Get prepared to ring in 2026 with our Saturday New Year Craft! Taking place in the Youth Department, we will have supplies to decorate your own mask and create a wishing wand! 

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The Jingle Bell Run is a nighttime holiday run that tours favorite neighborhood streets bordering downtown Traverse City that are adorned in holiday lights and decorations. The event welcomes runners and walkers of all ages and abilities donned in festive holiday costumes. It is a fun and festive, family-friendly event.

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Join Grass River Natural Area for a magical evening as we light up the bridges of our boardwalk with colorful lights and lanterns for one night only. Enjoy a 1/3 mile winter stroll on the boardwalk to the dock with the bridges lit up with lights, and then warm up with a campfire and hot cocoa at the pavilion. Inside the Center we will have a variety of holiday crafts to make! You can come any time during this two-hour "open house" style event and walk the self-guided trail, enjoy the fire, and make crafts in the Center. Snowshoes are available for rent if there is deep snow.

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Join TADL for a morning of storytelling and holiday magic! Jenny the Storytelling Elf (aka local storyteller Jenifer Strauss) leads us through interactive holiday stories that will warm your heart. After the stories, Santa will join us for photos, fun, and a free holiday book for each family. Crafts and holiday music complete this magical event.

No sign-up needed.

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Jingle all the way to Corson Auditorium for a wintry mix of seasonal songs and stories by Interlochen Arts Academy’s music, theatre, and interdisciplinary arts students. The festivities conclude with a holiday sing-along and a special appearance by the jolly big man with a bag! Don’t miss a family-friendly holiday spectacular that will make your spirits bright.

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Jingle all the way to Corson Auditorium for a wintry mix of seasonal songs and stories by Interlochen Arts Academy’s music, theatre, and interdisciplinary arts students. The festivities conclude with a holiday sing-along and a special appearance by the jolly big man with a bag! Don’t miss a family-friendly holiday spectacular that will make your spirits bright.

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Come one, come all — the spirit of Christmas beckons! Join Santa Claus himself at the Almira Township Library, where he shall read aloud the most beloved holiday tales of all time. Gather ‘round as the jolly old elf shares timeless classics such as How the Grinch Stole Christmas and everyone’s favorite, ’Twas the Night Before Christmas.

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The Candy House program is back for some festive holiday crafting! We'll supply everything from icey frosting to a variety of candies for decorating, as well as graham crackers and cartons to build your best candy houses. 

Starting November 29th, call (231-932-8503) or visit the Youth Services department to sign your family up for one of the four time slots in our McGuire Community Room (10, 10:45, 11:30, 12:15). Each person signed up (adults included) will receive a paper ticket that they turn in at the event. We are limiting each time slot to 75 people (including adults) to create a healthy environment for our patrons, staff and volunteers. Tickets are non-transferable to another session.

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The Holiday Parade is a beloved community event with festive floats, lively music, and joyous cheer. Experience the sounds of the season, as the award-winning Petoskey High School Marching Band performs. Enjoy a display of creatively decorated floats and watch local organizations come together to spread holiday cheer. Whether you’re a long-time attendee or new to our community, the Holiday Parade is a wonderful way to embrace the spirit of the season and create lasting memories.

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After having such a great time last year the big guy decided he’s coming back to Silver Spruce.

Bring the family down to have a free meet and greet with the one and only Santa Claus.

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Santa is Coming to the Farm!
Mark your calendars — you won’t want to miss this festive day of family fun!

Sunday, December 7th, 2025
11 AM – 3 PM

$10 per person (2 and under FREE)
$5 Pony Rides
Petting Zoo ($1 for treat cups)
S’mores, Hot Cocoa & Coffee Bar — INCLUDED!
Letter Writing Station for Santa

Bring your family, your holiday spirit, and your wish lists — Santa will be waiting to say hello!

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Enjoy a FREE Community Dinner Sponsored by the Elk Rapids Lions and 4-H A Backyard Bunch Club. Ham Dinner with all the fixings, all are welcome.

Monetary donations will be accepted for the local food pantries.

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Join TADL for this fun holiday event for the whole family! Members of The Art of Giving, a student-run volunteer organization based in Interlochen, will be hosting stations throughout the library. 

Visit the atrium station for snowflake and ornament crafting! 

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Introducing Traverse City Shop and Sip – Northern Michigan’s favorite handmade market! Since 2012, we’ve brought together Michigan’s most talented makers and passionate shoppers for an unforgettable day of creativity, community, and craftsmanship.

Hosted at the stunning Grand Traverse Resort, our carefully curated event features one-of-a-kind goods—from handmade jewelry and home décor to gourmet treats and thoughtful gifts—all crafted with care by local artisans.

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Join East Bay Branch Library for a holiday open house on Saturday December 6th from 12-2pm!  Celebrate the holiday season with us and enjoy snacks and treats, music, crafts, and games!  

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Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus, enjoy cookie decorating, crafts, games, snacks and a free book to take home.

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Stroll into the season with The Fourth Annual Christmas Market at Central Church. This community event will include a variety of Christmas Craft vendors, make and take Christmas crafts for kids including mini gingerbread house decorating, the United Women in Faith cookie walk, and more!

There is no admission fee for this event, however some activities require a minimal donation or fee to participate. Individual craft vendors will offer items for sale, and food will be available for purchase.

