2023 Holiday Happenings
Nov. 8—Editor's note: This article was published in Grand Traverse Scene magazine's Holiday 2023 issue. Pick up a free copy at area hotels, visitor's centers, chambers of commerce or at the Record-Eagle building on Front Street. Click here to read GT Scene in its entirety online.
NOVEMBER
Christmas on the Farm
Christmas on the Farm will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day from Nov. 16-19 at Myrtle and Maude's, 10937 Elk Lake Rd. in Williamsburg. Activities include free hot cocoa bar, holiday decor and gift items and refurbished furniture. myrtleandmaudes.com
Downtown Traverse City Light Parade
The Downtown Traverse City Light Parade and Tree Lighting starts at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 18 on East Front Street. Admission is free and includes holiday music by Traverse City Central High School Choral-Aires at the Cass and Front street intersection, caroling as the tree is lit and visits with Santa Claus until 9 p.m. at Rotary Square, 203 S. Union St. www.downtowntc.com/downtown-light-parade/
Turkey Vulture Trot 5K
The Turkey Vulture Trot 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run will be Nov. 23 at Crystal Mountain, 12500 Crystal Mountain Drive in Thompsonville. Some of the proceeds go to North Sky Raptor Sanctuary. Online registration is $25 for the 5K and $10 for the 1 mile until noon Nov. 22. The 5K is $40 and the 1 mile is $25 at the event. www.crystalmountain.com/event/5k-turkey-vulture-trot/
Light Up Cedar
Light Up Cedar will happen from 4-8 p.m. Nov. 24 in on South Cedar Road in downtown Cedar. Santa will light the community tree. Live reindeer and a DJ will also be present. The Cedar Chamber of Commerce is organizing this free event. https://cedarmichamber.com/event/light-up-cedar/
Light Up Leland
Light Up Leland begins at 6 p.m. Nov. 24 at Leland Chamber of Commerce, 110 N. Lake St. in Leland. A firetruck will transport Santa from Christmas Tree Corner to the Village Green, 206 N. Main St. www.lelandmi.org/events-calendar/light-up-leland-1
Glen Arbor Holiday Marketplace
Glen Arbor Holiday Marketplace is presented by Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce from 6:30-8 p.m. Nov. 24 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 25 at Glen Arbor Township Hall, 6394 W. Western Ave. in Glen Arbor. The holiday tree lighting begins at 6:15 p.m. Nov. 24. Art's Tavern will serve cider and donuts during the Friday night shopping event. Admission is free. https://glenarbortownship.com/glen-arbor-holiday-marketplace/
'The Christmas Schooner' musical
The musical "The Christmas Schooner" will be on stage at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 24-25 and Nov. 30 and 2 p.m. Nov. 26 at Old Town Playhouse, 148 E. Eighth St. in Traverse City. The play follows a Michigan shipping captain who brings Christmas trees to German-American families in Chicago in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Prices: $33 for adults and $20 for youth under 18. Box office: 231-947-2210. www.oldtownplayhouse.com
Holiday Arts and Crafts Sale
Northport Arts Association is hosting the Holiday Arts and Crafts Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 25 at the Village Arts Building, 301 Mill St., and Willowbrook Mill, 201 Mill St., in Northport. www.northportartsassociation.org/events-exhibits
'Holiday Resort' musical
The musical "Holiday Resort" is performed at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 through Dec. 18 at Leland Lodge, 565 E. Pearl St. in Leland. A three-course dinner is served at 6 p.m. before each show. Beverages are not included, but a full bar is open. Seats are $90 per adult and $65 per child under 12 through MyNorthTickets.com.
DECEMBER
'The Nutcracker' performace
"The Nutcracker" will be performed by the Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre at 7 p.m. Dec. 1-2 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 2-3 at Traverse City Central High School, 1150 Milliken Dr. Seats are $20 for adults and $12 for students. Tickets will go on sale at midnight Nov. 1 at MyNorthTickets.com.
'The Christmas Schooner' musical
The musical "The Christmas Schooner" will be on stage at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1-2 and 8-9 and 2 p.m. Dec. 3 and 9 at Old Town Playhouse, 148 E. Eighth St. in Traverse City. The play follows a Michigan shipping captain who brings Christmas trees to German-American families in Chicago in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Prices: $33 for adults and $20 for youth under 18. Box office: 231-947-2210. www.oldtownplayhouse.com
Elf Run 5K
Traverse City Track Club is hosting the second annual Elf Run at 10 a.m. Dec. 2 at 202 N. Bridge St. in Bellaire. Run or walk a 5K through the city. This is a fundraiser for the Bellaire Public Schools Cross Country Program. Entry is $20; prices go up after Nov. 11. A virtual run/walk is $25. https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Bellaire/1stAnnualElfRunBellaire
Holiday Music Spectacular III
West Shore Community College Performing Arts provides the Holiday Music Spectacular III at 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 2 and 2 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Center Stage Theater at WSCC, 3000 N. Stiles Road in Scottville. This holiday show is for all ages and features guitarist Lou Musa and other regional artists. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and $20 for kids under 18. https://ci.ovationtix.com/36372/production/1169771
'Nutcracker Suite' Interlochen Arts Academy Jazz Orchestra
The Interlochen Arts Academy Jazz Orchestra will perform "Nutcracker Suite" by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 in the Dendrinos Chapel and Recital Hall at Interlochen Center for the Arts, 4000 J. Maddy Pkwy. Grammy-nominated trombonist Stafford Hunter is the guest performer. Tickets: $17 per adult and $14 per youth. www.interlochen.org/concerts-and-events
Traverse Area District Library Holiday Party
A holiday party goes from 1-3 p.m. Dec. 7 in the McGuire Community Room at Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave. in Traverse City. All ages are invited to this celebration. www.tadl.org/event/tbl-holiday-party-0
