Photo by Lynda Hinton on Unsplash.com
(Scroll down to see more events in December.)
The park remains open year-round for hiking, snowshoeing, activities to give those who love winter something fun to look forward to!
Manistee Michigan's Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend is held the first full weekend of December.
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.
Pentwater's Christmas in the Village, held throughout the month of December, has carriage rides, shopping, craft fair, and more.
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
Various locations in Pentwater.
Holiday Gift Fair
To register, visit bellairechamber.org. Downtown Bellaire.
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.
Pentwater’s Christmas in the Village
Various locations in Pentwater.
Pentwater’s Christmas in the Village
Various locations in Pentwater.
Pentwater’s Christmas in the Village
Various locations in Pentwater.
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.
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 22nd 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.
Lighting Up the Christmas Holiday
Free event featuring traditional Finnish ornaments, decorations, toys, candles, and Christmas tree. Bottle House Museum- 14551 Wuoski St., Kaleva.
Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend
Downtown Manistee.
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.
Deck the Halls: A Mason County Decorating Contest
Mason County residents may enter the Ludington & Scottville Chamber’s holiday decorating contest. Get in the Christmas spirit, deck your halls and enter for a chance to win cash prizes! Find rules, entry form, and digital map at ludington.org/deckthehalls.
Photos with Santa
Lake-Osceola State Bank- 790 Michigan Ave., Baldwin.
Christmas Parade
Begins at U.S. Forest Service Building- 650 Michigan Ave. then north to the courthouse. Christmas tree lighting and community caroling follow at the Brown Trout Sculpture Park- E. M-37.
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 Church, 77 Hancock St., Manistee. To register or find more info, visit runsignup.com.
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.
Outdoor Live Nativity
Chili, hot chocolate, and warming fire. St Ann Catholic Church- 1001 Michigan Ave., Baldwin.
A WSCC Holiday Rock Spectacular Reunion
Presented by the West Shore Community College Performing Arts Series and the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts. Ramsdell Theatre- 101 Maple St., Manistee. Purchase tickets at westshore.edu.
West Shore Community College Wind Symphony & Drumline
Performance at the Manistee High School Auditorium- 525 12th St., Manistee. Purchase tickets at westshore.edu.
West Shore Community College Concert Choir
Performance at the West Shore Community College Center Stage Theatre- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville. Purchase tickets at westshore.edu.
Rotary Club of Ludington Holiday Auction
Tickets are $50 per person and include heavy hors d’oeurves, desserts, 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 24th. 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.
Lighting Up the Christmas Holiday
Free event featuring traditional Finnish ornaments, decorations, toys, candles, and Christmas tree. Bottle House Museum- 14551 Wuoski St., Kaleva.
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.
West Shore Community College Jazz Ensemble I & II
Performance at the West Shore Community College Center Stage Theatre- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville. Purchase tickets at westshore.edu.
Snowshoe Making Classes
Participants must be age 16 and older. The cost is $190, which includes the preformed wooden frames, lacing, high-quality bindings, and personal instruction. Pre-registration is required.
Christmas in the Village
Explore Christmas traditions of the past and present with fun activities like letter writing to Santa, crafts, demonstrations, and more. Cost is $12 for Adults, $10 for Seniors, $8 for Children ages 3-13, and free for Children under age 3. Historic White Pine Village– 1687 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington.
Breakfast with Santa
At The Jolly Plate- 2516 N. US-31, Scottville.
Christmas Party at Sandcastles Children’s Museum
Mr. and Mrs. Claus will make a special stop from 10:30am-12pm with John Marek and his Balloon Creations. Deb Borema at the Creation Station will demonstrate and help you make Funny Sweater Ornaments from 12-1:30pm. Refreshments will also be provided. Regular admission rates apply. Visit sandcastleschildrensmuseum.com for more information.
Santa Social
Free event with photos with Santa, activities, hot cocoa, and cookies. Scottville Library– 204 E. State St., Scottville.
Pictures with Santa
Kids and pets are invited to have their photo taken with Santa. Bring your own camera. Cost is a $5 minimum donation and will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Mason County. The event will be held at the Habitat Restore- 1916 W. US-10, Scottville.
