Festivals & Events in Northern Michigan
Calendar of Events for Northern Michigan- Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Boyne City, Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City, and more!
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(Scroll down to see more events in December.)
The holiday season in Northern Michigan includes Christmas tree lightings, decorated stores, parades, merchant open houses, and more.
Music, dance, art, and theater all come together for an event celebrating the New Year at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in downtown Petoskey.
Sip & Shop Holiday Bazaar
Shop for unique gifts, including artwork, crafts, artisan foods, with wine tasting and live music. Veterans Park Pavilion- 207 N. Lake St., Boyne City.
Colonial Christmas at Fort Michilimackinac
The event includes refreshments, story-tellers, crafts, games, and more. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for children age 5-12, and free for children younger than 12. Fort Michilimackinac- 102 W. Straits Ave., Mackinaw City.
Petoskey Open House, Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
The event includes merchants open late, marching bands, floats by local businesses, marching characters, and much more. The parade is wrapped up by its most popular participant, Santa Claus. Downtown Petoskey.
Christmas Cookie Walk
Choose from thousands of homemade cookies in an infinite variety for only $7/pound. Come early for the best selection. 1st Congregational Church- 101 State St., Charlevoix. Call Stacy at (231) 547-9122 for more information.
Harbor Springs Merchant Open House
The event includes merchants open late and offering specials, Downtown Harbor Springs.
Sleigh Rides to “the North Pole”
Take a sleigh ride to “the North Pole” on a horse-drawn sleigh to meet Santa and enjoy hot cocoa, cookies, and crafts at Santa’s Workshop. Meet the therapy horses, staff, and volunteers of Northern Michigan Equine Therapy. $15/person with proceeds benefiting therapy scholarships. Sleigh rides are every half hour and require reservations. For reservations or more information, email nmequine@gmail.com. Northern Michigan Equine Therapy- 05025 Church St Boyne City.
Alanson Downtown Holiday Open House
The event includes a visit from Santa escorted by the Alanson Fire Department. Refreshments will be provided at the Village Hall- 7631 US-31, Alanson, courtesy of the Alanson Area Public Library. Downtown merchants will open their doors to offer warm holiday greetings the Petoskey Steel Drum Band performs on River Street at 6:30pm.
Holidays Lasers on the Ore
A light display, operated by Fresh Coat Light Lab, will transform the Ore Dock with the colors of the season. Free and open to the public. Marquette Ore Dock- Lake Shore Boulevard on Presque Isle Harbor, Marquette.
Mackinaw City Christmas in Mackinaw
The event includes a parade at followed by the tree lighting, then cookies will be provided by the Mackinaw Woman’s Club and cocoa provided by Audie’s Restaurant. Parade will go north on Huron to Central Ave, west on Central Ave to Nicolet Street and Indian Pathways Park. Visit mackinaw-city.com for more info.
Candlelight Hike at Mt. McSauba
Self-guided hiking, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing along a candlelit trail ending with a fire and hot cocoa. Trek begins at the sledding hill parking lot. For more information, contact the Charlevoix Recreation Department at (231) 547-7183. Mt. McSauba- 09223 McSauba Rd., Charlevoix.
New Year’s Eve Party
Many activities for all ages at Crooked Tree Art Center, just outside it in the square, and at the nearby Petoskey District Library. Crooked Tree Art Center- 461 E. Mitchell St., Petoskey.
Calendar of Events for Northern Michigan- Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Boyne City, Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City, and more!
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Shop Northern Michigan antiques shops, art galleries, and furniture stores for home furnishings that are unique and affordable.
Founded in 1875, Bay View in Petoskey is a National Historic Landmark community with community-owned buildings, cottages, and two inns.
Disc golf is hot everywhere and especially in Northern Michigan because of it’s many courses and beautiful scenery.
Arch Rock is a geologic wonder on Mackinac Island and stands 146′ over the Lake Huron shoreline- nearly 15 stories tall.
West Michigan is home to numerous artists with so many different talents. Groovy music, vivid paintings, gorgeous photography, and more!
The Harsha House and the Charlevoix Depot Museum, run by the Charlevoix Historical Society, preserve much of Charlevoix’s rich history.
Northern Michigan has many varied settings for kayaking- whether it by river, one of the inland lakes, or Lake Michigan,
With woods, dunes, and frozen lakes, the trails near Charlevoix and Boyne City are the places to cross country ski from December-March.
Get off the ferry from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace to Mackinac Island and the first thing you’ll see is the historic downtown area.
Petoskey State Park is one of the premier destinations for campers and outdoor lovers and is tucked away between Petoskey and Harbor Springs.