The holiday season is still in full swing here in Michigan’s Great Southwest! There’s a little something for everyone - from visits with Santa and daily giveaways to holiday-themed train rides, musicals and light displays. Make the most of this December!
SANTA SIGHTINGS
Santa’s House is moved from the North Pole each year to the corner of State & Pleasant Streets in downtown St. Joe! Santa will be available for wish list conversations and holiday photo ops weekends in December. Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture this magical visit! Sponsored by The Herald-Palladium. Visit stjoetoday.com/santa for a complete schedule.
INSIDER TIP: Don’t miss out on Letters to Santa and Storytime with
Mrs. Claus, all part of the Santa Series this December!
Caretel Inns St. Joseph hosts Pet Photos with Santa on Friday, December 13 from 3:00p-5:00p! Each animal will receive a complimentary goodie bag and be entered into a raffle to win a gift basket! Complimentary community event; photos will be emailed to attendees after the event.
The Citadel Dance & Music Center hosts their annual Citadel Spectacular on Friday, December 13 at 6:00p and Saturday, December 14 at 11:00a and 6:00p. Enjoy a visit with Santa on Friday from 5:00p-6:00p in a special pre-show event! Saturday attendees will enjoy a special visit with Santa in a special post-show event after their 11:00a show + an evening appearance from 5:00p-6:00p in a special pre-show event before their evening show!
Catch Santa at Sister Lakes Brewing Co. on Saturday, December 14 from 12:00p-4:00p! Stop by for a picture and a visit from Santa himself. Attendees will enjoy crafts provided by Hidden Acres and the Sister Lakes Fire Department.
Head to River Saint Joe Brewery for a Holiday Family Fun Day on Saturday, December 14 from 12:00p-4:00p! Attendees will enjoy crafts, games both indoors and art + a very special guest from the North Pole. This event is free to attend!
Plank’s Tavern, located in The Inn at Harbor Shores, hosts a Brunch with Santa on Sunday, December 15 from 9:00a-3:00p. Attendees will enjoy a festive brunch buffet in the Harborview Ballroom or an a la carte menu available at Plank’s. Santa will visit from 10:00a-1:00p - reservations recommended!
Celebrate the holidays with a Santa Brunch at Journeyman Distillery on Sunday, December 15 from 10:00a-2:00p! Attendees will enjoy a classic brunch, Santa photos and a cooking decorating table for kids. Reservations required!
Enjoy Breakfast with Santa at the Bistro on the Boulevard on Sunday, December 15 and Sunday, December 22 from 10:30a-1:00p! Reservations required. Call to reserve your spot today!
Get the chance to tell Santa what’s on your wish list during Cookies, Cocoa and Claus at Vineyard 2121 on Sunday, December 15 from 1:00p-3:00p! Hot cocoa and cookies are available for kids for just $2 per child. Adult hot cocoa, plus additional drinks and food is also available for purchase.
FESTIVE FAMILY FUN
The St. Joseph/Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library hosts three holiday events!
DECEMBER 11: Clay & Cookies: Teen Event from 6:00p-7:00p. Attendees will make clay ornaments and enjoy snacks!
DECEMBER 12: Indoor Snowland: Tween Event from 5:00p-6:00p. Attendees will enjoy an indoor winter wonderland with snowball fights, games, icy activities, hot chocolate and music!
DECEMBER 14: “A Christmas Carol” Community Read Aloud from 1:00p-4:30p. Attendees will enjoy a reading of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”. Interested in being on the readers? Sign up today!
The Silver Beach Carousel is decked out for the holiday season! Enjoy rides on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00p-5:00p in December until December 22 + special hours from 12:00p-8:00p on December 26, 27, 28 and from 12:00p-5:00p on December 29, 30.
‘Tis the season for Christmas Miniature Train Rides at Eden Springs Park! Join them on December 14, 15, 21 and 22 from 5:00p-8:00p. Tickets are $5, cash only; ages 3 and under are free.
Sarett Nature Center hosts a Winter Wonders Bazaar on Saturday, December 14 from 11:00a-3:00p! Celebrate the winter season with holiday photos at the selfie station in front of the big fireplace, hot chocolate, bake sale, holiday kids crafts and animal shows.
Join The GhostLight Theatre for two free watch events on Sunday, December 15! Attendees will enjoy a showing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at 1:00p with a special meet with Santa. Stick around for the Lions VS. Bills watch party at 4:25p!
Meet the Grinch at The Little Things Play Cafe on Saturday, December 21 at 4:30p and Sunday, December 22 at 1:30p. $25/child includes the Meet & Greet, photo ops and open play!
JOLLY EVENTS
SWMI businesses and restaurants host a Countdown to New Year, a daily giveaway event throughout December! Shoppers earn one entry per $25 purchase (one time or cumulative). Qualifying purchases must be made between November 22 and December 15.
INSIDER TIP: December 15 is the LAST DAY to turn in receipts!
Sister Lakes Brewing hosts a Christmas Carol Dinner on Tuesday, December 10 from 6:00p-9:00p. Attendees will enjoy a dramatic reading/storytelling of the Dickens classic, performed by Storyteller Greg Weiss paired with a traditional English dinner. Space is limited!