Floracraft’s Annual Santa’s Workshop
This free event includes crafting, games, snacks, gifts, a walk through our Winter Wonderland, and more. There will also be photos with Santa Claus and story time with Mrs. Claus. For more information, visit facebook.com. Floracraft- 1 Longfellow Place, 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.
Christmas Party
Visit with Santa, Ugly-Sweater crafts, cookie decorating, and balloon animals. Regular admission rates apply. Sandcastles Children’s Museum– 129 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.
Santa Visits the Brewery
Free and open to all ages. Ludington Bay Brewing Co.- 515 S. James St., Ludington.
Lighting Up the Christmas Holiday
Free event featuring traditional Finnish ornaments, decorations, toys, candles, and Christmas tree. Bottle House Museum- 14551 Wuoski St., Kaleva.
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.
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.
Santa Social
Free event with photos with Santa, activities, hot cocoa, and cookies. Ludington Library– 217 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.
Christmas Card Making for Kids
Create three cards to give out to friends and family. Supplies provided. Ages 4-10. Cost is $10 per person. Please RSVP by December 14th by calling (231) 843-4808. Mason County Historical Society- 130 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.
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.
The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet
Enjoy a magical experience at Sandcastles Children’s Museum as the story of the Nutcracker is told through live-action scenes and dance performed by Tye Chua Dance. Cost is $10 for non-members and $8 for members and can be purchased by calling (231) 233-9326. Refreshments will be served after the show. Sandcastles Children’s Museum– 129 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.
Christmas Party
Fun for all ages including live music by Steve Chapel, 50/50 drawings, Cookie Decorating & Ugly Sweater Contests, BYOB, free refreshments. Admission is free for kids and $11 for adults with proceeds benefiting the Pentwater VFW and Miss Sawyer’s Stockings. Tickets available at the door or by clicking here.
Pictures with Santa
Manistee County Library- 95 Maple St., Manistee.
Open Skate to Benefit West Shore Wolves
Admission and skate rental are $10/person. West Shore Community Ice Arena- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.
Special Sticks & Pucks Session
Cost is $8 per person. West Shore Community Ice Arena- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.
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 available soon. Sandcastles Children’s Museum– 129 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.
New Year’s Eve Party
Free event for teens and adults including VR, crafts, games, Smash Tournament, and more. Ludington Library– 217 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.
New Year’s Eve @ The Port
Fun, family activities, live music with Third Coast Swing, and all businesses within will be open. The Port- 222 W. 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.
The popular tourist town of Ludington, Michigan will celebrate its 150th birthday (sesquicentennial) in 2023. Many events will be included.
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!
Every year, the Mason-Lake Conservation District offers sales for tree seedlings and for native plants. Take advantage of this great service!
The communities along Lake Michigan are blessed with talented actors and musicians that entertain us throughout the year.
Current family-friendly events in West Michigan, great, fun, things to do for kids of all ages! Fun for the whole family!
Communities in Mason, Oceana, and Manistee counties sponsor many Easter events and egg hunts for kids in the spring.
No matter how you camp, you’ll find a West Michigan campground nearby that has everything you need to make your vacation stress-free and fun.
The spring/fall runs of steelhead and salmon, the resident brown trout and “brookies” make the PM River extremely popular for fishing.
Created in 1980, this trail has 1,000 miles running through Michigan, which also runs through the Huron-Manistee National Forest.
A site to behold along Lake Michigan, these structures with a rich history give both a sense of safety and a beautiful site.
Winter in Manistee County includes great outdoor activities like skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, ice skating, and more.
Enjoy the happiest of holidays in West Michigan! From Manistee to Ludington and every city in-between, there is holiday cheer all around!
The Traverse City area has several arts and crafts fairs scheduled throughout the year, offering many unique handcrafted items.
Michigan has a public ORV trail system for four different riding opportunities–motorcycles, ATVs, ORVs, and scramble areas.
Pet live animals, enjoy fresh produce and dairy products, and more! Lots of experiences are available for the family when you visit the farm!
Agriculture plays a large role in the economics of Mason County. Take this self-guided tour to learn about agriculture in Mason County.
