We know that there are plenty of places you can spend the holidays, but there is nowhere truly as special as Traverse City. We are the ideal destination when you’re looking for family friendly activities and events all holiday season long. One of our favorite holiday occasions during the winter is New Year’s. You can bring in the new year with your family and friends by joining city celebrations and other winter activities. Take a look at what you need to know for your upcoming Traverse City New Year’s getaway:
CherryT Ball Drop
Traverse City is a special home that makes everything sweeter—and of course by that we mean our famous cherry crop for which Traverse City is known. During the year you will find huge celebration with all cherry related activities including the National Cherry Festival that is visited yearly by over half a million people. The cherry fun continues into the holiday season when you make your way to Downtown Traverse City. Each year, Downtown Traverse City hosts the CherryT Ball Drop. Think of this as the big ball drop that takes place in New York City but with a massive cherry instead! The name CherryT comes from a combination of the words “cherry” and “charity” to highlight the event benefiting a variety of nonprofits.
The event will take place at the intersection of Cass Street and Front Street, where the large cherry will drop on the side of the building. Gates will open at 10:30 PM where everyone can enjoy dancing in the street with a live DJ playing the hottest tracks. The event will end at 12:20 AM after the cherry drop encouraging everyone to head home. The CherryT Ball Drop encourages all attendees to make a $5 donation per person for local charities. Don’t miss out on this community wide celebration!
New Year’s Eve Celebration at North Bar
If you wish to spend the cherry drop a little warmer head on over to North Bar for their officially sponsored New Year’s Eve Celebration. This rooftop deck bar has direct view of the CherryT Ball Drop, making it a great spot to spend your evening at. Entry into the event will get you access to a champagne toast, coat check, photo booth, and light snack board. Additional beverages will be available for purchase there as well. Tickets for the New Year’s Eve Celebration at North Bar go on sale on 11/22/24 starting at $65 per person. Tickets will increase in price starting on 12/26/24 to $75 per person so make sure to buy early!
Go Snowshoeing or Cross Country Skiing
Spending the New Year’s in Traverse City will also provide you with a ton of winter activities to choose from. One of our favorites is heading out on the trails and enjoy snowshoeing or cross country skiing. Both options let you explore hiking trails in the snow and see snow covered vistas for beautiful backdrops. One of the best places to enjoy either option is over at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. You probably know the park from its incredible sand dunes located on the shore that make for an impressive sight. The winter brings the lakeshore even more alive when you see the dunes covered in a small amount of snow that makes for perfect pictures. The snow also makes it easier to scale up the dunes, too! You can further explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with the eight marked trails. Snowshoe or cross country ski over trails such as the Empire Bluff Trail that will be an enjoyable experience. The Pelizzari Natural Area is another beautiful spot you will not want to miss. Simply head to an outdoor gear supplier in Traverse City to rent out the gear you need. Popular spots to do that in town include Don Orr Ski Haus and Crystal River Outfitters.
Go Shopping at Grand Traverse Commons
New Year’s takes place right after Christmas, when your family may have some gift cards saved up to use. Wait no longer and instead go shopping over at The Village located in Grand Traverse Commons. This shopping area utilizes a historic building to provide boutique shops, restaurants, and much more. You will find shopping through The Village to be a delightful experience where everyone in the family will find a store to their liking.
Get Ready for New Year’s in Traverse City
Wait no longer to start planning for your upcoming vacation getaway to Traverse City. Our vacation rentals are sure to keep you warm every day of your visit. You will find our properties to be charming and located nearby these different New Year’s and winter activities. Find your favorite property with us today and plan for Traverse City New Year’s!
