Outdoor things to do with kids in Toledo
Get the kids outside. Here are the outdoor family events happening around Toledo right now.
Lest We Forget FREE Patriotic Concert for Veterans and Public
Free patriotic concert honoring veterans—a community celebration open to all.
Autumn Artisan Market
Browse artisan crafts and local goods at this seasonal market in Three Oaks.
SOLD OUT | Wildlife Buddies: Rabbits!
Toddler & preschooler nature playgroup: meet animal ambassadors, hear stories & touch animals.
Taste of Pies
Three Saturdays of pie samples, holiday shopping & treats at a family farm market.
Nature Makers Market - Admission is Free!
Browse handcrafted nature-inspired gifts and goods from over 30 vendors at this free fall market.
Cranksgiving 2026: A Ride for Good!
Bike ride & scavenger hunt food drive—collect donations for local charities.
Humane Hustle
Family fun run & walk to benefit the Humane Society—choose 10K, 5K, or 1-mile.
Make & Takes: Porch Pots
Craft a festive winter porch pot with greenery & decorations at Windmill Island Gardens.
Turkey Trail begins at East Paris Nature Park
Outdoor nature walk following a turkey trail at East Paris Nature Park.
Hudsonville Tree Lighting & Holiday Parade
Downtown Hudsonville tree lighting and holiday parade on November 19.
Sparta Holiday Stationary Light Stroll 2026
Stroll through Sparta's holiday light displays at this free community event.
Barnyard Buddies: Chickens!
Toddlers and preschoolers meet farm animals and explore barnyard themes with other families.
Holiday Open House
Downtown Holland's annual holiday celebration with festive shopping and seasonal cheer.
Holiday Kerstmarkt
Festive European-style holiday market with handmade goods and artisan vendors.
Gr Santa Parade 2026
Grand Rapids' beloved holiday parade featuring Santa, floats, and festive cheer downtown.
Fall Fling Disc Golf Tournament
Disc golf tournament welcoming all skill levels in Kentwood.
Farm Care Apprentices @ The Blandford Farm
Two-hour farm apprenticeship: learn animal care hands-on with chickens & farm animals.
Turkey Trails- Grand Rapids
Kids dash race at Helder Park—packet pickup, dash, and awards at Turkey Trails.
ENLIGHTEN at Meijer Gardens Presented by PNC Bank | Value Nights
Dazzling winter light show transforming Meijer Gardens into an illuminated art experience.
Full Moon Night Hike
Full-moon hike: learn lunar science, explore moonlit trails & spot nocturnal wildlife indoors.
Make & Takes: Holiday Door Decor
DIY holiday door décor craft at Windmill Island Gardens—create festive swags with horticulture staff.
Tree Lighting Ceremony: University of Michigan Health-West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions
Light up the season at this festive tree-lighting ceremony with holiday music and magic.
Harvest Market
Stock up on fresh local produce, meats, breads, and holiday items at Fulton Street Market.
ENLIGHTEN at Meijer Gardens Presented by PNC Bank
Dazzling winter light show transforming Meijer Gardens into an illuminated art experience.
GRPS Turkey Trot 5K
Run the 33rd Annual GRPS Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving morning; proceeds benefit school programs.
Zeeland Turkey Trot
Zeeland's Thanksgiving tradition—a fun community race on Thanksgiving morning.
Holland Turkey Trot
Thanksgiving morning 5K race through downtown Holland—a festive family tradition.
Gobble Wobble 5k Fun Run 2026
20th annual Gobble Wobble fun run/walk supporting Kids' Food Basket.
Crane Orchards Light Show
Dazzling light show at Crane Orchards in Fennville.
Wildlife Care Apprentices (Ages 10-15)
Half-day wildlife care apprenticeship: hands-on learning with professional wildlife team.
Santa's Holiday Markets
Holiday shopping market with handmade goods and local artisan treasures perfect for gift hunters.
Santa's Magical Reindeer Meet and Greet
Meet Santa and his reindeer at Michigan's Farm Garden for holiday cheer and festive memories.
Santa's Magical Reindeer Meet And Greet at Meijer Gardens
Meet Santa & his reindeer in Michigan's Farm Garden at Meijer Gardens.
Santa Train 2026
Ride the rails with Santa on a festive holiday train at Coopersville and Marne Railway.
Zeeland's Magical Christmas Parade
Annual Christmas tree lighting parade in downtown Zeeland kicks off the holiday season.
Dutch Winterfest
Seasonal festival celebrating Dutch holiday traditions with festive events.
Festival of Trees at Ada Village 2026
Month-long festive display with 50 decorated trees transforms Ada Legacy Park into a holiday wonderland.
Cultural Sounds of the Season with Santa
Holiday music and Santa visits on Tuesday evenings at Frederik Meijer Gardens.
Downtown Holland Parade of Lights
Santa arrives in a parade with 80+ floats and marching groups downtown.
Delft Downtown
Explore Dutch-inspired holiday installations transforming downtown Holland into a winter wonderland.
Winter Wonderland
Stroll through Ada Village's festive lighted installations this holiday season.
Run through the Lights
Walk through holiday lights and meet Santa at Gilmore Car Museum's Winter Wonderland.
Kentwood Tree Lighting Ceremony 2026
Annual Tree Lighting with holiday parade, photo booth, & hot chocolate.
Sparkle! 2026
Frederik Meijer Gardens transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland with lights and holiday magic.
Walker Winterfest
Winter festival for the whole family in Walker with seasonal fun and activities.
Chanukah Lighting on Calder Plaza 2026
Watch the annual Grand Menorah lighting ceremony at Calder Plaza in Grand Rapids.
Magic at the Mill
Illuminated holiday event with lights and festive cheer at Windmill Island.
