Having a Small Town Christmas in Flint & Genesee

Flint & Genesee is lucky to have two premiere large-scale holiday events during December. Christmas Holiday Magic at Crossroads has become a tradition in families across the county and the Flint Cultural Center’s Holiday Walk is an event not to be missed for its scale and how much can be done that one evening. The holiday-themed events don’t end with those though, and for anyone looking to add a little small-town holiday to their Christmas, there are plenty of events to do just that.

Flushing’s annual CandleWalk happens on Dec. 8 and will fill the downtown of the city with candles that will line the street. This community gathering will offer warming stations, roasted chestnuts, shopping, and Santa arriving with a parade. Santa will be available for all wishes and letters in Goggins Hall. The “Parade of Lights” kicks off the day before when Santa receives the key to the city, and the Christmas tree is lit.   

Grand Blanc has a full slate of events for the holidays. On Dec. 1 they will have their 5^th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting as Santa arrives at Creasey Bicentennial Park to light the tree and enjoy some fireworks. Dec. 17, 19, and 21 bring Holiday Walking Night at Bicentennial Park where cars and their occupants pay $20 to drive through a mile of lighted trails and displays with proceeds to be donated to different projects or organizations. On Dec. 8-9, you can take a wagon ride around Bicentennial Park, as well though you must book online to do this.

In Linden, there is Linden’s Holiday Happening Frosty Parade & Fireworks Celebration on Dec. 1, which will turn the downtown into a winter wonderland. There’s a parade, pictures with Santa, shopping, a photo booth, a family fun tent, an elf hunt, museum tours, horse carriage rides, food trucks, and even fireworks. There’s enough to keep a family busy for an entire evening and to start the month’s festivities off on the right hoof.

Davison’s Robert Williams Nature and Historical Learning Center will be offering a Trail of Lights selected nights Dec. 8-23. Families that join the 8^th Annual Trail will get to listen to Christmas music and have hot cocoa as they walk along the lit paths. Wagon rides are also available, but you must pre-purchase that ticket.

On Dec. 2, you can enjoy the 39^th Annual Swartz Creek Firefighter’s Christmas Parade which kicks things off in the Swartz Creek area. Here you will find a parade, Santa, cocoa, donuts, and its Christmas tree lighting. On Dec. 9, the Fenton Ballet Theatre will be presenting “The Nutcracker” at the Swartz Creek Performing Arts Center as well.

Just outside of the area, in Holly, you’ll find the 50^th Annual Holly Dickens Festival. This annual festival runs for several nights from Nov. 24-Dec. 10, and you will find that old town Holly has been transformed into Dickensian England with characters roaming the streets and the classic “A Christmas Carol” coming to life. There will be street performers, food, music, and shopping during this immersive event.

Just down the road on the grounds of the Michigan Renaissance Festival, you’ll find HollyDazzle, a holiday festival in the middle of the area’s medieval city. There will be food, folly, and the merriment of the season with carols, stories, and beautiful decorations for everyone to enjoy. It’s a short drive for a long night of fun.

Part of the fun of the season, along with the decorating and the delicious food, is reliving those small-town holiday moments we have seen in countless movies and television shows. Flint & Genesee has many opportunities in its towns and cities to ring in the season and celebrate it. It’s time to slow down to appreciate the magic of this time of year.