtime Silver Bells fans, it’s clear: this is Lansing’s holiday tradition, and it’s more than just a show, it’s a celebration of community.
