Fantasy of Lights & Fantasy 5k

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!

On our festival street, otherwise known as State Street, spectators can shop with local merchants, grab refreshments, enjoy live entertainment, and pop in for a visit with Santa and his Reindeer.

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 almost 40 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!

3:30 PM  |  Cleary University’s Peppermint Path Opens (State Street)

4:00 PM – 5:45 PM  |  Photos with Santa

6:00 PM  |  Fantasy 5K & Family Run/Walk

As a safety precaution, please note dogs are not permitted in the race/walk

7:00 PM  |  Fantasy of Lights Parade

Entertainment Schedule

Closing Grand River for the parade takes a lot of coordination with our partners at the City of Howell and Howell Police Department.  Please take note of the following detours that will be in place for the Fantasy of Lights.

Grand River will be closed between Catrell street and Highlanderway. (5 pm)

Michigan avenue will be closed between Sibley and Clinton streets.

Byron road will be closed between Grand River and Clinton street.

West bound traffic will be detoured onto Catrell street. Traffic will be directed to National and then to west bound Clinton Street. At Michigan avenue, traffic will be directed north on Michigan avenue toward M-59

East bound traffic at Highlanderway may turn left (north) toward M-59 or right (south) on Highlanderway for the detour back to Grand River. Traffic will be directed to turn left (east) onto Mason road, directed to Dearborn street, to Fowler, to east bound Sibley and then to east bound Grand River at National street.

South bound traffic on Michigan avenue will be detoured west on Clinton street.

North bound traffic on Michigan will be detoured east on Sibley street.

Traffic south bound Byron road will be detoured east on Clinton Street.

2 Fogs Pub

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Heritage Real Estate

First Impression Print & Marketing

Hartland Lions Club

Hatch Stamping

Jenn Anderson Real Estate

Kubinec Strapping Solutions & TCH Supply

Les Rodwell

Michael Maga Euphoria Foundation

Midcourse Correction

Mills Home Services

Mission Cry

Myers Automotive, Inc.

MS Ultrasonic Technology, LLC

Poured Brick Walls

Inspired Creations Dance Studio