Magical Christmas & Holiday Events Around the Petoskey Area
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Northern Michigan always knows how to shine, but during the holidays, the Petoskey Area glows with a little extra magic. It’s the perfect time to make your way through this cozy corner of the state for festive events, local downtown shopping, and twinkling lights.
Thank you to the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau for partnering with us for the holidays to showcase these festive events!
Best Holiday Events in Petoskey
From holiday parades and steel drum band performances to boutique shopping and sparkling light displays, Petoskey offers plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday season.
Holiday Open House
December 5, 2025, 6-9 PM, Tree Lighting at 6 PM
To kick off the holiday season, the annual Holiday Open House takes place on the first Friday in December. With the streets closed off to traffic and storefronts full of twinkling decor, it’s the perfect evening to soak up the festivities and check a few gifts off your shopping list.
Santa starts the celebration with a 6 PM tree lighting in Pennsylvania Park, and the Petoskey High School Steel Drum Band keeps the magic going with lively performances of holiday classics from their double-decker performance trailer.
Where to Eat in Downtown Petoskey
Whether you’re planning ahead with reservations or grabbing a spontaneous bite, Downtown Petoskey is packed with great options:
Casual Favorites
Upscale Experiences
- Palette Bistro
- Leto’s Osteria
- City Park Grill
- Chandler’s – A Restaurant
Seasonal Sips & Spirits
Downtown Petoskey Holiday Parade
December 13, 2025, at 10 AM
Downtown Petoskey’s Holiday Parade is a well-loved tradition, bringing festive floats, lively music, and plenty of Christmas cheer. One parade highlight? Performances from the award-winning Petoskey High School Marching Band.
Michigan Gift Boxes from Coveyou Scenic Farm
Coveyou Scenic Farm is one of the best spots in Northern Michigan to shop local. While their Artisan Market is closed for the season, you can still snag their curated Michigan-made gift boxes online. Filled with preserves, sauces, chocolates, and other delicious treats, these boxes make it easy to support local makers and spread a little Northern Michigan love this holiday season.
Festive Fun in Bay Harbor
A Very Bay Harbor Christmas
December 4-7, 2025
Bay Harbor Village is kicking off its first annual “A Very Bay Harbor Christmas,” a four-day celebration filled with lakeside holiday charm.
Weekend Highlights Include:
- A special vendor market
- The Running of the Grinches – playful 3K run fundraiser
- A Holiday Tree Fundraiser
- Hands-on holiday crafts
You can make a whole weekend of it with lodging specials, boutique shopping, live music, and Great Lakes Center for the Arts programming. And if you want to pair the fun with Downtown Petoskey’s Holiday Open House, Bay Harbor is offering a convenient shuttle so you don’t miss a thing.
Seasonal Events in Boyne City/Boyne Falls
Holly Jolly Boyne | Boyne City
November 28, 2025, at 5-9PM
Downtown Boyne City comes alive with holiday cheer the day after Thanksgiving for Holly Jolly Boyne. Lights line the streets, local shops stay open late, the holiday parade rolls through at 6 PM, and of course, Santa makes a special appearance to light the downtown Christmas tree.
Annual Holiday Craft Show | Boyne City
December 6, 2025, 9 AM – 3 PM
Held on the first Saturday of December, this annual craft show held at Boyne City High School is always a popular event. It’s the perfect place to browse handmade gifts, sip on refreshments, and enjoy a festive community day.
Admission is free, although donations are appreciated, which support the Boyne City Booster Foundation and help fuel the arts, athletics, and academics in the community.
North Pole Open House Fundraiser | Boyne City
December 6, 2025, 10 AM – 12 PM
While the annual Sleigh Rides to the North Pole are taking a pause as the new horse team settles in, this year’s Holiday Open House offers a magical way to support Northern Michigan Equine Therapy’s horses and programs.
