Welcome to the holiday season up north. The Christmas spirit comes alive in Traverse City; where the trees are bright, the shops burst with gifts, the carriages are horse-drawn, and Santa comes to town. Explore the local holiday happenings below.
Santa’s Visits
Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas to all! Santa’s public appearances are hallmarks of the holiday season, and in northern Michigan, he comes to town more than once. The coastal community of Suttons Bay welcomes Santa Claus at one of its annual “Celebrate the Season” events held on the 30th of November. On this Saturday, the Suttons Bay Holiday in the Village event has themed activities all day long. At 4 pm, Santa will arrive at the Bay Theater in a fire truck, bringing Christmas cheer to everyone in the village.
St. Nick has Downtown Traverse City on his itinerary, too. On November 23rd, Downtown TC will be the center of a magical evening affair, from Santa’s Arrival to the dazzling Light Parade. Santa will not only help the mayor light the town’s Christmas tree, but he will also be at Santa’s House (on the corner of State Street and Cass Street) for a festive meet and greet.
Christmas Tree Lightings
Yuletide can only commence once a Christmas tree is lit. Luckily, the Traverse City area holds a couple of tree lightings for the public to enjoy and ring in the holiday season. Crystal Mountain proudly presents its First Light Celebration on Friday, November 29th. At 5:30 pm, Santa will light Crystal’s Christmas tree after making his way through the resort via a horse-drawn surrey. In true Whoville fashion, there will also be a holiday sing-along with Izzy Wallace at the celebration.
On the same night of Santa’s Arrival in Traverse City, there will also be a grand tree lighting at 5:30 pm to illuminate the picturesque downtown. The mega-tree, located at Cass and Front Street, is an iconic symbol of the season in TC. The tree-lighting ceremony will kick off the Light Parade, displaying up to 50 floats as well as musical performances.
Holiday Shopping Events
Need to make some progress on your Christmas shopping? Find thoughtful gifts for the folks on your ‘nice list’ and support local businesses at the same time. Discover TC-based shopping events happening all season long.
At the end of the month, kick off your holiday shopping spree with Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Downtown storefronts boast incredible deals, exclusive offers, and unique novelties. From 6 pm to midnight on December 13th, don’t miss out on the 29th annual Midnight Madness shopping experience in Frankfort.
Ladies’ Night is on December 5th, and it’s time to gather up your gals for a fun night in Downtown Traverse City! Dive into the festive shopping scene and enjoy seasonal deals and treats. Men’s Night on Thursday, December 12th, poses the perfect opportunity to have a guys’ night out and explore the local shops for savings on presents for your loved ones.
Winter Carriage Rides
Romanticize the wintertime with a horse-drawn carriage ride. Take a Belgian horse-drawn surrey ride at Crystal Mountain, with complimentary hot cocoa and a campfire at the conclusion. Plan a visit to Fantail Farm in Benzonia or Antler Ridge Farm in Williamsburg for whimsical sleigh rides through the snowy woods of northern Michigan.
Season’s greetings! Celebrate the holidays in Traverse City. Book your trip today.
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