906-214-2308
906-265-9100
40 E Adams St
Iron River, MI 49935
Christmas in Lights in Iron River, Michigan
Iron River • Michigan • Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026
On the first Saturday of December, downtown Iron River lights up. More than thirty floats strung with thousands of lights roll down Genesee Street, then the town gathers for the tree lighting, hot cocoa and fireworks over the night sky. This is Christmas in Lights.
SAT, DEC. 5
2026, always the first Saturday of December
30+ FLOATS
Lit up and rolling down Genesee Street
FIREWORKS
After the tree lighting at the RV park
FREE
Bring the whole family
The Event
Christmas in Lights: Iron River's Lighted Parade and Fireworks
Christmas in Lights is Iron River's big holiday night. The 2026 celebration is Saturday, December 5. Businesses, clubs and families build floats covered in lights, and after dark the parade rolls down Genesee Street through downtown.
When the last float passes, everyone heads to the Klint Safford Memorial RV Park for the tree lighting, free hot chocolate, and fireworks put on by the West Iron County Fire Department.
Make a day of it. There's usually a craft and vendor fair, family fun at the library, and the Christmas Tree Galleria is open just down the road in Caspian.
Stay In Iron County
Where to Stay for Christmas in Lights
The Day & Night
Christmas in Lights Schedule: Parade, Tree Lighting and Fireworks
This is how 2025 ran. The 2026 lineup will be posted in November.
Daytime
Craft and vendor fair, family fun at the library
And the Christmas Tree Galleria in Caspian
Late Afternoon
A chili feed, free hot chocolate downtown
Floats line up near the post office
6 p.m.
The lighted parade steps off on Genesee Street
Find your spot on the curb early
7 p.m.
Tree lighting at the Klint Safford Memorial RV Park
Fireworks follow, with free hot chocolate
Good To Know
Before You Go to Christmas in Lights
- It's free: the parade, tree lighting and fireworks cost nothing. Food fundraisers along the way are pay-as-you-go.
- Same day every year: the first Saturday of December, so it's easy to plan ahead.
- Where: the parade runs down Genesee Street in downtown Iron River, and the tree lighting and fireworks are at the Klint Safford Memorial RV Park.
- Dress for it: December nights in the U.P. are cold. Boots, mittens and a thermos go a long way.
- Clocks: Iron County runs on Central time.
- Who puts it on: the Iron County Chamber with the Iron River Downtown Development Authority. Questions: (906) 265-3822.
Nov. 28 – Dec. 13
Christmas Tree Galleria
More than fifty decorated trees and a gift basket raffle at the Iron County Historical Museum in Caspian, open the same weekend.
Christmas Tree GalleriaMore Winter
Winter in Iron County
Stay the weekend: snowmobile trails, cross-country skiing, Ski Brule and plenty of snow.
Winter in Iron CountyQuestions
Christmas in Lights: Common Questions
When is Christmas in Lights in Iron River in 2026?
Saturday, December 5, 2026. It's always the first Saturday of December.
Where is the Christmas in Lights parade?
On Genesee Street in downtown Iron River, Michigan. The tree lighting and fireworks follow at the Klint Safford Memorial RV Park.
Is Christmas in Lights free?
Yes. The parade, tree lighting and fireworks are free. Some food fundraisers that day charge for meals.
What time are the Christmas in Lights fireworks?
In 2025 the parade started at 6 p.m. and the tree lighting at 7 p.m., with fireworks right after. The 2026 times will be posted in November.
Is there a drive-through Christmas light display in Iron County?
Not in Iron County. Christmas in Lights is a lighted parade, not a drive-through display. The nearest drive-through display is in Iron Mountain.
What else is happening in Iron County that weekend?
The Christmas Tree Galleria at the Iron County Historical Museum in Caspian runs through December 13, and the day usually brings a craft fair and library family activities in Iron River.
Start Planning
Plan a Christmas Weekend in Iron County
Come Saturday for the craft fair and the trees in Caspian, stay for the parade and fireworks, and wake up Sunday to a quiet, snowy Northwoods morning.
Winter and tagged christmas in lights, christmas parade, fireworks, holiday events, iron county michigan, iron river michigan, lighted parade, upper peninsula michigan.
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Iron County is one of the Upper Peninsula’s best kept secrets. From camping to fishing, hunting to canoeing, mountain biking to forest bathing – no matter your interests, the great outdoors and clear crisp air await you here.