Photo by Todd & Brad Reed Photography

December 2024 Events Calendar

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Featured December Events

(Scroll down to see more events in December.)

Downtown Ludington hosts an annual lighted ball drop on New Year's Eve along with live music, beer tent, and fireworks.

In addition to the calendar below, check out our story on Holiday Arts & Crafts Shows and Bazaars!

December 1-7, 2024

November 27th, 29th, & 20th AND December 5th-8th, 12th-15th, 19th-22nd, & 26th-29th; 2024

Ludington Area Festival of Lights
Drive-thru lights display at the West Michigan Fairgrounds- 5302 US-10, Ludington. Cost is $10/vehicle and proceeds go to local non-profits. For more information, visit checkoutthelights.com.

November 29th-December 15th, 2024

Festival of Wreaths Auction
Wreaths created by local artists will be on display and up for silent auction in the lobby of the performance hall. Wreaths will be accepted until November 23rd and must be pre-registered by contacting the Ludington Area Center for the Arts at (231) 845-2787 or info@ludingtonartscenter.org. LACA- 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington.

December 1st-17th, 2024

Viewing & Voting period for the Ludington Area Jaycees Light Up the Night Outdoor Holiday Decorating Competition
Cash prizes in two different categories. Visit facebook.com for more information.

Wednesday, December 4th, 2024
6-8:30pm

Rotary Club of Ludington Holiday Auction
Tickets are $50 per person and include heavy hors d’oeurves, cash bar, and the opportunity to bid on dozens of items donated by local businesses. Items will also be available to bid on online from November 28th-December 4th. Purchase tickets or bid online at bidpal.net. The event will be held at the Lincoln Hills Golf Club- 1527 N. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington. Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club’s STRIVE Program and college scholarships. 

Saturday, December 7th, 2024
6pm

COVE Holiday Party
Holiday Party Fundraiser for Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts- 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington. For more info, visit facebook.com.

December 8-14, 2024

November 27th, 29th, & 20th AND December 5th-8th, 12th-15th, 19th-22nd, & 26th-29th; 2024

Ludington Area Festival of Lights
Drive-thru lights display at the West Michigan Fairgrounds- 5302 US-10, Ludington. Cost is $10/vehicle and proceeds go to local non-profits. For more information, visit checkoutthelights.com.

November 29th-December 15th, 2024

Festival of Wreaths Auction
Wreaths created by local artists will be on display and up for silent auction in the lobby of the performance hall. Wreaths will be accepted until November 23rd and must be pre-registered by contacting the Ludington Area Center for the Arts at (231) 845-2787 or info@ludingtonartscenter.org. LACA- 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington.

December 1st-17th, 2024

Viewing & Voting period for the Ludington Area Jaycees Light Up the Night Outdoor Holiday Decorating Competition
Cash prizes in two different categories. Visit facebook.com for more information.

Sunday, December 8th, 2024
1-4pm

Cartier Mansion/Ludington House Bed & Breakfast Holiday Tour
Carson the Butler will welcome visitors. Tours will be given of both Cartier Mansion (409 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington) and The Ludington House Bed and Breakfast. Tickets are $20 per person and may be purchased the day of the event at Cartier Mansion. All proceeds will benefit Mason County Mutts. For more information, visit facebook.com

Saturday, December 14th, 2024
1-4pm

Cookie Walk
Stroll the downtown Ludington district, sampling delicious cookies. Tickets are $20 per person and only 100 are available. Ticket price includes over two dozen cookies and a cookie box. For more information or tickets, visit downtownludington.org.

December 15-21, 2024

November 27th, 29th, & 20th AND December 5th-8th, 12th-15th, 19th-22nd, & 26th-29th; 2024

Ludington Area Festival of Lights
Drive-thru lights display at the West Michigan Fairgrounds- 5302 US-10, Ludington. Cost is $10/vehicle and proceeds go to local non-profits. For more information, visit checkoutthelights.com.

November 29th-December 15th, 2024

Festival of Wreaths Auction
Wreaths created by local artists will be on display and up for silent auction in the lobby of the performance hall. Wreaths will be accepted until November 23rd and must be pre-registered by contacting the Ludington Area Center for the Arts at (231) 845-2787 or info@ludingtonartscenter.org. LACA- 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington.

