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.
Pentwater's Christmas in the Village, held throughout the month of December, has carriage rides, shopping, craft fair, and more.
Come see thousands upon thousands of Christmas lights set up in nearly 50 holiday displays at Hopkins Park in Bear Lake.
Manistee Michigan's Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend is held the first full weekend of December.
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!
Arts & Crafts Shows and Bazaars during the fall/winter in West Michigan have handcrafted and specialty items for your Christmas gift giving.
Current family-friendly events in West Michigan, great, fun, things to do for kids of all ages! Fun for the whole family!
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.
Pentwater’s Christmas in the Village
Various locations in Pentwater.
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.
Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend
Downtown Manistee.
Performance by The Ragbirds
The Playhouse at White Lake- 304 S. Mears Ave., Whitehall.
Christmas in Baldwin
Parade, visit with Santa, and tree lighting. Downtown Baldwin.
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 III
2nd-3rd at 2pm AND 2nd at 8pm
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.
Pentwater’s Christmas in the Village
Various locations in Pentwater.
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.
Performance of Parfumerie
Performance by the Central Park Players at Central Park Place, 421 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven. Fridays/Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm.
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.
The Met Opera presents an HD performance of Florencia En El Amazonas
Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts– 101 Maple St., Manistee.
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.
Art Talk: The Period Between the Wars with Dr. Dan Connolly PhD
Cost is $5 per person and pre-registration is available at ludingtonartcenter.org.
The Manistee Civic Players present Nuncrackers
Performances are Thursday-Saturday at 7:30pm and Saturday-Sunday at 2pm. Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts– 101 Maple St., Manistee.
Pentwater’s Christmas in the Village
Various locations in Pentwater.
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.
Performance of Parfumerie
Performance by the Central Park Players at Central Park Place, 421 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven. Fridays/Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm.
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.
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.
Performance by the Traverse City Symphony Orchestra
Home for the Holidays- Let it Swing! at Lars Hockstad Auditorium- 301 Seventh St., Traverse City.
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.
Performances of Max’s Merry Everything
This children’s holiday play was written by Debbie Nellis and Rick Plummer. Tickets are $10 each and the shows will be held at Sandcastles Children’s Museum- 129 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.
West Shore Community College Concert Choir Performance
West Shore Community College Center Stage Theatre- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.
Pentwater’s Christmas in the Village
Various locations in Pentwater.
Create Letters to Santa
Regular admission applies. Sandcastles Children’s Museum– 129 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.
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
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.
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.
Breakfast with Santa
The event includes pictures with Santa for free or donation to the photographer, coloring contest, goodies, and breakfast buffet for purchase. To-go cookie trays will be available, as well. North Country Cafe- 110 N. Main St., Scottville.
Children’s Christmas Party
Children age 12 and younger are invited to this free event where they’ll receive gifts from Santa and have cookies and punch. Sign up at Fountain Market- 4931 N. Cleveland St., Fountain. The event will be held at the Citizen’s Sportsmen’s Club of Fountain- 5586 E. Fountain Rd., Fountain.
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!
Manistee Michigan’s Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend is held the first full weekend of December.
Pentwater’s Christmas in the Village, held throughout the month of December, has carriage rides, shopping, craft fair, and more.
West Michigan is a popular location for various races and runs… including the Lakestride Half Marathon and the Lighthouse Triathlon.
Arts & Crafts Shows and Bazaars during the fall/winter in West Michigan have handcrafted and specialty items for your Christmas gift giving.
The popular tourist town of Ludington, Michigan will celebrate its 150th birthday (sesquicentennial) in 2023. Many events will be included.
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.
The park remains open year-round for hiking, snowshoeing, activities to give those who love winter something fun to look forward to!
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Michigan has a public ORV trail system for four different riding opportunities–motorcycles, ATVs, ORVs, and scramble areas.
The Michigan Audubon Society Lake Bluff Center overlooks Lake Michigan near Manistee and features wildlife and a bird sanctuary.
The Manistee Riverwalk follows the Manistee River from Jones Street, under the US-31 bridge, behind downtown, and ends at First Street beach.
West Michigan boasts numerous museums to learn about the area’s rich history and to expand knowledge through activities and exhibits.
Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes has miles of sand trails and hills, where hikers are rewarded at the end with spectacular views of Lake Michigan.
Visit the new Value of Sports Museum located at Historic White Pine Village just a short drive from Ludington.
The Pere Marquette River area is rich with wildlife, offering great outdoors hunting and fishing opportunities.
The colorful attire and crazy antics of the Scottville Clown Band amuse people, but they also have extraordinary musical talent.
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!
Before you make a splash in Lake Michigan, check out the water temperatures for beaches from Manistee, Ludington, Pentwater, and Silver Lake.