Find all the places where the kids can visit and have pictures taken with Santa in Ludington, Scottville, Manistee, Oceana County, and more.
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(Scroll down to see more events in December.)
Find all the places where the kids can visit and have pictures taken with Santa in Ludington, Scottville, Manistee, Oceana County, and more.
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!
The park remains open year-round for hiking, snowshoeing, activities to give those who love winter something fun to look forward to!
Downtown Ludington hosts an annual lighted ball drop on New Year's Eve along with live music, beer tent, and fireworks.
The Traverse City area has several arts and crafts fairs scheduled throughout the year, offering many unique handcrafted items.
Pentwater's Christmas in the Village, held throughout the month of December, has carriage rides, shopping, craft fair, and more.
Farm Markets & U-Pick farms offer locally grown and organic produce, flowers, plants, seeds, and more in West Michigan.
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!
Arts & Crafts Shows and Bazaars during the fall/winter in West Michigan have handcrafted and specialty items for your Christmas gift giving.
Book lovers will find bargains at the many used book sales held in Manistee, Ludington, and Hart in West Michigan.
Come see thousands upon thousands of Christmas lights set up in nearly 50 holiday displays at Hopkins Park in Bear Lake.
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.
Manistee Michigan's Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend is held the first full weekend of December.
The Ludington Area Festival of Lights is a dazzling drive-thru light display that runs from Thanksgiving until the last weekend of December.
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 bag. For more information or tickets, visit downtownludington.org.
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.
Rotary Club of Ludington Holiday Auction
Tickets are $50 per person and include appetizers, a buffet dinner, desserts, cash bar, and the opportunity to bid on dozens of items donated by local businesses. Items will also be available to bid on online from November 21st-December 4th. For tickets or more info, click here. 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.
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.
Holiday Parade & Activities in Scottville
Parade at 6pm beginning on W. Beryl St. ending on Main Street. Activities to follow in the pocket park on South Main Street include kids crafts, pictures with Santa, cocoa, popcorn, and cookies.
Christmas Extravaganza
Event includes a book and bake sale, letter writing to Santa, ornament workshop, parade, tree lighting, marketplace vendors, and more. Visit lakecountymichigan.com for more info. Downtown Baldwin.
Winter Hike
The Spirit of the Woods Chapter of the North Country Trail Association host this 5 mile hike beginning at the Timber Creek Trailhead- US-10 in Branch Township (day pass or federal recreation pass required). The hike includes a fire with hot cocoa and participants are encouraged to bring a mug, seating, a snack to share, and a new/unwrapped gift to donate to Toys for Tots/Gifts for Teens. RSVP to hike coordinator, Loren Bach, at (231) 510-1963 or spw@northcountrytrail.org. For more info, visit facebook.com.
Gift Wrapping Expo
Bring in your gifts to be wrapped while you wait, donations are appreciated and will benefit the Oriole Giving Tree. A portion of KRAVE Frozen Yogurt & Drink Shoppe sales will also be given to OGT along with sales of earrings, ornaments, cookbooks, Oriole bracelets, and antique eyeglass charms. There will also be a door prize drawing with entries given for every donation and KRAVE purchase. KRAVE- 103 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.
Christmas in the Village
Pentwater’s shops, art galleries and restaurants will be decked out for the holiday season and many have refreshments and in-store specials. Downtown Pentwater.
Christmas in the Village
This free event includes face painting, cookies, hot cocoa, photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus, gift bags, and more. Free Soil Community Center- 8480 N. Democrat St., Free Soil.
West Shore Community College Wind Symphony & Drum Line Performance
Manistee High School Auditorium- 525 12th St., Manistee.
Ladies Night
Downtown merchants feature specials, drawings, and spirits for the ladies. Downtown Manistee.
Guided Winter Snowshoe Walk
The hike is approximately one and a half miles through woods and snow-covered sand dunes. Snowshoes are available for rent but supply is limited. Ludington State Park- 8800 M-116, Ludington.
Lantern Lit Hike
The hike begins at the Warming Shelter and has approximately 1 mile of lighted trails for walking, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing. There are bonfires at both the Warming Shelter and the Amphitheater, along with free warm beverages at the Amphitheater. No registration is needed and lantern lit walks are free. Ludington State Park- 8800 M-116, Ludington.
COVE Holiday Fundraiser: Framed in Strength
Event includes a gallery of photography and stories that highlight the resilience of survivors and the dedication of advocates. Proceeds benefit Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters. Timeless Picture Framing- 103 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington. For tickets, visit eventbrite.com.
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 thevillagetc.com.
Christmas Party
This FREE event is sponsored by FloraCraft & Sandcastles Children’s Museum. It includes a Craft Project, Bike Raffle, Santa & Mrs. Claus (from 2-4pm), Cookie Decorating (while supplies last), Ella & Kaiden Plummer performing holiday music (from 12-1pm), Free “Pete the Cat Saves Christmas” book (while supplies last), and free access to the museum exhibits. Sandcastles Children’s Museum- 129 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.
Home for the Holidays Concert
Free showcase of numerous locally known performers. Ludington Area Center for the Arts- 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington.
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.
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.
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.
Miss Ludington Area Scholarship Program
Women between the ages of 18-28 from Mason, Manistee, Oceana, and Lake counties compete and are judged based on-talent, evening wear, on-stage interview, and their social impact initiative pitch. The winner is qualified to enter the Miss Michigan Pageant, a precursor to the Miss America Pageant. Peterson Auditorium- 501 N. Washington Ave., 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.
Community Christmas Eve Dinner
Free & open to the public. Delivery available with a reservation deadline of December 20th. Call (231) 843-9275 to reserve a delivery time. Community Church- 109 N. Harrison St., Ludington.
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 or to vote, facebook.com.
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.
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. Go to visitmuskegon.org for more info.
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.
Beer, cider, wine, and more are at this wintertime festival! Stay warm with heaters and a large tent for shelter while you enjoy!
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!
Farm Markets & U-Pick farms offer locally grown and organic produce, flowers, plants, seeds, and more in West Michigan.
Todd and Brad Reed offer Photography Workshops throughout the year. These classes are great for beginners as well as seasoned professionals.
West Michigan is a popular location for various races and runs… including the Lakestride Half Marathon and the Lighthouse Triathlon.
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!
Take one of the most scenic drives in the nation as you travel across M-22 in West Michigan. A long winding road of adventure awaits!
The Pentwater River provides opportunities to experience a paddle sport for the first time or take on a challenge for those more experienced.
Created in 1980, this trail has 1,000 miles running through Michigan, which also runs through the Huron-Manistee National Forest.
The Pere Marquette River area is rich with wildlife, offering great outdoors hunting and fishing opportunities.
Beautiful color emerges come Fall. Take it all in with an afternoon drive, or stroll, through the many forests of West Michigan.
The colorful attire and crazy antics of the Scottville Clown Band amuse people, but they also have extraordinary musical talent.