There is nothing better than spending the holiday season with your loved ones by your side. The holidays are even better when you travel to an exciting destination such as Traverse City. You will find that Traverse City is once again hosting a variety of holiday events that are sure to keep everyone in the family entertained. Take a look at all the magic you will experience with a holiday event in Traverse City this year:
Light Parade & Annual Tree Lighting with Santa
With Thanksgiving taking place at the end of November this year, you will find that many holiday events are taking place earlier or later than usual. One such event that will be taking place before Thanksgiving is our annual Light Parade & Annual Tree Lighting with Santa. This is an unforgettable event that features a dazzle of holiday magic. The event takes place in Downtown Traverse City with the arrival of Santa Claus himself for a quick meet and greet. The tree lighting will kick off at 5:30 PM just in time for dusk, allowing our town’s Christmas tree to light up the night sky. The Christmas tree can be found at the corner of Cass and Front Street providing plenty of room to see the event. The Traverse City Mayor will help Santa Claus with this important endeavor!
After the tree is shining bright, it will be time for the light parade starting at 6:30 PM. This parade is full of floats decorated with tons of holiday displays and Christmas lights. You will find the parade marching down Front Street in between Franklin Street and Union Street. Musical performances will be on hand to really showcase the creativity with each float. After the parade comes to an end, you can make your way to Santa’s House found at City Center Plaza for a fun meet and greet opportunity. This is one of Traverse City’s most popular events and will take place on November 23rd from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
Holiday Greens Workshops
Holiday activities done together are a great way to make some family connections. One way to do just that is by making wreaths together over at Pine Hill Nursery. This is our local nursery where you can find some of the healthiest plants out there in Village Gardens. Each year, Pine Hill Nursey brings out their Holiday Greens Workshop that takes place over various dates. The fun takes place the first two weekends of December on Saturday and Sunday. Each day offers a workshop class. You will find workshops to create either a beautiful wreath or porch pot; both workshops are the same cost. All of the supplies are included in the fee, and a knowledgeable staff member will be on hand to show you how to make your work of art. These workshops fill up quick, so make sure to keep an eye on communication from Holiday Greens Workshops coming soon with additional details!
Merry Marketplace 2024: Holiday Gift Gallery & Artist Pop Ups
There is something special about purchasing a unique item that is made by a local artist instead of buying a general object as a gift for a loved one. If you are visiting Traverse City early in the holiday season, you can stop by the Merry Marketplace: Holiday Gift Gallery & Art Pop Ups this year. This is an annual event taking place put on by the Crooked Tree Arts Center right here in Traverse City. The event kicks off on November 9th and continues throughout until December 14th. The marketplace features a curated month-long holiday gift gallery featuring unique artwork that all costs less than $100. You will also find additional artist pop-ups taking place on November 23rd and December 7th for additional galleries by a juried selection of artists. These pop ups take place from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on both days. These markets and pop-ups are a great way to support local art and purchase a one-of-a-kind gift for your loved ones.
Ladies’ and Men’s Night
Of course, the adults in your group will want a little fun to themselves by visiting the local bars here in the city. Each year, Ladies’ Night and Men’s Night take place, offering a community-wide outing taking place at some of Traverse City’s most favorite bars. You will find holiday decorations and tasty cocktails found at each location with a friendly group. Ladies’ Night will take place on Thursday December 5th starting at 5:00 PM, while Men’s Night will take place on December 12th.
Find Your Holiday Events in Traverse City
From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve, You will find all the fun in the world when you book a stay in our one our holiday rentals, and enjoy these holiday event in Traverse City!
