The popular tourist town of Ludington, Michigan will celebrate its 150th birthday (sesquicentennial) in 2023. Many events will be included.
Photo by Lynda Hinton on Unsplash.com
(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.
Pentwater's Christmas in the Village, held throughout the month of December, has carriage rides, shopping, craft fair, and more.
Manistee Michigan's Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend is held the first full weekend of December.
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.
Come see thousands upon thousands of Christmas lights set up in nearly 50 holiday displays at Hopkins Park in Bear Lake.
Current family-friendly events in West Michigan, great, fun, things to do for kids of all ages! Fun for the whole family!
Downtown Ludington hosts an annual lighted ball drop on New Year's Eve along with live music, beer tent, and fireworks.
Performance of A Christmas Carol
Thursday-Saturday at 7:30pm & Sunday at 3pm. Muskegon Civic Theatre- 425 W. Western, #401, Muskegon.
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.
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 23rd 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.
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.
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. Purchase tickets or bid online at one.bidpal.net. The event will be held at the Lincoln Hills Golf Club- 1527 N. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington. Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club’s STRIVE Program and college scholarships.
Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend
Downtown Manistee.
Christmas in Baldwin
Parade, visit with Santa, and tree lighting. Downtown Baldwin.
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.
COVE Holiday Party
Holiday Party Fundraiser for Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts- 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington. For more info, visit facebook.com.
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.
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 23rd 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.
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.
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.
Pentwater’s Christmas in the Village
Various locations in Pentwater.
Performance of Creole Du Nord
Hart Middle School Auditorium- 308 Johnson St., Hart.
Performance by the Good Lovelies
City Opera House- 106 E. Front St., Traverse City.
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.
Performance of Candlelight: Holiday Special Featuring “The Nutcracker” & More
City Opera House- 106 E. Front St., Traverse City.
Performance of Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
City Opera House- 106 E. Front St., Traverse City.
Holiday Cabaret Performance
Friday at 7pm, Saturday at 2pm AND 6pm, & Sunday at 2pm. Old Towne Playhouse- 148 E. Eighth St., Traverse City.
Performance of All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914
City Opera House- 106 E. Front St., Traverse City.
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.
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 23rd 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.
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.
Holiday Cabaret Performance
Friday at 7pm, Saturday at 2pm AND 6pm, & Sunday at 2pm. Old Towne Playhouse- 148 E. Eighth St., Traverse City.
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.
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 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. Visit facebook.com for more information.
Men’s Night
Downtown merchants feature specials, drawings, and spirits for the gents. Downtown Manistee.
West Shore Community College Jazz Ensemble I & II Performance
West Shore Community College Center Stage Theatre- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.
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.
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.
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.
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 or messaging them on facebook.com. Sandcastles Children’s Museum– 129 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. Event runs from 10:30pm to 12:20am.
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.
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.
Breakfast with Santa
At The Jolly Plate- 2516 N. US-31, Scottville. Kids 10 and under get a free reindeer pancake.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The communities along Lake Michigan are blessed with talented actors and musicians that entertain us throughout the year.
Book lovers will find bargains at the many used book sales held in Manistee, Ludington, and Hart in West Michigan.
Autumn is a great time in West Michigan, with fall festivals, corn mazes, Halloween parties and ghost ships.
Current family-friendly events in West Michigan, great, fun, things to do for kids of all ages! Fun for the whole family!
Fun Halloween parties and trick or treating take place in West Michigan including Ludington, Scottville, Manistee, and Oceana County.
Farm Markets & U-Pick farms offer locally grown and organic produce, flowers, plants, seeds, and more in West Michigan.
The Traverse City area has several arts and crafts fairs scheduled throughout the year, offering many unique handcrafted items.
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!
A site to behold along Lake Michigan, these structures with a rich history give both a sense of safety and a beautiful site.
Visit the Old Mission Peninsula, situated between the west arm and east arm of Grand Traverse Bay.
Standing tall and proud along the shores of Lake Michigan, Point Betsie marks the southern entrance to the Manitou Passage.
Enjoy the happiest of holidays in West Michigan! From Manistee to Ludington and every city in-between, there is holiday cheer all around!
The Silver Lake State Park is 3,000 acres and is situated between Silver Lake and Lake Michigan, offering boating, fishing, swimming, & ORV.
Beautiful color emerges come Fall. Take it all in with an afternoon drive, or stroll, through the many forests of West Michigan.