Thanksgiving in West Michigan is more than a meal—it’s a celebration of local flavors, family traditions, and festive gatherings. From bountiful buffets to small-town light displays and charity runs, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season.
Places to Eat This Thanksgiving
Crane’s Pie Pantry - Fennville
- No Thanksgiving dinner is truly complete without a pie, so we had to include Crane’s Pie Pantry. They are the perfect place to order a dessert that will steal the show at your Thanksgiving table. With a variety of flavors – including classic apple, pumpkin, and cherry, there’s something to please every palate.
Bay Pointe Bar & Grille - Shelbyville
- Gather with loved ones for the annual Thanksgiving Brunch Buffet at Bay Pointe Bar & Grille. Enjoy a chef-prepared feast featuring carved turkey, seasonal sides, and decadent desserts. With lakeside charm and inviting ambiance, it’s a celebration made for creating lasting holiday memories.
Cornwell’s Turkeyville USA - Marshall
- Prepare for a memorable Thanksgiving feast with a fresh, locally raised turkey from Cornwell's Turkeyville Gift Shop! These birds are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to arrive early to secure the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table.
RedWater Buffets - West Michigan
- Celebrate Thanksgiving with an array of festive buffets. Local favorites like Lake Bluff Grille, RedRock Grille, Boatwerks, Cork Wine & Grille, and FireRock Grille feature roasted turkey, carved beef, seasonal sides, and desserts for a flavorful, no-stress holiday meal.
Black Star Farms - Suttons Bay
- Enjoy Thanksgiving at home without the hassle! Black Star Farms’ culinary team offers a gourmet takeout feast highlighting Michigan’s fall harvest. Savor locally sourced dishes and fine wine from the comfort of your own home in the heart of West Michigan wine country.
Shanty Creek Resort - Bellaire
- Escape to Northern Michigan for a hearty Thanksgiving buffet at The Lakeview Restaurant at Shanty Creek Resort. With panoramic views of Lake Bellaire, guests enjoy traditional favorites, decadent desserts, and cozy accommodations—the perfect start to a long weekend filled with relaxation and winter fun.
Petoskey Area Restaurants & Inns
- Feast on Thanksgiving classics at Petoskey’s most inviting dining destinations. Stafford’s The Perry Hotel & Bay View Inn, Pier Restaurant, and The Sagamore Room at the Inn at Bay Harbor all offer traditional buffets and special menus filled with local flavor and northern hospitality.
The Terrace Inn & 1911 Restaurant - Petoskey
- Treat yourself to a cozy, hassle-free Thanksgiving with The Terrace Inn’s two-night package. It includes a delicious holiday dinner for two and charming accommodations. Relax, unwind, and enjoy a stress-free holiday getaway surrounded by Northern Michigan’s serene beauty.
The Bay View Inn - Petoskey
- Spend Thanksgiving surrounded by lakeside charm at The Bay View Inn. Indulge in a festive buffet and enjoy breakfast vouchers each morning of your two-night stay. It’s a comforting holiday retreat where hospitality and seasonal flavors shine.
Hotel Walloon - Walloon Lake
- Experience a luxurious Thanksgiving retreat at Hotel Walloon. Enjoy the Annual Village Lighting Ceremony, a festive Thanksgiving dinner, and a $100 restaurant credit to dine at Walloon Lake Inn or Barrel Back Restaurant. A truly charming Northern Michigan holiday escape awaits.
Thanksgiving Events & Festivities
Silver Bells in the City - Lansing
- The Friday before Thanksgiving marks Lansing’s iconic Silver Bells in the City celebration. Experience an electric light parade, fireworks and drone show, and the official lighting of Michigan’s Christmas tree at the Capitol—a dazzling kickoff to the holiday season.
Saugatuck-Douglas Holiday Weekend
- Celebrate Thanksgiving in Saugatuck-Douglas with cozy rentals, gourmet takeout, and festive weekend events. Enjoy the Belvedere Inn’s Feast of Thanksgiving, shop local during Small Business Saturday, attend the tree lighting, and cruise through Crane’s Holiday Light Show for a magical start to the season.
Small Business Saturday & Aglow Parade - Ludington
- Spend Thanksgiving weekend in downtown Ludington supporting local businesses during Small Business Saturday. Browse boutiques and enjoy special deals, then stick around for the Aglow on the Avenue Parade, lighting up the night with festive floats, music, and holiday cheer.
Thanksgiving & Dutch Winterfest - Holland
- Thanksgiving in Holland begins with the 8K Turkey Trot and festive breakfast at Tripelroot. Afterward, enjoy buffets at Boatwerks or Red Rock Grille, shop the Kerstmarkt during the Holiday Open House, and return for Dutch Winterfest the following weekend.
Out Side In Turkey Trot - Grand Haven
- Join Grand Haven’s 13th Annual Out Side In Turkey Trot 5K, supporting the Heroes for Horses program for veterans with PTSD. Run, walk, or ride through downtown in this family-friendly event that blends fitness, fun, and giving back to the community.
Crystal Mountain - Thompsonville
- Kick off the holiday at Crystal Mountain with the Turkey Vulture Trot 5K supporting the North Sky Raptor Sanctuary. Then, enjoy a Thanksgiving buffet and the Holiday Trail Celebration featuring Santa, reindeer, music, lights, and family fun in a festive mountain setting.
Harbor Springs Tree Lighting
- Celebrate 110 years of holiday tradition in Harbor Springs during Thanksgiving weekend. Bundle up for the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, sing carols, sip cocoa, and visit Santa. Enjoy a free holiday movie at the Lyric Theatre for a full day of family festivities.
Holiday Lasers on the Ore Dock - Marquette County
- Marquette County shines with “Holiday Lasers on the Ore Dock”, a vibrant projection show along Lake Superior. Returning Thanksgiving weekend through December, this sensory-friendly experience brings color, light, and joy to one of Northern Michigan’s most scenic harbors.
