Dates

dec saturday TANNENBAUM BLITZEN: 17 6-8pm, Shanty Creek Resort, Bellaire. Enjoy the torchlight parade down the face of Schuss Mountain, sing along with Christmas carols around the tree, enjoy Christmas cookie decorating, & a visit from Santa. Stay for the fireworks over Schuss Mountain immediately following. shantycreek.com ----------------------

MARKET AT THE MUSEUM: 9am-1pm, Harbor Springs History Museum. This indoor Holiday Market is presented by the Harbor Springs Farmers Market & Harbor Springs Area Historical Society. Stock up on local foods, gifts & artisan goods. There will also be a booth for kids to create holiday crafts. ----------------------

“MAKING” MERRY - DIY WINTER HAT

ORNAMENT: 10am-4pm, Tinker Studio, TC. Enjoy a quick & easy project using low to nocost, up-cycled materials that you can easily recreate at home. Make a free ornament. Ages 8+ will be most successful. Free. Find on Facebook. ----------------------

FESTIVAL OF TRAINS: 10am-6pm, Creekside Community Church Hall, TC. Presented by the Northern Michigan Railroad Club. With nearly 6,000+ visitors each year, this is now one of the largest fundraisers for Traverse City charities. A swap meet will be held Dec. 17-18. nomirrc.wordpress.com/about/festivalof-trains/#:~:text=NMRRC%20Festival%20 of%20Trains%20–%20Christmas,of%20 the%20church%20and%20gymnasium. ----------------------

GIFTS TWICE GIVEN: Ward and Eis Gallery, Petoskey. Ward and Eis Gallery will donate 20% of all sales today to help provide lifesaving & life-changing services for adult & child survivors of abuse & assault provided through Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan. 231-347-2750. -------------------- --

KIDS’ SATURDAY CHRISTMAS MATI-

NEES: 10am, The State Theatre, TC. Featuring “The Polar Express.” $1. stateandbijou.org/homepage/kids-matinees -------------------- --

SHOP & SWEETS SATURDAY: 10am-4pm, Glen Arbor. Shop local for the holidays while enjoying festive treats, activities & specials available at participating businesses in Glen Arbor. Dressing in ugly sweaters encouraged! -------------------- --

SHOP IN YOUR PJ’S: Downtown Bellaire. Held all day. Featuring in-store specials, prizes for best jammies, drinks & food specials throughout Downtown. -------------------- --

FAMILY FUN WITH CRAFTS: Suttons Bay Bingham District Library. Drop by between

FREE CHRISTMAS CRAFTING EVENT FOR

KIDS: 11am-2pm, Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. Families can drop by with their children ages 5 & up to create holiday crafts with Santa’s elves & Mrs. Claus. oliverartcenterfrankfort.org ----------------------

CHRISTMAS AT THE RANCH: Noon-4pm, A Yak or 2 Ranch, Mancelona. Stop in the ranch shop for unique yak wool gifts, ranch apparel & locally raised yak meat. Wagon Sleigh rides take you out in the Yak pasture to feed, pet & photograph the Yaks. Have a free cup of cocoa. $0-$10/person. ayakor2ranch.com ----------------------

SANTA VISITS ELK RAPIDS: Noon-2pm, Downtown Elk Rapids. Enjoy some holiday cheer & get last-minute shopping done. Take pictures with Santa & enjoy hot chocolate. Free. facebook.com/events/1263053684556 726?ref=newsfeed ----------------------

BOOK SIGNING EVENT: 1-3pm, Horizon Books, TC. Anne Marie Oomen will sign her book “As Long As I Know You.” horizonbooks.com/event/book-signing-event-annemarie-oomen-long-i-know-you ----------------------

HOLIDAY CABARET: 2pm & 7pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. Presented by the Young Company. This yuletide take on the Broadway Showstoppers will feature songs from the season in a fun, dance-filled, musical revue. Adults, $16; youth under 18, $8 (plus fees). tickets.oldtownplayhouse.com/TheatreManager/1/login&event=414 ----------------------

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS DOUBLE FEA-

TURE: Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Featuring “Frozen” at 3pm & “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” at 8pm. Kidfriendly concessions will be available for purchase before both films in the Community Engagement Room. A full cash bar will open at 7:30pm for the 8pm showing of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” Wear your ugly sweater to the 8pm film to be entered to win a prize. $5/$8. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/ home-for-the-holidays-double-feature ----------------------

