The popular tourist town of Ludington, Michigan will celebrate its 150th birthday (sesquicentennial) in 2023. Many events will be included.
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(Scroll down to see more events in December.)
The popular tourist town of Ludington, Michigan will celebrate its 150th birthday (sesquicentennial) in 2023. Many events will be included.
Arts & Crafts Shows and Bazaars during the fall/winter in West Michigan have handcrafted and specialty items for your Christmas gift giving.
Pentwater's Christmas in the Village, held throughout the month of December, has carriage rides, shopping, craft fair, and more.
Current family-friendly events in West Michigan, great, fun, things to do for kids of all ages! Fun for the whole family!
The park remains open year-round for hiking, snowshoeing, activities to give those who love winter something fun to look forward to!
Manistee Michigan's Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend is held the first full weekend of December.
Downtown Ludington hosts an annual lighted ball drop on New Year's Eve along with live music, beer tent, and fireworks.
Come see thousands upon thousands of Christmas lights set up in nearly 50 holiday displays at Hopkins Park in Bear Lake.
Performance of Miracle on 34th Street
Presented by the Central Park Players at 7:30pm with 1:30 matinee on 12/14. Central Park Place- 421 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven.
Performance of Matilda: The Musical
Ramsdell Theatre- 101 Maple St., Manistee.
Performance of Miracle on 34th Street
Presented by the Central Park Players at 7:30pm with 1:30 matinee on 12/14. Central Park Place- 421 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven.
Performance of Matilda: The Musical
Ramsdell Theatre- 101 Maple St., Manistee.
Musical performance: Home for the Holidays
Presented by the Traverse City Symphony Orchestra Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 3pm. Corson Auditorium- 4000 M-137, Interlochen.
Musical performance: Home for the Holidays
Presented by the Traverse City Symphony Orchestra Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 3pm. Corson Auditorium- 4000 M-137, Interlochen.
Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend
Downtown Manistee.
Christmas in Baldwin
Parade, visit with Santa, and tree lighting. Downtown Baldwin.
Lighting Up the Christmas Holiday
Free event featuring traditional Finnish ornaments, decorations, toys, candles, and Christmas tree. For more information, visit kalevamichigan.com. Bottle House Museum- 14551 Wuoski St., Kaleva.
Christmas in the Country
Open house and craft show. Friday from 4-8pm and Saturday from 9am-3pm. Benona Town Hall- 7169 W. Baker Rd., Shelby.
Letters to Santa
Drop off your letters to Santa in a magical mail box that delivers straight to the North Pole! Be sure to drop them off by December 15th to make sure you are able to hear back from Santa before his BIG day. Manistee County Library- 95 Maple St., Manistee.
Jingle Bell Jog 5k
5K Run/Walk to benefit the Manistee Area Public Schools Cross-Country program. The race begins and ends at The Tabernacle Manistee Campus- 77 Hancock St., Manistee. To register or find more info, visit runsignup.com.
Festive Fun Family Day
Kids can visit with Santa and enjoy a $2.99 meal. Ludington Meat Company- 3815 W. US-10, Ludington.
A WSCC Holiday Music Spectacular
West Shore Community College Center Stage Theatre- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.
Pentwater’s Christmas in the Village
Various locations in Pentwater.
Santa’s Headquarters
Visit with Santa at Manistee Marina- 2 Pine St. Manistee.
Pet Portraits with Santa
Donations benefit Homeward Bound Animal Shelter. No appointments necesssary. Just sign in and wait in your car. Patina- 4850 Main St., Onekama.
Rotary Club of Ludington Holiday Auction
Tickets are $50 per person and include heavy hors d’oeurves, cash bar, and the opportunity to bid on dozens of items donated by local businesses. Many items will also be available to bid on online beginning on Thursday, November 23rd, 2023 at 8am. Purchase tickets or bid online at one.bidpal.net. The event will be held at the Stearns Hotel Ballroom- 212 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington. Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club’s STRIVE Program and college scholarships.
West Shore Community College Jazz Ensemble I & II Performance
West Shore Community College Center Stage Theatre- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.
Breakfast with Santa
At The Jolly Plate- 2516 N. US-31, Scottville. Kids 10 and under get a free reindeer pancake.
