Updated for 2023 - See our EVENTS CALENDAR for additional event details. 

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, the Keweenaw Peninsula certainly delivers. Colorful lights and merry décor line our historic streets and each community is bustling with holiday cheer. Our charming small towns are full of festive family fun, so grab your winter coat and mittens and start planning your Keweenaw Christmas visit. To get you started, here are some holiday events and activities that will make your Christmas in the Keweenaw one to remember.  

Rustic horse-drawn carriage on historic Keweenaw streets.

Christmas Events & Festivals 

Hancock Christmas Walk

November 24, 2023 | 6PM-8PM 

The Hancock Business Association brings holiday cheer to the annual Christmas Walk with "Miracle on Quincy Street." This fun evening includes the annual tree lighting, a parade along Quincy Street, dog sled rides, and festive live music! Grab a cup of cocoa at one of the hot chocolate stations, decorate some cookies, and tell Santa all your holiday wishes! And of course, don’t forget to stop by your favorite Hancock businesses for some holiday specials.  

Girl smiles with cup of hot chocolate.

Tis the season to drink lots of hot chocolate! 

Houghton Winter Wonderland Celebration 

December 2, 2023 | 4-7PM

Houghton transforms into a Winter Wonderland in December thanks to Lake Superior’s lake-effect snow machine and larger-than-life holiday decorations along Shelden Avenue and the Keweenaw waterway! Cozy up with your loved ones (and a cup of hot chocolate) as you enjoy a rustic horse-drawn carriage ride along the scenic Keweenaw Waterway.  Houghton’s illuminated holiday trail provides fantastic views of the iconic Portage Lake Lift Bridge aglow in the night. Say “hi” to Santa as you listen to the merry sounds of Christmas Carolers, and make sure to snap some photos with your friends and family in front of the decorative holiday displays and your favorite winter cartoon characters.

Children meet their favorite characters at Winter Wonderland in Houghton

Meet your favorite winter characters at Houghton's Winter Wonderland Festival. 

Chassell's Old-Fashioned Christmas

December 8-9, 2023

Get in the Christmas spirit by enjoying some old-fashioned yuletide traditions. Take a drive to “ooh and awe” over the decorations hung for the annual Chassell Township Lighting & Decorating Contest. This weekend is packed with activities – visits with Santa, caroling, tree lighting, carriage rides, a Christmas Market, and lots of holiday treats! Stop by the Chassell Heritage Center for traditional live music and their annual holiday open house and be sure to check out the Chassell “Home for the Holidays” Home Tour & Gourmet Tasting event! 

Boy gets a photo with Santa

Santa will be spending a lot of time in the Keweenaw this year. Make sure to say "hi!"

Santa Claus is Coming to Lake Linden 

December 9, 2023 | 10AM-8PM

Santa Claus is coming to Lake Linden! From Get your photo taken with Santa at the Little Gem Community Center starting at 10AM, then enjoy a rustic carriage ride and holiday music by the Lake Linden Hubbell School Band. Check out the Lake Linden Fire Truck and warm up by the bonfire. There will also be a Book Sale and Bake Sale inside the Little Gem Community Center at this time.

Santa will then be at the village Hall at 4PM for visits, and the Lighting of the Love Light Tree will take place at 5:30. Be sure to stop in the Village Hall ahead of time to have your loved ones name added to the "In Memory of Christmas Card" to be displayed in front of the Village Hall. Memorial cards are $1 per name and money raised will be donated to the Knights of Columbus for toys for children.  Enjoy a Christmas Movie at 6PM and a gift prize drawing after the movie! Now that's a day full of FESTIVE fun! 

Christmas in Calumet 

Saturdays in December | Times Vary

Head to the historic streets of Calumet for magical holiday events. From snowy carriage rides along Main Street Calumet to photos with Santa, Christmas in Calumet will have your hearts aglow. Enjoy a cup of fancy hot cocoa, and have some fun sledding with Old Saint Nick. More details about 2023 Christmas in Calumet coming soon! 

Girl interacts with horse at Christmas event in Keweenaw.Horse-drawn carriages are a magical part of spending Christmas in the Keweenaw. 

Copper Harbor Winter Wonderfest & Park Lighting

December 16, 2023 | 12-6PM 

Enjoy the magic of a wintry Christmas in Michigan's northernmost town! Stop by the Holiday Marketplace to pick up unique gifts from local artists. There will also be a bake sale where you can get your favorite holiday treats! Kids will have a chance to make their own ornaments before Santa arrives on the fire engine. Make sure to be at the Town Park by 6PM sharp! This will be the moment of the annual tree lighting and some fireworks! All proceeds from go to "No Child Without a Christmas Fund." 

