Traverse City Opera House
The Traverse City Opera House has a 700-seat theater which offers a place for quality arts and cultural entertainment.
West Michigan Guides Stock Photo
There’s no place like home (or your home away from home) for the holidays, and there’s plenty of good cheer to go around up north in West Michigan! Whether you live here, or plan to visit, check out all these great ideas and events to make your holidays bright.
You can’t beat the festive friendliness and magical lights of shopping at a local merchant. Their success depends upon your support and you will find the royal carpet treatment when you come in from the cold to browse. The friendly merchants of Pentwater welcome you to their Christmas in the Village celebration, beginning in late November. Hart has its Home for the Holidays event around the same time. Ludington also schedules special activities in its downtown for Small Business Saturday on November 30, ending with the Aglow on the Avenue Parade. Scottville generally hosts its Christmas festivities on the second week of December with Santa, games, and the tree lighting.
While in Ludington, you’ll find many fine gift ideas with a local flavor and that’s just the beginning. Small town services, big smiles, and that great feeling that you shopped local, helping to support small businesses who go out of their way to give you their best.
Find laughter and good cheer by catching a holiday performance at a theater, or attend one of the many local concerts sure to fill you with the spirit of the season.
Looking for a one-of-a-kind item for a very special person? The offerings at local arts or crafts shows are unique and hand-crafted.
How lucky are we? Santa visits us up north in West Michigan at several different times and locations. Santa travels to Pentwater for the Pentwater Festival of Lights and Christmas in the Village. Downtown Hart also has its Santa Parade in the Historic District in late November.
Following the parade you can visit with Santa and enjoy cider, donuts and coffee. Santa ends his travels that Thanksgiving weekend Saturday in Ludington for the Aglow on the Avenue Parade. After traveling through the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus visit with children at Sandcastles Children’s Museum from 7-8pm. Early December is magical, with Santa’s arrival at the Manistee Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend.
It’s a unique and special way to welcome the New Year- the Lighted Ball Drop in downtown Ludington at midnight. At six feet five inches in diameter and 6,000 bright LED lights, this annual event brings thousands to the area. While you’re waiting for the ball to drop, meet friends and enjoy a meal at downtown restaurants, shop in the many stores open late that night and get ready to bring the New Year in!
The Traverse City Opera House has a 700-seat theater which offers a place for quality arts and cultural entertainment.
A site to behold along Lake Michigan, these structures with a rich history give both a sense of safety and a beautiful site.
Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes has miles of sand trails and hills, where hikers are rewarded at the end with spectacular views of Lake Michigan.
West Michigan is home to wineries galore! Enjoy a wine tasting tour and sample award winning wines.
The park remains open year-round for hiking, snowshoeing, activities to give those who love winter something fun to look forward to!
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!
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 historical Vogue Theatre in Manistee, renovated as a modern-day movie theater, shows current movies, classic films, and family movies.
The Hart-Montague Bike Trail consists of 22.5 miles of paved paths for biking, snowmobiling, skating and more!
The Michigan Audubon Society Lake Bluff Center overlooks Lake Michigan near Manistee and features wildlife and a bird sanctuary.
The Manistee Riverwalk follows the Manistee River from Jones Street, under the US-31 bridge, behind downtown, and ends at First Street beach.