Festivals & Events in Northern Michigan
Calendar of Events for Northern Michigan- Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Boyne City, Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City, and more!
Northern Michigan Guides Stock Photo
(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.
Holiday Craft Show
This festive extravaganza celebrating the spirit of the season through unique artisanal crafts and creations takes place at Castle Farms- 5052 M-66, Charlevoix. For more information, visit castlefarms.com.
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!
This 25-year-old rite of spring in Northern Michigan is a bike ride from the Zoo Bar at Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs, to Mackinaw City.
At this Boyne City festival, hundreds of mushroom lovers from around the country come to seek that elusive delicacy-the marvelous morel.
Northern Michigan communities offer many Memorial Day events: a great way to begin another summer season and remember those who gave all.
The Fort Michilimackinac Historical Reenactment Pageant in Mackinaw City is the U.S.’ longest running free Memorial Day historical program.
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Travel along the Tunnel of Trees in Northern Michigan and you will pass through Good Hart and see historic Saint Ignatius Catholic Church.
Just a short drive from Harbor Springs or Petoskey are more than a dozen Northern Michigan cross country ski trails in Emmet County.
Bicyclists, walkers, and roller bladers can go from Harbor Springs to Charlevoix on the 26-mile long Little Traverse Wheelway.
Historic Mill Creek Discover Park has 625 acres along Lake Huron, 3.5 miles of hiking trails, a reconstructed saw mill, mill dam, and more.
This 36 acre, 1.5 mile long Bear River Valley in Petoskey is truly spectacular and filled with natural beauty and things to do.
The Harbor Springs History Museum offers a unique look at the history of the community, starting with the first Catholic missionaries.
Wildlife sanctuary Thorne Swift Nature Preserve is located 3 1/2 miles north of Harbor Springs, between Lower Shore Drive and Lake Michigan.
This 28-mile scenic highway running between Atwood and Boyne Falls known as the Breezeway draws visitors because it is gorgeous.
The Charlevoix Circle of Arts is a vibrant, cultural center in downtown Charlevoix that presents six major visual exhibits annually.
Within the historic Chicago/West Michigan railroad depot in Petoskey, the Little Traverse History Museum is a history filled gem.