Presented by the Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Hands on a Hardbody
Through December 4
November 18 – December 4, Muskegon Civic Theatre invites you to the Beardsley Theater for “Hands on a Hardbody!” Inspired by true events, and infused with a “fresh roots-rock vibe,” this is the hilarious musical about a hard-fought contest in which only one winner can drive away with the American Dream. Ten contestants are determined to endure four sleepless days in the Texas heat for a chance to win a brand-new Nissan hardbody truck. All they have to do is fight to keep at least one hand on the truck and they will drive it away. Last one standing wins!
Tickets are $20 & $22. For more information, visit www.frauenthal.org.
Ornament Extravaganza
Through December 24 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Now through Christmas, you are invited to the Red Lotus Gallery/Muskegon Center for the Arts for their Ornament Extravaganza! Christmas ornaments have been created by local artists and will be available during the months of November and December. They make wonderful Christmas gifts. For more information, call 231-206-0426.
USS Silversides November Lecture Series
November 28 @ 6:00 pm
Monday evenings, November 14 – 21 at 6:00pm, you’re invited to the USS Silversides Submarine Museum’s November Lecture Series! The cost is $5, or free for museum members.
–November 28: WWII Through the Eyes of a Tank Commander presented by Clyde Rinsema
Retrace the steps of Clyde’s father Sgt. George Rinsema through the European Theater of the war from D-Day through the many battles and ending at the Elbe River in Germany in 1945. The presentation will include quotes from letters sent home, video and photographs from WWII as well as anecdotes and comments made by Germans 50 years after the war when George & Clyde revisited the combat route taken during his time in the war.
Mystery of the Christmas Star
Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 7:00 pm
Investigate the signs that led the Wise Men to travel to Bethlehem in “Mystery of the Christmas Star” at Muskegon Community College’s Carr-Fles Planetarium! No reservations are needed for this free, 35-minute program, which includes a brief lecture on the current sky conditions,as projected on the planetarium dome. Runs every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00pm November 1-December 1. The doors open at 6:45pm. There will be no show on Thanksgiving. Call (231) 777-0289 for more information.
Jilly’s Jewelry Workshop
November 30 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
November 30 from 6:00pm – 7:30pm, you’re invited to the Lakeshore Museum Center for Jilly’s Jewelry Workshop! Learn the steps to making your own piece of glass art jewelry from glass artist, Jilly Barnes. Design and put together your piece and then Jilly will fire it in her oven and return it to the museum for you to pick-up. Jilly is the owner of Jilly’s Gallery in Pentwater and the 2014 2nd Place Winner of 3D Category for public voting at Art Prize. The cost is $40 and is due prior to the workshop. Call 231-722-0278 to register.
“Once Upon a Time…Stories of the Season”
November 30 @ 7:30 pm – December 3 @ 9:00 pm
“Once Upon a Time…Stories of the Season” will be presented by Muskegon Community College’s Center for Theater with 7:30pm performances Wednesday- Saturday, November 30-December 3 in the Overbrook Theater. Tickets go on sale Monday, November 21 at the Overbrook Theater Box Office. Tickets are $10 for the public and $5 for MCC students, staff, and faculty. For more information or to reserve tickets, call (231) 777-0234.
Featured stories include:
• “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg;
• “The Origin of the Candy Cane” by Lori Walburg and adapted by Kendra Irvine;
• “Hanukkah v. Christmas” by Adrianne Lewis and adapted from Dr. Steve Sultanoff:
• “A Christmas Apart” by Leona Perigard; “The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen;
• “How Maui Snared the Sun,” a traditional story as told by Carolyn McVickar Edwards and adapted by Tom Harryman and ensemble;
• “Der Belznickel.” a traditional story as told by S.E. Schlosser and adapted by Sylvia DeBruyn; and
• “Angels in Cincinnati,” “Black Friday Blitz,” and “Mistletoe” written by MCC students Mark Lewis, Aaron Ponce, and Shayne Miller.
“Visit Muskegon” Logo Contest
December 1, 2016 – January 6, 2017
The Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau is rebranding as “Visit Muskegon.” We are looking for a new visual identity and need your help! We are seeking anyone who can design a creative, innovative, and professional logo design. See this link for details:
Open Public Tours at the Muskegon Museum of Art
Thursdays, December 1- February 16 @ 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Enjoy free docent-led guided tours at the Muskegon Museum of Art on Thursdays, December 1 – February 16 from 5:00-7:00pm! www.muskegonartmuseum.org
Mona Shores Singing Christmas Tree
December 1 @ 7:00 pm – December 3 @ 7:00 pm
This Muskegon area event has become a rich tradition for families near and far as a way of kicking off their holiday and getting into the spirit of the season. With their debuts on THE TRAVEL CHANNEL and THE LEARNING CHANNEL, as well as their 2013 Excellence in Education Award, sponsored by the Michigan Association of School Boards, their popularity has spread and large crowds are again expected at the Frauenthal Center December 1-3 at 7:00pm each night with a 3:00pm matinee Saturday as well.
With its 25,000 colored lights that coordinate to the beautiful singing, 15 tiers that reach 67 feet up into the majestic Frauenthal Center, over 280 singers, and accompanied by the 50 piece Mona Shores High School Orchestra, the Singing Christmas Tree must be seen to be believed. For more information, visit www.monashoressingingchristmastree.com.
