Downtown Ludington hosts an annual lighted ball drop on New Year's Eve along with live music, beer tent, and fireworks.
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(Scroll down to see more events in December.)
Downtown Ludington hosts an annual lighted ball drop on New Year's Eve along with live music, beer tent, and fireworks.
Book lovers will find bargains at the many used book sales held in Manistee, Ludington, and Hart in West Michigan.
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.
Find all the places where the kids can visit and have pictures taken with Santa in Ludington, Scottville, Manistee, Oceana County, and more.
Farm Markets & U-Pick farms offer locally grown and organic produce, flowers, plants, seeds, and more in West Michigan.
Manistee Michigan's Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend is held the first full weekend of December.
Current family-friendly events in West Michigan, great, fun, things to do for kids of all ages! Fun for the whole family!
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!
The Ludington Area Festival of Lights is a dazzling drive-thru light display that runs from Thanksgiving until the last weekend of December.
Come see thousands upon thousands of Christmas lights set up in nearly 50 holiday displays at Hopkins Park in Bear Lake.
The Traverse City area has several arts and crafts fairs scheduled throughout the year, offering many unique handcrafted items.
Downtown Traverse City bustles with party goers for the annual CherryT Ball Drop held on New Year's Eve drawing between 8,000-12,000 people.
The popular tourist town of Ludington, Michigan will celebrate its 150th birthday (sesquicentennial) in 2023. Many events will be included.
The park remains open year-round for hiking, snowshoeing, activities to give those who love winter something fun to look forward to!
The communities along Lake Michigan are blessed with talented actors and musicians that entertain us throughout the year.
Manistee Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend
This annual event includes activities for all ages including live music, a craft show, shopping specials, and more.
Fat Tire Biking Season
Riders can enjoy 450 acres of open sand dunes, elevation changes of 80-100 feet, access to Lake Michigan, and sunsets over the lake from the top of the dunes. For more info, visit michigan.gov. Silver Lake State Park- 8890 West Shore Dr., Mears.
Fat Tire Biking Season
Riders can enjoy 450 acres of open sand dunes, elevation changes of 80-100 feet, access to Lake Michigan, and sunsets over the lake from the top of the dunes. For more info, visit michigan.gov. Silver Lake State Park- 8890 West Shore Dr., Mears.
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.
Cartier Mansion/Ludington House Bed & Breakfast Holiday Tour
Carson the Butler will welcome visitors. Tours will be given of both Cartier Mansion (409 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington) and The Ludington House Bed and Breakfast. Tickets are $20 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.
West Shore Community College Wind Symphony & Drum Line Performance
Manistee High School Auditorium- 525 12th St., Manistee.
West Shore Community College Concert Choir Performance
West Shore Community College Center Stage Theatre- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.
Ladies Night
Downtown merchants feature specials, drawings, and spirits for the ladies. Downtown Manistee.
Ladies Night
Explore participating retailers for the ideal holiday gifts, complete with special promotions, gift wrapping, and more. Create a wish list at your favorite stores and join the Passport Program—visit all participating businesses for a chance to win an amazing gift basket filled with downtown treasures. For more information, visit downtownludington.org.
Taste of Finland
Traditional Finnish foods like panukkuku, nissua, and other delicacies will be served. The museum will be decorated in holiday style with touches from Finland like the Finnish Heaven. Don’t miss this cultural event at the famous house made out of 60,000 pop bottles. For more info, visit kalevamichigan.com.
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.
Christmas in the Village
Visits with Santa, shopping specials, vintage firetruck rides, musical performances, and more at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons- 1200 Village Center Dr., Traverse City. For more info, visit facebook.com.
Christmas Party
This FREE event is sponsored by FloraCraft & Sandcastles Children’s Museum. It includes a FloraCraft Christmas craft project, a visit by Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause from 1-3pm, Cookie Decorating from 12-1pm or while supplies last, live music by Eric Englade, a free bike raffle, and free access to the museum exhibits.
Home for the Holidays Concert
Free showcase of numerous locally known performers. Ludington Area Center for the Arts- 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington.
Great Start Book Walk
Held in conjunction with the Festival of Trees, families will receive a free copy of the book “Christmas Humbugs” (first come, first serve). Stix- 1963 N. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington.
