Got your snow tires on? Here are 13 can’t-miss winter events and activities across Michigan that are worth a road trip this season.
Charlevoix
Bridge Drop
Enjoy a full day of festivities including horse-drawn wagon rides and restaurant specials around downtown Charlevoix. Ring in the new year while watching the illuminated bridge drop at midnight. No cost; Dec. 31; bridgedrop.org
Candlelight Hike
Every Friday evening, experience snowshoeing, hiking, or cross-country skiing on a candlelit trail. Routes change weekly; visitors set their own pace on the 1-mile path at Mount McSauba. No cost; Dec. 19-Feb. 20; visitcharlevoix.com
Frankenmuth
Frankenmuth’s Spectacular Musical Tree Show
Located at Frankenmuth’s Visitor Center, this 40-foot tree is lit with 23,000 lights. Songs play multiple times daily as the lights twinkle in time. No cost; Nov. 30-Jan. 13; frankenmuth.org
Bronners Christmas Wonderland
The world’s largest Christmas store at 2.2 acres, selling over 2 million ornaments and 125,000 light sets annually. The 27-acre complex includes a lighted Christmas Lane. Open daily except major holidays; bronners.com
Zehnder’s Snowfest
Watch artists carve ice sculptures, enjoy fireworks, a petting zoo, and Zehnder’s famous chicken dinners. No cost; Jan. 29-Feb. 2; zehnders.com
Grand Haven
Winterfest
Celebrating its 50th year with sled races using cardboard and duct tape sleds, slopestyle competitions, euchre tournament, and pancake breakfast. No cost, except breakfast ($14); Jan. 22-25; grandhavenwinterfest.org
Grand Rapids
World of Winter Festival
The largest winter festival in the U.S., featuring art installations, live music, and food around downtown Grand Rapids. No cost; Jan. 9-March 1; worldofwintergr.com
Holland
Kerstmarkt
Outdoor European-style Christmas market featuring holiday items, food, artisan demonstrations, dogsled demos, carolers, handbell concerts, and Santa appearances. No cost; Nov. 21-Dec. 20; holland.org
Holly
Holly Dickens Festival
Transforming downtown Holly into the world of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. Includes lighted parade, carriage rides, sledding, and holiday market. Attendees encouraged to wear period costumes. No cost; Nov. 29-Dec. 24; hollydickensfestival.org
Mackinac Island
Christmas Bazaar Weekend
Holiday shopping event with hayride, Christmas tree lighting, prime rib dinner, performance of Elf the Musical, live auction, and bake sale. $20 hayride; $25 dinner; Dec. 5-7; mackinacisland.org
Twilight Turtle Trek
Lantern-lit ski and snowshoe trek (~2 miles) through scenic landscapes. Begins with hot chocolate by the bonfire. No cost; Jan. 10; mackinacparks.com
Mackinaw City
Colonial Christmas at Colonial Michilimackinac
Explore 17th- and 18th-century holiday traditions. Hot chocolate, lantern-lit paths, coriander cookies, British holiday traditions, and ghost stories. $10+; Dec. 13; mackinacparks.com
Traverse City
CherryT Ball Drop
Ring in the new year with a descending cherry and fireworks in downtown Traverse City. Champagne toast, photo booth, and snacks included. $5; Dec. 31; thefestivalfoundation.org
This story originally appeared in the December 2025 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
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