Lantern Lit Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing, or Hiking
The walk begins at the Ludington State Park Warming Shelter (8800 M-116, Ludington) and has approximately 1 mile of lighted trails. There are bonfires at both the Warming Shelter and the Amphitheater, along with free warm beverages at the Amphitheater. No registration is required.
Cookie Walk
Stroll the downtown Ludington district, sampling delicious cookies. Tickets are $20 per person and only 100 are available. Ticket price includes over two dozen cookies and a cookie box. For more information or tickets, visit downtownludington.org.
Candy Canes & Characters
Meet and take photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, elves, the Grinch, Cindy Lou Who, a polar bear, a penguin, and the Oriole bird at Ludington High School- 508 N. Washington Ave., Ludington. There will also be face painting, snacks, games, and holiday crafts. Admission is $5 per participant or $15 per family (caregivers enter free). Proceeds benefit the Ludington High School Year Book Fund. For more information, contact Sierra Holmes at (231) 794-9936 or yearbook@lasd.net.
Mr. & Mrs. Clause Come to Ludington
Complimentary professional photography will be provided by Lynsey Baldon. The event is hosted by Lynsey Baldon Photography and Rachel Rae the Realtor. Red Rooster Coffee & Community- 207 S. James St., Ludington.
Holiday Parade & Activities in Scottville
Parade at 6:30pm beginning on W. Beryl St. ending on Main Street, Activities on Main Street will follow including kids crafts, pictures with Santa, cocoa, popcorn, and cookies.
Santa Visits the Brewery
Free and open to all ages. Ludington Bay Brewing Co.- 515 S. James St., Ludington.
Visit with Santa
Hamlin Town Hall- 3775 N. Jebavy Dr., Ludington.
Cartier Mansion Holiday Tour
Carson the Butler will welcome visitors and send them home with his favorite homemade doggie treats. Tours will be given of both Cartier Mansion (409 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington) and The Ludington House Bed and Breakfast. Tickets are $15 per person and may be purchased the day of the event at Cartier Mansion. All proceeds will benefit Mason County Mutts. For more information, visit facebook.com.
COVE Holiday Tea
Enjoy an afternoon of tea at the Oceana County Council on Aging- 4250 W. Tyler Rd., Hart. Cost is $15 and proceeds benefit Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters (COVE). Space is very limited, call (231) 843-2541 early for reservations.
Home for the Holidays Concert
Free showcase of numerous locally known performers. Ludington Area Center for the Arts- 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington.
Visit with Santa & the Grinch
During the Festival of Tree at Stix- 1963 N. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington.
Festival of Wreaths Auction
Wreaths created by local artists will be on display and up for silent auction in the lobby of the performance hall. Wreaths will be accepted until November 21st and must be pre-registered by contacting the Ludington Area Center for the Arts at (231) 845-2787 or info@ludingtonartscenter.org. LACA- 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington.
West Shore Community College Wind Symphony & Drum Line Performance
Manistee High School Auditorium- 525 12th St., Manistee.
Santa’s Headquarters
Visit with Santa at Manistee Marina- 2 Pine St. Manistee.
Holiday Skate to Benefit West Shore Wolves
Admission and skate rental are $10/person. Also, bring a pre-decorated Gingerbread House to enter into the contest for a chance to win $100 cash. All entries will be auctioned off during the event.
Houses must be entirely edible and entries are due no later than 7pm that night. West Shore Community Ice Arena- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.
Cookies & Cocoa
Decorate cookies, watch a movie, and drink hot chocolate. $5 for 6 cookies. Eagles #1354- 108 S. Harrison St., Ludington.
Christmas Party at Sandcastles Children’s Museum
Mr. and Mrs. Claus will make a special stop from 11:30am-1:30pm. Live music with the String-Alongs will be from 11am-12pm. John Marek and his Balloon Creations from 12-1pm and Deb Borema at the Creation Station will demonstrate and help you make Funny Sweater Ornaments from 1-3pm. There will also be cookie decorating downstairs. Admission is $9/person unless already members of the museum. Visit sandcastleschildrensmuseum.com for more information.