COMMUNITY WINTER BONFIRE: 4-7pm, The Back Lot, Petoskey. Benefits the Winter Sports Park All Seasons Pavilion. The event includes a real winter bonfire. $1 for every beer poured on tap will go to the Winter Sports Park fund. There will be winter games, food trucks, s’mores & a chance to win prizes. The Winter Sports Park will be giving away free vouchers for ice skate sharpening & Santa will be on hand for pictures. Free. friendsofthewintersportspark.com ----------------------

LIGHTING OF THE BRIDGES: 6pm, Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. The bridges of

december 17-25

send your dates to: events@traverseticker.com

Blissfest brings their Winter Solstice concert to Crooked Tree Arts Center’s Theater in Petoskey, Weds., Dec. 21 from 7:30-9:30pm. Featuring On the Lash, who performs their Irish traditional music; and Winter Song consisting of Nic Gareiss and Laurel Premo, combining traditional tunes and step dance from across the North Atlantic with seasonal songs, ballads and fiddle tunes. $25 Blissfest members; $30 GA. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ blissfest-presents-winter-solstice

the boardwalk will be lit up with colorful lights for one night only. Enjoy a quarter mile winter stroll around the newest section of the boardwalk & then warm up with a campfire & hot cocoa at the Grass River Center pavilion. There will also be holiday crafts & storytelling. This is a two-hour open house style event. Pre-register. $5/person. grassriver.org ----------------------

SANTA SKATE: 6-8pm, Petoskey Ice Arena. Complimentary cookies & hot cocoa. 231-487-1843. $10/person or $30/family; $6 skate rental. ----------------------

THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL - LIVE OUT-

SIDE NATIVITY: 6-8pm, Mount Hope Church, Gaylord. Live outside nativity, bon fire, horse drawn sleigh & more. ----------------------

HOLIDAY MAGIC AT THE BAY CONCERT & GRAND REOPENING: 7pm, The Bay Theatre, Suttons Bay. The Bay Community Theatre reopens after some big renovations, with a holiday musical ensemble hosted by David Chown & Miriam Pico. $25. thebaytheatre.com -------------------- --

“THE NUTCRACKER” PRESENTED BY NORTHWEST MICHIGAN BALLET THE-

ATER: 7:30-9:30pm, Northport Performing Arts Center, Northport. Directed by Tom Morrell, this rendition of a beloved Christmas classic will feature original choreography, beautiful set decoration, skillful ballet, & the music you know & love. $0-$20. simpletix. com/e/the-nutcracker-tickets-118151 ----------------------

COMEDY WITH RONI SHANELL: 7:30pm, Traverse City Comedy Club, TC. Hailing from the Motor City, Shanell has performed across the country at comedy clubs. She won Detroit’s Laugh Masters Competition in 2018 & was the winner of the 2020 Sway in the Morning Comedy Search. $20-$25. traversecitycomedyclub.com/roni-shanell ----------------------

HOLIDAY GALA AT THE GARDEN: 7:30pm, The Garden Theater, Frankfort. Featuring Emily West from “America’s Got Talent,” & performances from the Benzie community chorus & students from Interlochen Arts Academy. $25. gardentheater.org/upcoming-events ----------------------

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: LET IT SWING!: 7:30pm, Lars Hockstad Auditori-

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YEAR FOR REGULAR CLEANING

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EVERY 3 MONTHS.

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OVER 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE EACH

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um, TC. Maestro Rhodes will lead a fun-filled twist on the traditional holiday concert as the Traverse Symphony Jazz Orchestra plays their debut Holiday Concert. This year it’s all about having a fun & swingin’ holiday that will make nostalgia fans think of the TV specials from Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Andy Williams, & Manhattan Transfer, as well as some contemporary jazz takes on holiday favorites. Jazz Orchestra solo singers will join, along with the NMC Choirs. $25.50 - $61.50. traversesymphony.org/concert/home-forthe-holidays-let-it-swing ----------------------

SOUNDS OF THE SEASON: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Don your holiday apparel & join Interlochen Arts Academy for a program of festive, family friendly fun. Arrive early for carols in the lobby, & then take your seats as the Academy’s music, theatre, dance, & interdisciplinary arts students perform a fastpaced showcase of seasonal songs & stories featuring cameos by faculty members, a reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas, & appearances by beloved holiday characters including Santa, Frosty, & the Grinch. $29; $17 for children & students. interlochen.org/concerts-and-events/signatureseries?search=sounds

dec 18

sunday

FESTIVAL OF TRAINS:

