Photo by Todd & Brad Reed Photography

Manistee's Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend

December 4th-7th, 2025

When the Christmas season is upon us, the Victorian city of Manistee kicks off the festivities in a big way, with its annual Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend. This popular event brings as many as 10,000 visitors to Manistee to experience the wonder of a Christmas gone by. The highlight of the parade is the Belgian draft horses that pulls a 30′ Christmas tree down River Street in downtown Manistee. The entire Old Christmas Weekend is filled with wonderful activities.

Manistee is a great place to pick up those gifts for everyone on your list, and downtown restaurants welcome you into their cozy establishments for a delicious meal. As the snow flies, enjoy the carolers, decked out in period dresses, coats, and top hats. It’s certainly the right setting to put you in a festive holiday mood.

For the holiday season, make sure you include Manistee’s Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend in your plans.

If you are traveling from outside the area, check out places to stay in Manistee, and Manistee restaurants for your dining options.

And don’t forget to make time to visit the many downtown shops!

Here's what happened in 2024:

Thursday

2pm – Krampus & Old Christmas Curiosities at the Manistee County Library- 95 Maple St., Manistee. Learn all about him with this fun and informative lecture.
5-7pm – Chamber of Commerce UnTapped at the Ramsdell Theatre Ballroom- 101 Maple St. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, holiday music, 50/50 raffle, and cash bar. For tickets or more information, visit manisteechamber.com.
5-8pm – Drop-In Pottery Painting at The Purple Paintbrush- 338 River St. Acrylic painted or glazed and fired options are available. The last seating is one hour before closing. Prices vary.
6pm – Krampus & Old Christmas Curiosities at the Vogue Theatre- 383 River St. Learn all about him with this fun and informative lecture.
6pm-Bar Close – Krampus Krawl. Participating pubs include The Jailhouse, TJ’s, and more.
7pm – Victorian Christmas Concert at the First Congregational Church- 412 Fourth St. Songs of the season new and old will be sung and played by the Manistee Choral Society and instrumental friends. Reception to follow. Free but donations will be accepted.
7:30-9:30pm – Night Before Sleighbell at The Outsider- 457 River St. Kick off Sleighbell weekend with music, laughs, food, drinks and prizes. Featuring Andy Hotgrieve of Domestic Problems hosted by Eagle 101.5’s Mark Sandstedt

Friday

1-3pm – Complimentary Wine Tasting at the Ideal Kitchen- 421 River St.
Taste some of the very best wines at one of Manistee’s premiere culinary stores. ID is required.
3-8pm – Hot Dogs & Sloppy Joes at the Elks $7 per person and open to the public.
4-7pm – Make & Take Holiday Bracelets at Northern Spirits Gifts- 389 River St. Free.
4-7pm – Smitten Party at The Vogue Theatre. Bring new hats, gloves, socks, and scarves to decorate our Christmas tree. All items will be donated to area organizations serving those in need. Participants will receive free popcorn and festive stickers.
4-7pm – Cookie Crawl throughout downtown shops. Purchase a cookie collection box and stop by local businesses to gather specially designed and crafted signature cookies to fill that box. Only 100 cookie boxes will be sold by freewill donation.
4-7pm – Jack’s Shirt Shack Pop-Up Shop. Check out some cool T-shirts and get a jump on your holiday shopping with these custom Tees. In the lobby of the Ramsdell Inn, 399 River St.
4-8pm – Manistee Art Stroll– Downtown establishments. Stroll around town enjoying local art in the downtown stores, galleries, and historic buildings. Pick up your guide at Port City Emporium (354 River St.) or Redeemed Furniture Art & Decor (172 Memorial Dr.) and fill it up by visiting each spot. Return to The Piping Plover (385 River St.) for a special gift.
4-9pm – Downtown Merchant Showcase. Join the merchants along historic downtown River Street for a scavenger hunt, art stroll, and more. Marvel at the holiday window displays, make friendship bracelets, and send a letter to Santa!
5-8pm – Fish Fry at the Elks Lodge- 432 River St. Choose from crab stuffed salmon to shrimp to perch to haddock. Open to the public.
6pm – Ceramic Tree Painting Party at the Purple Paintbrush- 338 River St. Many different styles and sizes to choose from. Acrylic painted or glazed options are available. Fired items take up to one week for completion. Prices vary. Seating is limited so reservations are required.
6-8pm – Open House at Pomeroy Floral- 259 5th St. Check out examples of holiday centerpieces and wreaths. Preorder your holiday decor and receive a 10% discount. Refreshments will be served.
6-8pm – Live music with Raylin Vance at The Outsider.
7-9pm – Jingle Bell Karaoke by Phattrax DJs at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts Ballroom. Sing holiday songs, 50/50 raffle, Fortune Teller, and photo op with Radar the Reindeer.
Cash bar and pizza by the slice for sale. Bidding on auction items continues during this event.
8pm-Midnight – Karaoke at The Moose Lodge- 1010 Robinson St. Open to the public. Food available beginning at 4pm.
8pm-Midnight – Sleighbell Social Holiday Bash at The Outsider. Holiday cocktails, beer and food specials. Santas (or anyone in costume) will receive 10% off. Sleighbell spins with DJ Bitz’n, vinyl holiday classics.

