Explore Festive Displays at the History of the Christmas Tree Walk in Algonac Michigan
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A three-story house filled top to bottom with decorated Christmas trees? Follow our guide for an unforgettable Christmas adventure in Michigan’s Thumb at the History of the Christmas Tree Walk.
From coast to coast, and from the upper reaches of the Upper Peninsula to the southernmost parts of the Lower Peninsula, Michigan has many fun, unique, and festive ways to ring in the holiday season.
For holiday revelers looking for a different way to get into the holiday spirit, the History of the Christmas Tree Walk in Algonac is a perfect way to do it. This massive, marvelous three-story display of Christmas trees is bursting at the seams with holiday decor and includes every sort of Christmas decoration imaginable.
If you can’t get enough of Christmas trees during the holidays, this is one special event you won’t want to miss.
About the History of the Christmas Tree Walk
The History of the Christmas Tree Walk is an event held each December at a three-story log cabin in Algonac at 8945 Marsh Rd.
The home is less than an hour from Detroit, an hour and 20 minutes from Flint, less than two hours from Lansing, and just over two hours from Bay City.
Display Tours
Tours are offered on select dates in December in the afternoon and evening, and tickets are required for each tour. Free on-site parking is available, though visitors are encouraged to carpool if possible.
NOTE: Tickets can only be purchased online to avoid overbooking. Tours are self-guided, but staff is on hand to offer assistance and to answer questions.
Tour-only tickets are available for both adults and children, and tour/meal tickets are also available. These tickets are good for a tour and meal from the Select Menu at Foxfire Fixin’s, which is located in Marine City, about 5.5 miles away.
Admission is free for children under 2 years old, but all children must remain with a parent or guardian during the tour, and no strollers are allowed inside the home.
NOTE: The home is not handicap accessible: each level of the tour is accessible by stairs. Additionally, footwear can be removed before entering or visitors must cover their shoes in plastic protectors while walking around.
Twenty Years of Christmas Celebration
The first History of the Christmas Tree Walk was held in December 2004 when the homeowners opened their custom-built home for the public to view more than two dozen decorated Christmas trees.
The Beginning
The History of the Christmas Tree Walk was the brainchild of homeowners Allen and Diane Kodet, who were passionate about Christmas.
In 2004, they took the fruits of more than 40 years of collecting Christmas decor to put up more than two dozen Christmas trees with different themes, highlighting various decades in history.
As such, the decorations, ornaments, and displays are not only interesting to look at but offer insight into what Christmas was like in older times — as far back as the 1850s.
With more than 200 trees on display, the family eventually ran out of decades and began to decorate trees according to themes like angels, bears, and ornaments made by certain companies.
Not only is every tree on the tour uniquely decorated, but the 9,500 square feet are covered from top to bottom in holiday decor to really make the tour feel festive.
The Trees
Every room in the house is decorated with holiday displays — even the pool room — except the office and laundry room. More than 220 of the family’s favorite trees and about 60,000 ornaments — only about half of the family’s collection Diane Kodet said in 2019 — are on exhibit.
Organizers say that getting ready for the event is a several-month endeavor. From July through November, a team works on setting up displays, decorating the trees, and handling marketing.
The Tour
Today, the annual tour is carried on by Brett Kodet, who keeps the tradition alive in memory of his parents and older brother, all of whom have passed away and are honored with memorial trees that are part of the display.
The tour has grown in popularity each year, and for families, it’s now a part of their holiday tradition. Visitors can commemorate their visit with a special souvenir booklet (a limited quantity is available). A commemorative ornament is also available for purchase while supplies last.
Explore More of Michigan’s Thumbcoast
Since tours are given both in the afternoon and the evening, that leaves plenty of time to explore more of Michigan’s Thumbcoast during winter.
Sit Down to a Meal at Foxfire Fixin’s
With a menu of “redneck fusion cuisine,” Foxfire Fixin’s in Marine City has something for everyone, whether or not you bought a combo ticket with the Christmas tree tour. Tantalize your tastebuds with house-smoked brisket sandwiches, specialty burgers, loaded nachos, flatbreads, and much more.
TIP: Plan to get desert at The Sweet Tooth in Marine City.
Read a Book at the Raven Cafe
Michigan has many wonderful, unique bookstores, and one of the best is the Raven Cafe in Port Huron. It’s less than 40 minutes from the Christmas tree tour and allows customers to grab a book from a collection of hundreds of titles to read while they enjoy a meal.
Also, Raven Cafe supplies special bookmarks for customers to mark their places and special bookshelves to place them on for up to a month.
Experience the Magic of Christmas at Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland
If you’re still searching for more Christmas decor, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth.
You’ll find wall-to-wall Christmas decorations and items at the world’s largest Christmas store, and if you don’t mind dealing with crowds, you can find the perfect additions for your home or Christmas tree.
Take a Scenic Drive around the Thumb
Michigan has several charming, overlooked towns that we recommend exploring. Lexington is one such town, situated on the shores of Lake Huron in the Thumbcoast. It’s a summer destination, but even in the winter, its downtown and beautiful beaches are still worth a look.
Have Some Fun on a Local Sledding Hill
The Thumb area has many sledding hills that are perfect for sledding enthusiasts to cruise down in their favorite sleds, saucers, or toboggans. Some of our favorite hills in the Thumb are in East China Township Park on Recor Road in St. Clair and right next to the “Tank” by Lincoln Memorial Park in Harbor Beach.
Stretch Your Legs With Some Cross Country Skiing
One of the most fun ways to get outside and get some exercise in the Thumb region during the winter before or after your tour is to indulge in cross-country skiing. We recommend heading to Lighthouse County Park, Sleeper State Park, and Port Crescent State Park. It’s an exciting way to enjoy a Michigan winter.
Try Your Luck at Ice Fishing
Fishing is one of Michiganders’ favorite activities, even in winter. Whether you’ve never been ice fishing or you’re an experienced angler, ice fishing is a special experience for anglers of all ages, especially when you’re able to hook into bluegill, walleye, pike, or many other species.
FAQs About the History of the Christmas Tree Walk
When is the History of the Christmas Tree Walk?
Tours of the History of the Christmas Tree Walk display are offered during the afternoon and evening on select dates in December, typically on Sundays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Where is the History of the Christmas Tree Walk?
The History of the Christmas Tree Walk is located at a private log cabin at 8945 Marsh Road in Algonac Michigan. The tours typically last two hours.
How can I get tickets to the History of the Christmas Tree Walk?
Tickets for the History of the Christmas Tree Walk are offered for just the tour or for a combination tour and meal ticket for Foxfire Fixin’s. You can make your ticket purchase online.
How big is the tour of the History of the Christmas Tree Walk?
The History of the Christmas Tree Walk covers three floors of the house and includes more than 200 trees that are all uniquely decorated.
Are children allowed to take the tour of the History of the Christmas Tree Walk?
Absolutely, but children aged 2 to 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the tour, and strollers are not allowed in the home for younger children.
Experience the Magic of the Christmas Tree Walk for Yourself
Each December, the History of the Christmas Tree Walk in Algonac brings smiles to the faces of visitors of all ages. If you can snag a ticket to take the tour yourself, you’ll be just as amazed as you marvel at one exquisitely decorated Christmas tree after another.
The tour can be the perfect addition to your Michigan Christmas festivities, whether you go once or make it a new yearly tradition. So get your ticket for this amazing tour, and make sure to explore more of Michigan’s marvelousness on your way!