(See Sat., Dec. 17, except today’s time is 1-4pm.) -------------

GREENS OF DECEMBER

HIKE: 1-3pm, Arcadia Dunes, Pete’s Woods, Arcadia. This rolling 1.5-mile loop hosts a variety of evergreen species that stand out amidst the grey background of early winter. Bring winter gear, water & a snack. Participants are encouraged to bring snowshoes. The terrain is steep in places, making this a moderately strenuous event. 231-929-7911. ----------------------

HOLIDAY CONCERT, PETER BERGIN:

1pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Welcome back local pianist/vocalist Peter Bergin as he shares his musical talents for the holiday season. Free. tadl.org/bergin ----------------------

PHOTOS WITH THE GRINCH: 2-4pm, Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts, Petoskey. The Grinch will be on hand to pose with kids, pets, friends — anyone who might be feeling a bit “Grinchy.” Bring your own cameras. ----------------------

SOUNDS OF THE SEASON: (See Sat., Dec. 17, except today’s time is 2pm.) ----------------------

HOLIDAY CONCERT, TLC BELLS CHOIR:

3pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Ring in the holiday season! Featuring a new choir director. Free. tadl.org/bells ----------------------

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: LET IT

SWING!: (See Sat., Dec. 17, except today’s time is 3pm.) ----------------------

JINGLE BELL RUN: 5pm, The Workshop Brewing Co., TC. Presented by the TC Track Club. This run tours TC neighborhood streets bordering downtown that are decked out in holiday lights & decorations. Join or watch runners of all ages & abilities donned in festive holiday costumes in this non-timed 5K. $20. runsignup.com/jinglebellrun ----------------------

“A QUEST FOR INNER PEACE”: A SOUL

STIRRING SOUND EXPERIENCE: 6pm, City Opera House, TC. An Immersion of Strings, Voice & Sacred Sounds. Please bring a mat, water, blanket, block(s) &/or bolster. $25. cityoperahouse.org/node/480 dec monday FESTIVAL OF TRAINS: 19 (See Sat., Dec. 17) -------------KID’S CRAFT LAB: SEEDY, BEADY CD: 1pm & 3:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Turn plain old CDs into something special to hang up for the holidays. Sign up when you reserve your attendance at the Museum. greatlakeskids.org ----------------------

HOLIDAY MOVIES AT THE BAY: 7pm, The Bay Theatre, Suttons Bay. Featuring “Christmas in Connecticut.” $5. thebaytheatre.com

dec 20

tuesday

FESTIVAL OF TRAINS:

(See Sat., Dec. 17) --------------

STORYTIME ADVEN-

TURES: 10:30am, 1pm & 3:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Featuring “The Very Hungry Reindeer” by Kate Yeh. Sign up when you reserve your attendance at the Museum. greatlakeskids.org ----------------------

“A CELTIC CHRISTMAS”: 7pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. Presented by The Founding. Hear original & classic Christmas tunes, & be ready to sing some of your favorites. The Founding is a progressive folk band from Kalamazoo. They have performed at theaters & festivals throughout the United States. $30; $25 Veterans; $10 students. theoperahouse.org/tickets ----------------------

HOLIDAY MOVIES AT THE BAY: 7pm, The Bay Theatre, Suttons Bay. Featuring “Little Women.” $5. thebaytheatre.com

dec wednesday 21 WINTER SOLSTICE SPIRAL WALK: Archangel Ancient Tree Archive, 16880 Front St., Copemish. This is an outside event so please dress accordingly. There will be a canopy set up, along with two bonfires. Gather at 4:30pm; sleigh rides with Santa at 5pm; Spiral Walk at 6pm. Hot tea, coffee, & food & snacks provided throughout the night. Christmas gift bags available for kids. facebook.com/events/s/winter-solstice-spiralwalk/1097157011002281/ ----------------------

FESTIVAL OF TRAINS: (See Sat., Dec. 17) ----------------------

WINTER SOLSTICE EXPERIENCE WORKSHOP WITH EDUCATOR SAMANTHA

TWOCROW: Noon-2pm & 2:30-4:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Children will engage in the Native American wintertime tradition of storytelling. Free with Museum admission. greatlakeskids.org ----------------------

CHILLIN’ AT THE CHAMBER: 4-6pm, Harbor Springs Area Chamber Office. Enjoy holiday cheer with beverages & a light snack provided by Comfort Keepers. ----------------------

HOLIDAY MOVIES AT THE BAY: 7pm, The Bay Theatre, Suttons Bay. Featuring “A Christmas Story.” $5. thebaytheatre.com ----------------------

