Top Things To Do: Nov. 28 - Dec. 4

Downtown Traverse City Holiday Festivities, Manistee Victorian Sleighbell Parade, Observing with NASA - Family Day at Dennos Museum, and so much more! Browse the top things to do with kids in Northwest Michigan this week!
Downtown Traverse City Holiday Festivities
The downtown Traverse City tree lighting and light parade was rescheduled for Tuesday, November 29th due to poor weather conditions. Front Street will close at 4:30pm, music begins at 5:30pm, followed by the tree lighting, light parade, and post parade visits at Santa's house until 9pm.
Manistee Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend
Beginning Thursday, December 1, enjoy an entire weekend of excitement in Manistee, including the Victorian Sleighbell Parade with horse-drawn entries, bagpipers, reindeer and carolers elegantly dressed in Victorian attire. The highlights of the parade are draft horses pulling a 30-foot Christmas tree down River Street followed by a beautiful display of luminaries, caroling and the lighting of the tree. Manistee’s Old Christmas Weekend is filled with charming, Victorian-inspired events including the Festival of Trees, craft bazaar, 5K race and more. Click here for the weekend's event schedule.
More Holiday Events
Browse even more holiday events and tree lightings happening the first weekend of December!
Friday, December 2nd
Saturday, December 3rd
Bellaire Light Up the Night & Soup Cook-Off
Bellaire's First Annual Elf Run
Brunch with Santa at Black Star Farms
Christmas at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse
Christmas at the Yak or 2 Ranch in Mancelona
Harbor Springs Merchants Holiday Open House
Frankfort Community Tree Lighting
Observing with NASA - Family Day
Enjoy free admission to the Dennos Museum during the Observing with NASA - Family Day event. Make your own astronomical images using the Observing With NASA Kiosk in the Discovery Gallery, and learn to make a comet and about moon phases with the help of the Astronomical Society. Afterwards, head over to Milliken Auditorium to learn more about the Observing With NASA Kiosk and the science behind the imaging used by the Hubble Telescope with a presentation by Jerry Dobek, Head of the Astronomy and Science Departments at Northwestern Michigan College.
Hit the Slopes
Most resorts in Northwest Michigan opened for the ski and snowboard season over Thanksgiving weekend. Hit the slopes, or take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales to get a deal on passes. Check out our guide to skiing and snowboarding in Northwest Michigan, and double check the resort's website or Facebook page for operating hours. Hickory Hills, Mt. Holiday and Mt. McSauba are the only locations that have not opened for the season.
Even More Things To Do!
Storytimes, clubs, classes, playgroups and more - visit our event calendar for even more kids activities happening in Northwest Michigan this week.
Featured Indoor Activities
Benzonia: Happy Holidays Story Time at Benzie Shores District Library
Benzonia, Kalkaska, Thompsonville: 5toOne Playgroup
Charlevoix: WRCNM Community Playgroup
Traverse City: Mindful and Musical Mini Bird Class
Traverse City: ELEV8 Climbing Gym