When the Christmas season is upon us, the Victorian city of Manistee kicks off the festivities in a big way, with its annual Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend. This popular event brings as many as 10,000 visitors to Manistee to experience the wonder of a Christmas gone by. The highlight of the parade is the Belgian draft horses that pulls a 30' Christmas tree down River Street in downtown Manistee.

The entire Old Christmas Weekend is filled with wonderful activities.

Highlights include:

• -The Festival of Trees (Friday 1-8pm, Saturday 9:30am-8pm, Sunday 11am-1pm.
• -Guided tours of Dempsey Mansion every day at 1,2 & 3pm.
• -The Glenn and Pat Lottie Art Exhibit at the Ramsdell Theatre (Thursday & Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 1-8pm, Sunday 11am-4pm).
• A Victorian Christmas at the Manistee County Historical Museum (Thursday 10am-5pm, Friday & Saturday 10am-7pm, Sunday 10am-2pm).
• "The Nutcracker Ballet," at the Ramsdell Theatre (Friday & Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 2pm).

Manistee is a great place to pick up those gifts for everyone on your list, and downtown restaurants welcome you into their cozy establishments for a delicious meal. As the snow flies, enjoy the carolers, decked out in period dresses, coats, and top hats. It's certainly the right setting to put you in a festive holiday mood.

The main feature of the Old Christmas Weekend is the Victorian Sleighbell Parade at 5:30pm on Saturday.

Get downtown early to enjoy hot cider at 4pm and roasted chestnuts at 4:30. It's also your chance to get a look at the Kiwanis Cops that mingle downtown. The Sleighbell Parade, complete with horse-drawn Christmas tree, is filled with the old-fashioned nostalgia of Christmases gone by. It's truly a don't miss highlight of the holiday season to share with family and friends.

For the holiday season, make sure you include Manistee's Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend in your plans. If you are traveling from outside the area, check out Manistee lodging facilities for a great place to stay, and Manistee restaurants for your dining options.

Here are some of the highlights from 2018:

Thursday

• Christmas Cookie & Wine Pairing, 12pm-5pm, Douglas Valley Downtown, 431 River St.
• Chamber Business After Hours, 5:30pm-7:30pm, Ramsdell Theatre Ballroom.

Friday

• Ashton Cigar Holiday Experience, 12pm-4pm, Surroundings.
• Ramsdell Theatre Tours, 1, 2 & 3pm on the hour
• Christmas Cookie & Wine Pairing, 12pm-5pm, Douglas Valley Downtown, 431 River St.
• Kids & Kupcakes, 6:30-7:45pm, Ramsdell Theatre.
• Downtown Soup Cook-Off, 4:30-6:30pm, downtown Manistee.

Saturday

• Jingle Bell Jog 5k run/walk, 10am, Kennedy Elementary School.
• Sleighbell Bazaar and Craft Show, 9am-4pm, Manistee High School.
• Vogue Theatre Free Christmas Classic Movies, 10am-5pm, Vogue Theatre.
• Parents & Paint, 10am-noon, Ramsdell Theatre Ballroom Balcony.
• The Old Kirke Museum, 11am-2pm, 304 Walnut St.
• Love for Children & Chocolate, 11am-5pm, Christian Faith Church International, 55 Division St.
• Meet the Grinch, 12-1pm, Happy Owl Bookshop.
• Christmas Cookie & Wine Pairing, 12-5pm, Douglas Valley.
• Carriage Rides down River Street, 12pm-3:30pm.
• Historic Tour of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 12pm-2pm.
• Canvas & Cheer, 1-3pm, Ramsdell Theatre Ballroom Balcony.
• Santa's Headquarters, 1-3:45pm, Manistee Municipal Marina.
• Pony Rides, 2pm-4pm, Manistee Marina.
• Christmas at the Buckley House, 2-4pm, 450 Cedar St.
• Maxwell Town Brass, 2:30-3:30pm, 390 River Street.
• Christmas at Moving Spirits, 3pm-5pm, 429 River St.
• Roasted Chestnuts, 4:30pm-7:30pm, River Street.
• Merry Trombones, 4-5:15pm, 390 River Street.
• Jingle Mingle 4:30pm-7:30pm, Ramsdell Inn.
• Victorian Sleighbell parade, 5:30pm, River Street. Caroling & luminaries follow.

Sunday

• Traditional Swedish Brunch and Worship Service, 10am, Portage Lake Bible Camp.
• The Old Kirke Museum, 11am-2pm, 304 Walnut St.
• Christmas Cookie & Wine Pairing, 12-4pm, Douglas Valley.
• Santa's Headquarters, 1-4pm, Manistee Municipal Marina.
• Lessons & Carols, 3pm, Trinity Lutheran Church.

Events are listed according to the information available at the time of the most recent update to this story. The schedule is subject to change. For the complete schedule and updated information, please see
Manistee Sleighbell Festival.

Enjoy the holidays in Manistee, Michigan!

www.DestinationManistee.com

Starting to decorate for the holidays? It's a great time to find a Fresh Christmas Tree for your home!

More Holiday Information in West Michigan...

For more activities & attractions, check out these additional links for Things to Do in West Michigan:

Ludington Activities & Things to Do -- Play on a beautiful beach, take a tour at Historic White Pine Village, or explore the barn quilt trail, murals or sculptures in the county--Ludington offers many fun things to do for the entire family!
Have Fun in Manistee, Michigan -- Explore Manistee's historic downtown district and riverwalk, hike the Manistee National Forest, canoe on the Manistee River, and more.
Hamlin Lake -- Just 4 miles north of Ludington, Hamlin Lake is a great destination for boating, fishing and climbing dunes! The Hamlin Lake shoreline is also part of the Ludington State Park.
Silver Lake Sand Dunes -- Visiting the Silver Lake Sand Dunes makes for a terrific vacation because you can take your off-road vehicle for a spin on the scenic sand dunes overlooking Lake Michigan and Silver Lake.
Things to Do in Pentwater, Michigan -- Nothing is quite like the quaint, artsy, harbortown village of Pentwater. Don't miss the popular Charles Mears State Park beach on Pentwater's Lake Michigan shoreline.
Lots of Activities in Scottville, Michigan -- Explore the Riverside Park along the National Scenic Pere Marquette River.
Canoeing or Fishing on the Pere Marquette River -- Many boat liveries offer canoe rentals.
Also, check out West Michigan Guides and our locally produced WestMichigan.MichBiz.com directory for our largest lists of Things to Do in West Michigan.