Saturday

8am-12pm – Flapjacks with Fire Hats at VFW Post 4499- 1211 28th St. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy and orange juice benefits the Filer Township Fire Department.
9am-12pm – Breakfast Buffet at The Elk’s Club
at the Elks Lodge. Open to the public. Bloody Marys & Mimosas available for purchase.
9am-3pm – Christmas Craft Bazaar at Wagoner Senior Center- 260 St. Mary’s Parkway. Features handmade crafts and Christmas cookie sale. Lunch will be available for purchase. Vendor spots are sold out.
10am – Free Saturday Morning Matinee showing of Prancer at The Vogue Theatre.
10am – Jingle Bell Jog 5k Run/Walk beginning at Tabernacle Church- 77 Hancock St. Registration is $20 per runner. Register at runsignup.com.
10am-3pm – Sleighbell Gathering for families and youth at the Rec at Sands Park- 580 Maple St. There will be a silent auction, bake sale, and concession stand. Proceeds support area youth projects and need of the Rec throughout the year.
11am-1pm – Meet the Grinch at Happy Owl Bookshop. Free admission.
11am-1pm – Meet the Author: John Wemlinger, Onekama resident and author of “Before the Snow Flies,” “Winter’s Bloom” and his newest book “The Cut.” Third Coast Boutique- 342 River St.
11am-2pm – Guardian Angels Church Free Self-Guided Tours at Guardian Angels Church- 371 5th St.. The Guardian Angles Historic Preservation Project will host an open house and self-guided tours of the church. The historic, 1909 pipe organ and steeple chime will provide music throughout the duration of the open house. This church was built in 1888 and is on the National Register of Historic Places, and a must-see for all.
11am-4pm – Free Drop-in Keepsake Ornament Painting at the Purple Paintbrush. featuring limited edition Victorian Sleighbell Parade ornaments. Acrylic painted for fired options available. The last seating is one hour before closing. Prices vary.
11:30am-3pm – Meet Buddy the Elf and get a photo with him at Riverside Toys- 390 River St. Suite 101.
12-2pm – Open House & Tour at St. Paul Lutheran Church- 313 4th St., Manistee. Free admission. Attendees receive a Christmas ornament.
1-4pm – Free Horse and Carriage Rides on River St. (East and West Sides of Maple Street).
2pm – The Haunting of Old Ebenezer at Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts.
2-3pm – Stilt Walker on River St., Manistee.
2-5pm – Gift Giving Silent Auction at City2Shore- 340 River St. Bid on items to benefit the Armory Youth Project. Items include lift tickets to Crystal Mountain, a weekend stay at Traveler’s Motel in Onekama, a homemade quilt, and more. (Advance bids can be placed from December 2nd-6th by clicking here).
3pm – Children’s Parade beginning at the Manistee County Library.
3pm – Magic Show at the Vogue Theatre.
3pm – MaxwellTown Brass (a 15-member group of brass, percussion and sleigh bells) will perform on River Street near Surroundings, The Ideal Kitchen, and Wellnested.
3-6pm – Warming Station at West Shore Community College Satellite Site- 400 River St. Free admission includes water and cookies.
4-5pm – Warm up before the parade with hot chocolate at The Vogue Theatre.
4-7pm – Free Roasted Chestnuts along River St.
5:30pm – Victorian Sleighbell Parade on River St. in downtown Manistee. Sponsored by West Shore Bank. Follow the last parade entry for caroling and tree lighting. Free.
Following the parade – Sleighbell Fireworks at Manistee Municipal Marina area. Sponsored by Jeff Reau of Edward Jones. Free.
7pm – Jingle Bell Jam at the American Legion- 10 Mason St. Live bands and entertainment. Admission is $10 or donated toy.
8pm-Midnight – Live music featuring Aces and Eights and Jay Fortier. Food is available and doors open at 4pm. Manistee Moose Lodge 1128- 1010 Robinson St.

