Bear Lake’s Sparkle in the Park
Come see thousands upon thousands of Christmas lights set up in nearly 50 holiday displays at Hopkins Park in Bear Lake.
West Michigan Guides Stock Photo
The lakeshore communities of West Michigan do a fantastic job of hosting events and activities that include the whole family. There’s so much happening that is geared specifically toward kids and families as a whole, and that’s part of what makes being here so amazing!
Every season in West Michigan has it’s unique, fun things to do for kids of all ages- from babies up to the “young at heart”. Indoors or outdoors, no matter the time of year, there’s always something great going on along the lakeshore for families to experience together!
In addition to the following list, check out all the special events and programs provided by Sandcastles Children’s Museum and the Ludington and Scottville branches of the Mason County District Libraries.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Home for the Holidays Concert
Free showcase of numerous locally known performers. Ludington Area Center for the Arts- 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington.
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.
Christmas Concert
Free Christmas Concert featuring Daniel Ball & the Friends at the United Methodist Church of Ludington- 5858 Bryant Rd., Ludington. A free will offering will be collected.
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.
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.
Come see thousands upon thousands of Christmas lights set up in nearly 50 holiday displays at Hopkins Park in Bear Lake.
The park remains open year-round for hiking, snowshoeing, activities to give those who love winter something fun to look forward to!
The communities along Lake Michigan are blessed with talented actors and musicians that entertain us throughout the year.
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!
The Ludington Area Festival of Lights is a dazzling drive-thru light display that runs from Thanksgiving until the last weekend of December.
Farm Markets & U-Pick farms offer locally grown and organic produce, flowers, plants, seeds, and more in West Michigan.
Downtown Ludington hosts an annual lighted ball drop on New Year’s Eve along with live music, beer tent, and fireworks.
Michigan offers weekends during the year where residents and outstate visitors can fish, ORV, or snowmobile without permits.
West Michigan is a popular location for various races and runs… including the Lakestride Half Marathon and the Lighthouse Triathlon.
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.
Before you make a splash in Lake Michigan, check out the water temperatures for beaches from Manistee, Ludington, Pentwater, and Silver Lake.
Michigan has a public ORV trail system for four different riding opportunities–motorcycles, ATVs, ORVs, and scramble areas.
The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is situated at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula within, about eight miles north of the town of Northport.
Various farm markets around Traverse City offer a bounty of the best-tasting produce around, with many open from May until early fall.
Scottville Riverside Park, along the Pere Marquette River, has over 50 modern sites and is popular for camping and fishing.
Winter in Manistee County includes great outdoor activities like skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, ice skating, and more.