The IN List 2025: December 8 - December 14
The IN List is a free weekly newsletter that shares the top events going on this week in Rockford, Ada, East Grand Rapids, Downtown Grand Rapids, and NE Grand Rapids.
If you want to be the first to hear about what's happening in the North Indy area every week, be sure to subscribe to this free newsletter here.
These events are all accurate at the time of posting, but be sure to call ahead or check vendor websites/socials before heading out.
Monday, December 8
Member Monday Winter Wonderland: 9am-12pm at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. GRCM members, join us for a special Member Monday as we celebrate the season! Dress in your favorite holiday pajamas as we play from 9am to 12pm. We'll be decorating cookies, drinking hot cocoa, making handprint holiday gifts, doing some winter window painting, and engaging in snowy sensory play.
Tuesday, December 9
Christmas Cheer & Holiday Beer Bones at the Brewery: 5-9pm at Third Nature Brewing Co. Bones at the Brewery will be spreading holiday cheer! A local group; Bones at the Brewery, includes Grand Rapids Symphony Trombonists and will be playing all your favorite holiday classics! Visit their website to book an IgBrew for an extra fun experience! Come out and celebrate the holidays with us!
Trail Tuesdays at Third Nature Brewing Company: 5-8pm. Rockford, MI. Join us for Trail Tuesdays! Every Tuesday stop by between 5 and close and run, walk, bike on the White Pine Trail and receive $2 off your first post workout pint. We’ll raise a glass to that! Be sure to check-in at the host stand. Dogs are welcome in our Biergarten if you would like for your four legged friend to join. Grab the family and friends for some exercise followed by a Biergarten meal and a pint.
Cookie Decorating: 6:30-8pm. St. Julian Winery. Rockford Tasting Room. Get ready to sprinkle a little extra sweetness into your season! Join us at our Rockford tasting room for a festive cookie-decorating party where you get to be the artist. We’ll supply everything you need—freshly baked cookies, colorful frosting, and plenty of sparkly sprinkles—so all you have to bring is your creativity and holiday cheer. Cost is $20, $15 for Club members, and you will have five delicious cookies to take home with you! grab your spot today by calling (616) 263-9087 or stopping into our Rockford tasting room.
Grand Rapids Gold vs Windy City Bulls: 7pm. Van Andel Arena. Downtown Grand Rapids. Get tickets online.
Wednesday, December 10
The GR ChristKindl Market: 11am-7pm. Downtown Market. Grand Rapids, MI. It's opening day at the third annual Christkindl Markt! Help us kick off the season in the best possible way: surrounded by festive foods, warm beverages, and holiday cheer! Click HERE for a list of daily events. The Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt is a Christmas village lined with artisan gift and food vendors, holiday entertainment, and festive family fun. Inspired by traditional European Christmas markets, this winter wonderland is filled with unique holiday experiences illuminated with international flair.
Jingle & Mingle Barre: 6:30pm at Third Nature Brewing Co. Rockford, MI. A very merry and bright 45-minute holiday-themed barre class at Third Nature Brewing Company in Rockford, MI co-taught by Molly Cook and Julianne Tefft! Following class, you'll receive a drink ticket to use at Third Nature for some post-workout cheers, included in the price of class! Class is beginner-friendly. All you need to bring is a yoga mat and water! Class will be on the second floor of Third Nature inside. Following class, you will receive a drink ticket to use downstairs! Sign up online.
Meet Santa & Mrs. Clause: 5pm at Archival Brewing Co. Belmont, MI. Santa is heading back from the North Pole…and bringing Mrs. Claus along! Bring your kiddos to meet Santa & Mrs, Claus for a fun night of photo ops, Christmas treats, and holiday cheer!
Santa Visits in Rockford: 5-7pm at the Rotary Pavilion. Rockford, MI. Come visit with the big man in red! Photos are free to take. We will have cookies sponsored by Meijer as well as activities while you wait.
December Fiction Book Club: 6:30-7:30pm at Quickwater Coffee Roasters. Downtown Rockford, MI. Please come ready to discuss your favorite book you read this year and your least favorite book you read this year!
Thursday, December 11
Holiday Women’s Night Out in Ada: 5-8pm. Ada Village. Ada Village welcomes all women for an evening of holiday shopping, dining, and socializing. It’s the perfect excuse for a fun night out with your girlfriends. Hosted by your favorite Ada shops and restaurants. Be one of the first 150 shoppers and receive a free “Love Your Local” mug available at participating businesses.
