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(Scroll down to see more events in December.)
The holiday season in Northern Michigan includes Christmas tree lightings, decorated stores, parades, merchant open houses, and more.
Music, dance, art, and theater all come together for an event celebrating the New Year at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in downtown Petoskey.
A Bay Harbor Christmas
This event includes a special vendor market, “Grinch” 3K Run, a Holiday Tree Fundraiser, holiday shopping in the boutiques and more. Visit bayharbor.com for more info. Village at Bay Harbor- 4000 Main St., Bay Harbor.
Lion’s Lighted Christmas Village
Free drive-through lighted display. East Jordan Tourist Park- 215 N. Lake St., East Jordan.
Sip & Shop Holiday Bazaar
Shop for unique gifts, including artwork, crafts, artisan foods, with wine tasting and live music. Veterans Park Pavilion- 207 N. Lake St., Boyne City.
Mackinaw City Christmas in Mackinaw
The event includes a parade at followed by the tree lighting, then cookies will be provided by the Mackinaw Woman’s Club and cocoa provided by Audie’s Restaurant. Parade will go north on Huron to Central Ave, west on Central Ave to Nicolet Street and Indian Pathways Park. Visit mackinaw-city.com for more info.
Petoskey Open House & Tree Lighting
The event includes merchants open late, Santa Claus arriving in town, tree lighting, and more in Downtown Petoskey. For more info, visit petoskeydowntown.com.
Light Up the Night & Soup Cookoff
This event includes a Christmas movie, crafts, warming station, parade with Santa and Buddy the Elf, live nativity, cookies and cocoa, prizes, a soup contest, and more in downtown Bellaire For more info, visit bellairechamber.org.
Christmas Cookie Walk
Choose from thousands of homemade cookies in an infinite variety for only $7/pound. Come early for the best selection. 1st Congregational Church- 101 State St., Charlevoix. Call Stacy at (231) 547-9122 for more information.
Holiday Craft Show
This festive extravaganza celebrating the spirit of the season through unique artisanal crafts and creations takes place at Castle Farms- 5052 M-66, Charlevoix. For more information, visit castlefarms.com.
Enchanted Trail
Take a magical winter walk through the woods at The Highlands, perfect for families and adventurers alike. This serene, snow-covered path is illuminated by soft, twinkling lights, guiding guests on a peaceful journey surrounded by the beauty of nature. At the end of the trail, you’ll find a cozy yurt, where you can warm up by the fire, enjoy a hot drink, and take in the festive atmosphere. Tickets start at $15 and include hot cocoa and s’mores, with adult beverages available at a cash bar. For tickets or more info, click here. The Highlands- 600 Highland Dr., Harbor Springs.
Harbor Springs Merchant Open House
The event includes merchants open late and offering specials, Downtown Harbor Springs.
Sleigh Rides to “the North Pole”
Take a sleigh ride to the North Pole on a horse-drawn sleigh to meet Santa and enjoy hot cocoa, cookies, and crafts at Santa’s Workshop. Meet our wonderful therapy horses, NMET staff, and volunteers. All proceeds support therapy scholarships at Northern Michigan Equine Therapy. For more information, email nmequine@gmail.com. Northern Michigan Equine Therapy- 05025 Church St Boyne City.
Alanson Downtown Holiday Open House
The evening will begin with a chili cookoff. Various business participants will have chili at their respective store fronts for free. Judging will be at 6pm with the winner revealed at 7pm. Downtown merchants will open their doors to offer warm holiday greetings. Downtown Alanson- 7631 Burr Ave., Alanson.
Colonial Christmas at Fort Michilimackinac
The event includes refreshments, story-tellers, crafts, games, and more. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for children age 5-12, and free for children younger than 12. Fort Michilimackinac- 102 W. Straits Ave., Mackinaw City.
Yule Ball
For one unforgettable night, Boyne Mountain Resort transforms into a captivating celebration straight out of Hogwarts. It’s an evening where enchantment and joy collide, offering a chance to leave ordinary gifts behind and create memories that shine brighter than golden snitches. Boyne Mountain- 1 Boyne Mountain Rd., Boyne Falls. For tickets or more info, visit boynemountain.com.
Blissfest Winter Solstice Concert
This event includes entertainment, 50/50 raffle, mingling, snacks and libations. For more info, visit blissfest.org.
Candlelight Hike at Mt. McSauba
Self-guided hiking, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing along a candlelit trail ending with a fire and hot cocoa. Trek begins at the sledding hill parking lot. For more information, call (231) 547-3253. Mt. McSauba- 09223 McSauba Rd., Charlevoix.
Holidays Lasers on the Ore
A light display, operated by Fresh Coat Light Lab, will transform the Ore Dock with the colors of the season. Free and open to the public. Marquette Ore Dock- Lake Shore Boulevard on Presque Isle Harbor, Marquette.
Strolling Lights Festival
Participants stroll through uniquely and beautifully decorated trees throughout The District of Glen Arbor.
Lion’s Lighted Christmas Village
Free drive-through lighted display. East Jordan Tourist Park- 215 N. Lake St., East Jordan.
New Year’s Eve Party
Many activities for all ages at Crooked Tree Art Center, just outside it in the square, and at the nearby Petoskey District Library. Crooked Tree Art Center- 461 E. Mitchell St., Petoskey.
At this Boyne City festival, hundreds of mushroom lovers from around the country come to seek that elusive delicacy-the marvelous morel.
Northern Michigan communities offer many Memorial Day events: a great way to begin another summer season and remember those who gave all.
This 25-year-old rite of spring in Northern Michigan is a bike ride from the Zoo Bar at Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs, to Mackinaw City.
The Fort Michilimackinac Historical Reenactment Pageant in Mackinaw City is the U.S.’ longest running free Memorial Day historical program.
Calendar of Events for Northern Michigan- Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Boyne City, Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City, and more!
The history Northern Michigan’s Inland Water Route is preserved at the Inland Water Route Historical Museum in Alanson.
Historic Mill Creek Discover Park has 625 acres along Lake Huron, 3.5 miles of hiking trails, a reconstructed saw mill, mill dam, and more.
The Andrew J. Blackbird Museum is named for a counselor who helped Native American veterans. Native American artifacts fill the museum space.
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.
The many ski resorts in Northern Michigan have winter activities for the entire family including sledding, sleigh rides, tubing, and more.
Wildlife sanctuary Thorne Swift Nature Preserve is located 3 1/2 miles north of Harbor Springs, between Lower Shore Drive and Lake Michigan.