News

Thanksgiving & Holiday Preview 2020

Looking for something special to do for Thanksgiving? Find family getaways, turkey dinners, and unique events to help celebrate and kick off the holiday season. 

Please note that the below information was accurate at the time of publication. You are encouraged to confirm with locations before visiting, and make sure to adhere to local safety guidelines.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Turkeyville Thanksgiving

Turkey is the star of the Thanksgiving feast and Cornwell’s Turkeyville in Marshall has fresh, never frozen turkeys available starting November 19th. Save time in the kitchen and order a complete classic turkey dinner to go. With menus to serve two to fifteen guests, there are many options for your Thanksgiving table

Don’t forget the pie!

What goes good with wine and hard cider for the holidays? Free pie! For the month of November for every $50 worth of wine or hard cider you purchase at Crane’s Pie Pantry in Fennville, get a free Crane’s fruit pie! Order your Thanksgiving pies online or by calling 269-561-2297. 

Thanksgiving Dinner at Bay Pointe Woods


This year, leave the cooking and cleaning to Bay Pointe Woods in Shelbyville! Enjoy your Thanksgiving favorites, handcrafted cocktails, and live music. Make your table reservation or get your Thanksgiving feast to-go by calling 269-672-8111.

Feast at Amway Grand & JW Marriot

The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck at Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids will be open noon to 7 and offer a special Thanksgiving Dinner meal option and the JW Marriot’s Margaux will be offering a family-style menu 11am-8pm.

Bring the decadent food the historic Amway Grand Plaza is known for right to your home this Thanksgiving. The full menu can be found here, and includes highlights like fresh (not frozen) free range turkey with fresh herbs, compound butter and spices, sweet potato casserole with pecan crumble topping, buttery mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts with dried cherries, and pumpkin and double crust apple pie to satisfy any sweet tooth. The meal feeds 8-10 people and is available at $275 + tax. Orders must be placed by Tuesday, November 17 at noon by emailing thanksgiving@ahchospitality.com.

Thanksgiving Buffet at Six Central West Michigan Restaurants

Enjoy Thanksgiving buffet on Thursday, November 26 at Boatwerks in Holland, Cork Wine & Grill in Grand Rapids, FireRock Grille in Caledonia, RedRock Grille in Holland, Reds at Thousand Oaks in Grand Rapids, and Rush Creek Bistro in Grandville. Each will be serving delicious salads, roasted turkey, carved ham, additional entrees, side dishes, desserts & more! Reservations will be limited to ensure proper social distancing.

Dinner with a View

Gather at the Inn at Bay Harbor in Petoskey with your loved ones this Thanksgiving for beautiful lake views, an expansive staff-served buffet with all the traditional trimmings, and much more. This year’s dinner in The Sagamore Room will offer expanded hours of noon-5:00 pm to allow for proper social distancing, so you can enjoy your holiday with no cooking, and no worries. Whether you’re visiting northern Michigan or you live locally, reserve your Thanksgiving To-Go early and bring a full feast back to the family. Call 231.439.4117 to reserve and arrange pick up.

 

Thanksgiving Getaways

Traverse City Fab Fall Packages

If you want to enjoy a family getaway in Traverse City, be sure to check out the Fab Fall packages, which run through December 11th. Not only do you get great deals on lodging, but you’ll also be able to access a special mobile passport with money-saving offers from area restaurants, breweries, wineries, shops, and more.

Reconnect This Thanksgiving at Crystal Mountain

Take time to reconnect with loved ones during Crystal Mountain’s Thanksgiving Reconnect Weekend in Thompsonville, November 26 – 29. They’ll do all the work and kick off your holiday with a traditional Thanksgiving Day Dinner To-Go. Then, be sure to check out the Virtual 5K Turkey Vulture Trot. This year the course will be set up from November 26th – 29th, so you can run the course on your own time at your own pace. On Friday the 27th, enjoy a festive tour of the resort with the Holiday Trail Celebration, featuring trail stops with various activities, plus dining and retail sales. Then on Saturday, gather with loved ones for the First Light Celebration, where you can enjoy holiday music and see the mountain set aglow with twinkling lights. Make sure to get the most out of the holiday weekend — stay and save 15% on your lodging reservation*!

*Subject to availability. Not valid on existing lodging reservations and cannot be combined with any other lodging offers or specials. Some restrictions may apply.

