Traverse City Holiday Markets and Lights Guide: 2026
Tree lightings, the Light Parade, the Festival of Trees, craft fairs, and village holiday markets near Traverse City, Nov. 5 to Dec. 12, 2026, with organizer links.
Late November around Traverse City is when the indoor craft fairs fill up, the downtown tree lights, and the Light Parade rolls down Front Street. This guide covers Thursday, November 5 through Saturday, December 12, 2026: the Festival of Trees, holiday gift markets, hands-on workshops, Light Up Downtown, Thanksgiving weekend in the villages, and early December tree lightings in Leland and Frankfort.
Every date, time, price, and location below was checked against the organizer's own website or our live event listings, most recently on November 2, 2026. Outdoor lightings and the parade depend on weather, so recheck the organizer before you go. For the full November calendar of concerts and races, see our November events guide. Browse everything else on the ExploreTraverse events calendar.
November 5 to December 12 at a glance
| Date and time | Event | Where | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu., Nov. 5 to Sun., Nov. 8 | Zonta Festival of Trees | Grand Traverse Mall | Jingle Mingle preview $40; daytime suggested donation $2 |
| Saturdays from Nov. 7, 10 am to 2 pm | Indoor Farmers Market | The Village at Grand Traverse Commons | Weekly, November through April |
| Sat., Nov. 7, 10 am to 3 pm | 43rd Annual Holiday Gift Fair | Bellaire Middle School | Free admission |
| Sat., Nov. 14, 10 am to 3 pm, and Sun., Nov. 15, 10 am to 2 pm | Deer Widow's Weekend craft and vendor show | Kirkbride Hall, Grand Traverse Commons | Free |
| Sat., Nov. 14, 10 am to noon | Natural Ornament Workshop | Boardman River Nature Center | Free; registration required |
| Fri., Nov. 20, 4 to 6:30 pm | Tree Lighting | Downtown Traverse City | Santa lights the tree at 6:30 pm |
| Fri., Nov. 20, 5 to 7 pm | Wreath Workshop | Boardman River Nature Center | $50; registration required |
| Fri., Nov. 20 to Sun., Nov. 29 | Find the Grinch | Downtown Traverse City shops | Free |
| Sat., Nov. 21, 6 pm | Traverse City Light Parade | Front Street, downtown | Free to watch |
| Sat., Nov. 21, 6 pm | Holiday Hideaway | City Opera House | $15 adults, $5 kids 12 and under |
| Wed., Nov. 25, 5:30 to 7:30 pm | Light Up Leland | Leland | Leland Chamber event |
| Fri., Nov. 27, 10 am to 6 pm | Black Friday in Leland | Leland | Shopping day at village businesses |
| Fri., Nov. 27, 6:15 to 8 pm | Glen Arbor Tree Lighting and market preview | Glen Arbor Town Hall | Caroling, then early shopping |
| Fri., Nov. 27, 6 to 8 pm | Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa's Arrival | Downtown Elk Rapids | Free |
| Sat., Nov. 28, 9 am to 3 pm | Holly Berry Arts and Crafts Fair | Frankfort-Elberta High School | Indoor craft fair |
| Sat., Nov. 28, 10 am to 3 pm | Glen Arbor Holiday Market | Glen Arbor Town Hall | 25-plus vendors |
| Sat., Nov. 28, 5:55 pm | Northport Holiday Tree Lighting | Downtown Northport | Free; confirm side activities |
| Sat., Dec. 5, 11 am to 5 pm | Leland Cocoa Crawl | Downtown Leland | Self-guided |
| Sat., Dec. 5, 4 to 5:30 pm | Santa's Workshop | Garden Theater, Frankfort | Before the tree lighting |
| Sat., Dec. 5, 6 pm | Frankfort Community Tree Lighting | Rotary Park, Frankfort | Free |
| Sat., Dec. 12, noon to 6 pm | Mistletoe Magic | Downtown Frankfort | Holiday shopping afternoon |
Holiday markets and craft fairs
November 5 to 8: Zonta Festival of Trees
Zonta Festival of Trees, Grand Traverse Mall, 3200 S. Airport Rd. W. The Zonta Club of Traverse City fills the mall with decorated trees, a Yuletide emporium, and gift makers. Details are on the Zonta festival page.
- Jingle Mingle, Thursday, Nov. 5, 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Preview night with early shopping and holiday refreshments. $40 individual, $75 couple. See our event listing.
- Foodie Friday, Friday, Nov. 6, 10 am to noon. Opening day of the tree display with light holiday bites. See our event listing.
- Sleigh Bell Saturday, Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 am to 6 pm. A full day to browse the emporium, gift makers, and the Tall Tree Gallery. See our event listing.
- Santa and Mrs. Claus Day, Sunday, Nov. 8, noon to 4 pm. Santa and Mrs. Claus visit, with free holiday crafts for children. See our event listing.