SILENT WALK FOR NATIONAL HOME-

LESSNESS PERSONS MEMORIAL DAY: Ryan Hannon, Goodwill Northern Michigan’s Community Engagement officer, will lead a silent walk through downtown TC to remember neighbors who have died in 2022 in northern Michigan due to homelessness, & to reflect on what it means that so many people continue to live without the basic

BLISSFEST PRESENTS: WINTER SOLSTICE FEATURING ON THE LASH, WIN-

TER SONG: NIC GAREISS & LAUREL PREMO: 7:30-9:30pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. On the Lash creates Irish traditional music. Winter Song combines traditional tunes & step dance from across the North Atlantic with seasonal songs, ballads, & fiddle tunes. $25 Blissfest members; $30 GA. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/blissfestpresents-winter-solstice

dec thursday

NMCAA’S LAUNDRY PROJ-

22 ECT: Eastfield Laundromat, 8th St., TC. A free laundry service for low-income families in the greater Grand Traverse Area during the school year. 947-3780. ----------------------

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS CELEBRATIONS:

9:30-11:30am, noon-2pm, & 2:30-4:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. An interactive experience that celebrates holidays from across the globe. Celebrate familiar & new holiday traditions in the Great Lakes Room. This drop-in program will be available alongside normal gallery play for two days. Free with admission. greatlakeskids.org/ holiday-happenings-celebrations ----------------------

FESTIVAL OF TRAINS: (See Sat., Dec. 17) ----------------------

HOLIDAY MOVIES AT THE BAY: 7pm, The Bay Theatre, Suttons Bay. Featuring “Christmas Vacation.” $5. thebaytheatre.com ----------------------

JOHN LLOYD YOUNG: HEART OF

CHRISTMAS: 7:30pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Imitating Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Bing Crosby, & Nat King Cole, Tony & Grammy winner John Lloyd Young will share his direct renderings of traditional holiday favorites. $67, $62, $47, $42, $37. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/ john-lloyd-young-heart-of-christmas

dec 23

friday

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

CELEBRATIONS: (See Thurs., Dec. 22) -------------

FESTIVAL OF TRAINS:

(See Sat., Dec. 17, except today’s times are 10am-4pm.) ----------------------

CHRISTMAS AT THE OLD ART BUILDING: A VARIETY SHOW SPECTACULAR: SOLD OUT: 6:30pm, Old Art Building, Leland. A retro-inspired performance, hosted by Andrew Dost, featuring musicians including Dost, Jack M. Senff, A.S. Lutes, a jazz combo, & choir accompanied by sketch comedy group Hot Metal Playground. Imagine Lawrence Welk, Dolly Parton, & the Muppets collaborating to put on a festive show. All ages welcome. To be added to the waiting list, call 231-256-2131. $40/person. oldartbuilding.com/events/christmas-at-theold-art-building-a-variety-show-spectacular ----------------------

HOLIDAY MOVIES AT THE BAY: 7pm, The Bay Theatre, Suttons Bay. Featuring “Elf.” $5. thebaytheatre.com

dec 24

saturday

FESTIVAL OF TRAINS:

(See Fri., Dec. 23) -------------

SKIING WITH SANTA: Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. Give Santa a friendly wave before his trip around the world. Santa will hit the slopes beginning at 10am. crystalmountain.com/event/santa-ski ----------------------

HOLIDAY MOVIES AT THE BAY: 7pm, The Bay Theatre, Suttons Bay. Featuring “Meet Me in St. Louis.” $5. thebaytheatre.com

dec 25

sunday

FREE COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS DINNER:

1-3pm, East Jordan United Methodist Church. 231-5362161.

helping hands

HARVEST FOOD & SUPPLY DRIVE: Held at Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan & Gold Mine Resale Shops, Petoskey. Help support survivors & their family members who utilize Safe Home Services. The Safe Home is operated 24/7 by Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan. It is a caring, secure & supportive place to seek refuge from domestic abuse & sexual assault when home is not a safe place to live. Grocery or supermarket gift card donations & financial contributions help Safe Home staff purchase exactly what is needed at any given time. Nonperishable donations are also accepted. wrcnm.org/ get-involved/safe-home-needs

ongoing

SANTA LETTERS DROP LOCATION: Children wanting to send their letters to the North Pole should bring them to Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts, Petoskey. In front of the store from now through Thurs., Dec. 22, will be a big, red mailbox, ready to receive holiday hopes. Not only will these Christmas wishes be read by Santa (or his elves), but if the letter-writer includes a return address, the store guarantees Santa will write them back. ----------------------