First Friday Fan Fundraiser
December 2 @ 7:00 pm
Friday, December 2 at 7:00pm, come to the Book Nook & Java Shop for the First Friday Fan Fundraiser! The first Friday of the month, they feature a celebrity bartender and encourage their fans to show up and raise money. Tips and 20% of all proceeds will benefit the charity of their choice. This month’s celebrity bartenders are Rich Houtteman & Bob Carter. Proceeds will support United Way of the Lakeshore, specifially the education programs in White Lake, including Lights On After School and The Dolly Parton Imagination Library. There’ll be live music by Sherri Casey and the dinner special will be beef stew for only $6.50. For more information call 231-894-5333.
Holidays in Lakeside
December 3 @ 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Get in the spirit of the season with “Holidays in Lakeside”, a fun family event featuring visits with Santa, sleigh rides, a gift basket raffle, ice sculpting demonstrations, merchant sales & specials and a free movie at the Harbor Cinema. It’s happening December 3 from 11:00am-5:00pm in the Lakeside District, with the lighting of the Pocket Park tree on Friday, December 2 at 6:30pm. For more information, visit www.lakesidedistrict.com.
–Santa Claus at Harbor Cinema 11:00am-2:00pm
–Community Bake Sale at Lakeside Center 11:00am-3:00pm
–Sleigh Rids 11:00am-2:00pm
–Holiday Movie “Home Alone” at Harbor Theater 3:00pm
64th Annual White Lake Christmas Parade
December 3 @ 12:00 am
Saturday December 3 over 80 participants will line up and follow the parade route from Whitehall to Montague along Business 31/Colby Street._ The American Legion and VFW will lead the event along with the proud Christmas Parade sponsor. The parade begins at two o’clock in the afternoon. Both Montague and Whitehall High School’s marching bands will be stepping out joined by area scout troops!_ As the Grand Finale Santa will make his entrance with a horse drawn carriage. He will be eager to see children of all ages following the parade at his house outside Montague City Hall located on Ferry St. For more information visit whitelake.org.
Beginning Baking for Kids: Christmas Cookies and Candies with Chef Char
December 3 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Saturday, December 3rd – Beginning Baking for Kids: Christmas Cookies and Candies with Chef Char 9:00 – 11:00 am. The holidays are a time for baking and gift giving. Learn some of Chef Char’s favorite holiday recipes, including impressive homemade cookies, fudge and chocolate candies. Make, bake and decorate your treats in class to take home or to give as gifts.
Go to www.eventbrite.com and search on Muskegon Farmers Market and all currently scheduled classes will pop up. Also subscribe to our Kitchen 242 Facebook Events Page to receive notification when new culinary events are added.
Holiday Tours of the Hackley and Hume Historic Site
December 3 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Visitors will have an opportunity to tour the homes of Muskegon’s most well-known lumber barons decorated to celebrate the holiday season! Holiday tours of the Hackley & Hume Historic Site will begin on Saturday, November 26, with special activities including horse drawn-wagon rides from the Site to Hackley Park for the city’s lighting of the Christmas tree. A tent will fill the courtyard between the two houses where visitors can listen to Christmas carolers, sip hot chocolate, and decorate cookies.
Tours begin in the Hackley house where a tree in the bay window of the Reception Hall greets visitors as they embark on their journey through the homes built in the late 1800s. The holidays are also being celebrated across the courtyard in the Hume family home. A tree decorated using a family photo as a guide is always popular with visitors. The tours are walk-through style with guides placed throughout the houses to answer questions.
The groups decorating the two houses this year include Delta Kappa Gamma, Women’s Division of the Chamber of Commerce, Muskegon’s Woman’s Club, Shoreline Victorian Ladies Society, Muskegon County Medical Society Alliance, Helen and Elizabeth Sherman, Minerva Dill Questers, Lakeshore Animal Hospital, Barb Lloyd and Jane Arndt, and the Interpretive Staff of the Historic Sites.
Tours will continue November 27 from 1:00 – 4:00pm, December 3 from Noon to 5:00pm, Monday, December 26 from 4:00 – 8:00pm and Tuesday, December 27 from 1:00 – 4:00pm. Tours are $7 for adults and teens, $5 for age 65 and older, and free for visitors 12 and younger. www.lakeshoremuseum.org
Humane Society Fundraiser
December 3 @ 4:00 pm
Saturday, December 3, Hitching Post Events is hosting a night of dinner, comedy, music and auctions where all the proceeds will benefit The Muskegon Humane Society! This will be perfect for your company Christmas party or a fun date night! Adoptable animals will be on site from 4:00pm-5:30pm, then it’s a Dinner buffet at 6:30pm and Comedians start at 8:00pm. There’ll also be live auctions and a cash bar. Tickets are available now and can be purchased at The Hitching post or The Muskegon Humane Society.
Single Tickets: $35
Reserve an entire table for your family or business (8 seats): $240
For ticket sales or general questions please contact:
The Muskegon Humane Society
2640 Marquette Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442
231-773-8689
Circle of Trees
December 4
The Circle of Trees is held on the first Sunday in December. Trees are decorated in Walker Park, the annual “Dog Parade” is held on Ruddiman Ave. and the tree lighting ceremony, refreshments and visits with Santa follow immediately after. If you wish to participate or for more information, contact City Clerk Marcia Jeske at 231-744-1621 or by e-mail mjeske@cityofnorthmuskegon.com.