BAY CITY, MI — From Bay City’s annual Christmas tree lighting to a performance by one of the largest Black-led performing arts organizations in the South, here are five fun things to do in mid-Michigan this Thanksgiving weekend, Friday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 26.
1. Bay City’s annual Christmas tree lighting
Bay City will kick off the holiday season with its annual Christmas tree lighting and a visit from Santa Friday evening.
The Christmas tree lighting ceremony is planned for 7 p.m. at downtown Bay City’s Wenonah Park, 103 Center Ave.
The night will feature a variety of events in and around the park, including a reading of “The Night Before Christmas,” the arrival of Santa Claus, hot cocoa and coffee in the Wenonah Park Pavilion concession stand from Excited Goat Coffee Co. and $5 carriage rides from Mid-Michigan Carriage Company.
Read more here.
2. Frankenmuth ChristKindlMarkt
Get into the holiday spirit with the annual Frankenmuth ChristKindlMarkt, returning Thanksgiving weekend and two more weekends in December.
The annual Christmas market hosted by the Frankenmuth Farmers Market, 534 N. Main St., takes place in Frankenmuth, sometimes called “Christmas Town, USA,” and is billed as mid-Michigan’s largest open-air holiday market.
The three-weekend event begins Friday, Nov. 24, Black Friday, and continues Saturday, Nov. 25, Sunday, Nov. 26, Friday, Dec. 1, Saturday, Dec. 2, Sunday, Dec. 3, Friday, Dec. 8, Saturday, Dec. 9, and Sunday, Dec. 10.
“This traditional Christmas market, modeled after those held in Frankenmuth’s sister region of Germany, brings a touch of magic to the city each year,” reads the Facebook event description. “It’s full of artisans selling handmade gifts and goods. You’re sure to find the perfect gift for your family, friends, or even yourself!”
For more information about the Frankenmuth ChristKindlMarkt, visit www.frankenmuthfarmersmarket.org. And for more information about planning your visit to Frankenmuth, go to www.frankenmuth.org.
3. Collage Dance Collective at Midland Center for the Arts
Collage Dance Collective, one of the largest Black-led performing arts organizations in the South and one of a few professional ballet companies in the world with a roster of BIPOC dancers, is performing at Midland Center for the Arts this weekend.
The show starts at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the arts center auditorium.
Tickets range from $16.50 to $30.50 and are on sale here.
Midland Center for the Arts is located at 1801 W. Saint Andrews Road.
For more information, visit www.midlandcenter.org.
4. Sundays in the City Movie: “Christmas Vacation”
Downtown Bay City’s State Theatre will host a screening of a holiday comedy classic this Sunday.
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989) starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo and Juliette Lewis begins at 2 p.m.
Admission is free, but food and cash donations to benefit Safe Harbor Kitchen are encouraged and will be collected at the door.
The theater is located at 913 Washington Ave.
Click here for more details.
5. The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine: Snow White
Also on Sunday, downtown Saginaw’s Temple Theatre will host “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” presented by the State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine.
The show, a timeless fairy tale, starts at 2 p.m.
Tickets range from $45 to $85 and are on sale here.
The theater is located at 201 N. Washington Ave.
For more information, visit templetheatre.com.
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