Schedule updated regularly. Check back often. 

Holiday Card Making Class
11 am to 1 pm, Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St.
We will have print making and other types of medium available to explore.

The Outsider Holiday Market
11 am to 7 pm, The Outsider, 456 River St.
Enjoy live caroling and get a photo with the original Outsider, The Grinch of Manistee County! We’ll be serving hot food and bevs right on the patio with our fire pit and warming heaters blazing to keep you cozy. Sweet Sarah’s Kettle Corn will be there pop’n fresh kettle corn too! Shop wreaths and trees from our partner Needlefast Evergreens Inc! See a tree you like? Take it home!

Richard Timm Wildlife Retrospective 
noon to 8 pm., Ruddiblush Gallery, 321 River St.
Visit the Ruddiblush Gallery and view beautifully framed wildlife prints by renowned wildlife artist Richard Timm.
Opening reception is from 5 to 8 pm., followed by Kit Holmes performing Mensibus Anni 6-7+,
Admission is free.

Lakeside Club of Manistee County’s Festival of Trees & Holiday Décor
1 to 6 p.m., Ramsdell Ballroom, 101 Maple St.
Admission: Donation ($1 minimum)
Come view and bid on creatively decorated local artist’s Christmas trees, wreaths and seasonal decor and gifts. “Buy it Now” options available. 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.” Enter for prize drawing with each toy donated. Proceeds from the 2023 Festival of Trees will go to Staircase Youth Services, Great Lakes Environmental Festival and Lakeside Club’s High School Senior Service Scholarship.
Bidding for the event closes at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.

Dramatic Reading from “A Christmas Carol”
3 pm, Manistee County Library, 95 Maple St.
Enjoy excerpts from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” performed as a dramatic reading in the top floor meeting room at Manistee Main Branch Library. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.manisteelibrary.org.

Ceramic Tree Painting Party
6 pm, The Purple Paintbrush, 338 River St.
Join us for a ceramic tree painting party! Prices vary. Choose a tree and decorate. Many different styles and sizes to choose from. Acrylic painted or glazed and fired options are available. Seating is limited, reservations are required. Find us on social media or visit https://artful-creations-2.square.site/ for more information or to reserve your seat.
Call or text Joann at 231-747-9430 with any questions. We are Stee’ Social District-friendly!

The Nutcracker
7:30 pm, Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St.
For ticket information, please visit ramsdelltheatre.org

Lakeside Club of Manistee County’s “1885 Come Alive! The Grand Ball”
7:30 to 10 p.m., Ramsdell Ballroom, 101 Maple St.
Step back in time to a black tie, Victorian-themed grand ball inside the beautiful Ramsdell Ballroom. Enjoy entertainment, appetizers and sweets along with a cash bar. Ages 21 and up. Costumes are required.
Admission: $40 per person or $70 per couple. Limited tickets available by advance purchase only on www.lakesideclubmanistee.org.

Flapjacks with Fire Hats Pancake Breakfast for Filer Township Fire Department Auxiliary
8 to 11 am, VFW Post 4499, 1211 28th St.
Support your local fire department and have a breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage and biscuits and gravy. Proceeds will raise money for life-saving equipment.
Adults: $10; kids 6-12 $5; kids under 5 free.

Holiday Craft Show
9 am to 3 pm, Manistee Senior Center, 260 St Mary’s Parkway
All items are homemade. There will be a luncheon available and a holiday cookie sale.

The Elk’s Breakfast Buffet
9 to 11 am, Elks Lodge, 432 River St.
$12 per person, 5 and under free

Jingle Bell Jog 5K Run / Walk
10 am, Tabernacle Church, 77 Hancock St.
$20 registration by Nov. 25; $25 on race day
Register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Manistee/ManisteeJingleBellJog5K
More info at runmanistee.blogspot.com

Drop-in Pottery Painting: Paint a Keepsake Ornament 
11 am to 4 pm, The Purple Paintbrush, 338 River St.
Drop in for some creative fun! Join us for pottery painting. Many items to choose from. Featuring our limited edition Victorian Sleighbell Parade ornaments to buy or paint yourself. Prices vary. Acrylic painted or glazed and fired options are available. Find us on social media or visit https://artful-creations-2.square.site/
Call or text Joann at (231) 747-9430 with any questions.