Friday, December 12
Nordic Nights Sauna Experience: 4-7pm. Step into a world where deep warmth meets winter magic. Nordic Nights is your invitation to slow down, breathe deeper, and experience the kind of cozy, unforgettable evening you’ll talk about all season long. Seats will go fast, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. Book online: www.howlatthemoonsaunaco.com/nordicnights
Jonas Brothers: 7:30pm at Van Andel Arena. Downtown Grand Rapids. The Jonas Brothers bring their ‘JONAS20: GREETINGS FROM YOUR HOMETOWN’ TOUR to Van Andel Arena with special guest Jesse McCartney, Franklin Jonas & Deleasa. Get tickets online.
$5 Community Class at Kula Yoga: 4:30-5:30pm. Downtown Rockford Studio. Register online.
The Nutcracker Presented by the Grand Rapids Ballet: 7:30pm at at DeVos Performance Hall. Grand Rapids. Join us as Clara and her Nutcracker Prince journey from a festive holiday party to a daring battle with mischievous mice, and finally, to the dazzling Land of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy welcomes them with enchanting dances from around the world—including the breathtaking Waltz of the Flowers. For so many families across West Michigan, this timeless tradition fills the season with wonder, joy, and unforgettable memories. Purchase tickets online.
Saturday, December 13
Rooftop Reindeer: 1-4pm at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Grand Rapids, MI. Experience the magic of the season with live reindeer at Michigan’s Farm Garden. Get an up-close look, snap a few photos, and you might even have the chance to gently pet these amazing animals. Perfect for families and visitors of all ages, this festive tradition brings a touch of holiday wonder to the Gardens.
Grinchmas: 10am-4pm at Ed Dunneback & Girls Fruit Farm. Join them for a mischievously merry day with The Grinch! Enjoy festive food & drink specials, snap fun Christmas photos, and share some silly holiday moments with everyone’s favorite green guy!
Santa Clause Meet & Greet: 1-4pm at Meijer Gardens. Grand Rapids, MI. It’s the most wonderful time of the year—when Santa and Mrs. Claus make the long trip from the North Pole to begin visiting excited children of every age, admirers great and small. For more information, please visit https://www.meijergardens.org/christmas-holiday-traditions/
Pictures with Santa: 1-4pm at Courtland Fire Department. Rockford, MI. Bring the family out to Courtland Fire Station 2 for a fun and festive afternoon with Santa Claus! Kids (and adults!) can meet Santa, snap a photo, and enjoy some holiday cheer with your Courtland Township firefighters. This event is free and open to the community. We look forward to seeing you there—don’t forget to bring your holiday spirit!
Christmas Character Brunch: 10am-1:30pm at the Rockford Corner Bar. Get ready for a merry morning of delicious food and holiday magic! Join us for a special Character Christmas Brunch where your family can share a wonderful meal with some of your favorite festive friends. This is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season and enjoy quick, fun interactions with our amazing cast of characters, including:
The Big Man in Red himself, Santa Claus!
A Fun-Loving Elf bringing cheer and mischief.
The Beautiful Ice Sisters (Elsa and Anna-inspired) ready to melt hearts.
A Grinchy Friend who might just steal the show!
4 Sessions to pick from. Sign up online!
The Nutcracker Presented by the Grand Rapids Ballet: 2pm & 7:30pm at DeVos Performance Hall. Grand Rapids. Clara and her Nutcracker Prince journey from a festive holiday party to a daring battle with mischievous mice, and finally, to the dazzling Land of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy welcomes them with enchanting dances from around the world—including the breathtaking Waltz of the Flowers. For so many families across West Michigan, this timeless tradition fills the season with wonder, joy, and unforgettable memories. Purchase tickets online.
Sunday, December 14
Brunch with Santa: 10am-2pm at Reds. Thousand Oaks Golf Club. Grand Rapids. Santa Claus is coming to town! Celebrate the holiday season at the annual Santa Brunch at Reds. Join them for a family-friendly brunch with Kris Kringle himself! Enjoy a delicious buffet, cookie decorating, and a hot chocolate bar. Don’t forget to get your photo with Santa Claus. Reservations are required, so please call us at (616) 447-7750 and speak with a host to save your spot.
The Nutcracker Presented by the Grand Rapids Ballet: 2pm at DeVos Performance Hall. Grand Rapids. Clara and her Nutcracker Prince journey from a festive holiday party to a daring battle with mischievous mice, and finally, to the dazzling Land of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy welcomes them with enchanting dances from around the world—including the breathtaking Waltz of the Flowers. For so many families across West Michigan, this timeless tradition fills the season with wonder, joy, and unforgettable memories. Purchase tickets online.