Tinsel, Treats & Trolleys
Holiday event with bridge lighting, Santa's village, and trolley rides.
Feel the Zeel of Christmas
Downtown Zeeland's charming Christmas celebration with festive family fun.
Sinterklaas Shuffle
Meet Sinterklaas at Holland's Tulip Time for a magical self-guided holiday adventure.
Tinsels, Treats, & Trolleys
Holiday tradition with Santa's Village, trolley rides, bridge lighting, and treats throughout Ada.
ENLIGHTEN Holiday Dinner
Festive holiday dinner and celebration at Frederik Meijer Gardens.
Santa Parade
Ada's annual Christmas parade with Santa visiting kids at the fire station afterward.
Sensory-Friendly Santa Meet and Greet
Sensory-friendlyCalm, sensory-friendly Santa meet-and-greet designed for kids with autism or sensory needs.
Christmas in the Commons 2026
Holiday celebration in Downtown Grandville with festive activities and family traditions.
Dutch Skate
Watch skaters in authentic Dutch costumes glide across the ice at Holland's festive winter celebration.
Downtown Holland Strolling Santa
Meet Santa on Saturday afternoons for holiday shopping and photos.
The Santa Dash
Run, walk, or jingle with a street full of Santas to kick off Ada's holiday parade.
Grand Haven Jingle Bell Parade 2026
Grand Haven's festive holiday parade returning in 2026 with the beloved Jingle Bell Parade tradition.
Cultural Sounds of the Season with Santa
Evening of holiday music & special visit from Santa at Frederik Meijer Gardens.
Holiday Craft Market at Gilmore Car Museum
Shop handcrafted gifts, enjoy holiday food, and browse vendors at this festive market.
Holidays on the Farm
Illuminated historic farm with trails, holiday lights, and festive activities.
Shopping Jam
Annual early-bird shopping event in downtown Holland with deals and holiday spirit.
Winter Holiday Market
Holiday market with local artisans selling handcrafted gifts, festive treats & seasonal décor.
The Whoville 5k 2026
Whimsical Dr. Seuss-themed fun run in Grand Rapids with Grinch, Thing 1 & 2, and holiday characters.
Lights on Creston 2026
Festive winter evening in Creston Corridor with holiday lights, local shopping, entertainment & seasonal fun.
Lights on Creston 2026
Creston's beloved holiday lights tradition—a festive neighborhood stroll with music, lights, and cheer.
Deck the Halls History Tour
Tour Grand Rapids' most beautiful historic architecture decked out for Christmas on this one-day tour.
Candy Cane Course - Grand Rapids
Candy Cane Course race in Grand Rapids—a kids' fun run with holiday spirit at Caledonia High School.
NYE Holland Ball Drop Presented by Suburban Inns
New Year's Eve Ball Drop celebration on 8th Street in Holland with family-friendly festivities.
44th Annual Reeds Lake Resolution Run
44-year New Year's Eve tradition with a fun run at scenic Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids.
Adventure Point Fall Frenzy
Open house with free entry and $20 unlimited activity ticket for rock climbing, zip lining & archery.
Time Travel Half-Marathon/5K/10K - Grand Rapids
Fun-run event with a Kids Dash race option at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids.
Michigan Adventure Race: Winter Edition
Winter adventure race with map navigation, snowshoeing, and Amazing Race–style challenges.
Orchids at Twilight
An evening stroll through thousands of blooming orchids in a botanical garden transformed by twilight magic.
Winter Nights | Grand Rapids Ballet
Evening celebration at Frederik Meijer Gardens with lights, art, and performances by Grand Rapids Ballet.
Holland on Ice
Ice skating and winter fun take over Downtown Holland for a lakeside celebration.
Saint Patrick's Day Parade
Holland's festive St. Patrick's Day Parade with family-friendly street celebration.
Irish Jig 5K
Multi-event 5K race weekend with community spirit in Grand Rapids.
West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Lake County Captains
Minor-league baseball action with the West Michigan Whitecaps.
West Michigan Whitecaps vs. South Bend Cubs
West Michigan Whitecaps vs. South Bend Cubs at LMCU Ballpark
Rivertown Races
Spring running event with 5K, 10K, and half-marathon distances in Walker.
Tulip Time
Spring festival celebrating millions of blooming tulips across Holland, Michigan.
GRAND RAPIDS PLAYS - Spring Edition
Free spring play festival with drumming, circus arts, breakdancing, yoga, and ice cream.
West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Lansing Lugnuts
Minor-league baseball game at LMCU Ballpark in Grand Rapids.
West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Dayton Dragons
Minor-league baseball: West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Dayton Dragons at LMCU Ballpark.
West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
West Michigan Whitecaps face off against Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at LMCU Ballpark.
Stick Figure - Enjoy the Ride Tour
Reggae tour by Stick Figure at outdoor amphitheater—good for teens and music fans.
West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Great Lakes Loons
Minor-league baseball game at LMCU Ballpark in Grand Rapids.
West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Fort Wayne TinCaps
Minor-league baseball game at LMCU Ballpark in the Grand Rapids area.
West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Cedar Rapids Kernels
West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Cedar Rapids Kernels—summer baseball fun.
Matchbox Twenty - 30
Rock band Matchbox Twenty celebrates their 30-year journey at Acrisure Amphitheater.
More events outside the Grand Rapids area
2 events farther afield.
Western Michigan Broncos Football vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles Football
College football: Western Michigan Broncos vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles.
Western Michigan Broncos Football vs. Miami of Ohio Redhawks Football
College football showdown: Western Michigan Broncos vs. Miami of Ohio Redhawks.
Good to know
- What outdoor activities are there for families in Toledo?
- Parks and trails, outdoor festivals, farmers markets, splash pads, and concerts in the park — this list shows what's on outdoors now.