Ladies' Night
Ladies' Night is open from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 7 in downtown Traverse City. Restaurants and retailers may offer holiday shopping deals. www.downtowntc.com/ladies-shopping-night
"Tis the Season' concert
The Broadway Tenors concert "'Tis the Season" will start at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at City Opera House, 106 E. Front St. in Traverse City. This is a multi-media theatrical show. Student price is $10. Other seats range from $32-47. Box office: 231-941-8082. cityoperahouse.org
'The Nutcracker' ballet — Interlochen Arts Academy Dance Division
Interlochen Arts Academy Dance Division will present the ballet "The Nutcracker" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7-9 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 9-10 in Corson Auditorium at Interlochen Center for the Arts, 4000 J. Maddy Pkwy. Seats are $42 per adult, $19 per youth. www.interlochen.org/concerts-and-events
Christmas in the Village at Grand Traverse Commons
Christmas in the Village is scheduled from Dec. 8-10 at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, 830 Cottageview Drive, Suite 101, in Traverse City. Friday's activities go from 6-8 p.m. and includes Adult Night Out with snacks and drinks, music in the halls, shopping deals, "Unsilent Night" at Left Foot Charley and a tree lighting at 7 p.m. Families are invited Saturday for carriage rides from noon to 6 p.m., music in the halls, shopping specials, visits with Santa from 3-6 p.m. and more. Traverse City West Senior High School Choirs presents "Mix and Mingle with some Holiday Jingles" at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in Kirkbride Hall. Tickets will be $25 for one or $45 for two at MyNorthTickets.com. Music in the halls, meeting with Santa and shopping deals are available on Sunday too. www.thevillagetc.com/christmas-in-the-village/
'A Christmas Carol' play
A two-person adaptation of the holiday play "A Christmas Carol" will occur from 2-3:30 p.m. Dec. 10 in the McGuire Community Room at Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave. in Traverse City. This performance will be repeated at 5 p.m. Dec. 19. www.tadl.org/event/christmas-carol
Grand Traverse Musicale bazaar
Grand Traverse Musicale hosts a bazaar at noon and high tea at 2 p.m. Dec. 13 at First Congregational Church, 6105 Center Road in Traverse City. Wendy Wolfschlarf will direct the group Vocal Majority and the 2023 scholarship winner Katie Brazee, a vocalist, will perform at 1 p.m. gtmusicale.org
Workshop Wednesday: Christmas Centerpiece classes
Christmas Centerpiece classes are available at 5 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20 at Olds Floral and Design, 104 S. Brownson Ave. in Kingsley. Price is $55 and includes supplies like candles, ribbon, ornaments, sheers, pine cones, twigs, evergreen and a tray. Fresh florals are available in the shop for $15. Reservations can be made through MyNorthTickets.com.
Men's Night
Men's Night goes from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 14 in downtown Traverse City. Find holiday shopping deals at local retailers and specials at restaurants. www.downtowntc.com/mens-shopping-night/
Holiday Cabaret
Holiday Cabaret begins at 7 p.m. Dec. 15-16 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 16-17 at Old Town Playhouse, 148 E. Eighth St. in Traverse City. Advanced students from OTP's Young Company present songs from the season in this musical revue. Adult tickets are $21; kids are $12. Box office: 231-947-2210. www.oldtownplayhouse.com
Cookie Walk/Soup Lunch and craft fair
The annual Cookie Walk/Soup Lunch and craft fair are open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1896 Rogers Road in Grawn. Proceeds go to church mission projects. www.redeemerofinterlochen.com
Tannenbaum Blitzen
Tannenbaum Blitzen goes from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 16 in Ivan's Cafe at Shanty Creek Resort, 1826 Schuss Mountain Lane in Mancelona. Dinner is spaghetti marinara, fetticcini Alfredo, vegetables, garlic bread and dessert for $20 per person. The evening also includes a tree lighting and fireworks over Schuss Mountain. www.shantycreek.com/event/tannenbaum-blitzen/
Sounds of the Season
Sounds of the Season will begin at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 17 in Corson Auditorium at Interlochen Center for the Arts, 4000 J. Maddy Pkwy. Arrive early for caroling in the lobby and then see Interlochen Arts Academy music, dance, interdisciplinary arts and theater students perform this showcase of seasonal songs and stories. A reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" is also included. Tickets are $36 for adults, $19 for students. www.interlochen.org/events/sounds-season-2023-12-16
'Home for the Holidays — Let It Swing!'
Traverse Symphony Orchestra is hosting "Home for the Holidays- Let It Swing!" at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and at 3 p.m. Dec. 17 in Lars Hockstad Auditorium at Central Grade School, 301 Seventh St. in Traverse City. The show is conducted by Kevin Rhodes and features the jazz orchestra and jazz singers. http://traversesymphony.org/concert/h4h-swing/
TLC Handbell Choir
A holiday concert featuring TLC Handbell Choir will start at 3 p.m. Dec. 17 in the McGuire Community Room at Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave. in Traverse City. This is a family-friendly show. www.tadl.org/event/holiday-concert-tlc-handbell-choir
CherryT Ball Drop
The CherryT Ball Drop is scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at the corner of Park and Front streets in downtown Traverse City. The National Cherry Festival presents this annual New Year's Eve event, which includes entertainment and the 600-pound cherry drop at midnight. The event is also live-streamed for people to watch at home. In-person attendees are asked to donate $5 each for local charities. www.cherrytballdrop.org
Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct the date and times for Light Up Cedar. — Nov. 7, 2023