Sunday

10:30am-12:30pm – Lakeside Club’s Festival of Trees & Holiday Decor Pick-up time for winning bidders at Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts. Please pick up your items promptly. We wrap trees for easy transport. Don’t want the tree? Take the ornaments and we will keep the tree for next year.
10:45am – Fireside Morning Yoga and Mimosas
at Blue Fish Kitchen & Bar- 312 River St. Bring your own mat and props. Brunch, mimosas and zero-proof refreshments imcluded. Reserve your spot by calling (231) 887-4188. Cost is $25 per person.
Friday & Saturday from 11am-1pm. – Meet Author Don Hansen will be at Hoot and Honey Bookstore- 358 River St. Meet and greet Don for his new book “Meg and the Manistee Christmas.”
11am-8pm – Free Pinball at The Outsider.
12-4pm – Drop-In Pottery Painting at The Purple Paintbrush- 338 River St. Acrylic painted or glazed and fired options are available. The last seating is one hour before closing. Prices vary.
12:30-8pm – Smitten Party at The Vogue Theatre. Bring new hats, gloves, socks, and scarves to decorate our Christmas tree. All items will be donated to area organizations serving those in need. Participants will receive free popcorn and festive stickers.
2-6pm – Striketown Family Day
Bowl. Games and shoes are $1 off and free hot chocolate. Striketown- 1569 US-31.
3pm – Lessons & Carols at Trinity Lutheran Church- 420 Oak St. Free admission.

Events That Happened Over Multiple Days

Daily from 10am-Dusk – Ice Skating Rink is open. Bring your own skates.
Thursday-Saturday – Holiday Market & Beer Garden at The Outsider- 456 River St. Fires, food, hot cider, cold beer and holiday market vibes at The Outsider. Thursday from 4-10pm, Saturday & Sunday from 11am-10pm.
All Day Friday & Saturday – Santa’s Mailbox is open downtown near Port City Emporium- 354 River St.
Friday & Saturday – Santa’s Workshop hosted by Lighthouse Title. Photos with Santa at the Municipal Marina- 480 River St.
Friday-Sunday from 1-3pm – 12×12 Community Art Exhibition at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts.
Friday from 1-9pm, Saturday from 11am-8pm, and Sunday from 10:30am-12:30pm – Lakeside Club’s Festival of Trees & Holiday Decor at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts Ballroom. View and bid on creatively decorated Christmas trees, wreaths and, seasonal decor and gifts, all made by local artists and organizations. Bring canned goods to vote for your favorite entry for the “People’s Choice” award. Bring unwrapped toys for Five CAP’s “Toys for Tots/Gifts for Teens” and enter in a prize drawing. Auction bidding closes 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7th, 2024. Proceeds from the 2024 Festival of Trees will go to Manistee County Historical Society/Museum, Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, and Lakeside Club High School Scholarship for Service. $1 admission fee.
Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm – The Manistee Civic Players present Matilda: The Musical at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts. For tickets, visit ramsdelltheatre.org.
Saturday and Sunday from 11am-2pm – Scandinavian Christmas Open House at Old Kirke Museum- 304 Walnut St. Join us for a Scandinavian Christmas Open House with traditionally decorated Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Christmas trees and cookies. And exhinit of miniature villages and toy trains in the “Tiny Towns and Trains“ is also available.