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. Harbor Springs begins the season with Home for the Holidays with shopping and celebrations beginning Thanksgiving weekend.

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. Petoskey's Festival of trees begins November 19 and the trees are on display in Stafford's Perry Hotel's Rose Garden through December 17.

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 10am on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Christmas Festivities in Charlevoix are celebrated at Flurry Fest on December 3. Music, hot chocolate tastings, a visit from Santa, shopping, and more are on tap.

Sleigh Rides McGulpin Point Lighthouse hosts an open house December 2-4 with a horse drawn sleigh ride December 3, 12-3pm.

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