Do you hear what we hear? Tis the season to take a trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula — and there is much to do while you are here this time of year! Choose from craft shows and gift markets to holiday performances, light shows and even 5k races. We’ve hung a list of holiday events in the Upper Peninsula below with care. Now you just have to pick your favorites and merrily make your way over here.
Thanksgiving events
What is your Thanksgiving tradition? Do you wake up before the crack of dawn to run a turkey trot with your family? Do you like to shop around to prepare for your other upcoming holidays this season? Do all of the above somewhere new!
Craft shows
Nov. 24-25: The annual TV6 Thanksgiving Craft Show at the U.P. State Fairgrounds features booths and booths of only handmade creations. Find something unique here to take home.
Turkey Trots
Whether you need to trot to the starting line, or you run miles on end for fun, you’ll find Thanksgiving races in these locations:
- Sault Ste. Marie, Nov. 18
- Iron Mountain, Nov. 23
- Marquette, Nov. 23
- Menominee, Nov. 23
- Hancock, Nov. 23
- Sault Ste. Marie, Nov. 23
- Mackinac Island, Nov. 23
Christmas events
See your favorite holiday stories at a local theater, listen to your favorite tunes of the season on stage, shop for your stockings till you drop and close the year out with a party!
Plays
Local and traveling talent will be putting on the following shows:
- Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon | William Bonifas Fine Arts Center, Escanaba | 12/1-12/3, 12/7-12/9
- NMU Theatre & Dance Presents: A Christmas Carol | Forest Roberts Theatre, Marquette | 12/7-12/9, 12/14-12/16
- Miracle on 34th St. - A Live Radio Play | William Bonifas Fine Arts Center, Escanaba | 12/15
Music performances
Here is where you can hear your favorite songs of the season:
- Theatre of Night Christmas Concert | Soo Theatre, Sault Ste Marie | 11/25
- Jingle Bell Pop with the Detroit Youth Choir | Rozsa Center, Houghton | 12/2
- A Rocky Mountain Christmas: The Music of John Denver | Island Resort & Casino, Harris | 12/2
- Tuba Christmas | Rozsa Center, Houghton | 12/3
- A Switchback Christmas - Besse Theater | Bay College, Escanaba | 12/5
- Elf the Musical | Soo Theater, Sault Ste. Marie | 12/7-12/10
- Chamber Singers Christmas Concert | Marquette | 12/7, 12/10
- Marquette Symphony Orchestra: Sounds of the Holidays | Kaufman Auditorium, Marquette | 12/9
- Kenny G - The Miracles Holiday & Hits Tour | Kewadin Casino, Sault Ste. Marie | 12/9
- Christmas by Candelight Concert | Erickson Center for the Arts, Curtis | 12/14
- The Oak Ridge Boys Christmas - Island Resort & Casino, Harris | 12/8-12/9
Holiday shopping
Pick up unique holiday decor and gifts for your loved ones at these markets and events. We won’t tell if you buy something for yourself, too!
- Downtown Marquette Indoor Farmers Market | Every Saturday from 11/4-12/16
- H.O.M.E For the Holidays Live Christmas Auction | Little Bear East Arena, Escanaba | 11/17
- “Deck the Walls!” Holiday Gala | Erickson Center for the Arts, Curtis | 11/25
- Paradise Christmas Bazaar - Whitefish Township Community Center, Paradise | 11/25
- Rosza’s Home for the Holidays Gift Market | Rozsa Center, Houghton | 11/25
- Christmas in the Village | UP State Fairgrounds, Escanaba | 12/1-12/2
- Mackinac Island Christmas Bazaar | Community Hall, Mackinac Island | 12/1-12/3
Holiday Craft shows
If you prefer handmade over store bought, check out these craft shows:
- TV6 Christmas Craft Show | NMU Superior Dome, Marquette | 12/1-12/3
- Christmas in Lights Craft Show | Windsor Center, Iron River | 12/2
- Frosty Craft Show | Kewadin Casino, St. Ignace | 12/1-12/2
- Santa's Workshop Craft Show | Ruth Butler Building - UP State Fairgrounds, Escanaba | 12/9-12/10
Parades, Christmas Lights, and Tree Lightings
It wouldn’t be the holidays without lights to make things merry and bright! Visit these local displays and parades:
- Jack Frost Festival | Ironwood | 11/16-1/27/2024
- Escanaba Christmas Tree Lighting | Downtown Escanaba | 11/21
- Lights at the Lake | Lake Antoine, Iron Mountain | Every day from 11/23-1/1
- Holiday Lasers on the Ore Dock | Lower Harbor Ore Dock, Marquette | Every Thu/Fri/Sat from 11/23-12/30
- Christmas Walk: Miracle on Quincy Street | Downtown Hancock | 11/24
- Gladstone Old Fashioned Christmas & Tree Lighting | Downtown Gladstone | 11/24
- Parker ACE Hardware Parade of Lights | Parker ACE Hardware to City Hall, Sault Ste. Marie | 11/24
- Christmas Tree Galleria | Iron County Historical Museum, Caspian | Every day from 11/25-12/10
- Mackinac Island Christmas Tree Lighting | Main Street, Mackinac Island | 12/1
- Annual Escanaba Christmas Parade | Downtown Escanaba | 12/1
- Hometown Christmas | Downtown Ontonagon | 12/1-12/3
- St. Ignace Hometown Holiday | Little Bear East Arena, St. Ignace | 12/1
- A Village Christmas | DeTour Village | 12/1-12/2
- Christmas in Lights Parade | Iron River | 12/2
- Winter Wonderland | Downtown Waterfront Pier, Houghton | 12/2
- Lights in the Park | Masonville Township Park, Rapid River | 12/2, 12/9, 12/15, 12/16
- Chassell's Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration | Chassell | 12/8
- Downtown Christmas Walk | Downtown Iron Mountain | 12/8
- Marquette Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting | Downtown Marquette | 12/8
- Crystal Christmas Celebration & Parade | Downtown Crystal Falls | 12/9
- Tinseltown Parade - A Holiday Celebration | Downtown Negaunee | 12/9
- Crystal Christmas | Downtown Crystal Falls | 12/9
New Years Eve Parties
Ring in the new year and pop the bubbly at these parties:
- New Year’s Eve Ball Drop | Downtown Marquette
- New Year’s Eve Celebration | Ski Brule, Iron River
- New Year's Eve Great Turtle Drop | Mackinac Island
Plan your trip now!
The holidays are a popular time to visit the U.P. so plan your trip and book your stay now! We look forward to celebrating your holiday season with you in our beautiful peninsula at our unique events. May your traditions branch out and plant roots in new ways this year.
We would love to see your favorite winter scenes and adventures! Use our hashtag #uptravel for an opportunity to be featured on our social media, website or in our marketing materials. You can also upload your photos to our Winter Photo Crowdriff Collector below.