2022 Holiday Guide: Cadillac, Frankfort, Manistee & Ludington

Get into the Up North holiday spirit! Whether you’re looking for gifts, sips, or adventures, this ultimate 2022 guide is the perfect tool to plan your holiday season in Cadillac, Frankfort, Manistee & Ludington!

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The Ultimate 2022 Cadillac Holiday Guide

You’ll have a downright jolly time in Cadillac. Get all of your shopping done then hit the trails: 200 groomed miles for snowmobiles, 60-plus for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing and 34 downhill ski runs.

Shop Local Favorites in Cadillac

Ladies, don’t miss Mäksē Boutique and Serendipity, both on Mitchell Street. Then head to Willow Market & Meats for lunch and to grab locally sourced, gourmet gifts. More fun stops: McLain Cycle & Fitness and The Sweet Shop (get a box of the signature Snow Birds—white chocolate and Georgia pecans).

Cheers to Holiday Sips in Cadillac

Clam Lake Beer Company boasts 40 craft beers on tap, plus wines and cocktails. Beyond that, the brewpub also has an extensive menu—pair a bacon cheddar apple grilled
cheese with some truffle tots for the perfect comfort meal.

Festive Adventures in Cadillac

Float along the mighty Pine River and soak in the surrounding snowy paradise during a guided winter rafting trip. Pine River Paddlesports
Center is your guide, just 30 minutes west of town.

Cadillac’s Winter Wonderland

Explore the 11-acre Waldeck Island Nature Preserve on Stone Ledge Lake. This hidden gem offers a 1.2-mile loop trail for hiking or snow-shoeing. Don’t miss the wildlife
viewing tower, where you just might spot an eagle or osprey land on the brand-new raptor nesting platform.

Holiday Events in Cadillac

Nov. 12 | Annual Band Booster Craft Show
Dec. 3 | Manton Holiday Craft Show
Dec. 8-11| German Holiday Market Around Town

Photo by Dave Weidner

Best Holiday Festivities in Frankfort

A much-loved craft brewery with a penchant for ugly Christmas sweaters, a renovated 1920s theater, fabulous eateries and fun shops—
Frankfort is downright jolly.

Shop Local in Frankfort

Lynn & Perin Mercantile is the spot to find a gourmet gift for the foodie in your life, and The Bookstore has a huge selection to peruse, from children’s books to travel. Don’t forget
a stop at the Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts, home to Mary’s Gift Gallery featuring Michigan-made works and artists.

Frankfort Sips and Bites

We love the menu at Stormcloud Brewing Company, especially since pairings are recommended for every item. Warm pretzel bites go well with a Birdwalker Blonde, while a salted caramel cookie is the perfect complement to the B. Sirius Dubbel.

Give the Gift of Frankfort

Support a local institution and give the gift of movie magic this season with a gift card to The Garden Theater. Choose your amount and order online for the perfect stocking stuffer or host

Explore Frankfort’s Winter Wonderland

Grab your snowshoes and head 10 minutes south of town to Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve. Nearly three miles of trail winding through forest and meadow will lead
you to stunning views of Lake Michigan.

Frankfort Holiday Events

Nov. 25 | Holiday Trail Celebration at Crystal Mountain
Nov. 26 | Holly Berry Art & Crafts Fair
Dec. 3 | Frankfort Community Tree Lighting Around Town

Photo by Angela Brown

2022 Holiday Adventures in Manistee

Manistee’s Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend and nearby Bear Lake’s Sparkle in the Park event, with its thousands and thousands of lights, will fill you with cheer.

Shop Local Favorites in Manistee

Head down River Street and stop at Wellnested, a new home and lifestyle store; Port City Emporium, where 40 local artisans sell paintings, candles,
vintage décor and jewelry; and Manistee Hobbies for puzzles, model rockets, kites and kits.

Cheers in Manistee

Downtown’s North Channel Brewing Co. sits right next to the Manistee River and drawbridge. Try Manistee’s IPA or the Lighthouse Lager, both available in cans for gifting.

Holiday Activities in Manistee

Canfield House Bed & Breakfast in nearby Onekama was completely renovated under new ownership in 2021 and is now open year-round. The themed weekends are especially
fun: wine tasting with Black Star Farms Dec. 9–11, a murder mystery dinner Jan. 13–15 and a Valentine’s Day getaway Feb.
10–12.

Manistee’s Winter Wonderland

The Manistee Non-Motorized Trails Park has about 3.8 miles groomed for classic and skate skiing and 5.4 miles of groomed fat bike trail. Find updated trail condition reports
online.

Holiday Events in Manistee

Nov. 19–20 | Christmas in Onekama & Celebration of Lights
Dec. 1– 4 | Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend
Dec. 3 & 4 | A West Shore Community College Holiday Rock Spectacular Reunion at Ramsdell Theatre

Photo by Manistee County Visitors Bureau

Holiday Activities in Ludington 2022

Ludington is a winter paradise— relax at cozy B&Bs, snowshoe along Lake Michigan dunes and find fun gifts at cheery shops downtown.

Local Ludington Shops

The Port Ludington is a newly opened collection of boutiques and eateries housed in a single marketplace. Grab lunch or dinner after browsing artisan goods; vendors include
The Port Ludington, Britter’s Twisted Whisk, Cluck Bucket, Faire Heart and HumaniTea.

Holiday Treats in Ludington

Get gifts for gourmands and holiday entertaining essentials (custom charcuterie boards!) before finding a spot at the bar for an après-shopping bevvy at
the brand-new Ludington Meat Company. Don’t let the name deceive you; you’ll find much more than meat here.

Give the Gift of Ludington

For the person who has it all, gift a weekend stay at The Lamplighter, an 1890s Victorian home turned B&B. Owners Dan and Jen Hinderer are thoughtfully updating the rooms, including the Ansel Adams Suite with its large jetted tub and garden views.

Ludington’s Ultimate Winter Wonderland

Ludington State Park is a popular spot with several miles of trails groomed for cross-country skiing and all others open to
snowshoers. The park hosts a series of events, including lantern-lit adventures.

Holiday Events in Ludington

Nov. 26 | Aglow on the Avenue Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
Dec. 1–27 | Deck the Halls: A Mason County Decorating Contest
Dec. 10–11 | Christmas at Historic White Pine Village Around Town

Photo by Downtown Ludington

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Celebrate the Holidays Up North with More 2022 Holiday Guides!

Searching for More Holiday Inspiration? View our 2021 Holiday & Gift Guides: