New Year's Eve Events in West Michigan: Parties, Fireworks, and Celebration
As the clock ticks closer to midnight, West Michigan comes alive with a variety of New Year’s Eve celebrations for all ages. Whether you’re looking for an all day family-friendly festival in South Haven or an intimate, elegant cocktail hour in Saugatuck, these lakeshore communities have something special waiting for you. New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to celebrate, reflect on the year that has gone by, and make new memories. And what better place to do all of this than in West Michigan, where the festivities are as diverse as the stunning lakeshore views. From lively events filled with music and fun for kids and adults alike to quiet moments spent watching the sunset, there’s no shortage of ways to ring in 2024 in style.
New Year's Eve Celebration
South Haven
South Haven’s New Year’s Eve Celebration will be the must-visit event of the night! With a beach ball drop at midnight, street dancing, fireworks, dancing robots, and food trucks it will be an unforgettable night for all ages! Festivities will be going on from noon until midnight. For more details on all the fun with schedules and more, check out the event page here.
New Year's Eve Ball Drop Party
Grand Haven
Get ready to celebrate the new year in Downtown Grand Haven with your friends and family! The local band, Dank Hill, will be back on stage again this year. Join in on the fun and sing along as they play hits from the 90s and 2000s. Don’t miss the countdown to midnight with a lighted ball drop and a fantastic fireworks display. You’ll stay warm with the designated social district and heated sidewalks.
New Year's Eve at Coral Gables
Saugatuck/Douglas
Coral Gable’s celebration of the New Year will be one for the books with DJs at four different bars from cowboy to karaoke. From 9pm to 1am you can party the night away until 2025 with a buffet, fireworks, and more. The cost is $55/person including a VIP wristband. For more information visit the website here.
New Years Celebration Party at The Cottage
Saugatuck/Douglas
The Cottage at Wicks Park is a newly opened cocktail bar and intimate event venue with upscale interior and outdoor seating, and they’re hosting a New Year’s Eve party! The venue is offering outdoor seating in their insulated igloos for the night for parties of two, offering charcuterie boards and prosseco. Prices depend on the reservation hour, so check here for more info.
Tulyp Hotel's Glowing New Years Eve Party
Holland
The Tulyp Hotel in Downtown Holland is throwing a New Year’s Eve party with games, champagne toasts, and more. Beginning at 8:00 pm and ending just after midnight at 12:30am, the party will include late night pizza, games, and a midnight champagne toast. Tickets are $20, including the price of the pizza, champagne and the bar stays open until 12:30 am. Tickets are on sale at Eventbrite and for further information, visit the event page here.
December Holiday Activities and Events in West Michigan
(Photo Credit: Joel Bissell)
The holiday season in West Michigan is bursting with festive activities and fun that we just couldn’t squeeze into one blog post! After showcasing November’s events in our first installment, we’re thrilled to bring you part two, shining a spotlight on all the exciting festivities happening in December.
From charming parades to cherished annual traditions, our Michigan Beachtowns are bustling with can’t-miss celebrations to make your December merry and bright. Get ready to fill your calendar with the most magical holiday events of the month!
Saugatuck/Douglas
Coffee & Cocoa Tour
Every Sunday in December | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Begin a new holiday tradition at the Felt Mansion’s Coffee and Cocoa Tour. With the estate beautifully decorated for Christmas, leisurely stroll the property with a cup of hot coffee or nostalgic hot cocoa while enjoying the festive season with family, friends, and loved ones. For more information on ticket prices and current events visit Felt Mansion’s website.
Winterfest
December 7th | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Winterfest is an annual FREE event that takes place at Felt Mansion. Children can experience the holiday festivities at the mansion, get their faces painted, meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus, ride in a horse-drawn carriage, and more. Plus, the first 500 children will get free goodie bags!
Wreath Making Class
December 7th | 10:00 am- 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Farmhouse Deli is hosting their annual wreath making class. Make a special holiday craft among friends and community with plenty of snacks, drinks, and holiday music. Make sure to book as soon as possible, as the event sells out quickly each year! To register and find more information, visit the event page on Saugatuck’s website.
