Tree Lighting Festivities | NorthportNutcrackers

ALL DAY

Northport Nutcrackers

When touring town be sure to check out all the life size hand painted nutcrackers throughout town.

9AM-12pm

Santa and Mrs. Claus Brunch Fundraiser (admission fees apply)

Held at Northport Public School, tickets for this special breakfast are available online. Enjoy a delicious all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet and get photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus as they visit table to table. All proceeds go to fund the Northport Tree Lighting Festivities. Tickets available to purchase here.

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9-1pm

Soak and Swim (admission fees apply)

Held at the Northport Highlands, go for a swim in their pool or soak in the relaxing hot tub to warm up from the winter wonderland outside. Locker rooms with showers available. Entrance on Wing Street is closer to the pool. ($10 adults, $7 children(3-17), or $20 for a family) Visit their web site for more information here.

10-3pm

Tour the Lighthouse (admission fees apply)

Held at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, enjoy the beauty and history of the iconic lighthouse and tour the restored keepers dwelling and climb the Lighthouse Tower for a magnificent view of Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay. ($8 adults & $3 children) Visit their web site for more information here.

10-4pm

Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair

Held at the Northport Arts Association & Willowbrook Mill, come out and support local artists and find unique one-of-a-kind Holiday gifts for your loved ones!

Visit their web site for more information here.

10-5pm

Gingerbread House Competition

Held at the Northport Creek Golf Clubhouse, come, view and vote on gingerbread creations from local bakeries and home bakers alike. Winners will be selected by public vote and announced at 6pm at the Tree Lighting and will receive a trophy and the glory of the best baker this holiday season. All voters will automatically be entered to win prizes from local businesses.

*please note that the Gingerbread Competition will also be on display every Saturday in December from 3-6pm

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10-5PM

Cookie and Gingerbread House Decorating

Held at the Northport Creek Golf Clubhouse, enjoy this free event where kids and adults alike can create their own edible masterpieces.

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10-12:30pm

Letters to Santa, Kids Holiday Crafts and Storytime

Held at the Leelanau Township Library, enjoy this free event where kids of all ages can write and mail letters to Santa and cozy up for a festive story or two. Visit their web site for more information here.

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10AM&12pm

Rudolph Project

Held at the Leelanau Township Office, enjoy this free event where a staff member from The Disability Network will share the story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer with a message of diversity and inclusivity. Visit their web site for more information here.

11-1pm

Festive Calligraphy

Held at the Northport Area Heritage Museum, this free event will have you creating stunning holiday calligraphy on greeting cards, gift tags, and more. All ages welcome!

12:30
-2:30pm

Holiday Wreath Making

Held at the Northport Pub & Grille, enjoy this free event where kids and adults alike can create their own holiday wreaths to take home.

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1-3pm

Soup Cook-Off

Held at The Northport Union, enjoy this free tasting where Northport and Omena restaurants show off their best soups for victory. Winners will be selected by public vote and announced at 6pm at the Tree Lighting and will receive a trophy and the glory of the best soup in Northport this holiday season. All voters will automatically be entered to win prizes from local businesses.

2-4pm

Kids Yoga

Held at Northport Fitness, join sessions every 20 minutes to burn off some of the sugar of the day and relax in the joy of the holiday season.

2:30
-4:30pm

Make Snow Globes

Held at the Northport Village Hall, enjoy this free event creating snow globe masterpieces to take home and continue the magic.

3-4:45pm

Holiday Movie Showing: Home Alone

Showing at the Northport Public School auditorium join us for a free showing of Home Alone. Popcorn and concessions will be available to purchase. All proceeds go to fund the Northport Tree Lighting Activities.

3-5pm

Meet Santa's Reindeer

Held at Around the Corner Food and Fun, enjoy this free event meeting one of Santa's reindeer, snapping some photos and enjoying festive treats. Visit their web site for more information here.

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3-5pm

Ornament Making

Held at Dolls 'n More, enjoy this free event where kids and adults alike can create their own special felt ornaments to take home.

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3:30-6pm

Hot Cocoa & Cookie Fundraiser

Swing by the Hot Cocoa and Cookie fundraiser by The Mitten fireplace, to keep warm on your wagon rides. All proceeds go to fund the Northport Tree Lighting Festivities.

3:30-
6:30pm

Horse-drawn Carriage Rides

Starting from the Northport Tree, enjoy a free horse-drawn wagon ride through town, led by Clydesdale horses.

*please note that Carriage Rides will also be available every Saturday in December from 3-6pm, leaving from the same location, with horse-drawn rides on December 10 & 17, and tractor-drawn rides on December 3 & 24.

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4pm

Santa Beard Competition

Held at Find North, bring your bushy beards together for a competition of the best with prizes and trophies for the winners. Categories are: Santa's Beard, Most Festive Beard, Longest Beard, Biggest Mustache.

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4-7pm

Soak and Swim (admission fees apply)

4:30-
5:15pm

Caroling through the Village

Held throughout town, join the Village Voices as they stroll through town, stopping to fill the air with music. To join just take a peek around town and join them! Visit their web site for more information here.

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