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December 2024 Events Calendar

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Featured December Events

(Scroll down to see more events in December.)

And check out information on Holiday Bazaars and Arts & Crafts Shows happening this month!

December 1-7, 2024

Stay tuned for information on events happening during this time! In the meantime, scroll down to see events that occurred in 2023.

December 8-14, 2024

Stay tuned for information on events happening during this time! In the meantime, scroll down to see events that occurred in 2023.

December 15-21, 2024

Stay tuned for information on events happening during this time! In the meantime, scroll down to see events that occurred in 2023.

December 22-31, 2024

Stay tuned for information on events happening during this time! In the meantime, scroll down to see events that occurred in 2023.

The following events are from 2023. Stay tuned for information on dates for these events in 2024!

 

Christmas in Baldwin
Parade, visit with Santa, and tree lighting. Downtown Baldwin.

Lighting Up the Christmas Holiday
Free event featuring traditional Finnish ornaments, decorations, toys, candles, and Christmas tree. For more information, visit kalevamichigan.com. Bottle House Museum- 14551 Wuoski St., Kaleva.

Christmas in the Country
Open house and craft show. Friday from 4-8pm and Saturday from 9am-3pm. Benona Town Hall- 7169 W. Baker Rd., Shelby.

Letters to Santa
Drop off your letters to Santa in a magical mail box that delivers straight to the North Pole! Be sure to drop them off by December 15th to make sure you are able to hear back from Santa before his BIG day. Manistee County Library- 95 Maple St., Manistee.

Jingle Bell Jog 5k
5K Run/Walk to benefit the Manistee Area Public Schools Cross-Country program. The race begins and ends at The Tabernacle Manistee Campus- 77 Hancock St., Manistee. To register or find more info, visit runsignup.com.

Festive Fun Family Day
Kids can visit with Santa and enjoy a $2.99 meal. Ludington Meat Company- 3815 W. US-10, Ludington.

A WSCC Holiday Music Spectacular
West Shore Community College Center Stage Theatre- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.

Pentwater’s Christmas in the Village
Various locations in Pentwater.

Santa’s Headquarters
Visit with Santa at Manistee Marina- 2 Pine St. Manistee.

Pet Portraits with Santa
Donations benefit Homeward Bound Animal Shelter. No appointments necesssary. Just sign in and wait in your car. Patina- 4850 Main St., Onekama.

Rotary Club of Ludington Holiday Auction
Tickets are $50 per person and include heavy hors d’oeurves, cash bar, and the opportunity to bid on dozens of items donated by local businesses. Many items will also be available to bid on online beginning on Thursday, November 23rd, 2023 at 8am. Purchase tickets or bid online at one.bidpal.net. The event will be held at the Stearns Hotel Ballroom- 212 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington. Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club’s STRIVE Program and college scholarships. 

West Shore Community College Jazz Ensemble I & II Performance
West Shore Community College Center Stage Theatre- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.

Breakfast with Santa
At The Jolly Plate- 2516 N. US-31, Scottville. Kids 10 and under get a free reindeer pancake.

Lantern Lit Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing, or Hiking
The walk begins at the Ludington State Park Warming Shelter (8800 M-116, Ludington) and has approximately 1 mile of lighted trails. There are bonfires at both the Warming Shelter and the Amphitheater, along with free warm beverages at the Amphitheater. No registration is required.

Cookie Walk
Stroll the downtown Ludington district, sampling delicious cookies. Tickets are $20 per person and only 100 are available. Ticket price includes over two dozen cookies and a cookie box. For more information or tickets, visit downtownludington.org.

Candy Canes & Characters
Meet and take photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, elves, the Grinch, Cindy Lou Who, a polar bear, a penguin, and the Oriole bird at Ludington High School- 508 N. Washington Ave., Ludington. There will also be face painting, snacks, games, and holiday crafts. Admission is $5 per participant or $15 per family (caregivers enter free). Proceeds benefit the Ludington High School Year Book Fund. For more information, contact Sierra Holmes at (231) 794-9936 or yearbook@lasd.net

Mr. & Mrs. Clause Come to Ludington
Complimentary professional photography will be provided by Lynsey Baldon. The event is hosted by Lynsey Baldon Photography and Rachel Rae the Realtor. Red Rooster Coffee & Community- 207 S. James St., Ludington.

Holiday Parade & Activities in Scottville
Parade at 6:30pm beginning on W. Beryl St. ending on Main Street, Activities on Main Street will follow including kids crafts, pictures with Santa, cocoa, popcorn, and cookies.

Santa Visits the Brewery
Free and open to all ages. Ludington Bay Brewing Co.- 515 S. James St., Ludington.

