Michigan’s 2026 state Christmas tree, a 60-foot Iron Mountain spruce, arrives at the Capitol Saturday and lights up at Silver Bells on Nov. 20

LANSING — Michigan’s official 2026 Christmas tree, a 60-foot spruce from Iron Mountain in the Upper Peninsula, is due on the state Capitol lawn on Saturday, Nov. 7, two weeks before it lights up at Silver Bells in the City.

The spruce was donated by the Larry Riccio family, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, which picks the tree each year. “When we first bought our house in 1986, the tree was quite large but now it has outgrown the property,” Riccio said in the department’s announcement. “Our family is excited and honored to donate this year’s tree.”

A U.P. tree, again

It is the 40th official state tree since the tradition of placing one at the Capitol began in 1987, the second from Iron Mountain and the 26th from the Upper Peninsula, the department says. By our count, that means U.P. trees have stood at the Capitol in about two of every three holiday seasons.

The tree will be cut on Thursday, Nov. 5, and trucked to Lansing with help from the Michigan Association of Timbermen, the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association and the department’s own Christmas tree crew.

When it reaches Lansing, local Boy Scout troops will untie it, as they do every year, and the HI-Ball Company of Lansing will lift it into place with a crane near the corner of Capitol and East Michigan avenues. The city’s forestry crew then gets it ready for lights and decorations designed by the Michigan Capitol Commission and the Lansing Board of Water & Light, the department says. No exact arrival time has been announced.

Silver Bells in the City, Friday, Nov. 20

The tree is lit at the 42nd annual Silver Bells in the City, the family-friendly downtown celebration on Friday, Nov. 20. The lighting goes ahead rain or shine. According to the event listing from Greater Lansing’s visitor bureau, the evening runs like this:

5 to 9 p.m.: The Silver Bells Village on the 100 blocks of East and West Allegan Street, with more than 30 vendors, nine food trailers and trucks and the commemorative ornament. The Mid-Michigan Autism Association hands out sensory maps, headphones and ear plugs at its booth while supplies last.

6 p.m.: The Silver Bells Lighted Parade steps off at Lenawee Street and South Washington Square, with more than 70 illuminated entries, including nine high school marching bands, and Santa in his sleigh.

About 7:30 p.m.: Dignitaries light the state tree, followed by a community sing-along.

After the sing-along: A drone light show, then fireworks over the Capitol.

Parking and alerts

Parking is free starting at 5 p.m. in the state’s Roosevelt Ramp, but drivers can’t leave by the Walnut Street exit until 30 minutes after the fireworks, organizers say. For weather, traffic and emergency updates on the night, text SilverBells to 78015.

Sources:
Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, “Iron Mountain spruce becomes State of Michigan’s 40th Christmas tree” (Sept. 22, 2026; donor, quotes, Nov. 5 harvest, Nov. 7 arrival, history, crews, Nov. 20 lighting), https://www.michigan.gov/dtmb/about/newsroom/all-news/2026/09/22/iron-mountain-spruce-becomes-state-of-michigan-40-christmas-tree
Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau, “2026 Silver Bells in the City” (village, parade, tree lighting, drone show, fireworks, parking, text alerts), https://www.lansing.org/events/silver-bells-in-the-city/
100.7 WITL, “Michigan’s 60-Foot Christmas Tree Is Headed to Lansing This Weekend” (Nov. 3, 2026), https://witl.com/michigan-christmas-tree-lansing/
Photo: Tony Webster, “East Michigan Avenue in Lansing - Michigan State Capitol (52890406355).jpg,” Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0), cropped and resized, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:East_Michigan_Avenue_in_Lansing_-_Michigan_State_Capitol_(52890406355).jpg

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Tags: Michigan State Christmas Tree · Silver Bells in the City · Michigan State Capitol · Iron Mountain · Things to do in Lansing · Christmas