Presented by the Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.visitmuskegon.org
Festival of Trees
November 22 – December 3
The Muskegon Museum of Art’s 13th annual Festival of Trees community holiday celebration runs November 22 through December 3. The Festival will be open daily 10:00am to 5:00pm, noon to 5:00pm on Sundays, and closed on Thanksgiving. International Holiday traditions inspire this year’s festival theme. Professionally designed themed trees and décor will set a festive holiday mood and will be available for purchase through silent auction over the 11 days of the Festival. Raffles, music and holiday gift shopping will add to the fun. Special events include the popular Teddy Bear Breakfast, Senior Day, Family Day, Deck Your Halls holiday design workshop and performances of A Christmas Carol! Call 231-720-2580 to purchase tickets or for more information.
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
November 17 @ 7:00 pm – December 3 @ 7:00 pm
November 17 – December 3, come to the Beardsley Theater for “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” presented by Muskegon Civic Theatre!
Winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play, “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” is the story of Middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia who share a home in Bucks County, PA, where they bicker and complain about the circumstances of their lives. Suddenly, their movie-star sister, Masha, swoops in with her new boy toy, Spike. Old resentments flare up, eventually leading to threats to sell the house. Also on the scene are sassy maid Cassandra, who can predict the future, and a lovely young aspiring actress named Nina, whose prettiness somewhat worries the imperious Masha. For tickets or more information, call 231-727-8001.
Evening by Candlelight
November 27 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Monday, November 27 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm, you’re invited to the beautiful Muskegon Woman’s Club to start the Christmas season off by enjoying beautiful tablescapes, good food, fun, and great entertainment at “Evening by Candlelight!” Tickets are $15 per person. Tables of 8 are available. R.S.V.P by calling Nancy at 231-730-0887 or e-mail Nancy@HousesByNancy.com.
Charles Hackley Look-a-like Contest
November 28 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Think you look like Charles Hackley? Come to Hackley Public Library on November 28 from 6:00pm – 7:00pm and see how you stack up! Noshemberers (No-Shave November participants) will be judged by how closely they resemble Charles Hackley. They’ll have awards in a variety of categories. Come out to see the fun and vote for the People’s Choice! www.hackleylibrary.org
Planetarium Christmas Show: Mystery of the Christmas Star
Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:00 pm – 7:35 pm
November 2 – December 14, come to Carr-Fless Planetarium at Muskegon Community College for the Christmas show, “Mystery of the Christmas Star!” This modern look at the Christmas story is an annual favorite. As we look at significant astronomical events visible in the sky in the time of Jesus’ birth, we’ll see which of the “sky signs” was remarkable enough to have caused the Wise Men to travel over 600 miles through the desert from Babylon to Bethlehem, and investigate possible dates for the sighting of the “star” which lead them to Jesus. This is a 35-minute presentation. (No show on Thanksgiving Day, November 23). For more information, call (231) 777-0289.
Holiday Painting Class
November 29 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Wednesday, November 29 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm, come to First Presbyterian Church to paint a Christmas tree on canvas with teacher Robin Civis. $20 covers materials and instruction. For more information, call 231-759-1275.
“Boiling Point! Water, Politics and Power”
November 29 @ 7:30 pm – December 2 @ 7:30 pm
A living newspaper production, “Boiling Point! Water, Politics, and Power,” will be presented nightly at 7:30pm on the Overbrook Theater stage from November 29 through December 2. Tickets go on sale Monday, November 27 at the Overbrook Theater Box Office on the Muskegon Community College campus. Tickets are $10 for the public and $5 for MCC students, staff and faculty. To reserve tickets, call 231-777-0324.
America’s Tallest Singing Christmas Tree
November 30 @ 7:00 pm – December 2 @ 7:00 pm
2017 marks the 33rd anniversary of the Mona Shores Singing Christmas Tree which has been featured on both the Travel Channel and the Learning Channel! 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 accompaniment 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.
Open House Reception at The Red Lotus Gallery
December 1 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
You are invited to the Artists’ Open House Reception at the Muskegon Center for the Arts every first Friday night of the month from 6:00pm – 8:00pm, at the Red Lotus Fine Art Gallery located in downtown Muskegon in the Century Building’s basement. Every month there is a different display and art themed event. Come meet and talk with the artists and view their creations. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, find them on Facebook.