Outdoor Holiday Market
December 7th | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Saugatuck Center of the Arts is kicking off the festive season with an outdoor holiday market! The market will feature many gifts and wares from home decor, crafts, and jewelry to artisan baked goods and produce from local vendors. The market will sure to be alight in holiday cheer from the holiday tunes on speakers overhead and holiday craft cocktails! Visit the SCA’s website for more details.
Saugatuck Christmas Parade
December 7th | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Saugatuck’s annual Christmas Parade starts off the holiday month on December 7th in the heart of downtown. Line up along the streets of downtown enjoying local community with your family and children. The parade will line up at Mason and Griffith Streets, and proceed to Butler Street.
Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl
December 7th | 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Drink for charity! Grab your ugliest sweater and explore the pub scene of Saugatuck with a bit of friendly competition. Race between five bars, complete tasks from festive elves, and return to Wicks Park to win prizes, including cash for the “Ugliest” Holiday outfit! The pub crawl begins at Wicks Park Bar & Grill 100% of the profits will go to families of Allegan County during the holiday season. For more information or questions check out the event page.
Holiday Cocktail Class
December 20th | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
New Holland Spirits in Saugatuck is continuing their holiday cocktail classes with the Making Spirits Bright: Holiday Cocktail Class. The class is the perfect way to learn new recipes and skills to bring to your upcoming holiday parties. Learn to shake, stir, and craft delicious cocktails for the holiday season. Sign up and buy your tickets here!
Holland
Holiday Kerstmarkt
November 23rd – December 21st | Fridays 11:00 am – 8:00 pm & Saturdays 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Kerstmarkt means “Christmas Market” in Dutch, connecting to Holland’s rich Dutch history and culture. Inspired by European Christmas markets, the city of Holland has created their very own in the past couple years. The market is just like the ones you’ll find spread across France and Germany with wooden booths, european foods, and a hot chocolate bar. Other noteworthy happenings include sled dog demonstrations, performances, hand-painted cards and more!
Parade of Lights
December 3rd | 6:30 pm
Santa Claus is set to make his appearance in Downtown Holland on December 3rd followed by floats, trucks, marching bands, and more. The parade of lights is a community tradition that brings thousands of sparkling lights to the streets of downtown. Grab a cup of hot chocolate and find a spot on the route with your family and children to watch as the procession goes by!
Magic at the Mill
December 6th – December 21st | Friday & Saturday Nights 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Magic at the Mill blends holiday magic with Holland’s Dutch culture. Join the festivities and watch as 1,000 LED tulips dance to the tune of holiday music. The event is family-friendly for all ages with special guests like Sinterklaas and carousel rides, as well as the gift shop and drink and snack bar. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 13. For more information and to get tickets visit the event’s webpage.
Holiday Open House
December 9th | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The Holland Museum is hosting its holiday open house! Get in the holiday spirit with family-friendly holiday activities. There will be family photo-ops, complimentary cookies and hot chocolate, music, crafts, and more! The event is free and no registration is necessary.
Home for the Holidays Concert
December 14th | 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Holland’s Symphony Orchestra is performing a holiday concert featuring season favorites like The Polar Express and Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty. Get in the holiday spirit with classic Christmas tunes and community gathering. Tickets are on sale for $29.00. To book tickets and for more information, visit the Holland Symphony Orchestra’s website.
South Haven
Mistletoe Market
November 23rd – December 15th
Both the downstairs and upstairs of the South Haven Center for the Arts is transformed into a holiday art and gift market for the holidays. This is the 38th year of Mistletoe Market! Buy unique handmade gifts made by local and Michigan based artists including jewelry, cards and stationary, photographs, paintings and more. Click here for more details.
Christmas in the Park
December 6th – December 23rd | 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Experience a magical light show for the holidays with friends and family at Christmas in the Park, South Haven’s only drive-through light show. Take in the holiday cheer as you wind down the decorative 1/2 mile stretch adorned with animated figures, holiday scenes, and over 60,000 lights! There will be photo opportunities with light displays, as well as an opportunity to get out of your car and visit Mrs. Claus’ Bake Shoppe and Santa’s Toy Shoppe with tasty holiday treats and the perfect gifts from matching pajama sets to homemade ornaments.