Men’s Night
Use the wish lists created on Ladies Night to find gifts that are sure to impress. Take advantage of exclusive in-store specials, gift wrapping services, and the chance to shop local, all while enjoying your favorite drinks as you explore the Ludington Outdoor Social District. For more information, visit downtownludington.org.
Men’s Night
Downtown merchants feature specials, drawings, and spirits for the gents. Downtown Manistee.
Cookie Decorating
John’s Place After School Program invites kids to come decorate and eat cookies while enjoying holiday music. St. John’s Place- 209 N. Rowe St., Ludington.
West Shore Community College Jazz Ensemble I & II Performance
West Shore Community College Center Stage Theatre- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.
Christmas Crafts & Cookie Decorating
Sponsored by the Pentwater Rec Program. Park Place- 310 N. Rush St., Pentwater.
Create Letters to Santa
Regular admission applies. Sandcastles Children’s Museum– 129 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.
Gift Wrapping Expo
Bring in your gifts to be wrapped while you wait, donations are appreciated and will benefit the Oriole Giving Tree. Every person who donates will receive a discounted (up to 20% off) stay at the Comfort Inn. Max of 20 gifts per household. Comfort Inn- 5323 W. US-10, Ludington.
Great Start Book Walk
Families will receive a free copy of the book “Don’t Let the Pigeons Drive the Sleigh!” (first come, first serve). River Community Center- 690 9th St., Baldwin.
Children’s Christmas Party
Children age 12 and under are invited. All children in attendance will receive a gift. Sign up by December 14th by calling (231) 757-9665. Custer VFW Gold Bar Post- 2022 State St., Custer.
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.
Voting Period for the Manistee County Community Christmas
Households that are decorating their homes register and the public is invited to tour the decorated homes and vote on their favorite. Households may register through the voting period ending on December 31st. To register your home, click here.
Ludington Area Festival of Lights
Drive-thru lights display at the West Michigan Fairgrounds- 5302 US-10, Ludington. Cost is $10/vehicle and proceeds go to local non-profits. For more information, visit checkoutthelights.com.
Bear Lake’s Sparkle in the Park
The annual celebration of the holiday season offers a walk-through display of local business and residential Christmas light displays. Hopkins Park- 7727 Lake St., Bear Lake.
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.
Muskegon New Year’s Eve Ball Drop
The event includes four DJ’s and a large 8 foot LED ball drop at midnight followed by a fireworks display. There will also be food trucks on-site. 460 W. Western Ave., Muskegon.
Family New Year’s Eve Party
Free party includes games, crafts, and snacks. Ludington Library- 217 E. 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. Event runs from 10:30pm to 12:20am.
New Year’s Eve in Pentwater
Event includes a small fireworks show with a fire pit. Near the Marina.
Motorcycles of all varieties and sizes make their way to Baldwin every May for the annual Blessing of the Bikes.
The communities along Lake Michigan are blessed with talented actors and musicians that entertain us throughout the year.
After a busy day at the beach or at work, it’s time to kick back and relax a while. What better way than to listen to some music.
Farm Markets & U-Pick farms offer locally grown and organic produce, flowers, plants, seeds, and more in West Michigan.
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!
Grab snacks, chairs, and blankets to enjoy a family friendly movie at Manistee’s beautiful First Street Beach near the Rotary Gazebo.
Todd and Brad Reed offer Photography Workshops throughout the year. These classes are great for beginners as well as seasoned professionals.
The Caswell Horse Park at the Mason County Fairgrounds in Ludington is a busy place from May-October, with many horse shows.
West Michigan is the location for many Car Shows during the summer. Various awards and plaques are presented at these car shows.
The Traverse City area has several arts and crafts fairs scheduled throughout the year, offering many unique handcrafted items.
Pet live animals, enjoy fresh produce and dairy products, and more! Lots of experiences are available for the family when you visit the farm!
Beautiful color emerges come Fall. Take it all in with an afternoon drive, or stroll, through the many forests of West Michigan.
West Michigan is home to wineries galore! Enjoy a wine tasting tour and sample award winning wines.
The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts is a cultural center in West Michigan and plays an integral part in Manistee’s history.
Beautiful color emerges come Fall. Take it all in with an afternoon drive, or stroll, through the many forests of West Michigan.
The historical Vogue Theatre in Manistee, renovated as a modern-day movie theater, shows current movies, classic films, and family movies.