Gentex Grand Rapids Santa Parade

Saturday, December 7th 2024

Downtown Grand Rapids

The parade will begin at 5 pm.

Tree lighting to follow at Rosa Park Circle

Grand Rapids Santa Parade Logo

What you can expect at the 2024 Grand Rapids Santa Parade:

The Gentex Santa Parade in downtown Grand Rapids is moving to Saturday, December 7th beginning at 5 pm. Thanks to the Grand Rapids Jaycees Santa will be traveling from the North Pole to join us for this special event that will light up the streets of Grand Rapids for families from all over West Michigan. Santa will be exiting his sleigh at Rosa Park Circle at approximately 6:30 pm and joining the City of Grand Rapids for the annual tree lighting ceremony at 6:45 pm. 

This FREE community event will have over 50 entries in the parade and family fun activities following the tree lighting ceremony. There will be a special station for children to write letters to Santa with First United Methodist Church and free delivery from USPS.  Downtown Grand Rapids will be full of Christmas joy as the community comes together to celebrate the holiday season. As an added bonus Rosa Park Circle Ice Rink will be opening after the tree lighting ceremony. Gentex Corporation will be offering free cookies! Free coffee and hot chocolate will be available.  

Grand Rapids Santa Parade Bands

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Gentex Corp
Meijer
Fans of Valley Field
Grand Rapids Junior League
City of Grand Rapids
AHC Hospitality
Salvation Army Logo
Amway River Bank Run
WOOD TV8
Experience Grand Rapids
RedWater Restaurant Group
generac logo
Kendall Group
KM Online Marketing
Straight No Chaser-Grand Rapids
Great Lakes Invitational December 29 and December 30
Santa Parade City of Grand Rapids

Learn more about parade opportunities here:

Would you like to be in the parade?
Thank you for your interest in the 2024 Grand Rapids Santa Parade! We are excited to have you as a partner in this Grand Rapids tradition. The parade will take place on Saturday, December 7 in the late afternoon and evening. Please complete the parade registration form here to register to participate, and sign the parade waiver, then email it to [email protected] 
Would you like to volunteer at the parade on December 7th?

The community is coming together for the 2024 Grand Rapids Gentex Santa Parade! Some of the volunteer positions include:

  • Staging area volunteers
  • Parade marshals
  • Banner carriers
  • Santa helpers

A general time commitment is 3pm – 7pm. Upon completion of this form, someone will reach out to you regarding your volunteer position.

Please fill out the volunteer form and waiver here and email it to [email protected] 

We could not do it without you, thank you!

Dates & Hours

Saturday, December 7th, 2024 beginning at 5 pm.