Calendar
Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World
November 18, 2009 – January 10, 2010
Excitement surrounds us this time of year as Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World brings the glow of 300,000 lights, strolling carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides and more than 40 international trees and displays. A new feature this year is a Vietnamese Ancestral Altar celebrating the Lunar New Year, Tet Nguyen Dan, along with the return of three important festive displays honoring the Chinese New Year, the Muslim celebration of Eid ul-Fitr, and the unique illumination traditions from the Philippines known as Parols. There will also be extended holiday hours on December 26, 28, 29 and 30th. The entire facility will be open until 9 pm.
Enjoy the Spirit of the Season
Have fun reminiscing with family memories throughout the entire Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World exhibition, including the Railway Garden, or bundle up and head out to the Children’s Garden for hands-on holiday fun with several interactive daily activities.
Sponsored by:
Railway Garden
The Railway Garden, beloved by children of all ages, will again travel through lush gardens, over bridges and past buildings—all made using only natural materials. While our train and trolleys are always popular, this year features a holiday scents display with wonderful seasonal smells to spark holiday memories.
Sponsored by:
Carriage Rides by Grand Carriages, LLC
5:30 - 8:30 pm
November 17, 24
December 1, 8, 15, 22, 26, 28, 29, 30
As part of the Meijer Gardens’ “Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World” exhibition, a scenic carriage ride will take you around the luminescent sculpture park. The member price is $50 per carriage, up to four adults. The Non-member price is $80 per carriage, up to 4 adults. Reservations required, call 616-975-3151.
Sing-A-Long Trolley Rides
1, 8, 15, 22, 26, 28, 29, 30
5:30 – 8:30 pm
$8 Adults, $5 Children
As part of the Meijer Gardens’ “Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World” exhibition, the Sing-A-Long Trolley Rides will have all ages enjoying classic holiday songs. No reservations required.
Art Activities for Families
November 17, 24
December 1, 8, 15, 22, 26, 28, 29, 30
6 - 8 pm
Free with admission
Visit the new Vietnamese exhibit, and create a family New Year’s scroll for your home using traditional red paper and gold writing to express your family’s wishes for the new year. Then try your hand at creating Hoa Mai (apricot) and Hoa Dao (peach) branches with tissue paper blossoms, symbols of new beginnings.
Children’s Garden Activities
(During Open Hours Except For Tuesday Evenings)
- Make Vietnamese paper flowers and fortune sticks
- Create Ukrainian spider webs
- Add to our magnetic winter mural
- Warm-up and read in the holiday book corner
- Play conductor at the miniature train table
Santa Visits
(Tuesdays Only)
November 17, 24
December 1, 8, 15, 22
6 – 8 pm
The Original Dickens Carolers
(Tuesdays Only)
November 17, 24
December 1, 8, 15, 22
6 – 8 pm
Roof Top Reindeer
(Saturdays Only)
November 21, 28
December 5, 12, 19
1 – 4 pm
Location: English Perennial Garden