Muskegon Lumberjacks Home Game
December 1 @ 7:00 pm
The Muskegon Lumberjacks are proud and dedicated members of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the nation’s only Tier I junior hockey league and leading producer of NCAA players and National Hockey League draft picks in the United States, for five years running!
Catch a home game, Friday, December 1 at 7:15pm as the Jacks take on the Waterloo Black Hawks at the L.C. Walker Arena. Purchase tickets by calling 231-724-5225.
Holidays in the City
December 2
Come to Downtown Muskegon this winter to celebrate the holidays with us. “Holidays in the City” kicks off with Small Business Saturday on November 25 and continues on weekends through the Saturday before Christmas! Shop local to support our community’s businesses. The Muskegon Farmer’s Market, Western Market Chalets, Century Club Retail Center and multiple local retail outlets on Western Ave., in Midtown and along Pine St. will offer plenty of holiday shopping opportunities. A community Christmas tree lighting the evening of November 25 in Hackley Park and many other holiday activities are planned. For more information, find “Holidays in the City” on Facebook.
Santa at the Library
December 2 – December 14
Santa will be taking time out of his busy schedule to visit all nine branches of Muskegon Area District Library to meet boys and girls of all ages! Bring the whole family and start your holiday season with stories, crafts and, of course, Santa! Don’t forget your camera. You won’t want to miss this free photo opportunity.
Saturday, December 2
10:30am North Muskegon Branch: 231-744-6080
10:30am Holton Branch: 231-821-0268
1:00pm Egelston Branch: 231-788-6477
Tuesday, December 5
4:30pm Muskegon Heights Branch: 231-739-6075
Saturday, December 9
10:30am Ravenna Branch: 231-853-6975
2:00pm Norton Shores Branch: 231-780-8844
Monday, December 11
10:30am Muskegon Township Branch: 231-760-4329
6:00pm Montague Branch: 231-893-2675
Thursday, December 14
4:00pm Dalton Branch: 231-828-4188
The Muskegon Area District Library is a public library system with ten branch locations. It serves 105,000 residents of 20 municipalities, comprising most of Muskegon County. Serving the community six days a week, the Muskegon Area District Library offers programs, library services and life-long learning for county residents. For more information about events at any branch library please contact the branch library directly. For more information contact pr.info@madl.org, or 231 737-6248.
Holidays in Lakeside
December 2 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Get in the spirit of the season with “Holidays in Lakeside”, a family-friendly event featuring carolers, a community bake sale, a basket raffle, ice sculpting demos, visits with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, merchant specials and a free screening of the holiday movie “Elf,” starring Will Ferrell at the Harbor Cinema. It’s happening Saturday, December 2 from 10:00am – 5:00pm in the Lakeside District. For more information, visit www.lakesidedistrict.com.
Holiday Cookie Baking with Chef Char
December 2 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
The holidays are a time for baking and gift giving. Saturday, December 2 from 1:00pm – 3:00pm, come to Kitchen 242 inside the Muskegon Farmers’ Market to learn some of Chef Char’s favorite holiday cookie recipes. Make, bake and decorate your cookies in class to take home to enjoy eating or to give as gifts. Kids and adults are welcome. The cost is $30 per person.
White Lake Christmas Parade
December 2 @ 2:00 pm
On Saturday, December 2, over 80 participants will line up and follow the parade route from Whitehall to Montague along Business 31/Colby Street for the White Lake Christmas Parade! The American Legion and VFW will lead the event along with the proud Christmas Parade Title Sponsor, Miller & Shepherd Law, dressed in their finest holiday apparel. The parade begins at 2:00pm in the afternoon.
