Every December, downtown Grass Lake transforms into a warm, glowing celebration of connection, cookies, and community spirit. The annual Festival of Lights & Cookie Tour has become one of the village’s most beloved traditions—an event that brings families together, highlights local businesses, and fills the streets with holiday magic.

For co-chair Patricia Simpson, who was “born and raised in the little village of Leoni and went to Grass Lake Schools,” the festival is more than a seasonal event. It’s a homegrown tradition that continues to grow thanks to the dedication of volunteers, local organizations, and longtime residents who care deeply about their town.

How the Tradition Began

According to Patricia, the Festival of Lights has been a community staple for around a decade, bringing joy to families and supporting the businesses that make downtown Grass Lake special.

The Cookie Tour, she explains, was created to bring local businesses together and give families a fun, welcoming way to explore the village. “It brings the children and their families downtown, and it gives them a sense of unity,” she shared. Today, nearly 30 locations participate—including local shops, churches, and organizations who each bake hundreds of cookies for families to enjoy.

What to Expect in 2025

This year’s Festival of Lights & Cookie Tour will take place on:

📅 Saturday, December 6, 2025
🕗 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
📍 Downtown Grass Lake & Surrounding Stops

🎅 Breakfast With Santa (8 AM–11 AM)

The Grass Lake Area Fire Department kicks off the morning by hosting free Breakfast with Santa, while also collecting non-perishable food and toys to support local families.

🎄 Cookie Tour (10 AM–2 PM)

Families pick up their special Cookie Tour bags and visit participating stops throughout the village—including businesses, churches, and community locations. Each family receives one cookie per stop, creating a fun, sweet scavenger-hunt-style adventure.

Passports can be picked up at the Grass Lake Depot, where volunteers welcome families throughout the morning and early afternoon.

🎁 Raffles & Treats at the Depot

At the Grass Lake Depot, volunteers hand out cookies and run a holiday raffle featuring locally made wreaths and baskets.

🌲 The Annual Tree Walk

The Grass Lake Township Advance Center hosts the annual Tree Walk, where families and businesses can sponsor a decorated tree in honor, in memory, or simply to add to the seasonal beauty. “People can put their children’s names, a business logo—whatever they’d like—on their sign,” Patricia explained.

🧝 Characters, Wagon Rides & More

Families will see beloved holiday characters—including Cindy Lou Who, the Grinch, and others—thanks to the creativity of local volunteers and businesses. Wagon rides will also be available to help families travel comfortably throughout the village.

🎼 Live Music & Performances

Longtime community supporter Joe DeBoe (Ghost Rider DJ) will keep the music going throughout the day, setting the upbeat tone the festival is known for. Leading up to the tree lighting, guests will also enjoy special performances from local singer Marla Moore, owner of the Ann Arbor Music Academy along with The Michigan Carolers.

Patricia’s excitement was clear: “It’s always moving down there during the tree lighting—the energy, the floats, the music… it’s just a great time for a lot of us.”

✨ The Light Parade & Tree Lighting (6 PM)

The evening ends with the beloved Light Parade, followed by the annual tree lighting ceremony. A child from the crowd is chosen at random to help Santa light the community tree—one of the most magical moments of the day.

Why the Festival Matters

For Patricia, staying involved is deeply meaningful. “I guess I’m still a child at heart… I love seeing the smile on the children’s faces. I love Christmas lights, and I love how the community gets together.”

The festival is planned and executed by a small but dedicated team—many of whom grew up in Grass Lake. Local businesses open their doors, volunteers donate countless hours, and organizations throughout town contribute in meaningful ways. As Patricia shared, “Everyone is doing something for the children.”

This commitment is what makes the festival uniquely Grass Lake: a celebration created by neighbors, for neighbors.

How to Get Involved

The Festival of Lights thrives because of community participation. Here’s how you can help:

👉 Become a sponsor

Your sponsorship directly supports tree lights, entertainment, volunteer coordination, and accessibility features for all ages. Festival of Lights Sponsor Form

👉 Sponsor a Tree

Families and businesses can sponsor a tree for the Tree Walk.
Community Tree Walk Form

👉 Join the Parade

Local groups and businesses are encouraged to participate in the Light Parade.
Parade Entry Form (PDF)

👉 Volunteer

The committee welcomes volunteers for various time slots throughout the day.
Volunteer Sign-Up Form: (insert link)

👉 Join the Festival Team

The organizing team invites new members who want to help shape next year’s event. Contact Patricia [email protected] or Larry [email protected].

Learn More

Visit the Grass Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce for full event details, maps, and updates. https://grasslakechamber.org/post/grass-lake-festival-of-lights-2025

Follow the Grass Lake Festival of Lights Facebook page for announcements throughout the season. https://www.facebook.com/GrassLakeFestivalofLights