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Opening Night of this Mainstage and Young Company collaboration! Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her teacher. Matilda's school life isn't completely smooth sailing, however – the school's mean headmistress hates children and just loves to punish those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness and could be the school pupils' saving grace!

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Performances:

December

7:30 PM

5th    6th    11th    12th    13th    18th    19th    20th    

2:00 PM

7th    14th    

Come join Cedar businesses for a delightful evening of celebration! Each shop participating will offer some delicious snacks or drinks for you to enjoy as you collect stamps on your card, giving you a chance to win a Cedar Area Business Basket! Plus, don't miss the beautiful tree and decoration lighting at 6 p.m. in the courtyard at The Folded Leaf/Cedar Station.

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Celebrate 110 years of a magical tradition in downtown Harbor Springs at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting! This beloved event brings the community together to kick off the holiday season with festive cheer, sparkling lights, and plenty of hometown spirit.

Beginning at 6:00 p.m., gather with friends, family, and neighbors to sing carols, count down to the lighting of the beautifully decorated Main Street tree, and celebrate the winners of the annual Holiday Window Decorating Contest. At the same moment, all of the trees lining Main Street will illuminate creating a breathtaking holiday scene that captures the heart of the season.

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Step into the magic of an old-fashioned Christmas in the Village of Lake Ann on Saturday, November 29th, Let's kick off the holiday season together! Join us for an evening filled with festive cheer, and a cozy small-town parade leading Santa to his grand arrival. Delight in the annual tree lighting ceremony in the park, where the glow of lights will set the perfect holiday atmosphere. Afterward, bring the kids to visit Santa in the town hall for cherished moments and holiday wishes. It’s a day of warmth, tradition, and community celebration, perfect for families and holiday lovers of all ages!

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Join Bay Bread for a fun day of cookie decorating with the one and only Santa Claus! This in-person event will be held at the Bay Bread Company on Randolph Street. Get into the festive spirit as you decorate delicious cookies with Santa himself. It's a perfect opportunity to spend quality time with your family and create sweet memories. Don't miss out on this magical experience! Each person will decorate three cookies and take a photo with Santa. 2 & under are FREE

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Tree Lighting & Caroling @ 6:15pm outside the Town Hall with caroling led Glen Lake Church. Be among the first to shop the goods during the Holiday Market Preview Party from 6:30-8pm.

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Dressed in it’s holiday’s finest, the downtown sparkles for a family fun event held the evening after Thanksgiving.  Our businesses stay open and the parade begins at 6pm.  Follow Santa for a visit as he makes his way to the tree lighting at Sunset Park.

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Join your friends and family at the Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting Celebration on Friday from 3:00 to 6:00pm in downtown Charlevoix!

3-5pm -Photos with Santa at Charlevoix State Bank

3-5pm- Holiday Craft at the Circle of Arts

5pm- Hot Cocoa in the Park

5:30pm- Holiday Parade

6pm- Tree Lighting

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Join Up North Media for the 18th Annual Up North Media Traverse City Turkey Trot presented by 4Front Credit Union! This race has been a place of joy, family, friends (furry ones too), and a place where memories and traditions are made. 

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Kick off the holiday season in Walloon Lake Village with an evening of festive fun for the whole family. Stroll through the Village as the lights come to life, enjoy live entertainment, shop the Village Lighting Market, and make lasting holiday memories.

Meet Santa & Pick Up Your Passport
Begin your night at the Talcott Event Center, where you can visit Santa and pick up an event passport. Collect stamps from participating businesses throughout the Village for a chance to win prizes.

Passport Prize Drawing
Return your completed passport to the passport booth at the Talcott by 7:00pm. The Steel Drum Band will announce the winners at 7:30pm. Guests must be present to win.

Evening Highlights
• Live Steel Drum Band
• Cash Bar with Snacks
• Holiday Market
• Live Painting Experience
• Real Reindeer
• Toys for Tots Collection
• Village Business Specials & Giveaways

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The Downtown Traverse City Association invites you to get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with holiday magic! Join us for the Santa’s Arrival, the Tree Lighting, and the dazzling Light Parade, all happening in the heart of downtown Traverse City!

This cherished community event is free and open to everyone, and we invite you to be part of the festive fun. The night kicks off with the tree lighting at Cass and Front Street, where Santa himself will join the mayor and special guests to illuminate our holiday tree. Once the lights are shining bright, the Light Parade will roll down Front Street from Franklin Street west to Union Street, showcasing creatively decked-out floats and vehicles, musical performances, the Big Guy himself, and thousands of twinkling lights from local businesses and community partners.

Gather along the parade route, don your favorite light-up accessories, and enjoy the spectacle as it lights up the night!

3:30pm: Front Street closes
5:30pm: Holiday music & special guests
6:00pm: Tree Lighting with Santa
6:30pm: Light Parade
Post-parade until 9pm: Santa’s House visits

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Celebrate the season with us at the Christmas Walk in Downtown Grayling! This charming downtown will be filled with holiday magic—complete with horse and carriage rides, real reindeer, festive music, and the glow of twinkling lights. Shops will be open with seasonal specials, warm drinks will be flowing, and you might even spot Santa himself. It’s the perfect evening to take a stroll, make memories, and soak up the small-town holiday spirit.

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Kick off the Christmas season with another great selection of trees and wreaths, as well as delicious hot chocolate and cookies!

Hours for Opening Weekend are:
Saturday, November 22nd 9am -7pm
Sunday, November 23rd 9am -7pm

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