Now that it is getting chillier outside and everyone has turned on “winter mode,” the holiday season has arrived. Soon, snow will be sprinkled around and the atmosphere will be gushing with holiday spirit. With the holidays around the corner, one can expect that many places will  have events specifically created to appeal to cheery holiday lovers. Here are a few listed out for you with a snippet of information provided to kick off the holiday season.

The first event on the list is Ada’s Tinsel, Treats, and Trolleys event, taking place on December 2nd. This is an event held in downtown Ada and consists of shops staying open later than usual for the public to stop in quick and visit. Some shops even have hot chocolate for sale. The sidewalks and stores are decorated and on display for the season. The Ada Covered Bridge is lined with dazzling Christmas lights and will be lit at 5:30 p.m. Then, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., people are welcomed into businesses, some having special deals and treats to share.

The following day, December 3rd, Ada hosts the Santa Parade. It is also in downtown Ada. This consists of different organizations, children, and businesses dressing in holiday wear and strutting through the town for wide-eyed kids to watch. It travels throughout Ada and finishes at the fire station. All of this excitement begins at 11 a.m.

After the Santa Parade in downtown Ada, pictures with Santa are available at the Ada fire station. These festive pictures will be  taken from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Free cookies and hot chocolate will be provided as well. Don’t miss a chance to see Santa and snag a cookie.

If you would like to see a ballet, you’re in luck. The Grand Rapids Ballet is performing The Nutcracker, performed at DeVos Performance Hall. The shows start December 9th and continue on until December 18th. The times for the next closest shows that follow the corresponding dates are the 9th, with a showing at 7:30 p.m.; the 10th with showings at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and the 11th at 2:00 p.m.

A theater performance, A Christmas Story: The Musical, is being performed by Broadway Grand Rapids at DeVos Performance Hall. The dates for the function are December 27th through the 30th. The showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. each night, except for the 28th, which has a showing at  2 p.m. in the afternoon.

The show Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! is being displayed at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.  People will see 50 Peanuts daily and more than 50 vintage Peanuts themed novelties. Visitors will see behind the scenes of the making of A Charlie Brown Christmas. As a bonus, this exhibit includes a station to write letters to Santa and a photo station for the whole family.

With all the holiday talk, each event sounds thrilling to go to. There are a variety of activities to special to which specific activity you would enjoy, whether it is a ballet or a night out in Ada. Hop into the holiday season and have a jolly time at these events.