Join the excitement of an American Christmas Classic
December 5-8, 2024
“Where New Traditions and Family Memories Begin”
Experience the Magic of Christmas in Ida!
The Christmas in Ida Festival was founded in 1982 by the Ida Civic Club and sponsored by local area service organizations and businesses to share the holiday cheer from small-town America. From a small craft show, children’s lunch with Santa, and a three-unit parade the festival has become a family tradition and Midwest destination where over 48,000 visitors attend the weekend event.
Throughout the years, the festival expanded to include Monroe County’s largest indoor craft show located at the Ida Public Schools and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Hall, and the Ida Christmas Mall located in a heated French window tent with furnaces and double doors. A fourth craft and vendor show is curbside in the downtown district. Over 200 crafters and vendors offer many charming gifts of the season.
Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere with delightful events like:
Santa’s Zoo, Children’s Lunch with Santa, ice sculpting, chainsaw art, ice skating, Holiday Art on the Avenue, Story Time with Mrs. Claus, Christmas Portraits with Your Canine Friend, Holiday Hounds on Parade, carriage rides, fireworks, activities at the Ida Library, Holiday Sled Race, and other fun events. Performing on stage is regional, national, and international entertainment such as Wayco from South America, Michigan Dalun Dafa performance, and local dance and music groups.
After several years of a daytime parade, the festival presented both a daytime and a night parade of lights. After fifteen years, the festival organization opted to put all efforts into the popular Parade of Lights which featured the agricultural community and was highlighted with parade entries from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Canada illuminated with thousands of Christmas lights.
The Parade of Lights is a one-and-a-half-hour extravaganza that features over 135 parade units sparkling with thousands of lights including, fire trucks, floats, parade balloons, cartoon characters, bands, and marching groups that join farm implements in lighted displays that entertain an estimated 48,000 yearly parade visitors and broadcasted worldwide for all to enjoy!
Presenting the finest entertainment in a wholesome family tradition, the Christmas in Ida Concert Series has presented sensational headliner productions such as country music legends Diamond Rio, Tracy Byrd, Collin Raye, LITTLE TEXAS, Restless Heart, Blackhawk, Keith Anderson, Andy Ross, Josh Gracin, Kelsie May, Kari Lynch, Faren Rachel, and Shelagh Brown and pop music concerts featuring the Radio Disney National Tour – Jingle Jam, 2009 Radio Disney Next Big Thing-Jasmine, artists Keke Palmer, Drew Seeley, Everlife, Jump 5, Joey Page, Savvy and Mandy, A Cursive Memory, SAVVY-The Wannabes, Taylor Taylor, New Hollow, and Macy Kate. Performed on a professional stage in the heated outdoor Christmas in Ida Theater Center.
The popular Commemorative Concert has featured the Boychoir of Ann Arbor, Mosaic Youth Singers of the Mosaic Youth Theater of Detroit, Saline Fiddlers, Michigan Opera Theater Children’s Chorus, Michigan State University Accafellas, University of Michigan G-Men, Adrian College Choir, Siena Heights University Chamber Singers, and Eastern Michigan University Choir.
Several local restaurants and organizations offer festival specials, fair foods are available throughout the downtown district by food vendors serving American, German, Italian, Mexican, Cajun, and Polish food. From American classics to authentic ethnic delights, there is something to satisfy every craving!
Come make memories with your family and friends at the Christmas in Ida Festival, where the spirit of the season shines bright, and joy fills the air. Don’t miss out on this magical celebration of community, tradition, and holiday cheer!
Experience the magic at Christmas in Ida!