Shanty Creek Resort Traditions

Thanksgiving is a tradition at Northern Michigan’s Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire. In addition to spending time with family and giving thanks, the Thanksgiving weekend is the unofficial kick off to the winter season. Let Shanty Creek Resort take care of the Thanksgiving meal with Turkeys-to-Go. With a choice of roasted turkey or honey glazed ham, and all the fixings, including two pies, it’s a meal to be thankful for without having to spend the day in the kitchen cooking. Orders are accepted through November 24th, with a November 26th pick-up. Stay the weekend at the 5,000 acre resort where outdoor activities abound. If Mother Nature cooperates, plan to hit the slopes, trails, or the tubing hill. There is an outdoor adventure for everyone. Get ready for the holidays with a traditional gingerbread house and order a kit that includes a gingerbread house, icing, and candy and have some family fun decorating!

Two Night Getaway in Petoskey

Enjoy a two night stay (Friday-Saturday) in a cottage room at The Terrace Inn & 1911 Restaurant in Petoskey between now and February for $259+tax. Stay includes dinner for two on either Friday or Saturday by reservation, as well as souvenir mugs to take home. Enjoy performances by Nathan Towne during dinner through the month of November. Upgrades available for additional fee. 

Give Thanks this Fall at the Drummond Island Resort

The Drummond Island Resort sits snugly on an island at the easterly tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in the midst of nearly 2000 private acres. There’s something for everyone at this quaint north woods resort. Enjoy outdoor fall recreation like fishing, walking the trails, wildlife sightseeing, and snowshoeing and/or ice fishing once the colder weather comes. Book a tractor-pulled hay ride or warm up around the bonfire, complete with all the fixins for s’more fun. After a day full of fun, be sure to stop in at Pins Grill and enjoy a delicious family meal complete with a kid’s menu. Cozy up next to the fireplace in a Log Cabin or gather the family for a board game in one of the spacious Lodge Loft rooms. Whatever your stay includes, you will create family memories for years to come when you choose the Drummond Island Resort for your Fall Family Getaway. For more information or to book your getaway call 906.493.1000.

Explore the Season in Marquette

With Fall in full swing on the Upper Peninsula, Marquette is the perfect getaway to explore the season. From rugged trails set against vibrant forests and scenic shorelines, to delicious dining and an emerging local brewery scene, there is no shortage of fun to be had in Marquette County this November. Visitors are invited to not only Make Your Marq, but also make new memories and enjoy the very best of the Upper Peninsula this season. 

 

 

Thanksgiving Weekend Events

Dress in turkey garb and join in the Turkey Trot, a fun 5K run at Cartier Park in Ludington. before indulging in Thanksgiving dinner festivities November 26th. Walkers and runners of all ages and abilities are invited to participate in this free event, sponsored by Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. (*This event may be held virtually)

 

 

 

Looking for something to do while mom wraps and hides all the Christmas presents she bought on Black Friday?  Head to BattleGR Tactical Games in Grand Rapids for their Back Friday Dad & Kids Day on Friday, November 27th. For two hours of unlimited tactical laser tag and archery tag for $15 per person. The kitchen will be open with food to purchase so you don’t have to worry about lunch. Come check out the new location and make some memories with the kids. Space is limited, so reserving your spot ahead of time is encouraged. 

 

 

On Saturday, November 28th, the Muskegon Museum of Art will host a Hot Cocoa Hop, serving free hot cocoa in the MMA parking lot from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Check out Festival of Wreaths displays while you visit local downtown Muskegon businesses as part of Small Business Saturday. Downtown Wreath Walk maps will be available at the event, and the MMA galleries and store will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

The Harbor Springs Chamber of Commerce invites you to bring the family to their Annual Tree Lighting on November 28th to officially kick off the holiday season in Harbor Springs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kick off the Holiday Season

Make Your Own Gift Wrap, November 18th

Are you looking to be eco-friendly this holiday season? Join Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings online on November 18th to try furoshiki – a traditional Japanese art that has evolved into a modern alternative to paper gift wrapping. Join Dayna Walton of Solstice Handmade for a virtual class to explore the basics of printmaking on cloth, and transform your gifts into works of art. This class will include all the necessary supplies – cloth, ink, block stamps – to make your very own cloth gift wrap delivered right to your door. Plus, you can reuse the supplies over and over again to make enough to wrap all your holiday gifts! You must register by November 6 to ensure your supplies arrive in time. If you register after November 6, you will receive the supplies and a video recording of the class – which could be a great Christmas gift for your creative loved one!

Sparta’s Christmas Holiday Sparkle Fireworks, November 20th

Head to the center of downtown Sparta for a time of holiday celebration as Sparta Chamber of Commerce starts the Christmas season with a fireworks display at 7:00 pm on Friday November 20th during the annual shop Sparta event. Come early and browse the downtown merchants and take a ride on the holiday horse drawn trolley. View the winter illumination from the top of the bridge and parking lot near Balyeat Field and enjoy some hot chocolate and treats while mingling under the early night sky for this Santa’s Sparkle light show. 

