December Events in Ludington –  Photo by Todd & Brad Reed Photography

December 2025 Events Calendar

Browse by Week

Featured December Events

(Scroll down to see more events in December.)

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

December 1-7, 2025

December 3rd-7th, 10th-14th, 17th-21st, & 23rd-30th
*Click link below for hours*

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.

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025
6:30-8:30pm

Rotary Club of Ludington Holiday Auction
Tickets are $50 per person and include appetizers, a buffet dinner, desserts, 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 21st-December 4th. For tickets or more info, click here. 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 6th, 2025
11am-1pm

Selfies with Santa Santa
Family Fare- 5539 W. US-10, Ludington.

Saturday, December 6th, 2025
12-3pm

Gift Wrapping Expo
Bring in your gifts to be wrapped while you wait, donations are appreciated and will benefit the Oriole Giving Tree. A portion of KRAVE Frozen Yogurt & Drink Shoppe sales will also be given to OGT along with sales of earrings, ornaments, cookbooks, Oriole bracelets, and antique eyeglass charms. There will also be a door prize drawing with entries given for every donation and KRAVE purchase. KRAVE- 103 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Saturday, December 6th, 2025
2-6pm

Snapshots with Santa
With Photos by JanelleMarie Photography at West Shore Family Support- 603 E. Tinkham Ave., Ludington. In exchange for a photo, please bring a donation of diapers or wipes to bless families in need. Space is limited and pre-registration is required by visiting signupgenius.com.

December 8-14, 2025

December 3rd-7th, 10th-14th, 17th-21st, & 23rd-30th
*Click link below for hours*

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.

Saturday, December 13th, 2025
1-5pm

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 bag. For more information or tickets, visit downtownludington.org.

Saturday, December 13th, 2025
2-3:30pm

Guided Winter Snowshoe Walk
The hike is approximately one and a half miles through woods and snow-covered sand dunes. Snowshoes are available for rent but supply is limited. Ludington State Park- 8800 M-116, Ludington.

Saturday, December 13th, 2025
6pm

COVE Holiday Fundraiser: Framed in Strength
Event includes a gallery of photography and stories that highlight the resilience of survivors and the dedication of advocates. Proceeds benefit Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters. Timeless Picture Framing- 103 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington. For tickets, visit eventbrite.com.

Saturday, December 13th, 2025
6-8pm

Lantern Lit Hike
The hike begins at the Warming Shelter and has approximately 1 mile of lighted trails for walking, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing. There are bonfires at both the Warming Shelter and the Amphitheater, along with free warm beverages at the Amphitheater. No registration is needed and lantern lit walks are free. Ludington State Park- 8800 M-116, Ludington.

Saturday, December 13th-Sunday, December 14th; 2025

Pup Photos with Santa
Holiday Photo Booth & Community Pet Drive on Saturday from 10am-7pm and Sunday from 10am-5pm at Wags to Wiskers- 4815 W. US-10, Ludington. Create adorable, festive holiday memories at the in-store photo booth. Donations of essential pet items to support local animal welfare partners is appreciated.

Sunday, December 14th, 2025
12-4pm

Christmas Party
This FREE event is sponsored by FloraCraft & Sandcastles Children’s Museum. It includes a Craft Project, Bike Raffle, Santa & Mrs. Claus (from 2-4pm), Cookie Decorating (while supplies last), Ella & Kaiden Plummer performing holiday music (from 12-1pm), Free “Pete the Cat Saves Christmas” book (while supplies last), and free access to the museum exhibits. Sandcastles Children’s Museum- 129 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Sunday, December 14th, 2025
2pm

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

December 15-21, 2025

December 3rd-7th, 10th-14th, 17th-21st, & 23rd-30th
*Click link below for hours*

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.

Saturday, December 20th, 2025
11am-1pm

Selfies with Santa Santa
Family Fare- 5539 W. US-10, Ludington.

Sunday, December 21st, 2025
3-5pm

Christmas Concert
Free Christmas Concert featuring Daniel Ball & the Friends at the United Methodist Church of Ludington- 5858 Bryant Rd., Ludington. A free will offering will be collected.

December 22-31, 2025

December 3rd-7th, 10th-14th, 17th-21st, & 23rd-30th
*Click link below for hours*

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.

Sunday, December 21st, 2025
4-8pm

Miss Ludington Area Scholarship Program
Women between the ages of 18-28 from Mason, Manistee, Oceana, and Lake counties compete and are judged based on-talent, evening wear, on-stage interview, and their social impact initiative pitch. The winner is qualified to enter the Miss Michigan Pageant, a precursor to the Miss America Pageant. Peterson Auditorium- 501 N. Washington Ave., Ludington.

Wednesday, December 31st, 2025
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. Sandcastles Children’s Museum– 129 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Wednesday, December 31st, 2025
8:30-11pm

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

Wednesday, December 31st, 2025
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 2024. Stay tuned for information on dates for these events in 2025!

 

Visit Santa
Visits and photos with Santa at Ludington Bay Brewing Company- 515 S. James St., Ludington.

Festive Fun Family Day
Kids can visit with Santa. Ludington Meat Company- 3815 W. US-10, Ludington.

Visit Santa
House of Flavors Restaurant- 402 W. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Visit Santa
Ludington Hobbies- 210 S. James St., Ludington.

Grinch Day
Visit with the Grinch and get a photo with him at Krave- 103 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Visit with Santa
Ponderosa- 4687 US-10, Ludington.

Santa Arrives
Gifts, cookies, goody bags, and visits with Santa at Safe Harbor Credit Union- 5511 W. US-10, Ludington.

Christmas Cookies & Santa
Hosted by Britter’s Twisted Whisk and Megan Gunia of Five Star Real Estate, this holiday celebration includes cookie decorating and free pictures with Santa. The Pier- 222 W. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Visit Santa
Rosaleen Activewear/House & Harbor Mercantile- 102 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Check back often for updates to this calendar of events!

Current Events

Family Friendly Events

Ludington hosts many events and activities that are geared toward kids and families, that’s part of what makes the area so great!

Visit with Santa

Find all the places where the kids and pets can visit and have pictures taken with Santa (and sometimes Mrs. Claus) in Ludington.

Ludington Area Festival of Lights

The Ludington Area Festival of Lights is a dazzling drive-thru light display that runs from Thanksgiving until the last weekend of December.

Performances in West Michigan

Everyone enjoys a good play or concert, and Ludington blessed with talented actors and musicians that entertain us all year ’round.

Events Happening Soon

Ludington Area Festival of Lights

The Ludington Area Festival of Lights is a dazzling drive-thru light display that runs from Thanksgiving until the last weekend of December.

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

Experience the Activities and Attractions of Ludington!

Disc Golf Courses

Disc golf is a big deal here in the Ludington area, with up to 20,000 people per year visiting one of our six courses.

Long Skinny Park

Long Skinny Park is located on Lower Hamlin Lake between the South and Middle bayous. Perfect for fishing or taking in the view.

Big Sable Point Lighthouse

The black-and-white striped, 112 foot lighthouse at the Ludington State Park stands proudly on the shores of Lake Michigan.