Welcome winter and the holiday season with a plethora of festive events for the entire family. Get into the holiday spirit with these 20+ Northern Michigan events taking place all December long.

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A Christmas Carol Fundraiser | December 1 | Traverse City

Spend a magical evening with Parallel 45 Theatre and Ben Whiting as they present an interactive reading of A Christmas Carol in the Cathedral Barn. This holiday event is great for all ages.

Photo by Downtown Manistee

Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend | December 1-4 | Manistee

Go back in time with this traditional Victorian Sleighbell Parade and holiday weekend taking place in downtown Manistee. Think elves on stilts, horse-drawn carriages, roasted chestnuts and more!

Holiday Open House | December 2 | Petoskey

Downtown Petoskey’s Holiday Open House is a great chance to catch up on holiday gift shopping. Meet your friends and neighbors for a night of good cheer and hospitality.

1885 Come Alive | December 2 | Manistee

Take part in a Victorian holiday gathering during the inaugural “1885 Come Alive” event at Manistee’s Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts. Black tie with a Victorian theme, Victorian-style appetizers and sweets buffet, live entertainment, and holiday portraits.

43rd Annual Holiday Hobby Craft Show | December 3 | Boyne City

Find last-minute holiday gifts or just enjoy a cozy shopping experience at this annual holiday craft show in Boyne City.

Holiday Craft Show | December 3 | Manton

Browse unique items by local businesses and holiday gifts at this craft show located at Manton Schools.

Brunch with Santa | December 3 | Suttons Bay

If you’re looking for a holiday outing, bring the family to Black Star Farms Suttons Bay for a memorable dining experience with Santa. This festive inn will be the backdrop for a strolling brunch and menu options for perfect for anyone.

Parade of Lights & Community Christmas Party | December 3 | Cheboygan

Downtown Cheboygan comes alive with a warm glow during this holiday parade and party. Bring the whole family to watch the floats, marching groups, and Santa’s sleigh as they travel down Main Street.

Light Up the Night | December 3 | Bellaire

From ornament making to a soup cook-off and visits with Santa after the Parade of Lights, there is plenty to do during Light Up the Night in Bellaire. Don’t forget the community tree lighting, caroling and the live nativity.

Winter Wreath Workshop | December 3 | Traverse City

Get ready for a winter crafting workshop at Farm Club. Alissa Thomson of IndieGrow Flower Farm will teach you the craft of wreath making, and included will be a variety of local greens and natural accents.

Photo by Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre

The Nutcracker | December 3 | Traverse City

A cherished holiday tradition, The Nutcracker is perfect for the entire family. Winter and magic combine to bring you a Christmas story of a time gone by at this production by Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre.

Merchants Holiday Open House | December 3 | Harbor Springs

Get ready for a fun-filled evening of shopping thanks to downtown merchants in Harbor Springs. Main and State Streets will be closed to allow the community to stroll between stores.

Winter Floral Workshops | December 4, 14, 21 | Kingsley

From a unique evergreen gnome workshop to a gorgeous winter centerpiece, plan to join one of these holiday workshops at Olds Floral and Design.

The Haunting of Ebenezer | December 10 | Northport

Kick off the holidays with this acoustic concert retelling of Dickens’ classic tale. These sixteen original Americana songs guide listeners through Ebenezer Scrooge’s haunting and transformation. The Haunting of Ebenezer is part concert, musical theatre, and all holiday cheer.

Christmas by Candlelight | December 10 | Curtis

Enjoy a Christmas performance by candlelight! The Pine Performance Center welcomes extraordinary harpist and soprano Karen Beacom accompanied by cellist Maggie Twining for a beautiful Christmas concert you won’t forget.

Santa’s Workshop at Castle Farms | December 10-11 | Charlevoix

Craft something special with Santa in his workshop! Santa’s Workshop sessions will feature fun crafts including terracotta snowman ornaments, wooden lanterns, jewelry boxes and gingerbread houses. There will also be hot beverages and story time.

Holiday Concert with Organist Dave Calendine | December 16 | Williamsburg

Make your holidays even more special with this concert and sing-a-long led by Organist Dave Calendine. The Music House Museum will be decked out in its traditional holiday splendor!

Tannenbaum Blitzen | December 17 | Bellaire

Shanty Creek Resort’s Tannenbaum Blitzen includes a torchlight parade down the face of Schuss Mountain, Christmas carols around the tree, dining selections and a visit from Santa. Be sure to stay for fireworks over the mountain.

Cocoa Crawl | December 17 | Cheboygan

The whole family can enjoy this cocoa crawl event. Stop by participating stores and establishments in Cheboygan to sample their signature recipes. Get your cocoa passport stamped at each stop and enter to win a downtown gift basket.

Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk | December 18 | Traverse City

Take part in Traverse City Track Club’s Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk. The route weaves through the lighted downtown and surrounding decorated neighborhoods.

Breakfast with Santa | December 18 | Traverse City

Grab a bite with Santa himself! The Breakfast with Santa Experience at Delamar includes fun activities for the whole family including a breakfast buffet, a chance for little ones to write letters to Santa, an ornament crafting station, s’mores, cookie decorating, and more.

Movie Night at The Pine | December 18 | Curtis

Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with this cozy movie night at Erickson Center for the Arts in the Upper Peninsula, featuring the classic film “A White Christmas.”

New Year’s Eve Ball Drop | December 31 | Marquette, Traverse City & Ludington

Northern Michigan is the place to be this New Year’s Eve! Ring in 2023 with a New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in Marquette, Traverse City or Ludington.

New Year’s Eve Dinner + Comedy with Dwayne Kennedy | December 31 | Traverse City 

Head to Traverse City Comedy Club for a New Year’s Eve dinner, drinks, and a comedy show featuring Dwayne Kennedy. 

New Year’s Eve Wine Dinner | December 31 | Suttons Bay 

Ring in the New Year with Black Star Farms! The Black Star Farms culinary team will present a special multi-course, wine-paired dining experience at their Inn. Formal attire is suggested! 

The Fabulous Horndogs New Year’s Eve Celebration | December 31 | Empire

Come celebrate where it all started 28 years ago. The Fabulous Horndogs will play a New Year’s Eve show in Empire, where they will also be debuting new music.

Photo(s) by Downtown Manistee