The Great Lakes's 9 Most Festive Downtowns For The Holidays
The holidays are a time of year when communities come together to celebrate. From the twinkling Christmas lights on the streets to holiday parades and community dinners, the festivities bring out the best in a community. The towns around the Great Lakes possess the natural allure of lake life. In wintertime around the holidays, these towns are often snow-covered, and their downtowns come alive with festivities. Many of these quaint towns have a Hallmark-like charm around the holiday season. Here we explore nine of the Great Lakes' most festive downtowns.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Located next to Lake Ontario, Niagara-on-the-Lake is a charming town with a magical, storybook-like atmosphere throughout the year. The area is popular to visit during the summer for its beautiful scenery and vibrant activities. During the holidays, the downtown comes alive with holiday events, from Christmas markets to theatrical performances. The Shaw Festival Theater puts on performances for the Holiday Season, including a Christmas Carol and White Christmas.
One of Niagara-On-The-Lake's most unique holiday traditions is its Candlelight Stroll. Enjoy the Christmas trees and Christmas Village on Queen Street while enjoying holiday performances from local music groups. Participants can purchase a candle for five dollars to light up their walk. Closer to Christmas, the town also has a Christmas parade on Queen Street. The parade has festively decorated floats, marching bands, and even a Santa Claus appearance.
Port Dover, Ontario
Port Dover is a charming lakeside town on the shores of Lake Erie in Ontario, Canada. In the summer months, the town comes alive with visitors looking to cool down at the beach. In the winter months, while the town quiets down, the downtown comes alive with festivities for the holidays. Strolling on the streets downtown, check out the shops, including the Dover Cheese Shop, which sells specialty cheese. There are also many cute eateries and Cafes downtown to grab a coffee or treat to warm up. Trish's bakery is a great spot to stop for a coffee and a baked good. In November, the downtown starts to come alive with holiday spirit for the annual Christmas Fest. This event kicks off the holiday season with a Santa Claus parade, tree lighting, and horse-drawn wagon rides. There is also a bonfire on the beach at night and a moonlight madness shopping event, where local shops stay open longer.
Port Stanley, Ontario
Another Canadian Great Lake town with a festive downtown during the holiday season is Port Stanley. Throughout the holiday season, the downtown has lights and Christmas decorations that create a cozy, village-like atmosphere. In late November, the holiday celebration kicks off with a Harbour Holiday Event. This is the town's Main holiday event a features a lighting ceremony, Dickens parade, and carriage rides. Strolling through Port Stanley's downtown is magical during the holiday season with the lights and holiday décor. Enjoy stopping in at the galleries, shops, and cozy restaurants. Stop in at the Art Emporium or Paradise Vintage Shop for a unique holiday gift idea. During the winter months, the Port Stanley Festival Theater sometimes has themed shows for the holidays. This makes for a great evening outing on a cold winter day during the holidays.
Dunkirk, New York
On the southern shore of Lake Erie, Dunkirk, New York, is a cute mix of outdoor adventure and local culture. The town has some beautiful parks, such as Point Gratiot Park, which offer a peaceful escape to enjoy stunning views of the lake. Even during the winter, Point Gratiot Park is a great spot to enjoy some winter beauty. During the holiday season, Dunkirk's downtown comes alive with festivities. The Christmas on Central celebration is a fun event that has local vendors and a holiday parade. The parade has local groups and festival floats, bringing out the best in the community. Explore some of the town's shops and eateries at the Boardwalk Marketplace. This 160-foot-long covered boardwalk has seasonal decorations for the holiday season. Shop for some holiday gifts while enjoying scenic views of Chadwick Bay.
Charlevoix, Michigan
Charlevoix is a Michigan town on the shores of Lake Michigan, also near Lake Huron. The town is known for its quiet lakeshore views, and in winter, Charlevoix is transformed into an often snowy paradise. The town is near ski resorts like Nubs Nob, which offer a great opportunity for people of all skill levels to hit the slopes. More adventurous visitors might enjoy a winter raft down the Jordan River. The rafting trips are guided, so even if it is the first time visitors are going winter rafting, they can have a safe, enjoyable trip. Charlevoix's downtown is full of winter attractions during the holiday season. Every year, they host the Charlevoix Venetian Festival of Trees. This event showcases beautifully decorated Christmas trees, all decorated by local businesses. Seeing so many beautiful Christmas decorations is sure to make anyone get into the holiday spirit. Charlevoix is also known for its charming activities, which make the holidays feel more magical. Consider a tour of the Mushroom Houses for a unique fairytale escape adventure. These are 26 of the most fascinating stone structures ever built. During the holidays, when the ground is covered in snow, these buildings seem even more magical.
