
Mackinac Island Lilac Festival
The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is filled with events and the celebration of the Island’s many varieties of lilacs.
Photo by Odion Kutsaev on Unsplash.com
The holiday season in Northern Michigan begins Thanksgiving weekend. Unlike the big cities where Black Friday is a mad rush of people, the Christmas shopping season kicks off here with Christmas tree lightings, decorated stores, a holiday parade, merchant open houses, and smiles from shoppers and storekeepers. Shop local? Absolutely!
Christmas shopping in Northern Michigan is the way shopping is supposed to be. Friendly and knowledgeable shopkeepers can help you fulfill your gift list in a fun and enjoyable setting. Plan a weekend Christmas shopping get away to Northern Michigan and meander through Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, Boyne City, Mackinaw City, or Indian River.
Did we mention snow? Our ski resorts generally open on Thanksgiving weekend and skiers can’t wait to get fresh wax on the skis and hit the slopes.
Northern Michigan has three of the country’s best ski resorts right here so spend a day at each to them: Nub’s Nob, Boyne Highlands, and Boyne Mountain. Check the daily ski conditions and look at the webcams for a current look at action on the hills.
Northern Michigan has a great line up of fabulous places to explore while cross country skiing and snowshoeing with choices near Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Boyne City, and Charlevoix. And with ice rinks and sledding hills in every community, skating and sledding is great way to spend the holidays Up North.
For those who enjoy snowmobiling, you’re in luck Up North. Trails, trails, trails! Bundle up and hit the snowmobile trails for a great time for the entire family.

The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is filled with events and the celebration of the Island’s many varieties of lilacs.

Enjoy Northern Michigan food favorites by local restaurants, delis, and gourmet shops all for a good cause at Taste of Harbor Springs.

Hosted by the Little Traverse Yacht Club, the Ugotta Regatta brings together some of the best sailboat racing in the country.

Historic Mill Creek has 625 acres along Lake Huron, 3.5 miles of hiking trails, a reconstructed saw mill, mill dam, and more.

Get off the ferry from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace to Mackinac Island and the first thing you’ll see is the historic downtown area.

With miles of scenic trails terrain and local snowmobile clubs, Northern Michigan is the place to bring the snow sleds in the winter.

The Headlands, just west of Mackinaw City, is one of six International Dark Sky Parks in the U.S. and one of nine in the world.

Take a beautiful color tour as you travel under a tunnel of colorful trees along M-119 from Harbor Springs to Cross Village.

The Mackinac Bridge is the 10th largest suspension bridge (over water) in the world and connects Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsula.