TRAVERSE CITY -- That Thanksgiving turkey is just leftovers now. On to Christmas.
Communities across the north are lighting trees, scheduling special shopping days and reserving visits from the Jolly Old Elf. Here are 10 spots celebrating with events today, Saturday and in the coming weeks:
Bay Harbor
Saturday: The Village at Bay Harbor presents its holiday open house from noon to 6 p.m. Located between Petoskey and Charlevoix, the development includes shops and restaurants, which will offer discounts during the event. A holiday family fashion show is scheduled at 3 p.m., followed by Santa's arrival at 4 p.m., activities for children and strolling carolers. A 20-foot-plus Christmas tree and other greens will be lit at 6 p.m.
Charlevoix
Today: The community Christmas tree-lighting party starts at 4 p.m. with Santa making a stop at Color Wear on Bridge Street for photos with children. Bring homemade ornaments to East Park to hang on the town tree using the services of a city bucket truck. An ornament-making station will also be set up for children to craft their own for the tree. Santa will light the tree at 6 p.m.
Dec. 5: Merchants will welcome shoppers throughout the day during the Third Annual Flurry Fest in downtown. From 3 to 6 p.m. a tent in East Park will be the site of music and a contest to determine the town's best hot chocolate.
Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa in Thompsonville
Today: The Holiday Trail Celebration lasts from 5- to 9 p.m. and offers activities, music, food and gifts and a winter coat drive for the needy. Stop at designated locations throughout the resort to take part in a variety of family events, billed by a Crystal spokesman as "the exact opposite of black Friday."
Elk Rapids
Saturday: The town's shops will hold a holiday open house from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Highlights include store specials, performances by a town choir and elves who will collect new toys for a local charity project.
Frankfort
Saturday: Holly Berry Arts & Crafts Fair runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Frankfort High School and features nearly 100 vendors. It is the 14th annual fair. Dec. 1: Join Frankfort residents at 7 p.m. at Rotary Park to light the town Christmas tree.
Glen Arbor
Today: Get up early but stay in your pajamas to participate in Glen Arbor's town-wide pajama party from 5 to 7 a.m. Some merchants will offer a special discount for shoppers still in sleep wear, said David Marshall of the Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce. He called it a "much friendlier, gentler shopping experience" than big box shoppers might experience the morning after Thanksgiving. Later that day, at 7 p.m. gather at the town hall for caroling and lighting of a big pine tree followed by the start of the Glen Arbor Holiday Marketplace.
Saturday: The Glen Arbor Holiday Marketplace art and craft show continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the town hall and will feature a visit from Santa.
Leland
Dec. 5: Merry Marketplace, a Christmas artisan show, will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Leland's Old Art Building. It showcases more than 20 local artisans who will offer holiday wreaths, soaps, jewelry, food, pottery, doll clothing, knits and other items. Complimentary homemade cookies and coffee will be served.
Northport
Saturday: Shop local businesses during a day of festivities at Northport Merchants Open House and then stick around until 6 p.m. for the lighting of the village tree in downtown. There will be Christmas carols and after-hours shopping following the tree lighting.
Petoskey
Saturday: The Stafford's Downtown Petoskey Holiday Parade starts at 10 a.m. and winds through the historic Gaslight District. The parade includes a high school band, floats and even some small balloons, said downtown director Becky Goodman. Santa finishes the parade and stops at the Perry Hotel, where he will greet children on the veranda.
Dec. 4: Petoskey celebrates with its festive holiday open house from 6 to 9 p.m. Stores will remain open, and carolers will sing. Santa will help light the town Christmas tree in Pennsylvania Park just after 6 p.m.
Traverse City
Today: Santa arrives in downtown Traverse City and the 40-foot-tall blue spruce on Front Street will light up. Carolers will start singing around 5:15 p.m., Santa will show up on an antique fire engine and help light the tree at 5:30 p.m. Santa will spend a few hours at his house on the corner of Cass and East Front streets, where he will return throughout the holiday season. The tree festivities have grown over the years, regardless of weather, attracting 600 to 700 spectators, said Colleen Paveglio, marketing director for the Downtown Traverse City Association.
Dec. 10: Ladies' Night hopes to attract women downtown for shopping, store specials, refreshments and prizes from 5 to 9 p.m.
Dec. 11: Downtown holds its open house, featuring a performance by a student steel drum band from 6 to 8 p.m. at the corner of Cass and East Front streets. That night there will also be caroling, carriage rides and stores that stay open until 10 p.m.
Dec. 17: Men's Night remains one of downtown's "very successful" promotions, Paveglio said. Jewelry stores, makeup shops and other places that sell items on women's wish lists are usually bustling.
Print this story
E-mail this story
