Tis' The Season!
Kick off your holiday season with the Fantasy of Lights! Enjoy local dining and shopping, meet Santa and his reindeer and watch one of the longest running holiday parades in the area!
State Street transforms into the Meijer Merry & Bright Holiday Lane, Complete with local shopping, refreshments, and live entertainment. Don’t forget to visit Santa while you’re here!
The Fantasy 5K race and one-mile family fun walk is one-of-a-kind. Runners don their favorite holiday apparel, costumes and lights to race along the parade route. The atmosphere is fun and exciting with a crowd on each side of Grand River cheering on our festive racers.
The main event of the evening is the Fantasy of Lights Parade, hosted by the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation. It has been the official kick-off to the holiday season in Howell for 41 years, becoming a holiday favorite for many families. When the lights go down, grab a hot chocolate and watch beautifully lit floats soar down Grand River along with local marching bands, first responders, special guests and the big guy himself, Santa!
Schedule of Events
3:00 PM | Meijer Merry & Bright Holiday Lane Opens (State Street)
3:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Letters to Santa Writing Station
3:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Fantasy of Art Show @ Howell Opera House
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Santa Visits!
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Live Entertainment
6:00 PM | Fantasy 5K
6:05 PM | Family Run/Walk
As a safety precaution, please note dogs are not permitted in the race/walk
7:00 PM | Fantasy of Lights Parade
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE
LIBRARY
4:00 -4:30 PM | Violet Von
4:30-5:00 PM | Voices of Voyager
5:00-5:30 PM | Howell High School
5:30-6:00 PM | Livingston Lamp Lighters
6:00-6:30 PM | Parker Middle School
6:30-7:00 PM | Livingston Chorale
STATE STREET
4:00-7:00 PM | Keith Ozment
STROLLING
4:00-7:00 PM | Neverland Entertainment
4:00-7:00 PM | Community Theatre of Howell
5:00-5:30 PM | Livingston Lamp Lighters
Detour Details
Westbound Grand River: Vehicle traffic traveling westbound on Grand River will be detoured to northbound on National Street, to westbound Clinton, to Byron Road. At Byron traffic will be routed northbound to W Highland Rd, westbound to N Highlander Way back to westbound Grand River Ave.
At the intersection of Clinton and Michigan, no left turns will be permitted from westbound Clinton to southbound Michigan, eastbound Clinton to northbound Michigan, and southbound Michigan to eastbound Clinton.
Eastbound Grand River: Vehicle traffic traveling eastbound on Grand River will be detoured to southbound S Highlander Way changing to McPherson Park Drive to eastbound Mason Rd. Continue straight transitioning to Marion St., to northbound Dearborn St, to eastbound E Livingston, to Northbound Fowler, to eastbound E Sibley, to southbound S National and back to eastbound E Grand River. Vehicles will be permitted to turn southbound Michigan, if they choose.
Southbound Michigan Avenue: Vehicles traveling southbound on Michigan Avenue will be directed westbound on Clinton. Left turns onto eastbound Clinton will be prohibited. Detour signs will indicate traffic to travel to Byron Rd, which will lead them out to W Highland Rd to southbound Highlander Way back to westbound Grand River.
Northbound Michigan Avenue: Vehicles traveling northbound on Michigan Avenue will be directed to eastbound on Sibley; left turns onto westbound Sibley will be prohibited. Detour signs will indicate traffic to travel to southbound National, which will lead back to Grand River.
2026 Grand Marshal
David Dugger
The Howell Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to honor David Dugger as the 42nd Annual Fantasy of Lights Grand Marshal!
A Howell resident since 1974, Dave has dedicated decades to serving his community. From participating in the Fantasy 5K to becoming its Race Director in 2018, he has helped grow this beloved tradition to more than 800 runners and walkers annually. His leadership and commitment to giving back have made a lasting impact throughout Livingston County.
We are honored to have Dave lead this year’s Fantasy of Lights Parade as we celebrate the people who make our community shine!
