Join us for festive holiday events, Dec. 5-8, 2024.
Schedule is updated regularly.
Thursday, December 5
all day: Please support our local restaurants and retailers.
10 a.m. to dusk: Ice skating rink is open
Step back in time and experience the charm of a Victorian winter at our enchanting ice skating rink! Open for this special event, the rink offers a festive atmosphere to transport you to a bygone era. Glide gracefully across the ice in the crisp evening air. Bring your own skates and celebrate the magic of the season.
2 p.m.: Krampus is coming to the Manistee Library
Who is Krampus? He’s the bad Santa. Learn all about him at the Manistee Library with this fun and informative lecture.
Location: Manistee County Library, 95 Maple Street, Manistee
5 to 7 p.m.: Chamber unTapped
Join members of the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce for Chamber UnTapped: Holiday Edition.
Location: Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts
Cost: $15 for Chamber investors; $25 for non-investors.
Please contact the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce at (231) 723-2575.
6 p.m.: Krampus is coming to the Vogue Theatre
Who is Krampus? He’s the bad Santa. Learn all about him at the Manistee Library with this fun and informative lecture.
Location: Manistee County Library, 95 Maple Street, Manistee
6 p.m. to Bar Close: Krampus Krawl
Drink your way around all of Manistee with this Victorian pub crawl. Naughty Santa and friends will be around to tempt you into cocktails and good, clean fun.
Participating pubs: The Jailhouse, TJ’s, more to come
Friday, December 6
all day: Please support our local restaurants and retailers.
all day: Santa’s Mailbox is open
Drop off your letters to Santa. There is a mailbox downtown near Port City Emporium.
10 a.m. to dusk: Ice skating rink is open
Step back in time and experience the charm of a Victorian winter at our enchanting ice skating rink! Open for this special event, the rink offers a festive atmosphere to transport you to a bygone era. Glide gracefully across the ice in the crisp evening air. Bring your own skates and celebrate the magic of the season.
1 to 3 p.m.: 12×12 Community Art Exhibition
Celebrate local artists as they showcase original pieces of work displayed throughout Hardy Hall Gallery at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts. Location: Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple Street, Manistee
Cost: Free
1 to 9 p.m.: Lakeside Club of Manistee County’s Festival of Trees & Holiday Decor
View and bid on creatively decorated Christmas trees, wreaths and seasonal decor and gifts, all made by local artists and organizations. Bring canned goods to vote for your favorite entry for the “People’s Choice” award. Bring unwrapped toys for Five CAP’s “Toys for Tots/Gifts for Teens” and enter in a prize drawing. Auction bidding closes 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Proceeds from the 2024 Festival of Trees will go to Manistee County Historical Society/Museum, Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts and Lakeside Club High School Scholarship for Service.
Location: Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts Ballroom, 101 Maple Street, Manistee
Cost: Please consider a $1 minimum donation.
4 to 9 p.m.: Downtown Merchant Showcase
Join the merchants along historic downtown River Street for a cookie crawl, scavenger hunt, art stroll and more! Marvel at the holiday window displays, make friendship bracelets and send a letter to Santa! All merchants are participating so join in on the fun!
4 to 9 p.m.: Santa’s Workshop hosted by Lighthouse Title is open
Meet Santa and get a photo!
Location: Municipal Marina, 480 River Street, Manistee
7 to 9 p.m.: Jingle Bell Karaoke by Phattrax DJs
Merriment for all ages! Join the Lakeside Club of Manistee County for a fun evening among the Festival of Trees & Holiday Decor. Sing holiday songs, 50/50 raffle, Fortune Teller, and photo op with Radar the Reindeer.
Cash bar: wine, beer and soft drinks. Pizza by the slice. Bidding on auction items continues during this event.
Location: Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts Ballroom, 101 Maple Street, Manistee
Cost: Participation by donation.
7:30 p.m.: Manistee Civic Players Present “Matilda the Musical”
Showing at the historic Ramsdell Theatre, Matilda tells the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a sharp mind and vivid imagination, dares to take a stand to change her story with miraculous results.
Location: Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple Street, Manistee
Cost: $10 to $40
Saturday, December 7
all day: Please support our local restaurants and retailers.
all day: Santa’s Mailbox
Drop off your letters to Santa. There is a mailbox downtown near Port City Emporium.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Holiday Craft Show and Bazaar
Purchase crafts and gifts from local artisans at this fantastic, annual event.
Location: Wagoner Senior Center, 260 St. Mary’s Parkway, Manistee
Cost: Free
Note: Vendor spots are sold ourt for this year!
10 a.m. to dusk: Ice skating rink is open
Step back in time and experience the charm of a Victorian winter at our enchanting ice skating rink! Open for this special event, the rink offers a festive atmosphere to transport you to a bygone era. Glide gracefully across the ice in the crisp evening air. Bring your own skates and celebrate the magic of the season.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Scandinavian Christmas Open House and Tiny Trains and Towns at the Old Kirke Museum
Join us for a Scandinavian Christmas Open House with traditionally decorated Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Christmas trees and cookies. And exhinit of miniature villages and toy trains in the “Tiny Towns and Trains“ is also available.
Location: Old Kirke Museum, 304 Walnut Street, Manistee
Cost: Free
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Open House and Self-Guided Tours of Guardian Angels Church
The Guardian Angles Historic Preservation Project will host an open house and self-guided tours of the church. The historic, 1909 pipe organ and steeple chime will provide music throughout the duration of the open house. This church was built in 1888 and is on the National Regsister of Historic Places, and a must-see for all.