Daytime admission Friday through Sunday is a suggested donation of $2, or $5 per family, and free for kids under 5 and seniors 65 and up.
Saturdays from November 7: Indoor Farmers Market at the Commons
Indoor Farmers Market at The Village, Saturdays, 10 am to 2 pm, The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, 1200 W. Eleventh St. The weekly indoor market moves into the Commons buildings from November through April, per The Village events page. It pairs well with Deer Widow's Weekend on Nov. 14. See our event listing.
Saturday, November 7: Bellaire Holiday Gift Fair
43rd Annual Holiday Gift Fair, 10 am to 3 pm, Bellaire Middle School, 204 W. Forrest Home Ave., Bellaire. The Bellaire Chamber's indoor fair gathers local artisans, crafters, and food vendors in a Christmas setting, with raffle drawings through the day and a soup cook-off (cook-off tickets sold separately). Free admission. See our event listing.
November 14 and 15: Deer Widow's Weekend at the Commons
Deer Widow's Weekend craft and vendor show, Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 am to 3 pm, and Sunday, Nov. 15, 10 am to 2 pm, Kirkbride Hall, 700 Cottageview Dr. A two-day indoor show at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. It is free, and the first 250 people each day get a free logo bag. Free tunnel tours run late morning to 1 pm each day; the start time differs between the Saturday page and the Sunday page, so check before you go. Our event listing has both days.
November 14: Natural Ornament Workshop
Natural Ornament Workshop, Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 am to noon, Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Rd. The Grand Traverse Conservation District leads a hands-on session making ornaments from milkweed pods, leaves, and other natural materials, for adults and families. Free; registration required. See our event listing.
Thanksgiving weekend: Glen Arbor Holiday Market
Glen Arbor Tree Lighting and Holiday Market Preview Party, Friday, Nov. 27, Glen Arbor Town Hall. Tree lighting and caroling outside the town hall at 6:15 pm, led with Glen Lake Church, then early shopping at the holiday market from 6:30 to 8 pm, per the Glen Lake Chamber. Chamber contact details: Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce. See our preview listing.
Glen Arbor Holiday Market, Saturday, Nov. 28, 10 am to 3 pm, Glen Arbor Town Hall. Gifts from more than 25 vendors inside the town hall. See our market listing.
Saturday, November 28: Holly Berry Arts and Crafts Fair in Frankfort
Holly Berry Arts and Crafts Fair, Saturday, Nov. 28, 9 am to 3 pm, Frankfort-Elberta High School, 534 11th St., Frankfort. An indoor holiday craft fair on Small Business Saturday that kicks off Frankfort's holiday shopping season, per the Frankfort-Elberta Area Chamber. Shopper admission is not posted. See our event listing.
December 5 and 12: Leland and Frankfort
Leland Cocoa Crawl, Saturday, Dec. 5, 11 am to 5 pm, downtown Leland. A self-guided stroll among Leland businesses serving cocoa and seasonal treats, per the Leland Chamber. See our event listing.
Mistletoe Magic, Saturday, Dec. 12, noon to 6 pm, downtown Frankfort. An afternoon of holiday shopping and festivities on Main Street, per the chamber's 2026 events calendar. See our event listing.
Light Up Downtown and holiday lights
Friday, November 20: Tree Lighting
Light Up Downtown: Tree Lighting, Friday, Nov. 20, 4 to 6:30 pm, downtown Traverse City. The Downtown Traverse City Association's kickoff has holiday activities, treat giveaways, music, games, Santa's arrival, and visits to Santa's House at Cass and State streets afterward. Santa lights the tree at 6:30 pm at Cass and Front streets. Front Street closes from Park to Union streets from 3 to 8 pm. Details are on the tree lighting page. See our event listing.
Wreath Workshop, Friday, Nov. 20, 5 to 7 pm, Boardman River Nature Center. Make a fresh holiday wreath with the Grand Traverse Conservation District. Wreath form, locally sourced evergreens, and ribbon are included. $50 per person; registration required. See our event listing.
Find the Grinch, Friday, Nov. 20 to Sunday, Nov. 29, downtown Traverse City. Look for a hidden Grinch inside participating downtown businesses. Spot him and you could get a treat, a discount, or another surprise from that shop, per the DTCA. See our event listing.
Saturday, November 21: Light Parade
Traverse City Light Parade, Saturday, Nov. 21, 6 pm, Front Street. Lighted floats, marchers, and decorated vehicles head down Front Street from Franklin to Union streets, with a run time of about 1 hour and 20 minutes. It is free to watch. Front Street closes from Park to Union streets from 3 to 8 pm. The DTCA says the tree lighting and parade tradition draws nearly 20,000 spectators to Front Street, so arrive early. Details are on the Light Parade page. See our event listing.