Holiday Cocktail Class
December 20th | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
New Holland Brewing is hosting more holiday cocktail classes at their South Haven tasting room. Their Making Spirits Bright: Holiday Cocktail Class is perfect for the experienced or those brand new to the art of cocktails. Try new recipes with different techniques, sample your own product, and get into the holiday spirit! You’ll also get to take the recipes you learn home with you, so you can make your favorite each year for the holidays. For more information and booking, click here.
Grand Haven
Christmas Arts & Craft Show
December 7th | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Check out Central Park Place in Downtown Grand Haven for the 51st Annual Christmas Arts & Craft Show. There will 40+ booths features of handcrafted items for all your holiday shopping needs. The admission fee is $1.00 donation at the door. Food will also be available!
Jingle Bell Parade
December 7th | 6:00 pm
Celebrate the season at Grand Haven’s annual Jingle Bell Parade. Enjoy over 80 themed floats, holiday music, and special appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Claus! The parade winds through downtown, ending at Central Park with a tree-lighting ceremony, caroling, and hot chocolate. Local businesses will add to the festive cheer by handing out candy to the crowd. For more details head to the event page.
Lights at Night
December 1st – December 14th | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Enjoy a hike at Pigeon Creek Park as the trails are decorated with festive lights every evening from dusk until 10:00 pm. This self-guided experience allows you to stroll at your own pace along an illuminated trail through the forest. On weekends, the Pigeon Creek Lodge will be open for concessions.
November Holiday Activities and Events in West Michigan
The holiday season is in full swing in West Michigan, with November bringing exciting events for all ages. From Thanksgiving dinners to tree lighting ceremonies, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. While December promises even more holiday fun, November kicks off the season with a variety of celebrations for families, children, and adults alike. Stay tuned for more events as the holiday season unfolds!
Saugatuck/Douglas
Friendsgiving Dinner at Virtue
November 23rd | 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The holiday festivities in Saugatuck begin with a friendsgiving dinner at Virtue Cider. It will be an intimate evening to enjoy with friends, eat a delicious chef’s meal of turkey and sides with a curated list of specialty ciders, listen to live music, and more with fellowship and community. Attendees must be 21+ and for more information and tickets, visit Saugatuck’s event page.
Annual Saugatuck Tree Lighting
November 29th | 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
On the evening after Thanksgiving, begin the holiday cheer with the annual tree lighting ceremony in Downtown Saugatuck. The local community gathers to listen to the carolers at the Wick’s Park Gazebo, drink hot chocolate and watch the ceremonial lighting of the Saugatuck Christmas tree.
Small Business Saturday
November 30th | 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Enjoy this special event to shop local and give back to the community. Small and local businesses in Saugatuck/Douglas and Fennville are hands-on this winter with a special day for holiday shopping, helping you complete your gift shopping list! Spend all day shopping from store to store, taking snack breaks at the various tasty restaurants and bakeries, and finish the day with the tree lighting ceremony in neighboring downtown Douglas.
Annual Douglas Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 30th | 6:00 pm
Downtown Douglas is hosting their annual tree lighting ceremony. Enjoy the holiday festivities with your loved one and families, partaking in this enchanting community experience with tree lighting, hot chocolate, and a special appearance from Santa Claus! Plus, there will be a prize drawing for the Douglas Shop and Dine Passport Program giving away “Downtown Douglas Dollars.”
Holiday Art Club Market
November 30th | 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
If your looking for a unique gift for yourself or friends and family, then stop by the Holiday Art Club Market. Local artists, photographers, sculptors, potters, and more will be showcasing their work from jewelry and textiles to paintings and handcrafted ornaments. It’s the perfect place to get into the holiday spirit! Click here for more information on the market.
Drive-Through Holiday Light Show
November 29th - December 29th
Crane’s Orchard is hosting their annual holiday light show. This year, the magical holiday light show event begins on Thanksgiving weekend and goes until the end of December. Drive through the lit-up wonderland and experience the orchard like never before! For more information on prices, times, and car sizes, visit their website.