Location: Guardian Angels Church, 371 5th Street, Manistee
Cost: Free
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Lakeside Club of Manistee County’s Festival of Trees & Holiday Decor
View and bid on creatively decorated Christmas trees, wreaths and seasonal decor and gifts, all made by local artists and organizations. Bring canned goods to vote for your favorite entry for the “People’s Choice” award. Bring unwrapped toys for Five CAP’s “Toys for Tots/Gifts for Teens” and enter in a prize drawing. Auction bidding closes 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Proceeds from the 2024 Festival of Trees will go to Manistee County Historical Society/Museum, Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts and Lakeside Club High School Scholarship for Service.
Location: Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts Ballroom, 101 Maple Street, Manistee
Cost: Please consider a $1 minimum donation.
noon to 4 p.m.: Santa’s Workshop hosted by Lighthouse Title is open
Meet Santa and get a photo!
Location: Municipal Marina, 480 River Street
Note: Santa has to leave by 4 p.m. so he can get ready for the Victorian Sleighbell Parade.
1 to 3 p.m.: 12×12 Community Art Exhibition
Celebrate local artists as they showcase original pieces of work displayed throughout Hardy Hall Gallery at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts. Location: Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple Street, Manistee
1 to 4 p.m. Chestnuts Roasting on an open fire
Warm up and taste some holiday fun. We have chestnuts along River Street.
Thank you to Kendra C. Thompson Architects for providing the free chestnuts.
1 to 4 p.m.: Free carriage rides
Catch a free carriage ride along River Street
2 p.m.: “The Haunting of Ebenezer”
The Ramsdell Theatre invites the community to an acoustic concert retelling of Dickens’ classic tale, “The Haunting of Ebenezer.” This performance includes 16 original Americana songs that guide the audience through Ebenezer Scrooge’s haunting and transformation.
Location: Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple Street, Manistee
Cost: $15
2 to 3 p.m. Stilt Walker
Join us on River Street for views of the Stilt Walker.
2 to 5 p.m. Gift Giving Silent Auction to Benefit Armory Youth Project
While you’re downtown for the Victorian Sleighbell Parade, pop in at City2Shore Port City Associates for free refreshments and place your bids on items in a silent auction to raise money for the Armory Youth Project. Items include lift tickets to Crystal Mountain, a weekend stay at Traveler’s Motel in Onekama, a homemade quilt and more. (Advance bids can be placed on the Armory Youth Project’s Facebook page, Dec. 2-6.)
Location: City2Shore Port City Associates, 340 River Street, Manistee
Cost: Free
3 p.m. Children’s Parade
A little bit smaller than the big one – but still lots of fun! This parade is just for the little ones.
Location: Starts at The Ramsdell Inn and heads up River Street.
3 p.m.: Magic Show
The magic of Christmas extends to this fun magic show.
Location: Vogue Theatre, 383 River Street, Manistee
4 to 9 p.m.: Santa’s Workshop is Open
Meet Santa and get a photo!
Location: Manistee Municipal Marina, 480 River Street
5:30 p.m.: The 35th Annual Victorian Sleighbell Parade
Join us along Manistee’s historic River Street for the Victorian Sleighbell Parade.
Once the horses are safely away, there will be fireworks.
7 p.m. Jingle Jam
Continue the fun with live bands and entertainment at this annual Manistee tradition. Bring a toy to donate and make a child’s Christmas special.
Location: American Legion, 10 Mason Street, Manistee
Cost: $10 per person or a donated toy. (Doors open at 3 p.m.)
7:30 p.m.: Manistee Civic Players Present “Matilda the Musical”
Showing at the historic Ramsdell Theatre, Matilda tells the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a sharp mind and vivid imagination, dares to take a stand to change her story with miraculous results.
Location: Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple Street, Manistee
Cost: $10 to $40
Thank you to Patrick Swidorski Trucking LLC and Zupin Crane LLC for assistance with our trees!
Thank you to Kendra C. Thompson Architects P.C. for the chestnuts!
Thank you Ken Armour for helping stage all the horses.
Sunday, December 8
10 a.m. to dusk: Ice skating rink is open
Step back in time and experience the charm of a Victorian winter at our enchanting ice skating rink! Open for this special event, the rink offers a festive atmosphere to transport you to a bygone era. Glide gracefully across the ice in the crisp evening air. Bring your own skates and celebrate the magic of the season.
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Lakeside Club’s Festival of Trees & Holiday Decor Pick-Up
Pick-up time for winning bidders. Please pick up your items promptly. We wrap trees for easy transport. Don’t want the tree? Take the ornaments and we will keep the tree for next year?
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Scandinavian Christmas Open House and Tiny Trains and Towns at the Old Kirke Museum
Join us for a Scandinavian Christmas Open House with traditionally decorated Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Christmas trees and cookies. And exhinit of miniature villages and toy trains in the “Tiny Towns and Trains“ is also available.
Location: Old Kirke Museum, 304 Walnut Street, Manistee
Cost: Free
1 to 3 p.m.: 12×12 Community Art Exhibition
Celebrate local artists as they showcase original pieces of work displayed throughout Hardy Hall Gallery at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts.
Location: Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple Street, Manistee
2 p.m.: Manistee Civic Players Present “Matilda the Musical”
Showing at the historic Ramsdell Theatre, Matilda tells the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a sharp mind and vivid imagination, dares to take a stand to change her story with miraculous results.
Location: Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple Street, Manistee
Cost: $10 to $40
3 p.m.: Lessons and Carols
Experience The Advent and Christmas Story in Word and Song at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Location: Trinity Lutheran Church, 420 Oak Street, Manistee
Cost: Free