Discover the joy of the holidays in Bay City with our detailed guide. For Bay City experts and novices alike, our guide reveals hidden gems and beloved traditions.
One of the highlights of the season is the Birmingham Winter Markt 2024, where festive stalls offer unique crafts and seasonal treats, creating a delightful marketplace atmosphere. Another notable event is the Holly Dickens Festival 2024, where visitors can immerse themselves in a charming Victorian Christmas with lively street performances and carolers. And don’t forget the Nate & Mary Ida Doan Santa House, a magical place where children can share their wishes with Santa himself. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Bay City
- Birmingham Winter Markt 2024 (Birmingham)
- Nate & Mary Ida Doan Santa House (Midland)
- Holly Dickens Festival 2024 (Holly)
- The Joy of Christmas Tour (Saginaw)
- Irving Berlin’s White Christmas The Musical (Midland)
- Tis the Season Weekends (Frankenmuth)
- The Northern Star Train (Midland)
- Northville Lighted Parade and Downtown Northville Tree Lighting (Northville)
- Holiday Pops with the Midland Symphony Orchestra (Midland)
- Million Dollar Quartet (Midland)
See these and even more events listed below!
Bay City Holiday Light Displays
Northville Lighted Parade and Downtown Northville Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Annual parade with festive floats and Santa Claus.
Description:
The Northville Lighted Parade and Downtown Northville Tree Lighting feature bands, dancers, floats, and Santa Claus, culminating in a festive tree lighting ceremony in Town Square.
Where: Northville | More Info: Northville Lighted Parade and Downtown Northville Tree Lighting
Bay City Holiday Markets and Shopping
Birmingham Winter Markt 2024
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with local art, cuisine, and festive activities.
Description:
The Birmingham Winter Markt 2024 features local artists and vendors, European cuisine, thousands of holiday lights, ice sculptures, live entertainment, and complimentary carriage rides. Santa House and Kinderhaus children's activity area are also available. The event includes a 41-foot holiday tree lighting ceremony and various activities for all ages.
Where: Birmingham | More Info: Birmingham Winter Markt 2024
RARA Holiday Craft and Vendor Show
What to Expect:
Unique gifts from local vendors.
Description:
The RARA Holiday Craft and Vendor Show features over 40 vendors selling unique handmade and non-handmade items. Admission is free, making it an ideal place to find special gifts for the holidays.
Where: Rochester | More Info: RARA Holiday Craft and Vendor Show
Hot Cocoa Crawl
What to Expect:
Complimentary hot cocoa tasting with unique recipes.
Description:
Join participating retailers and restaurants in Downtown Midland for a complimentary hot cocoa tasting. Sample unique hot cocoa recipes, vote for your favorite, and help one business win the Golden Mug Trophy. This free event is perfect for holiday shopping and enjoying the festive atmosphere.
Where: Midland | More Info: Hot Cocoa Crawl
Hollyday Art Mart
What to Expect:
Supporting local and small businesses with face-to-face interactions.
Description:
The Home for the Holidays Gift Market in Katy, Texas, is a premier shopping event featuring over 130 local and small businesses. It offers a wide variety of unique gifts, handcrafted items, and festive atmosphere, making it a tradition for families and friends to enjoy together.
Where: Midland | More Info: Hollyday Art Mart
The Great Lakes Market – Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique holiday market with local artisans and festive atmosphere.
Description:
The Great Lakes Market – Holiday Market features over 40 Christmas trees, handmade gifts, and seasonal treasures in a greenhouse setting. Enjoy live music, food truck fare, and a visit from Santa.
Where: Bay City | More Info: The Great Lakes Market – Holiday Market
Bay City Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holly Dickens Festival 2024
What to Expect:
Victorian-themed holiday celebration with costumed characters and festive atmosphere.
Description:
The Holly Dickens Festival is a 51-year-old celebration in downtown Holly, Michigan, where the story of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens comes to life. Enjoy street performers, live music, tasty food, and local vendors in a historic setting.
Where: Holly | More Info: Holly Dickens Festival 2024
Performance of Miracle on 34th Street
What to Expect:
Classic musical with iconic songs and a heartwarming story.
Description:
A heartwarming holiday musical featuring beloved songs and a timeless story about the true spirit of Christmas, presented by Central Park Players.