The Outsider Holiday Market
11 am to 7 pm, The Outsider, 456 River St.
Enjoy live caroling and get a photo with the original Outsider, The Grinch of Manistee County! We’ll be serving hot food and bevs right on the patio with our fire pit and warming heaters blazing to keep you cozy. Sweet Sarah’s Kettle Corn will be there pop’n fresh kettle corn too! Shop wreaths and trees from our partner Needlefast Evergreens Inc! See a tree you like? Take it home!

Lakeside Club’s Festival of Trees & Holiday Decor
11 am to 8 pm, Ramsdell Ballroom, 101 Maple St.
Admission: Donation $1 minimum
See Friday for event details.
Bidding closes at 8 pm. Winning bidders may pick-up items Sat between 8:30 to 9:30 pm or see below.

Scandinavian Christmas Open House
11 am to 2 pm, Old Kirke Museum, 304 Walnut St.
Christmas trees decorated in the traditional Danish, Swedish and Norwegian manner and traditional Scandinavian cookies in the 1868 sanctuary along with a display of Christmas “Tiny Towns and Trains II” and the Madsen Lumbering Dioramas in the lower exhibit hall.

Holiday Card Making Class
11 am to 1 pm, Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St.
We will have print making and other types of medium available to explore.

Guardian Angels Church Self Tours
11 am to 2 pm, Guardian Angels Church, 371 5^th Street
Historic pipe organ will be playing from 11am-2pm during the open house.  More info can be found on Facebook at GuardianAngelsProject

Meet the Grinch
11:30 am to 1 pm, Happy Owl Bookshop, 358 River St.
Even the Grinch shouldn’t be alone for Christmas. So pop in at the Happy Owl Bookshop and meet him.
Admission is free.

Sleighbell Saturday Open House and Warming Station
noon to 2 pm, Manistee County Library, 95 Maple St.
Stop by the Manistee Main Branch Library for family-friendly activities including a Victorian Lantern Craft and Bah-Humbug Pinback Buttons. Enjoy a self-guided tour of this 118-year-old Carnegie Library built in 1905. End your tour at the top floor meeting room for great views of the historic district and a cup of hot cocoa!

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Open House
noon to 2 pm, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 313 Fourth St.
Visit one of Manistee’s oldest churches, built in 1890. Receive a free Christmas ornament.  Admission is free.  

Horse and Carriage Rides
noon to 3:45 pm, River Street (East and West Sides of Maple Street)
Enjoy complimentary horse and carriage and wagon rides on River Street in beautiful Downtown Manistee (Rides end at 3:45 pm for horses to be fed and groomed before the parade.)

Richard Timm Wildlife Retrospective 
noon to 5, Ruddiblush Gallery, 321 River St.
Visit the Ruddiblush Gallery and view beautifully framed wildlife prints by renowned wildlife artist Richard Timm.
Bordeaux tasting from 2 to 4 pm.
Admission is free.

Santa’s Headquarters
1 to 4 pm, Manistee Municipal Marina, 480 River Street
Welcome Santa at 1pm as he arrives on a vintage firetruck.  Visit with Santa afterwards and give him your Christmas list.
Santa Headquarters will also be open on Dec 9, 10, 16 and 17 from 1 to 4 pm.

The Haunting of Old Ebenezer
2 pm, Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple Street
An acoustic concert retelling of Dickens’ classic tale. These sixteen original Americana songs guide a listener through Ebenezer Scrooge’s haunting and transformation. The lively band, playing folk instruments and singing in harmony, embrace the ghosts and regrets, the love and joy that has made “A Christmas Carol” such a beloved and enduring holiday tradition. The Haunting of Ebenezer is part concert, part musical theatre, and all holiday cheer!