Ashland, Wisconsin
On beautiful Lake Superior, Ashland is a quaint small town with an old-timey charm. The Historical Mural Walk is one of the town's most popular activities. During the holiday season, this walk becomes more magical with the downtown's Christmas décor. Walk along the “Mural Brick Road” and discover the twenty murals that showcase Ashland's history, in a winter wonderland.
When the weather gets colder and snow covers the ground, Ashland's adventurous side comes out. From ice skating at the East End Rink to snowshoeing at the back of the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, there is a winter adventure for everyone. For the holidays, Ashland also has numerous festivities downtown. There is the Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting, which take place in early December on the Historic Main Street. To get in the spirit of the season, Ashland Historical Museum also puts on seasonal displays.
Leland, Michigan
A charming coastal town known for its historic fish town, Leland is a great spot to enjoy the holidays. The town is nestled between Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau, offering great lake views. During the holidays, the downtown area has a beautiful light display. The sparkling lights transform the downtown into an even more charming village. One of the best places to see a holiday light display in Leland is the Leland Lodge. The lodge is decorated so beautifully that it looks like it is off the cover of a Christmas postcard.
The Old Art Building is another spot that is decorated beautifully around the holidays. Make sure to check out the inside of the building to see the work of local artists. There are also Christmas Light Tours on Unlimited Charters buses. The guided tours last 3-4 hours and even take visitors to see a unique floating Christmas tree on Big Glen Lake. Downtown Leland also has some unique shops, which are great places to browse for Holiday gift inspiration. Leelanau Books is an independent book shop that is a great place to find a gift for the bookworm in your life.
Chesterton, Indiana
Near the southern shore of Lake Michigan, Chesterton, Indiana, is a charming small town known for its unique attractions, such as the Indiana Dunes State Park. This park offers beautiful views and is a good spot for a hike, even in the winter months. During the holiday season, Chesterton hosts numerous celebrations downtown. The Hometown Holiday Celebration takes place every year in early December. The celebration features a pancake brunch with Mrs. Claus, a Holiday Market with local artisans, and a chance to go for a stroll. The local shops and restaurants make the downtown inviting. Stop in at some of the shops for a unique find or grab a bite to eat at one of the ma and pa eateries. Lucrezia Café is a cozy spot with tasty northern Italian cuisine. Round the Clock Restaurant is another local favorite spot with a family-friendly menu.
Bayfield, Ontario
Last but not least on this list is Bayfield. The small town has fewer than 1,000 people. Sitting on the shores of Lake Huron, Bayfield is a beautiful little beach town with sandy beaches and a charming downtown area. The town is home to numerous historic landmarks, including Bayfield Lighthouse. The charming town truly comes alive during the holiday season when lights and decorations light up the downtown area. Starting off the festivities downtown is the tree lighting ceremony, which takes place in November. The lighting takes place at Clan Gregor Square. Afterward, Santa emerges from the Gazebo. There is also a Santa Claus parade in town with cozy firepits, delicious food and beverages, and free horse carriage rides.
The holidays are a great time to explore Bayfield's shops downtown for gift ideas. The Village Bookshop, Market 29, and The Spotted Cow are some unique shops that are great places to start your holiday shopping.
Visiting The Great Lakes During The Holidays
During the holiday season, these towns come alive with sparkling tree lights, holiday events, and seasonal activities. These things all make the holidays a special time of year. The nine towns mentioned here possess a particular sparkle during the holidays that transforms their downtown into a winter wonderland. Visiting any one of these towns will transport visitors to a charming village in a Christmas Hallmark movie. This makes these towns a great spot to visit for the holiday season, on a family vacation, or a romantic weekend getaway. Whether you enjoy snowshoeing and adventuring through the snow or admiring the downtown square with twinkling lights, these nine downtowns have something for everyone to enjoy. With the holidays around the corner, consider heading to one of these destinations. Their holiday magic will make for an unforgettable trip.