Where: Grand Haven | More Info: Performance of Miracle on 34th Street
Performance of Matilda: The Musical
What to Expect:
Community-driven theatrical production with diverse cast opportunities.
Description:
Manistee Civic Players presents Matilda: The Musical, a theatrical production featuring adult and child roles, with auditions held at the Ramsdell Theatre.
Where: Manistee | More Info: Performance of Matilda: The Musical
Performance by the Good Lovelies
What to Expect:
Nostalgic holiday music with a blend of folk-roots and bluegrass.
Description:
The Good Lovelies bring classic holiday songs and timeless winter selections to the stage, blending folk-roots, old-time swing, soul, and bluegrass. Caroline Brooks, Kerri Ough, and Susan Passmore, along with their Merry Men, create a nostalgic sound that is perfect for the whole family.
Where: Traverse City | More Info: Performance by the Good Lovelies
Performance of Candlelight: Holiday Special Featuring “The Nutcracker” & More
What to Expect:
Live ballet performance with candlelit ambiance.
Description:
The Candlelight Holiday Special at City Opera House features a live, multi-sensory musical experience inspired by winter and holiday spirit, with performances of "The Nutcracker" and more under the gentle glow of candlelight.
Where: Traverse City | More Info: Performance of Candlelight: Holiday Special Featuring “The Nutcracker” & More
Performance of Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
What to Expect:
Candlelit tribute to Taylor Swift with live music in an intimate setting.
Description:
Immerse yourself in the music of Taylor Swift under the gentle glow of candlelight at City Opera House in Traverse City. This live, multi-sensory concert experience features awe-inspiring performances in an intimate setting.
Where: Traverse City | More Info: Performance of Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
Holiday Cabaret Performance
What to Expect:
Youth-led holiday entertainment with diverse performances.
Description:
The Holiday Cabaret 2024 is a festive celebration featuring the Young Company, offering a delightful mix of music, dance, and holiday cheer. This event promises to get you in the spirit with its lively performances.
Where: Traverse City | More Info: Holiday Cabaret Performance
Performance of All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914
What to Expect:
A cappella chorale performance of a historic World War I cease-fire.
Description:
All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 is a poignant a cappella chorale that recounts the extraordinary true story of a World War I cease-fire. On Christmas 1914, German and Allied soldiers laid down their arms, exchanged gifts, and sang together in No Man's Land. This powerful performance brings to life the words and songs of the men who lived through this remarkable moment of peace amidst war.
Where: Traverse City | More Info: Performance of All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914
Home for the Holidays
What to Expect:
Luxurious California-contemporary home with top interior designers.
Description:
The 2023 Home for the Holidays Designer Showhouse & Marketplace, benefiting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, features a 12,500-square-foot California-contemporary residence with masterful design and luxurious interiors. Situated near Chastain Park, this event showcases the talents of Southeast’s top interior designers.
Where: Interlochen | More Info: Home for the Holidays
Tis the Season Weekends
What to Expect:
Contactless Santa meet-and-greet with safety barrier.
Description:
Visit Frankenmuth River Place Shops for 'Tis the Season Weekends, featuring strolling carol performances and a contactless meet-and-greet with Santa Claus. Enjoy outdoor activities in an elaborately decorated Santa's Workshop, weather permitting. Share your Christmas wishes with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and enjoy musical performances by the Fenton Chorus and talented quartets.
Where: Frankenmuth | More Info: Tis the Season Weekends
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas The Musical
What to Expect:
Classic holiday musical with iconic Irving Berlin songs.
Description:
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas The Musical is a heartwarming and uplifting musical featuring classic songs and a timeless story of love and family.
Where: Midland | More Info: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas The Musical
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
What to Expect:
Whimsical blend of Broadway and circus arts.
Description:
Cirque Dreams Holidaze is a dazzling family holiday spectacular featuring a Broadway-style production infused with contemporary circus arts. The show includes an original musical score, twists on holiday classics, and a fantastical cast of holiday storybook characters. With new sets, scenery, and storylines, this event is an ultimate holiday gift for the entire family.
Where: Midland | More Info: Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Million Dollar Quartet
What to Expect:
Historic rock 'n' roll legends performing iconic hits live on stage.
