Home for the Holidays 2016

Celebrating Traditions Throughout the Harbor Springs Area!

Christmas Tree Lighting - Saturday, November 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Harbor Springs loves its traditions and the events surrounding the upcoming holidays are no exception. This year marks the 101st anniversary of a community Christmas tree placed in town, a tradition started by local contractor George B. Hartung. As a young man, Hartung cut and hauled a Christmas tree from his home in Larks Lake into downtown Harbor Springs for the townsfolk to enjoy. 

This tradition lives on this year with the 101st Anniversary Tree Lighting Celebration taking place in downtown Harbor Springs on Saturday, November 26. Festivities beginning at 6:30 pm. and all are welcome to help celebrate this beloved town tradition of lighting the tree and singing a few Christmas carols. Afterward everyone is invited to enjoy chili and refreshments at the Holy Childhood Parish Hall, 150 W. Main Street. Thanks to Holy Childhood, First Presbyterian, Stutsmanville Chapel and the United Methodist Church of Harbor Springs as well as the American Legion Auxiliary and First Community Bank for providing the refreshments. 

Once again, this year’s Christmas tree is being donated by Nub’s Nob. The approximately 40-foot-tall white spruce tree will be cut and transported by the City of Harbor Springs Electric Department. Prior to the Saturday tree lighting, children of all ages are welcome to place homemade ornaments and decorations on the tree. Local merchants and residents get into the holiday spirit by participating in the annual decorating contest. This year’s window decorating theme is "White Christmas." Participants must enter by November 22, and awards will be given in each of five categories: Restaurants, Retail Gifts, Retail Clothing, Service and Residential. Entry forms are available on the Chamber’s website: www.harborspringschamber.com.

Visit from Santa and Lyric Theatre Movies - Saturday, November 26 starting at 11:00 a.m.
This year, the Harbor Springs Lyric Theatre will be showing two “Tree Lighting Specials” on Saturday, November 26.

• 11:00 a.m. - "A Christmas Story" will be their featured matinee at 11:00 a.m.
• 12:45 p.m. - A special visit from Santa Claus! He will arrive via fire truck thanks to his friends at the Harbor Springs Area Fire Department (about 12:45 pm in front of the theater).
• After the tree lighting - The 1954 classic “White Christmas” will be shown starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney.

Cross Village Community Tree Lighting - Friday, November 25 at 5:30 p.m.
Cross Village, situated on the shores of Lake Michigan just 20 miles north of Harbor Springs, will host its 15th Annual Community Tree Lighting and Holiday Open House on Friday, November 25, 2016, from 11 am to 7 pm. Three Pines Studio will host the event including music, food and festivities. The Cross Village tree lighting takes place at 5:30 pm.

Merchant Holiday Open House - Saturday, December 3 at 6:00 p.m.
The celebration continues with another annual tradition, the Merchants Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 3, 2016 from 6:00-9:00 pm in downtown Harbor Springs. Enjoy a fun-filled evening of shopping, special music with the Petoskey High School Steel Drum Band, refreshments and more shopping. Come be a part of local traditions this season and celebrate Harbor Springs!