The 65th annual parade promises to be even more exciting with floats from area churches, civic organizations, businesses and area neighbors. Cartoon characters, clowns, parading fire trucks and animals of all shapes and sizes are just a few of the local favorites who will be handing out candy and goodies. Both Montague and Whitehall High School’s marching bands will be stepping out joined by area Brownie and Girl Scout Troops along with various Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. 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 Street. Children can visit Santa at his Montague house for regular hours on Fridays and Saturdays in December. For more information, visit www.whitelake.org.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Murder Mystery
December 2 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
October through May, Bygone Basics Cooking School and Amanda’s Bequest B & B offer a Murder Mystery Dinner on occasional Saturdays. Participants act out the roles with scripts and as much hilarity as they wish! “Murder at the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party” is the murder mystery Saturday, December 2. The mystery activities and dinner last from 5:00pm until around 8:00pm. Registered attendees will be assigned their roles in advance so they can arrive in character. You do not have to be a lodging guest at Amanda’s Bequest to participate, but why not! It will enhance the fun and remove night time driving.
Hurry, seating is limited! To register, click the “Book Now” link on the website, e-mail relax@amandasbequest.com or call 231-740-4065.
B&B Guest – $38
Non-Lodging – $48
Adult themed. No one under 18 years old please.
Murder at the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
The Snowflake Lodge is hosting the annual Ugly Christmas Sweater party again this year. The townspeople of Snow Falls are excited about the holiday celebration, as the lodge is where the who’s who of society will flock to show off their not-so fashionable holiday attire. Unfortunately, sparks have flown between some of the guests lately with rumors of blackmail, greed, and revenge!
West Michigan Lake Hawks Home Game
December 2 @ 5:00 pm
The West Michigan Lake Hawks strive to provide a professional level of sports entertainment and to enrich the lives of student athletes. Home games are played at Reeths-Puffer High School. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door, and season passes are $90 which saves you 25%. Ages 4 and under are free. Call 231-769-9617 for group ticket sales.
Catch their next home game Saturday, December 2 at 5:00pm as they take on the Libertyville Vipers!
The BIGGEST Little Holiday Party
December 2 @ 6:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Have a small staff or manager group? Are you tired of planning holiday parties? SE4SONS has the answer! They will do all the work for you! Simply reserve a table or a certain amount of seats and they’ll decorate, cook and schedule the DJ! Join them Saturday, December 2 from 6:00pm – 11:30pm with your staff or maybe just a group of friends! The cost is $30 per person and includes appetizers, buffet dinner, DJ and a cash bar. It’s going to be the most popular party in town! Reserve your space early as it is limited by calling 231-755-3737.
Muskegon Lumberjacks Home Game
December 2 @ 7:00 pm
The Muskegon Lumberjacks are proud and dedicated members of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the nation’s only Tier I junior hockey league and leading producer of NCAA players and National Hockey League draft picks in the United States, for five years running!
Catch a home game, Saturday, December 2 at 7:15pm as the Jacks take on the Bloomington Thunder at the L.C. Walker Arena. Purchase tickets by calling 231-724-5225.
Circle of Trees
December 3
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, e-mail mjeske@cityofnorthmuskegon.com or visit www.cityofnorthmuskegon.com.
Handel’s Messiah
December 3 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Join Robert Swan on December 3, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at the Whitehall United Methodist Church as he offers to you his insights and thoughts on “Handel’s Messiah,” one of the most beloved pieces of music ever! Come and hear (and sing along, if you like) the great music from the inspiring “Hallelujah Chorus” to the wonderfully intimate “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth”. Learn more about Handel, the background of the music, and gleanings borne of years of Bob’s personal experience and reflection.
Mr. Swan is retired from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra after 36 years of devoted inspiration and practice in the viola section. He has performed the Messiah close to 100 times in his career, playing it with some of the greatest conductors, singers, choruses, and instrumentalists in the world. He held the post of Professor of Viola at Northwestern University from 1972-1980.
There is no cost to attend and refreshments will be provided by Cichetti. For more information, please call Sondra Cross, director, at 232-329-3056.
West Michigan Lake Hawks Home Game
December 3 @ 5:00 pm
The West Michigan Lake Hawks strive to provide a professional level of sports entertainment and to enrich the lives of student athletes. Home games are played at Reeths-Puffer High School. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door, and season passes are $90 which saves you 25%. Ages 4 and under are free. Call 231-769-9617 for group ticket sales.
Catch their next home game Sunday, December 3 at 5:00pm as they take on the LaCrosse Showtime!