Children’s Christmas Party
Children age 12 and under are invited. All children in attendance will receive a gift. Custer VFW Gold Bar Post- 2022 State St., Custer.
Veteran’s Christmas Breakfast
Free for veterans, $10 for family/friends to join. Call to (231) 723-9501 to sign up. American Legion Post 10, 10 Mason St., Manistee.
Brunch with Santa & the Grinch
Stix- 1963 N. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington.
West Shore Community College Concert Choir Performance
West Shore Community College Center Stage Theatre- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.
Create Letters to Santa
Regular admission applies. Sandcastles Children’s Museum– 129 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.
Visit with Santa
Visit with Santa and get a photo, eat a cookie, sip on hot chocolate, and more! All children will receive a stocking filled with goodies, and a $10 voucher to be deposited. Filer Credit Union- 1117 28th St., Manistee.
New Year’s Eve Balloon Drop
Fun activities and refreshments for the whole family with a balloon drop to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Tickets are $60/immediate family or $15/person and can be purchased by calling (231) 233-9326. Sandcastles Children’s Museum– 129 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.
Family New Year’s Eve Party
This free event includes snacks, a potluck, a chili cook-off, crafts, video games, board games, a dancing competition, a photo booth, and much more. The evening will be wrapped up with an exciting midnight ball drop (live-streamed from downtown Ludington) and a worship celebration. Radiant Church- 409 S. Washington Ave., Ludington.
Family New Year’s Eve Party
Free party includes games, crafts, and snacks. Ludington Library- 217 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.
Ludington New Year’s Eve Ball Drop
Live music, beer tent, lighted ball drop at midnight with fireworks to follow. Legacy Plaza- 110 N. James St., Ludington.
New Year’s Eve Party
Enjoy a hot beverage, make a candle, and enjoy live music featuring Third Coast Swing. The Port- 222 W. Ludington Ave., Ludington.
CherryT Ball Drop
This family friendly event includes live music and the CherryT Ball drop on the corner of Front and Cass Streets in downtown Traverse City. Cost is a $5 donation which benefits a local charity.
Todd and Brad Reed offer Photography Workshops throughout the year. These classes are great for beginners as well as seasoned professionals.
Every year, the Mason-Lake Conservation District offers sales for tree seedlings and for native plants. Take advantage of this great service!
Grab snacks, chairs, and blankets to enjoy a family friendly movie at Manistee’s beautiful First Street Beach near the Rotary Gazebo.
Current family-friendly events in West Michigan, great, fun, things to do for kids of all ages! Fun for the whole family!
The communities along Lake Michigan are blessed with talented actors and musicians that entertain us throughout the year.
Motorcycles of all varieties and sizes make their way to Baldwin every May for the annual Blessing of the Bikes.
The Traverse City area has several arts and crafts fairs scheduled throughout the year, offering many unique handcrafted items.
The Caswell Horse Park at the Mason County Fairgrounds in Ludington is a busy place from May-October, with many horse shows.
During the summer is the Petunia Parade in Ludington featuring 30,000 petunias lining Ludington Avenue and the marina.
West Michigan is the location for many Car Shows during the summer. Various awards and plaques are presented at these car shows.
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Along the Lake Michigan shoreline between Ludington and Manistee, you’ll find natural splendor- the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness area.
Take a tour on the Historic S.S. City of Milwaukee car ferry and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Acacia docked in Manistee, Michigan.
Take one of the most scenic drives in the nation as you travel across M-22 in West Michigan. A long winding road of adventure awaits!
The spring/fall runs of steelhead and salmon, the resident brown trout and “brookies” make the PM River extremely popular for fishing.
Set in the heart of downtown Ludington is the Todd & Brad Reed Photo Gallery, and it’s a must-see for anyone who appreciates true beauty.
The Pentwater River provides opportunities to experience a paddle sport for the first time or take on a challenge for those more experienced.
Get some fresh air and exercise during those cold winter months when you hit the Pentwater Pathway for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
Scottville Riverside Park, along the Pere Marquette River, has over 50 modern sites and is popular for camping and fishing.
Before you make a splash in Lake Michigan, check out the water temperatures for beaches from Manistee, Ludington, Pentwater, and Silver Lake.
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!