’Tis the season to gather with friends and family, cozy up around a fire, and celebrate a slower pace as we usher in 2025.
The Sleeping Bear Dunes region is a great destination during the holidays – whether your family makes it an annual tradition or you want to book a last-minute getaway.
Do you prefer hitting the slopes, toasting New Year’s Eve out on the town, or venturing out for a winter hike? We’ve got you covered with an array of festive activities.
Relax at The Homestead
Escape for a ski trip or ring in 2025 with unique lodging options – from family condos to hotel-style rooms with fireplaces and jacuzzi tubs – at The Homestead.
The Homestead makes a great home base in the heart of Sleeping Bear Dunes offering ski in-ski out accommodations, spa services, and on-site dining.
The slopes opened Dec. 26, but conditions can change depending on Mother Nature. Find lodging and the resort’s packages here, learn about winter activities, or stay updated on the latest Bay Mountain ski conditions.
Whisker’s, a pub-style eatery with indoor and outdoor bars and fireplaces, will be open until midnight on New Year’s Eve and noon-11 p.m. Wed-Sat and noon-6 p.m. Sunday.
Nonna’s Ristorante offers two intimate dining areas with natural stone fireplaces in a cozy timber-framed structure. The restaurant will be open 5-10 p.m. on Dec. 31 and 5-9 p.m. until Jan. 5.
You can try other winter recreation, weather permitting, at the resort. Even if there isn’t snow, bask in those Lake Michigan views or treat yourself to some self-care at Spa Amira.
Sip and Shop Around the Peninsula
Check out the latest Glen Arbor events or stop in the cash-only pub Art’s Tavern for the locals’ scoop - plus a burger and beer. For the wine drinkers in the group, the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail offers more than 20 tasting rooms with unique scenery and ambience. Some even have outdoor patios and firepits open during the winter.
In Glen Arbor, the M22 Wine Experience tasting bar and patio features 16 local wines and two hard ciders blended for the M22 brand by Black Star Farms.
The Mill on the Crystal River is a relaxing place to visit any time of day – grab morning coffee, enjoy afternoon happy hour, or gather with friends for a casual dinner. The Mill will be open 8 a.m.-9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
Wherever you decide to venture, enjoy the holiday decorations, seasonal drinks, and “up north” vibe. Coffee. Hot toddy. Beer. It’s the holidays – eat, drink, and be merry.
Leelanau Light Displays
After a few days with the family, you may be ready to explore and take in the peninsula’s holiday lights. Now, the decision is whether to head north or south.
It’s worth a stop by the Old Art Building in Leland for Season of Lights. This free event features trees and other light displays on the front lawn through Jan. 2.
Continue north to see Northport’s natural tree on Nagonaba Street lit up and decorated for the holidays. This is Instagram-worthy, so get out and snap a selfie to share on social media.
For a full list of activities, visit northportnutcrackers.com. Northport also hosts an annual Anchor Drop on New Year’s Eve. Ring in the New Year with your friends at The Mitten Brewing! Live music from Local Riff Raff, as well as Handsome Dan and The Hooligans starts at 9.
From there, be sure to visit the Herman family’s holiday lights at 10780 E. Murray Ct. in Suttons Bay. The Hermans’ lights will be up through New Year’s Eve. For the latest updates, visit Herman Holiday’s Facebook page.
The display is two miles south of Hop Lot Brewing Co. off M-22, so you can plan ahead and reserve an igloo or warm up around the outdoor fires in the expansive beer garden. For more Leelanau displays, read this blog Leelanau Christmas Lights Tour (and more!)
To the south, Frankfort’s quaint downtown also has a large outdoor tree and other displays. You can pick up a map for a Benzie area holiday light tour at Perks of Frankfort or Hill Top Coffee & Ice Cream in Benzonia.
Downtown Beulah attaches trees to the light posts, and Lucky Dog Bar & Grille hosts a light display synchronized to music in the courtyard through New Year's Eve.
Remember, it gets dark early, so give yourself plenty of time to get back to home base.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve
The Manitou Restaurant, between Crystal Lake and Platte River on M-22, offers fine dining in a Northwoods atmosphere. The Manitou is open Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and Dec. 27-31. Make it a date night on Sunday, when you can order two entrees and a bottle of select red or white wine for $75. Visit themanitourestaurant.com for hours and menu.
If you want to get dolled up, ring in the new year with elegance and style at Black Star Farms’ New Year’s Eve Wine Dinner. The evening includes a multi-course, wine-paired dining experience for you and your loved ones.
Black Star Farms’ talented chefs will present and discuss the inspiration behind their courses. The black-tie affair begins with a sparkling wine reception, followed by dinner at large feasting tables where conversations (and wine) will flow.
The Traverse City Cherry T Ball Drop is a local tradition that includes music and other fun leading up to midnight, when a 600-pound glowing cherry descends on downtown. This New Year’s Eve celebration begins at 10 p.m. at the corner of Front and Cass streets.
The CherryT Ball will be live-streamed if you prefer to party closer to home (or your hotel). Visit the CherryT Ball Drop Facebook page for more information.
Winter Recreation, Other Activities
The winter is a great time to experience Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore blanketed in snow. The dunes and trails are open year-round for winter sports or stargazing. The park is free to explore with a Lakeshore access pass. Opt outside and discover the diverse terrain accessible by showshoes and cross-country skis. Learn more about winter recreation in the park here.
Black Star Farms also offers Snowshoes, Vines, & Wines Dec. 28-31 and Saturdays during the winter. The estate transforms into an enchanting winter wonderland as you traverse scenic trails, then warm up with soup and a glass of mulled wine on the heated Terrace Patio. Or visit the estate later for Live Music at the Bistro from 6-8 p.m. every Saturday. Enjoy a pre-dinner craft cocktail and music by talented local and regional artists.
Although the Grand Traverse Lighthouse is closed for tours, you can still visit the property for a winter walk. The lighthouse is inside Leelanau State Park eight miles north of Northport. Can’t make it in person? The lighthouse will offer a virtual Winter Lighthouse Lecture series. Register via Zoom and learn about the lighthouse’s history from home.
The art scene slows down over the holiday break. Glen Arbor Arts Center closes Dec. 21-Jan. 1. Oliver Art Center in Frankfort is closed on New Year’s Day. ARTventure: Winter Member Show is on display in the Beck and Borwell Galleries until January 3. Admission is free, so it’s worth a quick visit.
Frankfort’s Garden Theater is also showing Wicked Dec. 27-29. Learn more at gardentheater.org. The Bay Community Theatre in Suttons Bay is showing Moana 2 over the holidays.
The week between Christmas and New Year’s is the one week of the year where it feels safe to unplug, loaf, and lose track of time. Make the most of it by exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Marla R. Miller is a freelance travel writer, blogger, and content writer who enjoys exploring the Sleeping Bear area. Visit her website at marlarmiller.com.