Bundle up for a beautiful one-mile walk to the North Pole to visit Santa, sip hot cocoa, enjoy cookies, meet the therapy horses, and make crafts in Santa’s Workshop. Wheelchair-accessible hay rides will be available every 20 minutes, and families are encouraged to bring strollers or sleds (if there is snow) for little ones.
Admission is $25 per family (up to 5 people), and the entire event takes place outdoors, so dress warmly and get ready for a joyful winter adventure supporting a wonderful cause.
Boyne Mountain Holiday Open House | Boyne Falls
December 12-14, 2025
Boyne Mountain’s Holiday Open House is back – and this year, the Grinch is running the show!
Guests can enjoy Lunch with Santa from 12-2 PM, meet the Grinch from 5-8 PM, and experience the “Lights in the Sky” display on SkyBridge Michigan from 4-8:30 PM. On Sunday, the celebration continues with Santa Sunday, where anyone dressed as Santa, Mrs. Claus, an elf, or even the Grinch can hit the slopes with a special $25 lift ticket.
Lights in the Sky at Boyne Mountain | Boyne Falls
November 2025 – February 2026
Since it opened in 2022, SkyBridge Michigan has quickly become arguably the must-see attraction in the Great Lakes State. This pedestrian bridge at Boyne Falls resort is the world’s longest timbered-towered suspension bridge and has become an all-seasons hotspot for visitors wanting to walk among the treetops.
That excitement extends into the holiday season during the Lights in the Sky event, where 200,000 lights shine across this record-breaking bridge.
It’s definitely a bucket list item for Michigan winter enthusiasts and there’s something that just feels enchanting about taking a stroll across this one-of-a-kind bridge under festive lights.
Holiday Magic in Harbor Springs
Harbor Springs is a fantastic city to visit all year round. There are tons of things to do, places to eat, and lodging options to rest.
Holiday Fest With Santa at Pond Hill Farm
November 28, 2025, at 12-8 PM
Don’t miss Holiday Fest with Santa at Pond Hill Farm, complete with free ornament making, cookie and s’mores kits, bonfires, holiday décor shopping, and live music from the Yankee Station Band. Grab hot cocoa, pick out a wreath or Christmas tree, and enjoy lunch, wine, cider, or beer at the Waterwheel tent.
110th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 29, 2025, at 6-8 PM
On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, downtown Harbor Springs comes alive for the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Main Street (west of State Street) closes at 3 PM so the community can gather for carols, the lighting of the tree, and the announcement of this year’s window-decorating winners.
The beloved Santa Mailbox returns to the Lyric Theatre all December long, giving kids a special spot to drop their letters.
After the tree is lit, everyone’s invited to warm up at the Holy Childhood Parish Hall for an ecumenical chili dinner, homemade cookies and hot cocoa, and a visit with Santa – all hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary with support from First Community Bank.
Merchants Holiday Open House
December 5, 2025, 6-9 PM
The Harbor Springs Merchants Holiday Open House is one of those small-town traditions that feels like pure Christmas magic. Held on the first Saturday of December from 6–9 PM, Main and State streets are closed to traffic and downtown storefronts stay open late.
For entertainment, the beloved Petoskey High School Steel Drum Band (sponsored by Nub’s Nob Ski Area) fills the streets with holiday cheer. It’s the perfect night to shop local, greet neighbors, and enjoy Harbor Springs at its coziest.
Where to Eat in Harbor Springs
If you’re hungry while you browse, downtown is packed with great spots.
Reservations Recommended
Casual Favorites
An Annual Tradition in Alanson
December 12, 2025, 5-8 PM
Mark your calendar for the second Friday in December. The Village of Alanson’s Annual Holiday Open House is one you won’t want to miss!
Stroll downtown for a cozy evening filled with a community chili cookoff, extended shopping hours, visits from Santa, holiday crafts, and festive music from street carolers and the Petoskey Steel Drum Band.
And NEW for 2025: Alanson will host its very first tree lighting ceremony, featuring a beautifully donated tree from Northland Brewing. It’s small-town holiday magic at its best.
