Kalamazoo

·         The Henderson Castle will be hosting a Christmas Pere Noel Market & Live Nativity December 20th. The event will take place outside (tented) from 5pm-8pm. Last year’s nativity scene utilized the castle’s recently installed wine cave by turning it into a manger to house Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus while an angel stood on the roof of the structure and told the biblical Christmas story. Three wise men were also on hand to assist with the live rendition of the event. The Christmas Market will feature local vendors selling last minute hand-crafted Christmas gifts, including Arts & Crafts, Jewelry, Christmas Ornaments, Woodworking, Pre-packaged food items, and Natural Products.

·         Taste the season with specialty beers available from Bell’s Brewing to celebrate Christmas and Winter. Once every year Bell’s releases Christmas Ale, which is a specialty beer for the holidays that highlights local, Michigan agriculture and fresh ingredients. Christmas Ale is made with 100 percent Michigan barley grown on their farm in Shepherd, Michigan, between Lansing and Mt. Pleasant. Taking its cues from Belgian-style white ales, Bell’s Winter White Ale offers a lighter yet abundantly flavorful alternative to the traditional heavy winter warmers. Fermented with a Belgian ale yeast, this blend of barley & wheat malts yields a mixture of clove and fruity aromas, all without the use of any spices. Deliberately brewed to retain a cloudy appearance,Bell’s Winter White Ale is a beer for embracing winter.

Battle Creek

·         Dress your holiday worst & get weird at Arcadia in Battle Creek at their 2nd Annual Ugly Sweater Party! Enjoy special discounts, prizes, and more. The party takes place on Tuesday, December 22nd, and make sure you’re there before 8pm to enter in the Ugly Sweater Contest!

·         Help Arcadia Ales celebrate 19 years of brewing, and kick off what is sure to be an outstanding 20th year!  The 19th Anniversary Highland Christmas Party at Arcadia Ales Battle Creek takes place on Saturday, December 5th. They will have live music and food specials, including scotch eggs, haggis, and more. Watch their website for more details!

·         Every year, the International Festival of Lights lights up downtown Battle Creek. Enjoy the spirit of the season in the Cereal City with beautiful light displays along the river. You can walk along the Linear Path and sing the 12 days of Christmas, while you see the light displays that match, make your way to Mill Race Park and listen and watch as the Candy Cane Forest dances, and end your night at the warming house and have a visit with Santa! The Festival of Lights runs from November 21st through December 31st.

 Grand Rapids

·         The Grand Rapids Downtown Market will kick off the holiday season with a Winter Wonderland Open House on December 9 with an extra hour of shopping (all merchants are open until 8 p.m.) and free activities to get the whole family in the holiday spirit. The market will provide holiday cooking and gift inspiration. Fun sights and sounds for children and families include visits with Santa, roaming carolers, stations for holiday crafts and pretzel decorating, holiday movies, cooking demos and a bar with craft beer and hot holiday beverages. Stop by the Grand Traverse Distillery tasting Room on site during the Winter Wonderland Open House, where their Spirits Ambassador will be on hand doing festive holiday cocktail demos, and they will offer free gift wrapping on any purchase.

·         The Grand Rapids Symphony offers many ways for guests to enjoy the holiday season with music! Whether you are planning on giving a gift to a loved one or attending a concert yourself, the symphony has a trio of concerts that include something for everyone.  Ring in the season with an inspiring night of music featuring one of contemporary Christian music’s biggest superstars, Michael W. Smith, and experience the feelings that make this season so special. Last, on December 22 and 23, the symphony presents the Fifth Third Cirque de Noel. Be thrilled by the stunning displays of Cirque artistry, choreographed to classical and seasonal favorites. This ultimate holiday experience is complete with awe-inspiring jugglers, contortionists, and acrobats.

·         A popular holiday movie comes to life as “A Christmas Story, the Musical” makes its West Michigan debut and can only be found at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. This play is filled with the nostalgic moments you cherish: a major award, a tongue-stuck-on-a-flagpole, the Santa slide, the pink bunny suit and of course, the official Red Ryder® Carbine Action Two Hundred Shot Range Air Rifle (with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time). Based on the popular holiday movie, Ralphie Parker takes the audience on a hilarious and extravagant journey fueled by his daydreams. “The movie is a tradition in many households.” says community relations director, Nancy Brozek. “The story resonates because it is filled with the joys of childhood; a time when days are fueled by hopes, dreams and just simply believing. West Michigan families who see this Tony-nominated Best Musical are in for a magical experience that will not soon be forgotten.”  A Christmas Story, the Musical, runs from November 20 – December 20.

