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December 2023 Events Calendar

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Featured December Events

(Scroll down to see more events in December.)

And check out information on Holiday Bazaars and Arts & Crafts Shows happening this month!

December 1-7, 2023

November 24th-December 10th, 2023

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.

Each Saturday in December

Pentwater’s Christmas in the Village
Various locations in Pentwater.

Each Saturday in December AND December 21st, 2023

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.

November 30th-December 3rd, 2023

Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend
Downtown Manistee.

Friday, December 1st, 2023
7:30pm

Performance by The Ragbirds
The Playhouse at White Lake- 304 S. Mears Ave., Whitehall.

Friday, December 1st, 2023

Christmas in Baldwin
Parade, visit with Santa, and tree lighting. Downtown Baldwin.

Friday, December 1st-Saturday, December 2nd; 2023

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.

December 1st-15th, 2023

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.

Saturday, December 2nd, 2023
10am

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.

Saturday, December 2nd, 2023
10am-12:30pm

Festive Fun Family Day
Kids can visit with Santa and enjoy a $2.99 meal. Ludington Meat Company- 3815 W. US-10, Ludington.

Saturday, December 2nd-Sunday, December 3rd; 2023

A WSCC Holiday Music Spectacular III
2nd-3rd at 2pm AND 2nd at 8pm

Sunday, December 3rd, 2023
12-2pm

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.

Wednesday, December 6th, 2023
6-9pm

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. 

Thursday, December 7th, 2023
7:30pm

West Shore Community College Jazz Ensemble I & II Performance
West Shore Community College Center Stage Theatre- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.

December 8-14, 2023

Each Saturday in December

Pentwater’s Christmas in the Village
Various locations in Pentwater.

Each Saturday in December AND December 21st, 2023

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.

December 8th-9th AND 15th-17th, 2023

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. 

Saturday, December 9th, 2023
10am-1pm

Breakfast with Santa
At The Jolly Plate- 2516 N. US-31, Scottville. Kids 10 and under get a free reindeer pancake.

Saturday, December 9th, 2023
10am AND 4pm

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.

Saturday, December 9th, 2023
1pm

The Met Opera presents an HD performance of Florencia En El Amazonas
Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts– 101 Maple St., Manistee.

Saturday, December 9th, 2023
1-4pm

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.

Saturday, December 9th, 2023
3-6pm

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

Saturday, December 9th, 2023
4pm

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.

Saturday, December 9th, 2023
6:30pm

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.

Sunday, December 10th, 2023
1-4pm

Santa Visits the Brewery
Free and open to all ages. Ludington Bay Brewing Co.- 515 S. James St., Ludington.

Sunday, December 10th, 2023
11am-4pm

Visit with Santa
Hamlin Town Hall- 3775 N. Jebavy Dr., Ludington.

Sunday, December 10th, 2023
1-4pm

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

Sunday, December 10th, 2023
1:30-4pm

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.

Sunday, December 10th, 2023
2pm

Home for the Holidays Concert
Free showcase of numerous locally known performers. Ludington Area Center for the Arts- 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington.

Sunday, December 10th, 2023
4-7pm

Visit with Santa & the Grinch
During the Festival of Tree at Stix- 1963 N. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington.

November 24th-December 10th, 2023

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.

Monday, December 11th, 2023
7:30pm

West Shore Community College Wind Symphony & Drum Line Performance
Manistee High School Auditorium- 525 12th St., Manistee.

Tuesday, December 12th, 2023
6-7pm

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.

December 14th-17th, 2023

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.

December 15-21, 2023

Each Saturday in December

Pentwater’s Christmas in the Village
Various locations in Pentwater.

Each Saturday in December AND December 21st, 2023

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.

December 8th-9th AND 15th-17th, 2023

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. 

Friday, December 15th, 2023
6-8pm

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.

Saturday, December 16th, 2023
9:30am-3pm

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.

Saturday, December 16th, 2023
1-3pm

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.

Saturday, December 16th-Sunday, December 17th; 2023

Performance by the Traverse City Symphony Orchestra
Home for the Holidays- Let it Swing! at Lars Hockstad Auditorium- 301 Seventh St., Traverse City.

Sunday, December 17th, 2023
8:30am-12pm

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. 

Sunday, December 17th, 2023
10am-2pm

Brunch with Santa & the Grinch
Stix- 1963 N. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington.

Sunday, December 17th, 2023
1pm AND 3pm

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.

Tuesday, December 19th, 2023
7:30pm

West Shore Community College Concert Choir Performance
West Shore Community College Center Stage Theatre- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.

December 22-31, 2023

Each Saturday in December

Pentwater’s Christmas in the Village
Various locations in Pentwater.

Friday, December 22nd
10am-3pm

Create Letters to Santa
Regular admission applies. Sandcastles Children’s Museum– 129 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Sunday, December 31st, 2023
5-8pm

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.

Sunday, December 31st, 2023
8:30-11pm

Family New Year’s Eve Party
Free party includes games, crafts, and snacks. Ludington Library- 217 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Sunday, December 31st, 2023
9pm

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.

Sunday, December 31st, 2023
10:30pm-12:20am

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.

The following events are from 2022. Stay tuned for information on dates for these events in 2023!

 

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.

Check back often for updates to this calendar of events!

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