Michigan State Winter Festivals: Celebrate Gingerbread, Dickens and More

Winter in Michigan is a mix of snow, sleet, ice, clouds and very little sun. If you are looking for something fun to do to get you out of the house, check out different festivals this winter around the state.

Christmas Open House - Petoskey, Michigan. Most people only visit Petoskey in the summertime and enjoy everything about the city, including the classic architecture in the downtown shopping area. If you are in the Petoskey area during the first two weeks in December, Downtown Petoskey has a Holiday Open House. The one night festival date changes from year to year but is always during the first two weeks in December.

Carolers dressed in Victorian era costumes travel the streets singing Christmas songs. Merchants offer great sales and deals for holiday shoppers. Other area music groups offer holiday entertainment as well. Vendors are in the streets selling warm food. The highlight of the evening is in Pennsylvania Park where Santa makes an appearance and the Christmas tree is lit. More information can be found at www.petoskey.com.

Dickens Festival - Holly, Michigan. This annual festival started in 1975 and is still going strong. This festival usually starts the weekend after Thanksgiving and continues every weekend until Christmas. Characters will be dressed up in costumes from 17th Century England. Not only will there be carolers, but you will run into chimney sweeps, scullery maids, street vendors, and, of course, the characters from Charles Dickens' A ChristmasCarol.

As for activities, if over 50 stores full of shopping fun will not be enough for you, then you will be entertained by the games, horse drawn carriage rides, and Santa. You can get more information at www.dickensfestivalholly.org.

Gingerbread Village Festivities - Caro, Michigan. If you are not interested in shopping, you can visit Caro, Michigan. This festival goes for over a week and is usually the first week in December. Activities include gingerbread house competitions for all ages, baking competitions, a fun run, and activities that vary from year to year. More information can be found at www.carochamber.org.

New Year's Fest - Kalamazoo, Michigan. The New Year's Fest in Kalamazoo offers families a great alternative to celebrate the coming new year. This festival is on December 31 in Downtown Kalamazoo.

This is a nonalcoholic event, which is why it is so great for families. There will be storytellers, magicians, puppeteers, musicians, and comedians. Past years have included acts not only from Michigan, but also from all over the world. The evening concludes with fireworks at midnight. More information can be found at www.newyearsfest.com.

Zehnder's Snowfest - Frankenmuth, Michigan. During the post-holiday lull, make your way over to Frankenmuth and enjoy four days of snow fun. This festival takes place during one of the last two weeks of January. The highlight of Zehnder's Snowfest is the ice carving competition. There will be competitions for all skill levels including kids, high school, college, international, and professional carvers. Warming tents are set up and will have food, beverage, and entertainment. Past entertainment included bands, dancing, magicians, and comedians. There always will be activities for the kids, which includes a petting zoo. A fireworks display will end the festival. More information can be found at www.zehnders.com.

Tip Up Town USA, Houghton Lake, Michigan. Another major Michigan winter festival is Tip Up Town USA. Usually during the one of the last two weekends in January, this festival includes a polar bear dip for ages 16 and up, ice fishing, frozen turkey and chicken bowling. The festival starts with a parade the Saturday morning of the festival.

There will be rides for the families. Two warming tents are set up every year. One of the tents is set up for families with clowns, jugglers, and other entertainment for children. The other tent is set up for ages 21 and up. The tent will have live music, food, beverages, and games. More information can be found at www.tip-up-townusa.

There will be many smaller events around the state of Michigan. If you are looking for something to do in your town this winter, check out your town's chamber of commerce website.