More Holiday Lights in the Petoskey Area
Small Town Christmas on Mill Lane
Annual Open House on November 28, 2025, ongoing light display through December 2025 (check their Facebook page for the latest updates)
Tucked off the beaten path on Mill Lane in Pellston, this privately run holiday drive is a sweet little gem north of Petoskey. The display is free to enjoy, and visitors are treated to complimentary hot cocoa and cookies. Donations are welcome to help keep the lights shining for years to come.
Located at 1833 Mill Lane, Pellston, Michigan, 49769.
Annual Village Lighting in Walloon Lake
November 26, 2025, at 12-8 PM
Kick off the holiday season on Walloon Lake at the Annual Village Lighting. Meet Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their live reindeer, enjoy festive performances from the Petoskey Steel Drum Band, and warm up with complimentary hot chocolate from Walloon Lake Inn.
While you’re there, browse the local vendor pop-up shop to find holiday gifts for everyone on your list. It’s the perfect way to welcome the season on the shores of Walloon Lake.
Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Events in the Petoskey Area
NYE at the Arts Center | Petoskey
December 31, 2025, 6-9 PM
Crooked Tree Arts Center brings back its beloved New Year’s Eve celebration with live music, art activities, silent disco, treats, and outdoor fun for all ages. Admission buttons are required for indoor events, and tickets typically sell out fast.
Midnight Disco NYE Party | Gypsy Distillery, Petoskey
December 31, 2025, 8 PM–1 AM
Gypsy Distillery transforms into a glittery disco with DJ Mikey P, a midnight balloon drop, a champagne pour, and a free shuttle between Gypsy locations. Tickets are $15 online and $20 at the door; ages 21+.
New Year’s Eve at The Highlands | Harbor Springs
December 31, 2025, 5:30 PM
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Highlands with a full day of family-friendly fun and festive traditions. The celebration includes crafts, cocoa, a holiday buffet, bonfires with s’mores, and New Year’s favors, leading up to a torchlight parade and fireworks at 9 PM. The night wraps up with an open-to-all family New Year’s Eve party running until midnight.
Torchlight Parade | Nub’s Nob, Harbor Springs
December 31, 2025, 5:30 PM
Watch ski patrol and instructors glide down the slopes with flares for a glowing New Year’s Eve tradition perfect for families. Free to attend.
New Year’s Eve Celebration | Boyne Mountain Resort, Boyne Falls
December 31, 2025
Boyne Mountain makes it easy to build your perfect New Year’s lineup, from fun on the slopes during the day to an evening with surf-and-turf cuisine, the resort’s Torchlight Parade, and a dazzling fireworks show.
Odawa Casino NYE | Petoskey
December 31, 2025
Odawa Casino is known for going all out with themed celebrations, drawings, entertainment, and a DJ in Victories.
New Year’s Eve Murder Mystery Dinner | The Bay View Inn, Petoskey
December 31, 2025
Ring in the New Year with a twist at Bay View Inn’s New Year’s Eve Murder Mystery Dinner. Doors open at 5:30 PM, with the mystery unfolding at 6 PM, inviting guests to enjoy an evening of intrigue, entertainment, and festive fun as they welcome the new year.
New Year’s Eve Four Course Dinner | The Perry Hotel, Petoskey
December 31, 2025
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Perry Hotel with an elegant four-course dinner, featuring a 6 PM seating. The H.O. Rose Room Bar opens at 3 PM with a cash bar available, making it easy to start the evening early. Reservations are required.
Celebrate the Holidays in the Petoskey Area
No matter how you choose to celebrate, a holiday season spent in the Petoskey Area is one you’ll treasure. These small towns invite you to slow down, savor the moment, and make memories with the people you love.
And when you’re ready for more winter adventures, the region’s ski hills, snowshoe trails, and winter playgrounds are just a short drive away. So bundle up, and let this cozy corner of Michigan wrap you in the wonder of the season.
Pro Tip: Take advantage of lodging specials when you visit the Petoskey Area this winter!