Christmas Display by St. Laurent Photography

Below is a list of just a few Michigan festivals & events for the month of December. As usual, there's no way to get them all, so please add links and information for those we missed and reviews of ones we have here in the comments below!

Fast Facts via Wikipedia

• December is the twelfth and last month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days.
• In Latin, decem means "ten". December was also the tenth month in the Roman calendar until a monthless winter period was divided between January and February.
• December's flower is the narcissus or holly. December's birthstones are turquoise, lapis lazuli, zircon, topaz (blue), or tanzanite.[citation needed]
• December is the month with the shortest daylight hours of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest daylight hours of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
• December starts on the same day of the week as September.

Quotes
"Mankind should be our business, Ebenezer, but we seldom attend to it." ~ The Ghost of Jacob Marley, "Scrooge"

"Do you know how long it takes a working man to save five thousand dollars? Just remember this, Mr. Potter, that this rabble you're talking about... they do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community. Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath?" ~ George Bailey, "It's a Wonderful Life"

"Look Doris, someday you're going to find that your way of facing this realistic world just doesn't work. And when you do, don't overlook those lovely intangibles. You'll discover those are the only things that are worthwhile." ~ Fred Gailey, "Miracle on 34th Street"

"It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes, or bags!" ~ The Grinch

November 19 - January 4
Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World - Grand Rapids
Activities, performances and demonstrations consist of a variety of cultures and countries, highlighting gift-giving customs, holiday traditions, superstitions, decorations and cuisine. Frederik Meijer Gardens are transformed with 300,000 lights, over 40 international trees and displays, strolling carolers and horse-drawn carriage rides. Nationally-known railway garden designer, Paul Busse, returns to create a seven-foot high train trestle and landscapes.

November 28 - December 30
Christmas at Crossroads - Flint
This holiday fantasyland features thousands of sparkling lights and Michigan's most spectacular moving light display, the Huckleberry Railroad. The entire village is aglow with colored lights and more lights decorate the railroad's locomotive, coaches and trackside displays.

Costumed villagers prepare for the holiday season in the village's homes and shops. The Colwell Opera House presents live entertainment and Santa Claus talks with the children. See model trains, craft demonstrations, holiday music and unique shopping opportunities delight all ages.

December 4-7
Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend - Manistee
Visit the Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend for an authentic Victorian parade with period costumes and horse-drawn unites, a Ramsdell Theatre production, tours of historic buildings, concerts, special museum and art exhibits, the festival of trees, and roasting chestnuts.

December 5-7
Holiday Balloon Fest - Battle Creek
The Holiday Balloon Fest has fantastic sights to see. Watch glittering balloon glows, and four frosty balloon flights. The Fest has over 70 hot air balloonists. With an attendance of over 25,000 people the Holiday Balloon Fest a fun filled festival.

December 5-7
Christmas in Ida Festival and Parade of Lights - Ida
Experience the excitement of the Holiday season in Ida, Michigan where the young and the young at heart return year after year to feel the warmth of Christmas in small town America. Nestled in the heart of Monroe County, the festival brings back childhood memories and creates new traditions that inspire your holiday cheer for decades.

December 6
Annual Noel Night - Detroit
The 36th Annual Noel Night will take place on Saturday, December 6th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Midtown Detroit’s Cultural Center Area. Over 30 institutions, including the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Science Center, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Detroit Public Library, amongst many others, open their doors to the public free of charge during this Cultural Center-wide holiday "open house." Activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday shopping, family craft activities and performances by over 70 area music, theatre, and dance groups. The evening’s festivities culminate with a community sing-along on Woodward Avenue led by the Salvation Army Band — a long-standing Noel Night tradition.

December 6
Brass Band of Battle Creek Holiday Concert - Battle Creek
The Brass Band of Battle Creek, Where the World’s TOP BRASS Come to Play, will get you in the holiday spirit on Saturday December 6 at 8PM at the W.K. Kellogg Auditorium. A great night of entertainment is in store featuring jazz, classical, blues, and traditional Holiday Fair.

November 29, 30, December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, & 21
The Santa Train - Coopersville
Ride with the FUN GUY! Everyone loves Santa and Santa loves kids. Each of our vintage passenger cars has a special seat reserved just for the Big Guy and his friends. Elves will escort the children to sit with Santa. All kids get a present, even the shy ones! Our story-telling Princess will read from the book, "The Polar Express" which was written by Grand Rapids native, Chris Van Allsburg.

December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, & 21
Annual Dickens Festival - Holly
For over 30 years, the sights, sounds, smells and surprises of the Dickens Festival have been delighting holiday revelers in Historic Downtown Holly. Join in the fun as Charles Dickens’ Merry Old England comes alive in the atmosphere of turn of the century buildings, welcoming shopkeepers, and skilled craftspeople.

December 31
New Year's Fest - Kalamazoo
New Year's Fest is an all ages showcase of performing arts that takes place New Year's Eve in downtown Kalamazoo. There are a variety of activities that take place including music, magic, comedy, exhibitions, fireworks, and great food! New Year's Fest's vision is to be a premier event that introduces the greater Kalamazoo community to the performing arts by providing an array of quality, unique artists and activities. At midnight there will be fireworks.