Discover how relaxing this joyful season can be

Our approach to the holidays in the Bays de Noc area may seem old-fashioned, but it is calm and bright. While you’re here, you can focus on just being together. Or, take that much needed time for yourself.

Here, you can experience the simple joys of oohing-and-ahhing as we light the community Christmas trees. Admire the care that our artisans put into each of their handmade gifts. Feel the warmth in your heart as Santa listens attentively to every hopeful child’s wishes. Laugh with your friends over a glass of wine or beer after a day of no-stress shopping. Drive around to see the decorations. Then, wrap up in a warm blanket to watch the sky turn vibrant colors as the sun sets beyond the Bay.

In the Bays de Noc area, we do love being home for the holidays. We hope you can be with us, too.

Find gifts without the stress

• TV6 Thanksgiving Craft Fair: Nov. 29 & 30, Ruth Butler Building U.P. State Fairgrounds, Escanaba; 10:00 am-5:00 pm. $2 for adults/FREE for children 12 years and younger. This fair offers one of the U.P.’s premier selections of handcrafted gifts, jewelry, food and decorations.

• Small Business Saturday: Nov. 30. Support our local shop owners, art galleries, restaurants, wineries and breweries in communities throughout the Bays de Noc area. Unlike online shopping, you can see, feel and taste the gifts before you choose them for your loved ones. And the decorations, special sales and personal attention from the shop owners keep your spirits bright!

• Art for the Holidays: Dec. 7, Village Artisans 9th Annual Silent Auction, 6367 State Street in Garden; 2:45-5:30 pm (bidding 3:00-4:30 pm). Bid on beautiful art and locally handcrafted items while sipping wine and listening to festive music entertainment.

• Winter Festival Crafters & Vendors Show: Dec. 14, Delta Plaza Mall, Escanaba; 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Finish all of your holiday shopping with this one stop. Santa will be here from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm to finalize his list.

Make lifelong memories of being together

• Color Your Can Off: Nov. 22, Upper Hand Brewery, 3525 Airport Rd. Escanaba, 3-10 p.m. Must be 21 years or older to attend. Bring as much as you CAN (canned or dried goods donation) and this local brewery will give it to the Salvation Army to distribute to local families in need. While you are here, enter the coloring contest. Upper Hand will display the winning coloring page in the taproom for a year. Help COLOR Escanaba with LOVE!  

• Old Fashioned Christmas: Nov. 29, Gladstone; 5:30-8:00 pm. Experience the joy of lighting the town’s Christmas tree to a backdrop of holiday music and caroling. There will be horse-drawn hay wagon rides, warming fires and s’mores, crafts and games, and a chance to read with Mrs. Claus and talk to Santa.

• FrUiTCaKeS: Nov. 29, 30 & Dec. 5, 6 & 7 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 1 at 2 pm., Wm. Bonifas Fine Arts Center, 700 First Ave. S., Escanaba, $15. Mix together a batch of fruitcakes, three dozen Christmas trees, 10,000 outdoor Christmas lights, a chickenpox epidemic, two southern spinsters, an estranged old man, a lost cat named Tutti Frutti and a Christmas hog named Buster. That’s this play’s recipe for a heaping helping of holiday warmth and Christmas cheer. Buy tickets now.

• Joy to All the World Christmas Concert: Dec. 1, Bethany Lutheran Church, 202 S 11th St., Escanaba, 1:30 p.m. Listen to the songs of the season performed by the community singers in the Bay de Noc Choral Society.   

• Christmas in the Village: Dec. 6 & 7, The U.P. Steam and Gas Engine Association’s Antique Village, U.P. State Fairgrounds, Escanaba; Friday, 12-7pm and Saturday, 10:00 am-7:00 pm. Admission is free, but please consider donating non-perishable food items or an unwrapped toy for local charities. This Yuletide celebration includes wagon rides through the festively decorated village, live music, complimentary roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate and goodies galore. Bring your wishes to tell Santa and find handcrafted items for everyone on your list in the quaint shops.

• Christmas Parade: Dec. 6, Escanaba, 7 p.m. This year’s Disney theme will delight all ages!

• The Grinch (movie): Dec. 10, Besse Theater, Bay College, 2001 N. Lincoln Rd., Escanaba, 7 p.m. Bring the family and neighbors to enjoy this classic Dr. Seuss story. It’s FREE (which is perfect for holiday budgets)!

• Cellar-bration: Dec. 13, Upper Hand Brewery, 3525 Airport Rd. Escanaba, 5-10 p.m.  Must be 21 years or older to join the festivities when Upper Hand taps its Fluffalo, Barrel-aged Old Ale, SISU and Christmas Stouts. Warm up with homemade stew from Stone’s Deli as you sit around the bonfire with friends and family, sipping craft beers and listening to your favorite Christmas tunes.

• Wizards of Winter: Dec. 13 & 14, Island Resort Casino, W. 399 US-2, Harris, 8 p.m., $33. This holiday musical extravaganza will delight your family with its uplifting symphonic performances and storytelling. Magical! Buy tickets now.

• Christmas Open House: Dec. 26 & 27, Delta County Historical Museum and Sand Point Lighthouse, Ludington Park, 16 Water Plant Rd., Escanaba, 1-4 p.m. Holiday decorations, homemade cookies and cider keep the spirit of the season alive. The museum and lighthouse will be open. It’s a great place for visitors and locals to mingle.

• Mark your 2020 calendar for snowmobiling fun! Jan. 24 & 25, 14th Annual Relic Riders’ Vintage and Antique Snowmobile Ride, Show & Swap in Rapid River. Watch for details in January.

Let your creativity shine

• Gingerbread House Making Workshop: Dec. 7, Wm. Bonifas Fine Arts Center, 700 First Ave. S., Escanaba. For $12 you’ll get all the supplies you need to create your unique edible house. All ages are welcome (children 10 years and under must bring an adult). Pre-register today at 906-786-3833. This class fills quickly!

• Homemade Food for the Holidays: Dec. 10, Public Library, 400 Ludington St., Escanaba, 6:30 p.m. Learn how to make flavored vinegars for gift giving. Recipes, sampling and comradery make this a nice respite from the holiday rush.

Bring home the freshest tree. It’s a great family tradition!

• Hiawatha National Forest. For the price of a $5 “tree tag,” you can cut your own holiday tree in the Hiawatha National Forest. Stop at the Rapid River Ranger District Office, 8191 U.S. Highway 2, to get your “tree tag” permit, tree cutting guidelines, information regarding cutting areas, and suggestions for flame-proofing your tree. For more information, contact the US Forest Service at Rapid River, 906-474-6442.

• Teal’s Tree Farm, 4260 D Road in Bark River is open seven days a week starting Friday after Thanksgiving, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is a charming place to find your perfect tree, wreaths and greenery. Tractor-drawn wagon rides are offered on weekends and a seasonal gift shop add to the family fun.

Happy Holidays to you and your family from all of us in the Bays de Noc area.