Holiday Events
Our approach to the holidays in Escanaba and the Bays de Noc area is to make every day happy and peaceful. We love being home for the holidays and we hope this year you’ll feel at home here, too.
Celebrate the season together. Watch the community tree lighting, browse handmade gifts from local artisans and visit with Santa. Enjoy a drink with friends after a day of shopping. Drive through decorated neighborhoods, then wrap up in a warm blanket and take in a golden Lake Michigan sunset or a sea of stars overhead.
November
Bonifas Arts Center Holiday Art & Craft Fair: First Saturday, Escanaba, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; free admission. A variety of regional artists make finding gifts easy. Be sure to enter the raffle and also stop by the bake sale to bring home goodies for family and friends.
Escanaba Baseball Craft Show: Second Saturday, Escanaba High School Commons, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; small admission fee. Support our self-funded high school baseball team while browsing over 100 vendors offering crafts and gifts. You’ll make this an annual tradition.
Esky Baroque: Winter Concert: Sunday before Thanksgiving, St. Joseph and St. Patrick Church, 4 p.m.; free-will donation. A soul-stirring performance of choral and instrumental works from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Black Friday on Tuesday and Tree Lighting: Tuesday before Thanksgiving, downtown Escanaba, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Start your Christmas shopping early along Ludington Street as carolers sing holiday tunes. Sip hot chocolate, meet Santa and join us at 7 p.m. at South 11th and Ludington for the tree lighting with the Escanaba City Band.
Gladstone: An Old-Fashioned Christmas: Friday after Thanksgiving, near City Hall, 5:00 p.m. Tree lighting, horse-drawn carriage rides, a Christmas market, live nativity, Santa, cookies and hot chocolate by the fire barrels — all the magic of an old-fashioned holiday.
TV6 Thanksgiving Craft Fair: Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, Ruth Butler Building U.P. State Fairgrounds, Escanaba, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; small admission fee/free for children 12 years and younger. One of the U.P.’s premier holiday shopping events for handcrafted gifts, jewelry, food and seasonal décor.
Small Business Saturday: Saturday after Thanksgiving. Support local shops, galleries, restaurants, wineries and breweries throughout the Bays de Noc area. Enjoy the festive decorations, special sales and personal attention that keep your spirits bright.
Escanaba City Band Day of Giving Holiday Concert: Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Besse Theater at Bay College, 7 p.m.; free admission (donations appreciated). Listen to heartwarming music while supporting charitable organizations chosen by Bay College’s student clubs and participating staff.
December
Rapid River Lights in the Park: First, Second and Third Saturday, Masonville Township Park, 6 to 8 p.m.; free admission (nonperishable food donations appreciated). Tour thousands of lights and over 100 jolly inflatables after dark.
Holiday Concerts: Check the lineup of holiday shows at Island Resort & Casino in Harris. See big-name entertainment in a 1,215-seat theater-style venue.
Leigh’s Garden Winery Musical Entertainment: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Leigh’s Garden Winery and Tasting Room, downtown Escanaba, 6 to 8 p.m. Unwind with stories, jokes, music and interactive fun on Thursdays; piano classics on Fridays; and jazz or instrumental performances on select Saturdays. Pair the evening with wines and cheese boards perfect for the season.
Christmas in the Village: First Friday and Saturday, U.P. State Fairgrounds, Escanaba, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; free admission (nonperishable food and winter clothing donations appreciated). Visit Santa, shop vintage stores, enjoy wagon rides, roasted chestnuts and more. Take a cozy break with hot chocolate, cider, ice cream or treats from the cookie sale.
Escanaba Christmas Parade: First Friday, downtown Ludington Street, 6 p.m. Cheer on the Escanaba Eskymo Marching Band, floats and Santa — the star of the evening.
Mistletoe Market: First Saturday, Delta County Chamber, U.P. State Fairgrounds, Escanaba, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; small admission fee. Ho! Ho! Ho! This craft show is like no other! Check off gifts on your list with holiday surprises, crafts and a “gift card alley” with cards from area businesses.
Gingerbread House Workshop: First Saturday, Bonifas Arts Center Studio, Escanaba, 12 to 1:30 p.m.; fee for kit. Create your own gingerbread house. This is a fun family tradition without the mess at home.
Bounce House Bash: First Saturday, New Life Community Center, 12 to 2 p.m.; free (donations for the Community Center are appreciated). Energy-burning fun for pre-schoolers to 5th graders with bounce houses, games and snacks. Bring family and friends.
GFWC - Annual Charity Ball: First Saturday, Hosted at a local hotel, 5:30 p.m.; pick up admission tickets at Upper Peninsula State Bank or order from GFWC’s Facebook page. This elegant evening of dinner, dancing and games benefits area children’s charities.
Santa’s Workshop Craft Show: Second Saturday and Sunday, Ruth Butler Building U.P. State Fairgrounds, Escanaba, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Finish your shopping enjoying a wide selection of vendors, Kids Krafters, a visit from Santa, food and more.
Santa’s Workshop at the Bonifas: Second Saturday, Bonifas Arts Center, Escanaba, 1 to 4 p.m.; cash donation or nonperishable food item. Indulge in a gourmet hot chocolate bar, family photos with Santa, cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus and ornament making with Santa’s elves. Explore the Artist’s Market for unique gifts and say “yes” to the complimentary gift wrapping.
Christmas Market: Third Saturday, U.P. State Fairgrounds, Escanaba, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Every gift here is local. Children can shop in a special area just for them to buy gifts for loved ones, talk with Santa, sing carols and listen to stories. Gift-wrapping supports local charities. There’s also face painting and a scavenger hunt. It’s a five-star day of Christmas magic in the Bays de Noc.
Bring Home the Freshest Tree: A Great Holiday Tradition.
Hiawatha National Forest: Rapid River/Manistique Ranger District Office, 8181 U.S. Highway 2, Mid-November to Dec. 31; $5 “tree tag” permit. Stop in for your permit, tree cutting guidelines and safety tips. This is a tradition you can pass down for generations. For more information, call 906-474-6442.
Teal’s Tree Farms: 4260 D Road, Bark River, open daily beginning the Friday after Thanksgiving, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find your tree, wreaths and greenery. Tractor-drawn wagon rides are offered on weekends and the seasonal gift shop creates forever memories.
More Favorite Winter Events
January and February
Rapid River Relic Riders Ride, Snowmobile Show and Swap: Last Weekend in January, meet Friday at Quality Plumbing; registration from 9 to 11:30 a.m., scenic ride starts at noon. Bring nonperishable food or cash donation for local food pantries. Saturday, sled registration for the show and swap at the Lions Club from 9 a.m. to noon; vintage display is free to the public on Main Street. It’s a wonderful chance to meet fellow riders and celebrate the history of a beloved U.P. winter sport.
Trenary Outhouse Classic: Last Saturday in February, Main Street, downtown Trenary, 2 p.m. Hold on to your toilet paper for one of the U.P.’s most hysterical races. Homemade outhouses on skis race to the finish amid cheers, jokes and winter fun. A guaranteed cure for the winter blues.
Plan Your Holiday and Winter Fun in the Escanaba Area Today
Make this a holiday season to remember! Find gifts without the stress, explore charming shops and festive markets and bring home cherished treasures. Plan now and book your room for your winter getaway. This is the most heart-warming home-away-from-home around.