Description:
Million Dollar Quartet is a high-energy musical celebrating the legendary jam session of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. The show features iconic rock 'n' roll hits like "Blue Suede Shoes," "Great Balls of Fire," and "Hound Dog."
Where: Midland | More Info: Million Dollar Quartet
Holiday Pops with the Midland Symphony Orchestra
What to Expect:
Holiday concert featuring local and Broadway talent.
Description:
The Midland Symphony Orchestra, accompanied by the caroling Choirs of the Center, will be joined by Broadway talents Kevin Massey and Gretchen Shope for an evening of holiday celebration. Gretchen, a recent graduate of H.H. Dow High School, made her Broadway debut this summer as Michigan's first winner of the Jimmy Awards. Kevin Massey has performed in numerous Broadway shows, including TARZAN, BIG RIVER, MEMPHIS, and THE GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER.
Where: Midland | More Info: Holiday Pops with the Midland Symphony Orchestra
Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra: Holiday Superstars
What to Expect:
Holiday concert with local vocalists and orchestral performances.
Description:
The Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra presents Holiday Superstars, a festive celebration featuring three local guest vocalists, including Todd Michael Hall, Amy Petty, and Sharrie Williams, conducted by Maestro Fouad Fakhouri.
Where: Saginaw | More Info: Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra: Holiday Superstars
A Classy Brassy Christmas & More
What to Expect:
Holiday concert with big band and special guest.
Description:
The Saginaw Choral Society presents A Classy Brassy Christmas & More, featuring traditional holiday favorites performed by the Choral Society, Saginaw Youth Choir, and Saginaw Elite Big Band, with special guest Todd Michael Hall. The event is hosted by Bill Harris and Lisa Marie from CARS108.
Where: Saginaw | More Info: A Classy Brassy Christmas & More
The Joy of Christmas Tour
What to Expect:
Grammy-nominated country artist performing holiday favorites.
Description:
Martina McBride brings her signature country sound to the stage with a collection of holiday classics and modern hits, celebrating the spirit of Christmas with her powerful vocals and heartfelt performances.
Where: Saginaw | More Info: The Joy of Christmas Tour
A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas
What to Expect:
Traditional Christmas celebration with family activities.
Description:
A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas features all traditional Christmas standbys as a family tries to throw the perfect holiday get-together.
Where: Bay City | More Info: A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas
The Eight: Reindeer Monologues
What to Expect:
Humorous reindeer monologues.
Description:
The Eight: Reindeer Monologues is a theatrical performance featuring eight reindeer sharing their stories and experiences, offering a unique and humorous take on the holiday season.
Where: Saginaw | More Info: The Eight: Reindeer Monologues
Bay City Other Holiday Activities
Christmas in the Country
What to Expect:
Community-driven Christmas tree lighting with Santa visits and charitable giving opportunities.
Description:
Shelby Township's Christmas celebration features a 34-foot Christmas tree lighting, Santa visits, a holiday book bundle sale, and the Shelby Township Giving Tree to support the Samaritan House food pantry. Traditional favorites include hot chocolate stands, kids' crafts, and horse-drawn carriage rides.
Where: Shelby | More Info: Christmas in the Country
Letters to Santa
What to Expect:
Santa's mailbox for holiday letter delivery.
Description:
Children can mail letters to Santa at his mailbox located in Legacy Plaza, ensuring their Christmas lists are ready.
Where: Ludington | More Info: Letters to Santa
Nate & Mary Ida Doan Santa House
What to Expect:
Meet Santa Claus in a historic setting.
Description:
The Nate & Mary Ida Doan Santa House in Bay City, Michigan, offers a unique holiday experience where visitors can meet Santa Claus. Founded by personal friends of Santa, this house has been a cherished tradition for over 50 years. It is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4 PM and 6-8:30 PM, and on Mondays through Fridays from 6-8:30 PM.
Where: Midland | More Info: Nate & Mary Ida Doan Santa House
The Northern Star Train
What to Expect:
Holiday train tour through decorated downtown area.
Description:
The Northern Star Train offers scenic tours through beautifully decorated Downtown Midland, providing a festive atmosphere during the holiday season.
Where: Midland | More Info: The Northern Star Train
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Saginaw Township North (11 miles)
- Saginaw (12 miles)
- Midland (18 miles)
- Flint (41 miles)
- Burton (43 miles)
- Mount Pleasant (44 miles)