The holiday season in Northern Michigan begins Thanksgiving weekend. Unlike the big cities where Black Friday is a mad rush of people, the Christmas shopping season kicks off here with Christmas tree lightings, decorated stores, a holiday parade, merchant open houses, and smiles from shoppers and storekeepers. Shop local? Absolutely!
And did we mention snow? Our ski resorts hope to open on Thanksgiving weekend opening (sadly, it didn't happen this year) and skiers can't wait to get fresh wax on the skis and hit the slopes.

Christmas shopping in Northern Michigan is the way shopping is supposed to be. Friendly and knowledgeable shopkeepers can help you fill your gift list in a fun and enjoyable setting. Plan a weekend Christmas shopping get away to Northern Michigan and meander through Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, Boyne City, Mackinaw City or Indian River while you take care of your Christmas shopping list.

Tree Lighting & Open Houses Bring your mittens and boots and come north! For a Currier & Ives look of Christmas, drive down Main Street in Harbor Springs to see the Christmas tree in the middle of the street in front of Holy Childhood Church with lights ablaze on the tree and twinkling in the trees throughout the business district. Tree lightings and open houses take place throughout Northern Michigan beginning Thanksgiving weekend and continuing through mid December.

Parades? Yes! Charlevoix hosts a holiday parade on the day after Thanksgiving at 5:30pm and Boyne City's parade is the same day at 6pm. Petoskey celebrates at 6pm on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Christmas Music and Concerts begin in late November with the Northern Michigan Choral concerts and continue into December with a variety of events including the Petoskey Madrigal Singers performances. Check the Calendar of Events (the most complete calendar Up North!) for complete holiday schedules.
The week between Christmas and New Year's is referred to by locals as "Christmas Week." This busy, bustling, exciting week brings snow sports lovers from around the Midwest to hit the slopes. There is so much to do during this week from ice skating, to skiing, to tubing, to sleigh rides, to hot chocolate by a fire.

New Year's Eve is fun, fun, fun in Northern Michigan. Candlelight procession on skis down a ski hill? Sleigh ride? Gourmet dinner? Fireworks? Music and parties? Family celebration at Crooked Tree Arts Center? All of it is here and more. Plan now for a great winter holiday in Northern Michigan!

For up-to-date things to do, visit:Visit Michigan Up North's Calendar of Events

More Northern Michigan Winter Info...

Uniquely Harbor Springs...

Current Northern Michigan Events...

For more activities & attractions, check out these additional links for Things to Do in Northern Michigan:

Harbor Springs, Michigan -- Harbor Springs is the place to try new things! Rent a bike or a kayak, go snow tubing, attend a concert or an art fair, or play a round of golf with friends.
Petoskey -- There's so much to do in Petoskey from the Bear River Valley Recreation Area, to Petoskey State Park, to biking, golfing, hiking, and more.
Charlevoix, Michigan -- Visiting Charlevoix in Northern Michigan is a fun-filled vacation with great beaches, boating, skiing, fishing and year 'round family fun.
Things to Do in Boyne City, Michigan -- Nothing is quite like Boyne City in Northern Michigan with camping, boating, skiing, year 'round outdoor activities, and of course, the morel mushroom!
Lots of Activities in Mackinaw City, Michigan -- Explore Mackinaw City in Northern Michigan for history, the International Dark Sky Park, and outdoor activities.
Mackinac Island -- Take a step back in time and find lots of things to do when you visit Mackinac Island by horseback or bike--no cars allowed!
Northern Michigan Activities & Things to Do -- Northern Michigan offers many fun things to do for the entire family whatever the season, whatever the reason!

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