·         The J.W. Marriott will be serving up a gourmet Christmas Brunch on Christmas Day from 11am until 3pm in their six.one.six restaurant. Reservations are required, and brunch is $37 for adults and $16 for children ages 4 through 12. Enjoy snacks and starters including pickled cauliflower, local and artisan cheeses, and hardwood smoked Scottish salmon. Your entree options include herb crusted prime rib or Dearborn ham, with sides of toasted butternut squash, crispy brussels sprouts with asiago, and sour cream mashed redskin potatoes. Wrap your meal up right with mini pecan pies, chocolate peppermint marquis, and assorted Christmas cookies.

·         This holiday season, visit the Grand Rapids Public Museum during Snowflake Break and take part in a variety of family friendly programs and activities themed around history, science and culture – and their special exhibits: “The Discovery of King Tut” and “American Spirits.” Visitors can make their own Egyptian themed snowflakes and punched tin take homes, play a variety of 20s era games, dress paper dolls in the Museum’s 1920’s fashion straight from our Collections and get your photo taken in an iconic 1920’s era baseball card! Snowflake Break runs from December 19th through January 3rd. In addition, join the GRPM for their Holiday Cheer organ concert with duet couple Steve and Dianne Warner on December 18th and 19th. Steve will be playing the Museum’s 1928 Mighty Wurlitzer Organ with his wife accompanying him on the piano. It is a not to miss, family friendly concert perfect for this holiday season.

 Hastings

·         Celebrate the Holiday season in a turn-of-the-century Victorian setting at “Of Christmas Past” at Historic Charlton Park! Tour over 15 Historic buildings while partaking in activities of yesteryear.  Roast chestnuts, drink Wassail, and take a wagon ride in the snow. Create your very own crafts, including hand-dipped candles, ornaments and sachets. Enjoy popcorn, fresh baked cookies, cinnamon & sugar apples & plum pudding. Visit with St. Nicholas and enjoy live Christmas music.  The event runs December 12th and 13th, and admission is $6 for ages 13+ and $4 for ages 5-12.

 Marshall

·         For eight nights in December, Schuler’s Restaurant and Pub in Marshall welcomes holiday carolers to its festive Centennial Room. Enjoy the musical sounds from area choirs, choruses, ensembles and carolers, with performances beginning at 7pm (reservations are strongly encouraged). The performance schedule includes the Battle Creek Girls Chorus, Marshall Singers-Dickens Carolers, Ars Voce, and more. While Schuler’s is closed on Christmas Day (the one day of the year they do so), you are invited to spend Christmas Eve in the warm comfort of this 1909 restaurant. A white tablecloth dining experience, with a special holiday menu, awaits you and your family. Service begins at 11am, with the last seating at 8pm. Schuler’s also offers a special holiday Sunday brunch buffet, served from 10am until 2pm, November 22nd through January 3rd.

New Buffalo

Cirque Dreams lights up the 2015 holiday season with its critically acclaimed holiday stage extravaganza, Cirque Dreams Holidaze, which is a new cirque show, Broadway musical, and family Christmas spectacular all in one! Hailed by the New York Daily News as a “delicious confection of charm, sparkle and talent by the sleighload and so full of energy it could end our dependence on oil!” Witness snowmen, penguins, angels, reindeer, toy soldiers, gingerbread men, ornaments and of course Santa; with breathtaking acrobatics, gravity defying feats, elaborate production numbers, imaginative costumes, illusions and more. The show also celebrates the most wonderful time of the year with singers, original music and seasonal favorites all performed in a winter wonderland of amazement making Cirque Dreams Holidaze the greatest variety show on the planet! Four Winds Casino New Buffalo will host performances by the critically-acclaimed Cirque Dreams Holidaze at the Silver Creek Event Center. Performances will be held on December 11th, 12th, and 13th. Ticket prices start at $25.

South Haven

·         The Michigan Maritime Museum will host a holiday event on their campus on December 19th that will feature reduced Museum entry, children’s book readings, kids crafts, hot cocoa, and Ship’s Store sales. Just outside their doors will be the Mitten Made Arts & Craft Fair, where visitors can pick up handmade gifts for everyone on their list.

St. Joseph

·         The Silver Beach Carousel has some jolly fun planned for the entire family! Come meet two, live reindeer on Thursday, Dec. 17 from 4pm to 8:30 pm. Entry is just $1 per person (children 2 and under free) into Santa’s Christmas Corral in the Shadowland Ballroom, where you can pet these friendly, gentle animals of North Pole fame. Have a professional keepsake photo taken with your family for just $3. While you’re here get a jump on your holiday shopping at The Brass Ring Gift Shop that’s brimming with treasures for everyone on your list. And take magical holiday photos amidst the twinkling lights and holiday decorations as you ride Noel and the other Carousel figures. This is the merriest place to be in Southwestern Michigan!