BELLAIRE WINTER FARMERS MARKET:

Fridays, 9am-noon. Held at 3 locations: Bee Well Mead & Cider, Short’s Brewing Co., & Terrain, Bellaire. ----------------------

BOYNE CITY MARKET AT THE PAVILION:

Saturdays, 9am-12:30pm, Veterans Park Pavilion, Boyne City. Shop local produce, baked goods, artisan foods & crafts. ----------------------

THE VILLAGE INDOOR FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 10am-2pm, The Village at GT Commons, Mercato, TC. Fresh produce, eggs, pastries, honey, jams & more. thevillagetc.com

art

“GIFT OF A LIFETIME” EXHIBIT: Twisted Fish Gallery, Elk Rapids. Featuring Joani Braun’s lifetime of art. In recent years, Joani was mostly known for her watercolor paintings of subjects ranging from landscapes to homes, portraits & animals. She also worked in other mediums, such as wood carving, oil paint, pen & ink, collage, art therapy & more. Exhibit runs through Dec. 31. Open 10am5pm, Tues. - Sat. twistedfishgallery.com ----------------------

JUST GREAT ART!: City Opera House, TC. Runs from 10am-5pm during the week & evening events, from Dec. 1 - Jan 31. The group of 12 artists paint using oil, watercolor, pastel or acrylic to create their pieces. They love to depict their northwest Michigan area

3RD ANNUAL ART TREE SHOW: Higher Art Gallery, TC. More than 15 local & national artists. Small works of art displayed on the Art Tree. Runs through Dec. 24. higherartgallery.com ----------------------

JRAC GIFT MARKET: Jordan River Arts Council, East Jordan, through Dec. 17. Featuring gifts for giving by local artists, including paintings, collages, jewelry, scarves, baskets, cards & Christmas decorations. jordanriverarts.com ----------------------

CHARLEVOIX CIRCLE HOLIDAY MARKET:

Charlevoix Circle of Arts, through Dec. 30. Closed Sundays. A festive, handmade, shopping experience featuring more than 40 local artists & makers. charlevoixcircle.org/exhibits-2022 ----------------------

SHIPWRECKS OF THE MANITOU PASSAGE EXHIBIT: Runs through Dec. 30 at Leelanau Historical Society Museum, Leland. This exhibit illustrates the stories of the ships, steamers & crews lost in the Manitou Passage, the waters that surround the Leelanau Peninsula & its islands. leelanauhistory.org/exhibits ----------------------

CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY: - TOGETHER THROUGH ART: CROOKED TREE PAINTERS’ STUDIO EXHIBITION:

Runs through Dec. 22 in Atrium Gallery. The CT Painters’ Studio aims to encourage artistic expression in all media & at all levels. crookedtree.org/article/ctac-petoskey/artexhibitions - HOLIDAY BAZAAR: Held in Galleries through Dec. 20. Shop hundreds of unique

DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC:

- “JASON S. YI: DISSIMULATIONS”: Runs through Dec. 23. Jason S. Yi is an interdisciplinary artist working in photography, video, sculpture, drawing, & site-specific installations. Immigrating from South Korea to the United States at an early age, his work is conceived through a bi-cultural lens & interrogates the notion of perception’s equivalence to reality.

- INFINITE SPLENDOR, INFINITE LIGHT:

Runs through Dec. 23. Two years after graduating from DePauw University in 1953, Bruce Walker became a case officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. As a CIA officer, Walker participated in the Tibetan resistance project (code name ST CIRCUS) in its earliest stages, only six years after the Chinese People’s Liberation Army invaded Tibet & captured the capital city of Lhasa. In 2002, Walker donated his 66-piece collection of Tibetan thangkas, works on paper, & religious objects to DePauw University. dennosmuseum.org/art/now-on-view/index.html ----------------------

OLIVER ART CENTER, FRANKFORT:

- HOLIDAY ART MARKET: Runs now through Christmas. Shop a diverse collection of local artisan-made gifts, crafts & sweet treats. Open 10am - 4pm, Monday through Saturday. oliverartcenterfankfort.org - WINTER MEMBER ART EXHIBITION RECEPTION: Runs Dec. 9 - Jan. 13. Works of all kinds by local & regional artists will be on display in the galleries. This exhibition is sponsored by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. oliverartcenterfrankfort.org/events

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