11 Must-See Northern Michigan Christmas Light Displays

This article was updated on November 12, 2024, for you to continue to enjoy.

Central Neighborhood & Downtown Traverse City

Victorian beauties drip with icicle lights, nutcrackers guard elegant entryways and sleighs parked in front yards look right at home. Wander between Sixth and Eleventh streets and find the city’s finest glowing gingerbread houses. Christmas Alley (near Tenth and Pine streets) is a favorite. Visitors are encouraged to drive through the luminous lane from west to east.

The afterglow: Make it a date night at Forrest, a Food Studio. The tiny eatery and natural wine shop does a single seating on Friday and Saturday nights serving a multi-course menu that rotates monthly. Reservations are released a month in advance and fill up fast.

Boss Family Christmas Display, Charlevoix

If this seems more Hallmark Christmas than tourist attraction, know this home on Pearl Avenue is a bit of both come December. The angels in the story are both the mother who started the tradition (some years writing the names of every neighborhood child somewhere in the holiday display) and the family members who have kept her legacy going on Pearl Avenue for 41 years and counting. The Boss family lights up their neighborhood near Mt. McSauba (a fun stop for sledding and snowshoeing) with indoor and outdoor displays of Christmas trees and characters. Check the family’s Facebook page for updates.

The afterglow: Outside, snow swirls over Round Lake, but inside Bridge Street Taproom, diners marvel at a heroic grilled mac ’n’ cheese sandwich with Plath’s bacon, sliced avocado and sriracha aioli.

Lower Harbor Ore Dock, Marquette

Local history and modern technology merge in this dramatic laser light display on the north side of Marquette’s iconic ore dock. Each week (November 28–December 28) features a different theme. Catch the festive show every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6–8 p.m.

The afterglow: Round out your visit to Marquette with German comfort food at Steinhaus (jägerschnitzel, spätzle, warm pretzels) and a cocktail at the Crow’s Nest, perched atop the historic Landmark Inn with views of Lake Superior and the Ore Dock.

Herman Holidays, Suttons Bay

Head to the end of Murray Court for a truly one-of-a-kind holiday display. Hundreds of wondrous pieces—penguins in a sailboat, Santa piloting a plane, a scarf-clad squirrel up in a tree, playful otters with presents—fill Dale and Sandy Herman’s front yard, dazzling tens of thousands of visitors over the last four decades. Be sure to sign the guestbook, and follow Herman Holiday’s Facebook page for visitor information.

The afterglow: Plan ahead and reserve an igloo at nearby Hop Lot Brewing Co. Family Day Sundays are especially cozy with free s’mores and hot cocoa.

The Carters’ Christmas Lights, Marquette

The friendly owners greet you with a candy cane and will often guide you across their lawn decked with climbing polar bears, the Grinch in jail, even Santas on a teeter-totter. The Carters spend an entire month, with the help of family and friends, putting together a yard so visit-worthy that many people have made it an annual tradition. Find the address and visitor information on The Carters’ Christmas Lights Facebook page.

Sparkle in the Park, Bear Lake

At first, you might think it’s a mirage when you round the bend on US-31 into the village of Bear Lake; it’s thousands of lights reflecting onto the lake. Drive through Sparkle in the Park at Hopkins Park, with windows down to hear the music (the lights flash with the beat!). Free opening-night festivities include chili, hot chocolate, a Santa visit and carolers.

The Afterglow: Grill 44 pub serves a little bit of everything: stacked burgers, chicken dinners, salads, seafood pasta and more. Plus, there’s an impressive number of beers and ciders on tap.

Holly Road in Cadillac

Head to Holly Road for beautiful Christmas lights to get you into the holiday spirit. After stopping by Holly, head around Lake Cadillac for even more gorgeous displays.

The Afterglow: Technically, this one’s before the glow, but you’ve got to grab a hot beverage from Roasted Cafe before your adventure. 

Around Bellaire 

Downtown Bellaire and the nearby streets are dripping in lights all December long. Start downtown and make your way down the surrounding streets where you can find elaborate residential displays.

The Afterglow: Once you’ve experienced all the lights you can handle, head to Short’s Brewing Co. for a seasonal brew to warm you up.

Downtown Petoskey

Make your way through downtown Petoskey, with is historic Gaslights decorated with wreaths, lights and a bright red bow. End at Pennsylvania Park to see the Christmas tree and decorated gazebo. For more nearby light displays, check out the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau.

The Afterglow: Warm up at Lost Village Pierogi (or grab some to take and bake) with comforting combos like loaded baked potato and lobster rangoon.

Manistee County Community Christmas

Residential homes, downtown businesses and local nonprofits all take part, creating incredible holiday light displays. This handy Google Map helps you plot your route, marking all the stops. Get a few sneak peeks on the Community Christmas Facebook page.

The Afterglow: The cozy atmosphere of TJ’s Pub on River Street in downtown Manistee wraps up the perfect day out in the cold. Order a brew or glass of wine and don’t skip out on the duck wantons or the pub’s signature flatbreads.

SkyBridge, Boyne Falls

SkyBridge Michigan’s immersive experience, Lights in the Sky, features more than 150,000 twinkle lights (100,000!!) that cascade like luxurious dripping gemstones from the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge. SkyBridge stretches an impressive 1,200 feet, and at its highest point rises 120 feet off the ground. Lights in the Sky is open from November through March.

The afterglow: Snag a basket of pierogies and kielbasa at the SkyBridge food truck.