Big Santa Energy: Explore Holiday Magic on Candy Cane Lane in Kalamazoo

As the festive season wraps Kalamazoo in a glittering bow of lights and laughter, no place embodies the spirit of the holidays quite like Candy Cane Lane. Fill your holiday with nostalgia in downtown Kalamazoo’s winter wonderland.

Giant Santa welcomes everyone to downtown Kalamazoo at Michigan avenue and the Kalamazoo Mall.

Begin your adventure at Latimer Lofts, the epicenter of modern living in Kalamazoo, and let the holiday spirit guide you down Candy Cane Lane. Here, each step is warmed by the heated sidewalks, making sure there’s never a crunch of snow underfoot and twinkling lights overhead that transform the Michigan chill into a warm embrace.

Candy Cane Lane is more than a stroll; it's a journey through the heart of holiday cheer. The park is bathed in holiday lights, the storefronts decked in gingerbread village themes, alongside pop-up artisan markets where local craftspeople showcase their work – from hand-knitted scarves to bespoke holiday decorations.

As the sun dips below the horizon, the Social District beckons. Under the soft glow of string lights, indulge in a cup of spiked hot cocoa from local bars like the Hub, Old Burdicks, The Green Top, or High Dive, the rich chocolate flavor enlivened by a hint of peppermint schnapps or a splash of bourbon. It's the perfect concoction to keep the winter chill at bay as you mingle with friends, new and old.



Autumn Unfiltered

Fall in Kalamazoo is Pure Michigan—unpretentious local culture backed by a canvas of crimson and gold foliage.

Savor The First Sip of Local Coffee

Start your adventure in Kalamazoo with the aroma wafting from Factory Coffee. Dan Kastner’s gem of a coffee roaster offers three retail locations (including the downtown flagship cafe, blending passion, precision, and the promise of a perfect cup. For those seeking cozy corners and artisanal brews, try the taste of over 20 years of craft coffee making at Water Street Coffee Joint. Or fill a thermos with Kalamazoo Coffee Company’s Backpackers blend and go off on an adventure in the local natural wild.

Get lost (and found) on a nature trail

Asylum Lake Preserve

Amidst its urban pulse, Kalamazoo cradles pockets of serenity. The Asylum Lake Preserve is more than just a nature retreat—it's history and memory intertwined across 217 acres of wild land, a 47 acre lake, a 10 acre lake, and miles of hiking trails.

Al Sabo Preserve

The Al Sabo Preserve encapsulates the community's soul, spanning 741 natural acres and providing 16 Miles of hiking and 11 miles of biking trails.

Kalamazoo Nature Center

Just North of Downtown The Kalamazoo Nature Center is home to over 14 miles of hiking trails winding through woods, wetlands, and prairies.

Raise a Glass of Local beer or Michigan wine.

Twine Urban Winery

You’ll find the community heartbeat at Twine Urban Winery. Twine Urban Winery, led by Nicole Triplett—Michigan's first Black female winemaker—offers Innovative Wine Cocktails like the H.E.R., a Strawberry Rose cocktail with pink cotton candy. And more traditional blends like their 2017 Meritage or Bordeaux Blends.


Bells Eccentric Cafe

Kalamazoo is synonymous with Bell’s Brewery. Each brew, whether Oberon's light notes or Two Hearted Ale's depth, is a chapter of Kalamazoo's craft beer journey. The last few warm evenings of the year in the beer garden are magical.


One Well Brewing

One Well Brewing’s innovative beers, handcrafted furniture, and illustrated interiors are an explosion of creativity. Try their extensive menu of tasty treats, including vegan and vegetarian options and plenty of pinball machines!