Top Things To Do: December 12 - 18
Updated: Dec 12, 2022

Festival of Trains, Holiday Open House at Boyne Mountain, local shows, and so much more! Browse the top things to do with kids in Northwest Michigan this week!
NMRRC Festival of Trains
All aboard for this beloved holiday tradition featuring model train layouts constructed in several gauges! Nothing says the holidays like the fun and excitement of a working model train. Bring the whole family to enjoy the Festival of Trains to see some of the best of them!
Holiday Open House
The holiday cheer and activities are open to all at Boyne Mountain Resort's Holiday Open House. Enjoy photos with Santa, roaring bonfire and s'mores, arts and crafts, a family holiday movie, shopping specials, live entertainment, holiday treats, and so much more!
More Holiday Events
Browse over 20 MORE holiday events happening this week!
Monday, December 12th
Drop In Holiday Craft at Elk Rapids District Library (4-6pm)
Kids Christmas Party at Crooked Tree Library Boyne Falls Branch (4-5:30pm)
Missaukee County 4-H Holiday Party at Lake City Research Center-Grazing Research and Extension (6-8pm)
Winter Fun-derland at Cadillac Wexford Public Library (4-6pm)
Thursday, December 15th
Snowy Day Collage Art for Kids at Manistee County Library - Arcadia Branch (4-6pm)
Friday, December 16th
Holiday Event at the Music House Museum (7-8:30pm)
Holiday Stuffed Animal Sleepover at Horizon Books Cadillac (6pm)
Pahl's Santa Experience at Pahl's Country Store (4-7pm)
Photos with Santa Toy Drive at Real Estate One Belalire (3-6pm)
Saturday, December 17th
A Visit from Santa and Jenny the Storytelling Elf at Traverse Area District Library (10am-12pm)
Children's Christmas Party at VFW Cherryland Post 2780 (11am-2pm)
Christmas at the Yak or 2 Ranch (12-4pm)
Christmas with the Alpacas at Northern Lavender (3:30-9pm)
Coho Festival Christmas Party at Homestead Township Hall (2-5pm)
DIY Winter Hat Ornament at Tinker Studio TC (10am-4pm)
Pahl's Santa Experience at Pahl's Country Store (1-7pm)
Polar Express at the Elk Rapids District Library (10:30am)
Santa Skate at Petoskey Ice Arena (6-8pm)
Santa's Old Fashioned Wood Workshop at COGNiTiON (10-11am)
Shops and Sweets Saturday in Glen Arbor (9am-3pm) Storytime with Mrs. Clause at Horizon Books Cadillac (10:30am)
Sunday, December 18th
Breakfast with Santa at Delamar (11:30am-1:30pm)
Christmas with the Alpacas at Northern Lavender (3:30-9pm)
Holiday Family Fun Day at Big Sandy Superstore Cadillac (1-3pm)
Jingle Bell Run at Workshop Brewing Company (5:30-7pm)
Pahl's Santa Experience at Pahl's Country Store (1-7pm)
Santa Sighting at Wexford County Historical Society (12-3pm)
Santa is Visiting at Buchan's West Bay (3-8pm)
Sleigh Bells with Santa at Ranch Rudolf (1:30-4:30pm)
Visit Santa at The Red Door Coffee House (2-5pm)
Take In A Show
The Nutracker, A Christmas Carol, and The Holiday Cabaret! Get in the holiday spirit by going to a local show, this week only!
A Christmas Carol by Arts for All of Northern Michigan (Thursday at 5:30pm)
The Nutcracker Presented by Company Dance Traverse and Dance Arts Academy at Milliken Auditorium (Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7pm; Saturday at 2pm; Sunday at 1pm and 5:30pm)
The Cabaret at Old Town Playhouse (Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7pm; Saturday at 2pm)
The Nutcracker at Northport Performing Arts Center (Saturday at 7:30pm)
Even More Things To Do!
Storytimes, clubs, classes, playgroups and more - visit our BRAND NEW event calendar for even more kids activities happening in Northwest Michigan this week.
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Featured Indoor Activities
5toOne Plagroup in Benzonia, Kalkaska, Mancelona and Thompsonville
Beulah: Santa's Old Fashioned Wood Workshop at COGNiTiON (10-11am)
Charlevoix: WRCNM Community Playgroup at Charlevoix Public Library (10-11:30am)
Traverse City: Saturday Kids' Matinee The Polar Express (10am)
Williamsburg: The Music House Museum