Festival of Trains - Downtown Traverse City

November 13, 2008 - January 1st, 2009
Located at the Heritage Center, 322 6th Street - Traverse City

Now in its seventh year, this fascinating display of working model train layouts takes up several rooms in the Grand Traverse Heritage Center in Traverse City and is a hugely popular event that attracts thousands of visitors. This year's festival includes a new "gingerbread train" competition.

Wellington Inn - Christmas Time - Traverse City

The Wellington Inn is pleased to present its 6th annual "Inn at Christmastime," on December 5th and 6th from 5pm-8pm and on December 7th from 1pm-4pm. Experience an old fashioned Christmas at this beautifully restored 1905 neoclassical mansion in Traverse City's historic Boardman neighborhood. Area florists and artisans have "decked the halls" with a spectacular display of holiday designs and decorations.
Tour the entire Mansion while enjoying holiday entertainment by local musicians. Enjoy refreshments provided by local businesses in the third floor ballroom. Meet Bob Wilson, former president of the Grand Traverse Historical Society, who will be signing his 3 editions of the Grand Traverse Legends series on local history. Many displays will be available for purchase through participating designers.
Tickets are $15 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Grand Traverse Historical Society.

The Great Macaroni and Cheese Bake-off - Traverse City

November 29th, 2008
11:00am to 5:00pm
Location: Old Mission Peninsula Wineries

The Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula will host local restaurants who have turned Macaroni and Cheese into culinary marvels! Tickets are available November 1st at any Old Mission Winery or call (231) 933-9787 for further information. Space is limited.

Santa's Arrival - Downtown Traverse City

November 28th, 2008
5pm to 8pm
Downtown Traverses City

The magic lights up Downtown Traverse City beginning the day after Thanksgiving. Spend the day shopping and strolling through over 150 distinctive downtown shops and restaurants. Mid-afternoon, shoppers will be serenaded with holiday music. After a day spent shopping, families and friends can gather at the Christmas tree, beginning at 5 p.m., for a community sing-a-long of favorite holiday carols. The excitement continues with Santa's arrival - via bright, red fire truck! Santa will join the carols, receive the key to his house from the Traverse City Mayor and then help light the tree at 6 p.m., before spending the rest of the evening (6-8 p.m.) visiting the little ones at his holiday house across from the tree at Cass and Front Streets. While Santa is in his house, Traverse City firefighters will be nearby, offering rides aboard their antique 1936 La France Fire Engine (6-8 p.m.). For more information call (231) 922-2050

Zonta Club Festival of Trees - Traverse City

There will be over 40 professionally decorated trees plus trees decorated by many local elementary schools on display. This year, local artists will be creating Light Sculptures which will be hung on Front Street light posts and auctioned off.
Hours: Weds. Nov. 19th Grand Opening Day -open to the public 12pm-8pm, Thurs. Nov. 20th Special Needs Day 9am-3pm, School Tree Family Day/open to the public 10am-8pm, Fri. Nov. 21st open to the public 10am-5pm, Saturday, Nov. 22nd Breakfast with Santa 8:30am, 10:30am, open to the public 12pm-5pm, Sun. Nov. 23rd open to the public 10am-4pm
Silent auction. Raffle tickets. Admission: Adults-$5, students and seniors $3 (students after school special Wed.-Fri. until 5pm $1*) *students must be accompanied by paying adult.
The NMC Great Lakes Campus-Hagerty Center is located at 715 East Front Street in Traverse City. For more information call: (231) 883-4775