Michigan Thumbcoast Holidays Unwrapped: 2025 Events, Lights, and Tree Farms
‘Tis the season for a magical Michigan holiday, perfect for the whole family! Along Michigan’s Thumbcoast, you’ll discover a wonderland of festive events and experiences, from sparkling lighted parades to charming gift boutiques and horse-drawn wagon rides. Whether hunting for the perfect Christmas tree at one of the region’s unique tree farms or soaking in the holiday spirit with a hot chocolate, the Thumbcoast promises memorable moments and unexpected delights. So, cozy up with a warm blanket, turn on some festive tunes, and mark your calendar—it’s time to plan your unforgettable Thumbcoast holiday adventure!
This guide will be updated as the holiday season unfolds, so be sure to check back often for new events and fun activities!
Downtown Port Huron Photo by Andrew Jowett
Holiday Tree Farms
- Western’s Tree Farm in Applegate, about 36 miles north of Port Huron, is a 4th generation family farm featuring wagon rides, craft shop with u-cut and pre-cut trees to pick from. They will be open starting Nov. 22nd with special event days listed on their Facebook page.
- Natural Farms in Ruby, 12 miles west of Port Huron, has locally grown organic White, Black, and Norway Spruce trees. Their opening day is Nov. 28th.
- Centennial Pines Tree Farm in Goodells, 17 miles west of Port Huron. They are a family owned farm open on the weekends for u-cut, hayrides and tree wrapping.
- Country Christmas Tree Farm & Gifts in Greenwood, 25 miles north of Port Huron, has a classic holiday experience including wagon rides, hot chocolate, gift shopping and u-cut trees. Opening day is Nov. 22nd, and they will be open Friday-Sunday, 9-5 pm. Leashed pets are welcome.
- Szymanski’s Creekside Acres in Port Austin is open year-round for various events, but the pre-cut trees, wreath classes, and gifts at the Sugar Plum Shack open starting Nov. 28th.
- Family Tradition Tree Farm in Kimball is open for pre-cut Christmas trees, wreaths, and gifts. Open starting Nov. 29th.
Elf-Worthy Treats
Indulge in elf-worthy treats this holiday season! We’ve rounded up our top local spots to find festive sweets like cupcakes, peppermint bark, and cocoa piled high with whipped cream, perfect for a seasonal sugar rush as you check off your holiday list!
- Sweet Tooth of Marine City – 312 S. Water St., Marine City
- Sweet Tooth of St. Clair – 201 N. Riverside Ave., St. Clair
- Yum Yums – 1150 Gratiot Blvd., Marysville
- Dot’s Candy Bar – 318 Grand River Ave., Port Huron
- M’z Sweets Inside Country Style Marketplace – 310 Huron Ave., Port Huron
- Culinary Institute Courses Bakery – 2000 St. Clair St., Port Huron
- Royal-T Cakery – 2040 Holland Ave., Port Huron
Holiday Boutiques
Step into the charm of our downtowns this holiday season, where twinkling lights, friendly shopkeepers, and one-of-a-kind finds bring back the nostalgia of holiday shopping. Each purchase supports small businesses and gifts come with a story, a smile, and a little hometown magic. Discover the boutiques in the community you’re visiting.
Holiday Lights
Experience the magic of the season with a jolly tour of holiday lights in Port Huron aboard a cozy trolley or enchanting carriage ride! Join the Port Huron Museums for a charming trolley tour that will illuminate the beauty of the season, followed by a candlelight climb of Michigan’s oldest lighthouse, the historic Fort Gratiot Light. Don’t miss out on this holiday experience—tickets are available on Eventbrite!
Majestic Heart is offering horse-drawn carriage rides to see the holiday lights in Sherman Woods, a popular holiday lights display in Port Huron. More info is coming soon, so check back.
Ice Skating
Two family-friendly outdoor ice rinks, completely free to enjoy, are chilled with cooling systems so you can glide across the ice even when the weather feels more like fall than winter.
- McMorran Plaza Park Rink
- 701 McMorran Blvd., Port Huron
- Ice Skate Rentals, Beer Garden, Fire Pits
- Gallup Park Rink
- 271 W. State St., Port Austin
- November – April, Covered Rink, Fire Pits
2025 Holiday-Inspired Events
Our list of family-friendly, small-town charming events in November and December will put you in the holiday spirit. Check out bluewater.org/events for the entire list of events with the details, links, and digital maps.
Performing Arts
- A Nice Family Gathering Live Theatre, Oct. 25-Nov. 3, Marine City
- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Live Theatre, Nov. 14-23, Dec. 5-21, Port Huron
- The Nutcracker Ballet, Dec. 6-7, Port Huron
- A Carpenter’s Christmas Concert, Dec. 7, Lexington
- Rocky Mountain Christmas Concert, Dec. 13, Lexington
- An Irish Nutcracker, Dec. 20, Port Huron
Pub Crawls
Three cities, three chances to get your jingle on! Kick things off in St. Clair with the Santa Pub Crawl on Nov. 28th; rock those tacky, ahem I mean cute, sweaters in Marine City at the Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl on Dec. 5th; and finish strong in Port Huron with the Jingle & Mingle Christmas Pub Crawl on Dec. 13th. Cheers to hometown feels, good friends, and the joy of the season!
Holiday Craft & Vendor Shows
- Nov. 8, Huron Holiday Market, Port Huron
- Nov. 15, Indoor Market, Marysville
- Nov. 22, Old Newsboys Craft & Vendor Show, Marine City
- Nov. 29, Christmas Craft & Vendor Market, Port Huron
- Nov. 29, Smetanka Holiday Craft Show, Port Huron
- Nov. 29, Holiday Craft & Vendor Market, Port Huron
- Nov. 30, Home for the Holidays Christmas Market, Marine City
- Dec. 6, Holiday Vendor Extravaganza, Fort Gratiot
- Dec. 6, Indoor Market, Marysville
- Dec. 13-14, Christmas Mingle Jingle Market, Fort Gratiot
- Dec. 20-21, The Weekend Before Christmas Vendor Market, Fort Gratiot
Travel Tip
Events are subject to change, so we recommend checking with each venue directly before your visit to ensure you don’t miss out on any holiday magic! If you plan to enjoy a joyful evening and would rather not drive home afterward, consider treating yourself to an overnight stay at a cozy local hotel. Embrace the holiday spirit and maximize your time in our charming shoreline communities!
Christmas Parades
- Nov. 21—Lighted Santa Parade, St. Clair
- Nov. 25—Parade, Marine City
- Nov. 28—Sperry’s Santa Parade, Port Huron
- Dec. 6—Lighted Christmas Parade, Marysville
- Dec. 6—Lighted Christmas Parade, Harbor Beach
- Dec. 13—Christmas Horse Parade, Lexington
Festival of Trees
The red carpet is rolling out for the 37th Annual Festival of Trees, a beloved holiday tradition in Port Huron. This year’s celebration kicks off with an elegant Black Tie Gala on Dec. 5th at the waterfront Blue Water Convention Center. The following day, Dec. 6th, the public can enjoy viewing more than 55 beautifully decorated trees at the convention center before heading back to the McLaren Port Huron Hospital Lobby. Make your hotel reservations at one of the nearby or attached hotels to enjoy this signature holiday event fully. Ticketing links will be coming soon.
Article by Katie Stepp, Director of Marketing and edited by Janice Winn, Blue Water Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