Holiday Hideaway, Saturday, Nov. 21, 6 pm, City Opera House, 106 E. Front St. Watch the Light Parade from inside the theater with carolers and holiday activities. Tickets are $15 for adults, including a holiday cocktail or nonalcoholic cocoa, and $5 for kids 12 and under, including cocoa. See our event listing.
Wednesday, November 25: Light Up Leland
Light Up Leland, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, Leland. An evening holiday kickoff on the Leland Chamber calendar. The chamber has not posted program details yet; contact information is on our Leland Chamber of Commerce listing. See our event listing.
Friday, November 27: Black Friday in Leland
Black Friday in Leland, Friday, Nov. 27, 10 am to 6 pm. A day-after-Thanksgiving shopping day at Leland businesses, on the Leland Chamber calendar. See our event listing.
Friday, November 27: Elk Rapids Tree Lighting
Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa's Arrival, Friday, Nov. 27, 6 to 8 pm, downtown Elk Rapids, River Street, in front of Bayfront Beach and Bike. The village lights its tree and welcomes Santa, with caroling, hot cocoa, and a sled dog meet and greet. Free, per the Elk Rapids Area Chamber. See our event listing.
Saturday, November 28: Northport Tree Lighting
Northport Holiday Tree Lighting, Saturday, Nov. 28, 5:55 pm, downtown Northport. The annual village tree lighting is free, though some side activities are ticketed. The Northport Omena Chamber names Saturday, Nov. 28. The side activity schedule posted elsewhere does not show a year yet, so check the chamber page that week. See our event listing.
Saturday, December 5: Frankfort Santa's Workshop and Tree Lighting
Santa's Workshop, Saturday, Dec. 5, 4 to 5:30 pm, Garden Theater, Frankfort. A visit with Santa before the lighting. See our event listing.
Frankfort Community Tree Lighting, Saturday, Dec. 5, 6 pm, Rotary Park, 412 Main St., Frankfort. Free. Both are on the Frankfort-Elberta chamber's 2026 events calendar. See our event listing.
What is not verified yet for December
These holiday market and lights items appear on organizer or chamber pages, but they are not in Local Verifier's holiday import and are not live on ExploreTraverse yet, so this guide does not treat them as confirmed dates:
- Santa's House full season hours (DTCA lists Nov. 20 through Dec. 24 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with a detailed slot list on its Santa's House page)
- Merry Marketplace at Crooked Tree Arts Center Traverse City (organizer page lists Nov. 13 to Dec. 12 at 322 Sixth St.)
- Holiday Artist Market at the Dennos Museum Center (listed on traversecity.com for Nov. 6 and 7; not confirmed from the museum's own page in the verifier set)
- DTCA Cookies and Cocoa style weekend treats on Nov. 20 and 21 (described on the Light Up Downtown pages; no separate verified event row)
- Downtown Ladies' Night (Dec. 3), Men's Night (Dec. 10), and Wrap It Up Night (Dec. 18) on DTCA pages
- Village at Grand Traverse Commons tree lighting (the indoor farmers market is now confirmed above)
- KAIR Festival of Trees in Kalkaska, a separate event from the Zonta Festival of Trees (search snippet only; not fetched from the organizer)
- Bellaire Chamber "Light the Night" in December (named on the chamber site; no verified 2026 date row in cleanup)
- Small Business Saturday in Leland (chamber calendar placeholder time, so skipped)
We will add these once each organizer confirms a 2026 date.
How to plan your holiday lights weekend
- Watch the weather. Tree lightings, the Light Parade, Light Up Leland, and the Leland Cocoa Crawl are outdoors in late fall cold. Check the National Weather Service in Gaylord before you head out.
- Plan parking for Light Up Downtown. Front Street is closed from Park to Union streets from 3 to 8 pm on both Friday, Nov. 20, and Saturday, Nov. 21. Use our downtown parking guide and arrive early for the parade.
- Register ahead for workshops. The ornament and wreath workshops at the nature center require registration. Holiday Hideaway sells tickets online.
- Pair markets with lights. The Festival of Trees, Bellaire, Deer Widow's Weekend, and the Saturday indoor market work as daytime shopping. On Dec. 5, Frankfort's Santa's Workshop leads straight into its tree lighting. Light Up Downtown and Glen Arbor split the tree lighting and shopping across Friday evening and Saturday.
- Check the organizer that week. Program details for Light Up Leland were not posted, and the Northport side schedule had no 2026 year, as of November 2.
- Keep an indoor backup. Our rainy day guide and winter guide list ideas for cold days. For the broader November calendar, see the November events guide.
More ideas: Traverse City events and festivals, things to do in Traverse City, the Leelanau Peninsula guide, and the family activities hub.
Last verified November 2, 2026. Dates, times, prices, and registration rules change; confirm with each organizer before you go.
Hero photo: Grand Traverse Lighthouse, Northport, Leelanau County, by Sheen Watkins, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped.