Visit with Santa
Hamlin Town Hall- 3775 N. Jebavy Dr., Ludington.

Cartier Mansion Holiday Tour
Carson the Butler will welcome visitors and send them home with his favorite homemade doggie treats. Tours will be given of both Cartier Mansion (409 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington) and The Ludington House Bed and Breakfast. Tickets are $15 per person and may be purchased the day of the event at Cartier Mansion. All proceeds will benefit Mason County Mutts. For more information, visit facebook.com

COVE Holiday Tea
Enjoy an afternoon of tea at the Oceana County Council on Aging- 4250 W. Tyler Rd., Hart. Cost is $15 and proceeds benefit Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters (COVE). Space is very limited, call (231) 843-2541 early for reservations.

Home for the Holidays Concert
Free showcase of numerous locally known performers. Ludington Area Center for the Arts- 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington.

Visit with Santa & the Grinch
During the Festival of Tree at Stix- 1963 N. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington.

Festival of Wreaths Auction
Wreaths created by local artists will be on display and up for silent auction in the lobby of the performance hall. Wreaths will be accepted until November 21st and must be pre-registered by contacting the Ludington Area Center for the Arts at (231) 845-2787 or info@ludingtonartscenter.org. LACA- 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington.

West Shore Community College Wind Symphony & Drum Line Performance
Manistee High School Auditorium- 525 12th St., Manistee.

Santa’s Headquarters
Visit with Santa at Manistee Marina- 2 Pine St. Manistee.

Holiday Skate to Benefit West Shore Wolves
Admission and skate rental are $10/person.  Also, bring a pre-decorated Gingerbread House to enter into the contest for a chance to win $100 cash. All entries will be auctioned off during the event.
Houses must be entirely edible and entries are due no later than 7pm that night. West Shore Community Ice Arena- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.

Cookies & Cocoa
Decorate cookies, watch a movie, and drink hot chocolate. $5 for 6 cookies. Eagles #1354- 108 S. Harrison St., Ludington.

Christmas Party at Sandcastles Children’s Museum
Mr. and Mrs. Claus will make a special stop from 11:30am-1:30pm. Live music with the String-Alongs will be from 11am-12pm. John Marek and his Balloon Creations from 12-1pm and Deb Borema at the Creation Station will demonstrate and help you make Funny Sweater Ornaments from 1-3pm. There will also be cookie decorating downstairs. Admission is $9/person unless already members of the  museum. Visit sandcastleschildrensmuseum.com for more information.

Children’s Christmas Party 
Children age 12 and under are invited. All children in attendance will receive a gift. Custer VFW Gold Bar Post- 2022 State St., Custer.

Veteran’s Christmas Breakfast
Free for veterans, $10 for family/friends to join. Call to (231) 723-9501 to sign up. American Legion Post 10, 10 Mason St., Manistee. 

Brunch with Santa & the Grinch
Stix- 1963 N. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington.

West Shore Community College Concert Choir Performance
West Shore Community College Center Stage Theatre- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.

Create Letters to Santa
Regular admission applies. Sandcastles Children’s Museum– 129 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Visit with Santa
Visit with Santa and get a photo, eat a cookie, sip on hot chocolate, and more! All children will receive a stocking filled with goodies, and a $10 voucher to be deposited. Filer Credit Union- 1117 28th St., Manistee.

New Year’s Eve Balloon Drop
Fun activities and refreshments for the whole family with a balloon drop to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Tickets  are $60/immediate family or $15/person and can be purchased by calling (231) 233-9326. Sandcastles Children’s Museum– 129 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Family New Year’s Eve Party
This free event includes snacks, a potluck, a chili cook-off, crafts, video games, board games, a dancing competition, a photo booth, and much more. The evening will be wrapped up with an exciting midnight ball drop (live-streamed from downtown Ludington) and a worship celebration. Radiant Church- 409 S. Washington Ave., Ludington.

Family New Year’s Eve Party
Free party includes games, crafts, and snacks. Ludington Library- 217 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Ludington New Year’s Eve Ball Drop
Live music, beer tent, lighted ball drop at midnight with fireworks to follow. Legacy Plaza- 110 N. James St., Ludington.

New Year’s Eve Party
Enjoy a hot beverage, make a candle, and enjoy live music featuring Third Coast Swing. The Port- 222 W. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

CherryT Ball Drop
This family friendly event includes live music and the CherryT Ball drop on the corner of Front and Cass Streets in downtown Traverse City. Cost is a $5 donation which benefits a local charity.

Check back often for updates to this calendar of events!

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