Sip & Shop with Urban Garage Market on Thursday, December 12 from 5:00p-7:00p! Shoppers will enjoy 40% off ornaments, 20% off UGM clothing (SIFT not included) + a Holiday Terrarium Bar from 5:00p-6:30p (20% off all sizes).
Don’t miss the last two weekends of Twin City Players latest production It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (full-length version). See this beloved American holiday classic come to life on stage as a captivating 1940s radio broadcast. Showtimes include December 12, 13, 14, 19 and 20 at 7:30p and December 15 at 2:00p.
Head to the Acorn for their annual Acorn Holiday Open Mic Night featuring Daniel Cole Dailey on Friday, December 13 from 7:00p-10:00p! Celebrate the holiday season with some of your favorite Open Mic Night performers from throughout the past year.
Join the Benton Harbor Arts Association as they host the Winter Art Hop from 5:00p-8:00p on Friday, December 20. Participating locations will host live music, local artist booths, children’s activities, food vendors and more!
South Shore Health & Racquet Club hosts two great holiday mixers this month!
DECEMBER 14: Joyful Swings & Cheerful Drinks from 9:00a-11:00a! Attendees will enjoy 90 minutes of play followed by 30 minutes of Christmas-themed snacks and drinks! All skill levels are welcome.
DECEMBER 20: Cheers & Beers (Tennis Mixer) from 5:30p-7:30p! Attendees will enjoy 90 minutes of play then 30 minutes of Christmas-themed snacks and one free beer! All skill levels are welcome.
The Box Factory for the Arts hosts Jeremy T. Butler and Friends “A Candlelight Christmas” on Saturday, December 21 from 7:00p-9:00p! The concert will feature original music and Christmas standards.
SEASONAL CRAFTS
Join JLN Studio for three holiday-themed classes this month!
DECEMBER 12: Grinch Painting class at Chill Hill Winery from 6:00p-7:45p! No experience necessary; all painting supplies and instructions are included.
DECEMBER 15: December Abstract Workshop from 3:00p-6:00p! Learn how to create a 16x20 or 30x40 abstract painting. No experience necessary!
DECEMBER 20: Family Snowman Painting Class from 10:00a-11:30a! No experience necessary; all painting supplies and instructions are included. Recommended for ages 5+.
Head to Filkins Vineyards for a Wine Bottle or Nutcracker Painting Class on Saturday, December 14 from 11:30a-1:30p! No experience necessary!
O&Co. hosts DIY Holiday Drop-In hours on December 14, 15, 21, 22 from 11:30a-2:30p. Create your holiday decorations and gifts!
Lazy Ballerina Winery hosts two holiday-themed workshops this month!
DECEMBER 15: Make a one-of-a-kind Christmas-themed floating glass art piece that you can use to decorate year after year at the Holiday Pressed Floral Workshop from 12:00p-2:00p!
DECEMBER 22: Learn how to decorate winter-themed sugar cookies at their Pastel Christmas Cookie Class from 1:00p-3:00p!
MAGICAL LIGHT DISPLAYS
Light up the Bluff will transform Lake Bluff Park into a winter wonderland. The one million lights will remain on through Valentine’s Day in Michigan’s Most Romantic City. Attendees can enjoy the lights daily from 5:30a-8:30a and 5:30p-midnight!
Fernwood Botanical Garden hosts LIGHTS for the winter season, through January 4. Stroll through the illuminated Fernwood garden and enjoy a professionally designed show featuring two light tunnels, fire pits, a winter craft station, nature-inspired light sculptures, festive music and more!
HOLIDAY CHEERS
The social district in downtown St. Joseph, known as the Downtown District, is your next winter destination. The Downtown District provides common areas downtown in which alcoholic beverages from participating establishments can be carried and consumed. Come join us!
Coach’s Bar & Grill hosts The 12 Beers of Christmas now through December 23! Enjoy 12 exclusive draft beers and a chance to win an awesome stocking full of goodies.
Throw on your favorite ugly sweater and head to Vineyard 2121 for their annual Ugly Sweater Party on Saturday, December 14 from 6:00p-9:00p. Prizes for the most original, ugliest and funniest ugly sweater! Attendees will also enjoy live music by Michael and Sophia McIntosh, fun games and a chance to win prizes!
Join Round Barn Winery for their Winter Mini Markets held weekly on Sundays from 12:00p-4:00p (through December 22). Six new vendors will be featured each week! For additional market fun, head to Tabor Hill Winery weekly on Sundays (through December 22) for their Winter Mini Markets from 11:00a-3:00p. Four new vendors will be featured each week!
Test your holiday knowledge at Silver Harbor Brewing’s Trivia Night: Holiday Movies on Thursday, December 19 at 7:00p! Doors open at 6:00p; Teams - no larger than 10 people per team; Free to play!
Throw on that ugly sweater and head over to Watermark Brewing’s Ugly Sweater Party on Friday, December 20 at 6:30p! This crossover event hosts live music in both the taproom and the Solarium. Wear your ugliest sweater to enter the Ugly Sweater Contest at 9:30p. $10 entry gets you into both venues and a keepsake glass! 21+ event.
A holiday favorite returns to The Livery on Friday, December 20 at 7:30p - Paul Mow’s 15th Annual Holiday Concert! Attendees will enjoy a holiday concert jam-packed with an all-star cast. Limited tickets are available!