Ho. Ho. Ho. Snowshoe

Dates TBA

Take a magical chairlift ride and lantern-lit snowshoe hike at Mount Bohemia this December! Grab a pair of rental snowshoes from Mount Bohemia or bring your own, then follow the glowing lanterns down the hill. Refuel with a wood-fired pizza or holiday spirit in Bohemia's Log Cabin Bar. The Nordic Spa will be open; so hop in the Upper Peninsula's largest outdoor hot tub or take a sauna for some post-snowshoe relaxation. Dates and information for 2023 to be announced. 

Three women relax at the nordic spa at Mount Bohemia

Warm up in the hot tub after your scenic snowshoe hike at Mount Bohemia. 

Look up to the Stars: Night Sky Photo Workshop

December 9, 2023 | 7:00-10:00PM 

Our long winter nights leading up to winter solstice (December 21st) provide some great opportunities for stargazing. Join the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge on December 17th for an educational workshop about night sky photography. Learn about the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park and some tips & tricks for taking pictures of the twinkling stars, milk way, and even the Northern Lights. A local photographer specializing in astrophotography and will lead this stargazing workshop.

Pinks, purple, and green Northern Light Columns in the sky over Lake Superior's frozen shoreline

Join local photographer, Nate Bett, at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge for a Night Sky Photography Workshop. | Photo by Nate Bett

Look up to the Stars: Moonlit Snowshoe Hike

December 26, 2023 | 8-10PM 

Join Keweenaw Mountain Lodge's Outdoor Activities Center (OAC) crew for an interpretive snowshoe hike around the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge property. This event takes place during December's full moon night. The snowshoe hike is free for lodging guests and just $10 for the general public. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the OAC at (906) 289-4403, ext 4. Please show up between 7:30PM and 7:45PM to sign the waiver. The hike will begin at 8:15PM!

Holiday Shopping

Christmas Markets and holiday shopping events make it easy to find meaningful gifts for the special people in your life. Be on the lookout for unique Keweenaw gifts made by local creatives and artisans. Some of our favorites include local jam and honey, Finnish & Scandinavian Gifts, locally brewed beer, Keweenaw-inspired art, books about the region’s rich history, and jewelry made from Lake Superior’s beautiful gems. Check out our Keweenaw Holiday Gift Guide for unique gift ideas. 

Girls pick out candy at Calumet Mercantile

Visit our local gift stores for Keweenaw-inspired gifts. 

Shop Local, Shop Small Here: 

  • Nov 9-10 – Ladies Night in Houghton 
  • Nov 11 – 16th Annual Deer Hunters Widows Craft Show & Market Place
  • Nov 16 – Ladies Day Out | Calumet, MI
  • Nov 17 – 8th Annual Siskiwit Christmas Craft Show
  • Nov 25 – The Rosza's Home for the Holidays Gift Market | Houghton, MI
  • Nov 26 – Small Business Saturday | Houghton & Keweenaw Counties
  • TBA – All Local Crafters & Bakers Bazaar | St. Joeseph’s Church, Lake Linden, MI
  • Dec 02 – 47th Annual Poor Artists Sale | Calumet, MI
  • Dec 02 – Holiday Craft Show | Houghton, MI
  • Dec 09 – Chassell's Old Fashioned Christmas Holiday Market | Chassell, MI
  • Dec 09 – Calumet Arts Center Winter Markets | Calumet, MI 
  • Dec 09 – Christmas Craft & Vendor Show | Hancock, MI

Christmas Performances & Shows 

Kick back and relax with some of your favorite holiday performances and shows. Get in the holiday spirit with Jingle Bell Pop presented by the Detroit Youth Choir at the Rozsa Center for Performing Arts.  Honor the great tuba virtuoso, William “Bill” Bell who was born on Christmas Day by tuning into our local Tuba Christmas. Visit the historic Calumet Theatre for the Superior School of Dance's presentation of "Cracked," a modern twist on everyone's favorite holiday classic, The Nutcracker. 

Play in the Snow

Family sledding down hill

Get outside and enjoy all the Keweenaw's fluffy snow with some family-friendly winter activities. 

Enjoy the holiday season in our Keweenaw snow globe by enjoying some classic forms of winter recreation. Dust off your sleds and lace up your skates as you make some new family memories. The trails of the Keweenaw are calling, and it’s time to embrace your winter spirit as you ski through forested wilderness. Dash through the snow on a lantern-lighted trail at Mount Bohemia or hit the slopes at Mont Ripley. 

Be sure to check our EVENTS CALENDAR for more details and additional events!