Thanksgiving is a busy weekend in Northern Michigan as several special events kick off the holiday season in style. While Black Friday is busy everywhere, in Northern Michigan it is more personal with shopkeepers greeting you to announce their specials.

Petoskey helps march in the holidays with the Stafford's Holiday Parade held the Saturday after Thanksgiving at 10 am in downtown Petoskey. This fun event includes marching bands, floats by local businesses, marching characters, and much more. The parade is wrapped up by its most popular participant, Santa Claus. After the parade, he will greet children on the Veranda at Stafford's Perry Hotel and listen to all of their Christmas wishes.

Harbor Springs begins the season with the annual Tree Lighting ceremony. Each year, a local family donates a large tree that is placed in the center of Main Street in front of Holy Childhood Church. The townspeople gather in front of the tree to sign carols and then a switch is turned and the tree--and all of the lights in the trees along Main Street--come to life.

The Harbor Springs Tree Lighting takes place the Friday after Thanksgiving at 6:30pm and is followed by cookies and hot chocolate at the nearby community hall. Harbor Springs celebrates with Home for the Holidays, with special shopping and celebrations all weekend as part of Home for the Holidays.

Bay Harbor decks the halls for a holiday open house on Saturday of Thanksgiving week 4-6pm.

Boyne City hosts a parade on the day after Thanksgiving at 6pm followed by a merchants' open house 6-9pm.

Charlevoix kicks off the holiday season on the Friday after Thanksgiving with a parade at 5:30pm and tree lighting at 6pm.

Cross Village starts the holiday season with a Tree Lighting complete with music, food, and festivities at Three Pines Studio. Held the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, this is a community event not to be missed and takes place at 5:30pm.

Indian River celebrates with a Christmas open house on Saturday, 6-9pm.

Mackinaw City starts the season on the first weekend in December with Christmas in Mackinaw including a parade and tree lighting at 5pm on Friday followed by a sleigh rides and holiday activities all weekend.

Start your holidays in style with these special Northern Michigan activities!

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