CHRISTMAS TEA AT THE BUCKLEY HOUSE
2 to 4 pm, 450 Cedar St.
Enjoy a lavish Christmas tea in the third-floor ballroom of one of Manistee’s premier Victorian homes. Three full courses will be served along with a tour of the home. Reservations required by Wednesday, Nov. 29. Pay at time of reservation. (231) 690-2743, $40 per person.

Gift Giving Silent Auction for Armory Youth Project
2 to 5 pm, City2Shore, 340 River St.
Bid on fantastic auction items and help raise money for the Armory Youth Project. Bids close at 5 p.m. You do not need to be present to win. Call the Armory Yoth Peroject at (231) 299-1205 for more information.

West Shore Community College Warming Station
3 to 6 pm, West Shore Community College, 400 River Street
West Shore Community College will be hosting a warming station inside the Downtown Manistee Education Center. Stay warm and enjoy refreshments and treats. 
Admission is free.

VICTORIAN SLEIGHBELL PARADE
5:30 pm, Downtown Manistee, River Street
The Victorian Sleighbell Parade down historic River Street is one of Michigan’s most memorable holiday traditions. This authentic parade features horse drawn carriages, turn of the century characters, 30-foot Christmas tree pulled upright by a beautiful horse team, bagpipers, Miss Michigan, Santa himself and much more. The parade concludes downtown’s west end near the fountain with community caroling, lighting of the tree and weather permitting a spectacular display of fireworks.
Parade Sponsored by: West Shore Bank
Fireworks Sponsored by: Edward Jones – Jeff Reau

NUTCRACKER
7:30 pm, Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St
For ticket information please visit ramsdelltheatre.org

Lakeside Club’s Festival of Trees & Holiday Decor
10:30 am to 12:30 pm, Ramsdell Ballroom, 101 Maple St
Pick-up time for winning bidders. Please pick up your items promptly. We wrap trees for easy transport!

Scandinavian Christmas Open House
11 am to 2 pm, Old Kirke Museum, 304 Walnut St.
See Saturday for event information.

Guardian Angels Church Self Tours
11am to 2 pm, Guardian Angels Church, 371 5^th St.
Historic pipe organ will be playing from 11 am to 2pm during the open house.  More info can be found on Facebook at GuardianAngelsProject

The Outsider Holiday Market
11 am to 7 pm, The Outsider, 456 River St.
Enjoy live caroling and get a photo with the original Outsider, The Grinch of Manistee County! We’ll be serving hot food and bevs right on the patio with our fire pit and warming heaters blazing to keep you cozy. Sweet Sarah’s Kettle Corn will be there pop’n fresh kettle corn too! Shop wreaths and trees from our partner Needlefast Evergreens Inc! See a tree you like? Take it home!

Drop-in Pottery Painting: Special Hours
noon to 4 pm, The Purple Paintbrush, 338 River Street
Drop in for some creative fun! Join us for pottery painting. Many items to choose from. Prices vary. Acrylic painted or glazed and fired options are available. Find us on social media or visit https://artful-creations-2.square.site/ Call or text Joann at 231-747-9430 with any questions.

Santa’s Headquarters
1 to 4 pm, Manistee Municipal Marina, 480 River St.
Welcome Santa at 1pm as he arrives on a vintage firetruck.  Visit with Santa afterwards and give him your Christmas list.
Santa Headquarters will also be open on Dec 9, 10, 16 and 17 from 1-4pm

NUTCRACKER
2 pm, Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St
For ticket information please visit ramsdelltheatre.org

Lessons and Carols
3 pm, Trinity Lutheran Church, 420 Oak St.
FREE Admission.
The Advent and Christmas Story in Word and Song. A dessert and social hour will follow.