Holland
Holiday Kerstmarkt
November 23rd - December 21st | Fridays 11:00 am- 8:00 pm & Saturdays 9:00 am - 6:00pm
Kerstmarkt means “Christmas Market” in Dutch, connecting to Holland’s rich Dutch history and culture. Inspired by European Christmas markets, the city of Holland has created their very own in the past couple years. The market is just like the ones you’ll find spread across France and Germany with wooden booths, european foods, and a hot chocolate bar. Other noteworthy happenings include sled dog demonstrations, performances, hand-painted cards and more! Visit the website for more information.
Holiday Open House
November 23rd | 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Come stroll the beautifully decorated and brightly lit streets of Downtown Holland while shopping for all of your holiday gifts. During the Holiday Open House, shops and restaurants will be welcoming customers with free gift wrapping, holiday refreshments, merchandise discounts, fun giveaways, and so much more during this popular event!
Small Business Saturday
November 30th | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Celebrate your favorite locally owned and small businesses in Downtown Holland on Small Business Saturday! Participating shops and restaurants will be offering fun promotions all day long. This will be a day packed full of giveaways, discounts, and lots of fun. Be sure to enter the annual selfie contest too.
South Haven
Holiday in the Park
November 29th | 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm
South Haven is kicking off the holiday season with Holiday in the Park, an event with plenty of festive activities, ice skating, food, lights and more! The event is perfect for families and children or adults looking to partake in the holiday fun. Starting the event will be ornament crafting and a scavenger hunt, followed by a delicious coffee and dessert food truck. Enjoy the splendor of the season with the tree lighting ceremony and free photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Mistletoe Market
November 23rd - December 15th
Both the downstairs and upstairs of the South Haven Center for the Arts is transformed into a holiday art and gift market for the holidays. This is the 38th year of Mistletoe Market! Buy unique handmade gifts made by local and Michigan based artists including jewelry, cards and stationary, photographs, paintings and more. Click here for more details.
Experience the magic of the holidays along the picturesque lakeshore of West Michigan. Immerse yourself in a wonderland of festive cheer as the local community comes alive with exciting holiday events. From enchanting light displays to charming Christmas markets, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. With lights, music, food and gift shopping, start your own holiday tradition at a Christmas market near you. Whether you’re a visitor or local, the markets are a unique experience in the area. Below are some of the local Christmas Markets in West Michigan.
Crane's Handmade Holiday Market
Crane’s is hosting their own holiday market Sunday, November 26 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. With cookie decorating , artisan shopping and restaurant specials this is perfect for the family to stay for lunch and have some holiday fun! At the Handmade Holiday Market there will be something for everyone on your list. From jewelry, fine woodworking, artisan jams, paintings, handmade soaps, ceramics and much more.
Douglas Winter Artists' Market
Get all your holiday shopping done at Douglas’ Winter Artist Market! This starts from Saturday, November 25 through Feburary 25th. The market will be open Thursday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. You will find all types of locally made artisan creations at Ox-Bow House. Head to their website for more information,.
Holland Kerstmarkt
Starting on Saturday, November 18 through December 16th is Holland’s annual Kerstmarkt. This event transforms the Downtown Holland’s outdoor space into a European Christmas market. The wooden booths reflect the stalls of old-world European markets selling holly bushes, pine wreaths, jewelry, pottery, wooden toys, boxes and spoons. The market also offers a flavorful and festive atmosphere with traditional food stands and artisan booths.
Mistletoe Market
Starting on Saturday, November 18 through December 15th is South Haven’s annual Mistletoe Market. Find unique and one-of-a-kind holiday gifts and works of art in the Mistletoe Market at South Haven Center for the Arts! Both the downstairs and upstairs of the center is transformed into a holiday art and gift market.
Saugatuck Outdoor Holiday Market
On Saturday, December 2 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, enjoy a perfect day of artisan craft cocktails, Michigan made gifts, and festive tunes under the lights at the Saugatuck Center For The Arts. Don’t miss out on a very Saugatuck Christmas Market! The outdoor plaza and pavilion will feature high end crafts, home decor, wearables, jewelry, paper goods, artisan baked goods and much more.