December 1st-17th, 2024

Viewing & Voting period for the Ludington Area Jaycees Light Up the Night Outdoor Holiday Decorating Competition
Cash prizes in two different categories. Visit facebook.com for more information.

Sunday, December 15th, 2024
12-4pm

Christmas Party
This FREE event is sponsored by FloraCraft & Sandcastles Children’s Museum. It includes a FloraCraft Christmas craft project, a visit by Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause from 1-3pm, Cookie Decorating from 12-1pm or while supplies last, live music by Eric Englade, a free bike raffle, and free access to the museum exhibits. Visit facebook.com for more information.

December 22-31, 2024

November 27th, 29th, & 20th AND December 5th-8th, 12th-15th, 19th-22nd, & 26th-29th; 2024

Ludington Area Festival of Lights
Drive-thru lights display at the West Michigan Fairgrounds- 5302 US-10, Ludington. Cost is $10/vehicle and proceeds go to local non-profits. For more information, visit checkoutthelights.com.

Tuesday, December 31st, 2024
5-8pm

New Year’s Eve Balloon Drop
Fun activities and refreshments for the whole family with a balloon drop to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Tickets are $60/immediate family or $15/person and can be purchased by calling (231) 233-9326 or messaging them on facebook.com. Sandcastles Children’s Museum– 129 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Tuesday, December 31st, 2024
9pm

Ludington New Year’s Eve Ball Drop
Live music, beer tent, lighted ball drop at midnight with fireworks to follow. Legacy Plaza- 110 N. James St., Ludington.

The following events are from 2023. Stay tuned for information on dates for these events in 2024!

 

Decorating Time Frame for Festival of Trees
Local businesses are invited to decorate their sponsored tree which will be housed at Stix Biergarten (1963 N. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington) during the voting and for an event to be held on 12/10/23. To register for tree sponsorship, click here

Festive Fun Family Day
Kids can visit with Santa and enjoy a $2.99 meal. Ludington Meat Company- 3815 W. US-10, Ludington.

Visit with Santa
Hamlin Town Hall- 3775 N. Jebavy Dr., Ludington.

Home for the Holidays Concert
Free showcase of numerous locally known performers. Ludington Area Center for the Arts- 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington.

Holiday Skate to Benefit West Shore Wolves
Admission and skate rental are $10/person.  Also, bring a pre-decorated Gingerbread House to enter into the contest for a chance to win $100 cash. All entries will be auctioned off during the event.
Houses must be entirely edible and entries are due no later than 7pm that night. West Shore Community Ice Arena- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.

Cookies & Cocoa
Decorate cookies, watch a movie, and drink hot chocolate. $5 for 6 cookies. Eagles #1354- 108 S. Harrison St., Ludington.

Create Letters to Santa
Regular admission applies. Sandcastles Children’s Museum– 129 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Family New Year’s Eve Party
This free event includes snacks, a potluck, a chili cook-off, crafts, video games, board games, a dancing competition, a photo booth, and much more. The evening will be wrapped up with an exciting midnight ball drop (live-streamed from downtown Ludington) and a worship celebration. Radiant Church- 409 S. Washington Ave., Ludington.

Family New Year’s Eve Party
Free party includes games, crafts, and snacks. Ludington Library- 217 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

New Year’s Eve Party
Enjoy a hot beverage, make a candle, and enjoy live music featuring Third Coast Swing.  The Port- 222 W. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Check back often for updates to this calendar of events!

What's going on now in Ludington?

Discover more to do in Ludington!

Scroll below for more articles about the Ludington area activities and attractions.
 

Experience the Activities and Attractions of Ludington!

Marinas

Arrive in Ludington by boat and dock at one of three marinas: Ludington Municipal Marina, Harbor View Marina, & Pere Pointe Village Marina.

South Bayou Park

Enjoy this small, relaxing park as an easy place to place your boat in the water or throw a line out to catch some pan fish for dinner.

Ludington Has Two Lighthouses!

Ludington visitors flock to the area to view our two majestic lighthouses, the North Breakwater Light and Big Sable Point Lighthouse.

Waterfront Park Sculptures

The bronzed sculptures in Ludington’s 5-acre Waterfront Park sets it apart from other parks. The park is situated on the Lake Michigan inlet.

Bicycle Trails

Both beginners and experienced cyclists will enjoy the variety of trails available to explore in Ludington!