Silver Bells in the City, November 20th

Lansing will glow with thousands of lights for the Silver Bells in the City celebration November 20th, bringing together family and friends from across Michigan and beyond to kick off the holiday season. The Electric Light Parade, Silver Bells Village, lighting of the State Christmas Tree, and musical entertainment are all part of this Lansing tradition.

26th Annual Luminary Festival, November 20th

St. Joseph Today invites you to the 26th Annual Luminary Festival, Friday, November 20th. Stroll through the beautiful candlelit streets as 1,000 luminaries light your way as you shop in downtown St. Joseph. Shops will be open late on Friday and throughout the weekend to provide refreshments, great sales, amazing product offerings, and more. While visiting the festival, enjoy food and drinks from a wide selection of area restaurants and eateries. Make a stop at Purely Michigan to find clothing, jewelry, wine, and more Michigan items for everyone on your gift list. 

White Lake Holiday Walk, November 20th & 21st

What better way is there to bring in the holidays than the 27th Annual White Lake Holiday Walk? This year’s Holiday Walk takes place the weekend of November 20th & 21st along the streets of Montague and Whitehall at over 20 participating White Lake Area businesses. Shop small while enjoying Christmas Open Houses featuring gift guides, special sales, refreshments, and a whole lot of holiday cheer! 

Traverse City Tree Lighting & Stationary Light Parade, November 20th & 21st

Traverse City kicks off the holidays with the Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 20th and broadcast during the local evening news. Watch Santa light up Downtown from the comfort of your own living room. The festivities continue on Saturday, November 21st, with the Downtown Strolling Light Parade. Travel to the parade instead of it coming to you! Twelve non-profit organizations will be scattered throughout Downtown, each displaying their own rendition of the popular holiday song “Twelve Days of Christmas.” Vote for your favorite entry on-site and online. Each vote will cost $1 with the option of a larger donation. Proceeds will benefit the Downtown Relief Fund and participating nonprofits. The winning entry will be the Honorary Grand Marshall of the 2021 Light Parade.

Grand Haven Night Light Weekend, November 20th-22nd

Friday, November 20th through Sunday, November 22nd, Grand Haven Main Street kicks off this year’s holiday season with a festive backdrop of brilliant lights and holiday cheer. Many of the participating businesses and retail stores will be open with extended hours throughout the weekend, some offering special promotions and sales, while others will have open houses for visitors to peruse new products, designs, and experiences.

Festival of Wreaths, November 24th-December 6th

The Muskegon Museum of Art’s annual holiday event, the Festival of Trees is making some adjustments this year to spread the holiday spirit into downtown. A new version of the event Festival of Wreaths – a wreath walk event that people can enjoy from the sidewalk or street will be held from November 24th through December 6th. On Saturday, November 28th (Small Business Saturday), the MMA will host a Hot Cocoa Hop, serving free hot cocoa in the MMA parking lot from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The event will encourage participants to check out all the wreaths and to shop at and visit local downtown Muskegon businesses and attractions. Wreath Walk maps will be available at the event.

Walloon Lake Village Lighting, November 25th

Join Hotel Walloon in Walloon Lake November 25th for the 4th Annual Village Lighting, a free family-friendly event. Enjoy live performances from the Petoskey Steel Drum Band, live reindeer, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Give a special gift to Toys for Tots and shop your favorite local vendors with gifts for everyone on your list. The evening includes free hot chocolate, snowman kit making, live painting with Dan Duncan, and a cash bar available from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm in the Walloon Lake Village.

Aglow on the Avenue/Christmas Parade, November 28th

Welcome Santa to town as he makes his way through Ludington during the holiday parade. Live holiday music will be in the North James Street Plaza, and several downtown businesses will be unveiling their holiday light displays. Follow Santa to Sandcastles Children’s Museum for a chance to share your Christmas wishes with him.

Hackely & Hume Holiday Tours, November 28th-December 30th

Experience Muskegon’s Lakeshore Museum Center Hackley and Hume homes this holiday season in candlelight. Kick off the Holidays on Saturday, November 28th, with a night of ornament decorating, cookies, and hot chocolate in the courtyard of the houses. Enjoy walk-through tours and experience the houses decorated for Christmas through December 30th.

Marshall Christmas Parade, November 30th

Welcome the holiday season and Santa to Marshall at the 56th Annual Christmas Parade, 7:00 pm on November 30th. This year, to help with social distancing practices, the parade route will create a 9-mile loop around town with plenty of places to park and watch the parade from the comfort of your car.