Feel the Zeel of Christmas
Every year, the City of Zeeland partners with a selected, local non-profit organization to host a series of charming Christmas events downtown. Compassionate Heart Ministry non profit recipient for 2025. Feel the Zeel of Christmas is a two-day series that celebrates the warmth and nostalgia of the holiday season in a small town. Visit downtown Zeeland and create loving Christmastime memories with your family.
During Feel the Zeel of Christmas and you will find horse-drawn trolley rides, a visit with Santa, letter-writing for Santa’s mailbox, extended holiday shopping hours, in-store promotions, and more! Proceeds from trolley ticket sales will be donated to a local non-profit.
Horse-drawn Trolley Rides –Trolleys will pick up passengers on Main Street (140 E Main Street). Trolley rides are donation only. Tickets will be available for sale on site beginning at 4pm pm each night; you may purchase tickets for any open time slot for that day only. First come first served. Tickets are only available for same day rides. The trolley will depart every 15 minutes, three trolleys will occupy Main Street on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Visits with Santa – Visiting hours are December 4 & 5 from 4pm to 8pm. Santa will be located at Drip Coffee, 150 East Main.
Gingerbread House Competition-
Zeeland will host it’s second annual Gingerbread House Competition. You must apply to be one of the 10 gingerbread house designers. Applications are available November 2 through November 13. Applicants will be notified on November 16. Click Here to fill out your application
Gingerbread House Competition Application
Thank you for your interest in Zeeland's first gingerbread house competition. There are 10 gingerbread houses available for local individuals or groups to decorate. This is a fun, no-experience needed way to show off your festive and creative spirit. Please complete this application in order to be eligible to participate. No prior experience is necessary. IMPORTANT DATE & DETAILS Building and decorating - November 16 - November 30. Houses will be on display in participating downtown businesses from November 30 through December 15. Each selected participant will be able to pick up their gingerbread house pieces on November 16th to build and decorate their houses wherever they choose. Houses must be completed by November 30th. QUALIFICATIONS & CRITERIA This competition is open to all individuals or groups! You must complete this application by November 13th. Accepted applicants will be notified on November 16th. Each competitor will be supplied with a house and icing. Participants are responsible for all supplied used to create their house. Houses must be family - friendly with no political statements allowed. Materials used must be 100% edible.
Event Sponsors
