Photo by Todd & Brad Reed Photography

December 2023 Events Calendar

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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, 2023

November 24th-December 10th, 2023

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 21st 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.

November 30th-December 1st, 2023

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

Saturday, December 2nd, 2023
10am-12:30pm

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

Wednesday, December 6th, 2023
6-9pm

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. Many items will also be available to bid on online beginning on Thursday, November 23rd, 2023 at 8am. Purchase tickets or bid online at one.bidpal.net. The event will be held at the Stearns Hotel Ballroom- 212 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington. Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club’s STRIVE Program and college scholarships. 

December 8-14, 2023

Saturday, December 9th, 2023
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.

Saturday, December 9th, 2023
6-8pm

Lantern Lit Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing, or Hiking
The walk begins at the Ludington State Park Warming Shelter (8800 M-116, Ludington) and has approximately 1 mile of lighted trails. There are bonfires at both the Warming Shelter and the Amphitheater, along with free warm beverages at the Amphitheater. No registration is required.

November 24th-December 10th, 2023

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 21st 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.

Saturday, December 10th, 2023
1-4pm

Cartier Mansion Holiday Tour
Carson the Butler will welcome visitors and send them home with his favorite homemade doggie treats. Tours will be given of both Cartier Mansion (409 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington) and The Ludington House Bed and Breakfast. Tickets are $15 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 10th, 2023
2pm

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

Tuesday, December 12th, 2023
6-7pm

Art Talk: The Period Between the Wars with Dr. Dan Connolly PhD
Cost is $5 per person and pre-registration is available at ludingtonartcenter.org.

December 15-21, 2023

Saturday, December 16th, 2023
9:30am-3pm

Christmas Party at Sandcastles Children’s Museum
Mr. and Mrs. Claus will make a special stop from 11:30am-1:30pm. Live music with the String-Alongs will be from 11am-12pm. John Marek and his Balloon Creations from 12-1pm and Deb Borema at the Creation Station will demonstrate and help you make Funny Sweater Ornaments from 1-3pm. There will also be cookie decorating downstairs. Admission is $9/person unless already members of the  museum. Visit sandcastleschildrensmuseum.com for more information.

Sunday, December 17th, 2023
1pm AND 3pm

Performances of Max’s Merry Everything
This children’s holiday play was written by Debbie Nellis and Rick Plummer. Tickets are $10 each and the shows will be held at Sandcastles Children’s Museum- 129 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

December 22-31, 2023

Friday, December 22nd
10am-3pm

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

Sunday, December 31st, 2023
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.

Saturday, December 31st, 2023
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 2022. Stay tuned for information on dates for these events in 2023!

 

Deck the Halls: A Mason County Decorating Contest
Mason County residents may enter the Ludington & Scottville Chamber’s holiday decorating contest. Get in the Christmas spirit, deck your halls and enter for a chance to win cash prizes! Find rules, entry form, and digital map at ludington.org/deckthehalls.

Christmas in the Village
Explore Christmas traditions of the past and present with fun activities like letter writing to Santa, crafts, demonstrations, and more. Cost is $12 for Adults, $10 for Seniors, $8 for Children ages 3-13, and free for Children under age 3. Historic White Pine Village– 1687 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington.

Santa Visits the Brewery
Free and open to all ages. Ludington Bay Brewing Co.- 515 S. James St., Ludington.

Santa Social
Free event with photos with Santa, activities, hot cocoa, and cookies. Ludington Library– 217 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Christmas Card Making for Kids
Create three cards to give out to friends and family. Supplies provided. Ages 4-10. Cost is $10 per person. Please RSVP by December 14th by calling (231) 843-4808. Mason County Historical Society- 130 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet
Enjoy a magical experience at Sandcastles Children’s Museum as the story of the Nutcracker is told through live-action scenes and dance performed by Tye Chua Dance. Cost is $10 for non-members and $8 for members and can be purchased by calling (231) 233-9326. Refreshments will be served after the show. Sandcastles Children’s Museum– 129 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

New Year’s Eve @ The Port
Fun, family activities, live music with Third Coast Swing, and all businesses within will be open. The Port- 222 W. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Check back often for updates to this calendar of events!

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