Holiday decor adorns our windows and porches, and string lights twinkle and blink down every street. Christmas tree farms are overflowing with patrons, our boots caked with mud and our cheeks tinted pink. December has arrived! Our first wintry weekend in Southwest Michigan is bursting with activities, and we can help you find new events to add to your list of exciting winter hobbies.
Friday December 3rd, the city of St. Joseph kicks off the festivities with Light Up The Bluff, where one million lights will dazzle and dance across the bluff through February 15th. At 6pm, the St. Joseph High School Choir will begin with Christmas carols, and the lighting ceremony will follow directly after. Beginning at 7pm, storefronts downtown will be ready for your vote during the Window Wonderland displays.
If you happen to be in Cass County on Friday, Dowagiac is hosting their Candlelight Christmas Parade! The streets are filled with carolers and floats, welcoming Christmastime with businesses, church groups, community members, and more. Step off time is at 7pm.
The Andrews University Singers ‘Welcome Christmas’ on Friday as well, giving a concert at 7pm at the Howard Performing Arts Center in Berrien Springs. Under conductor Stephen Zork, this group of musicians represents the select choir of the Department of Music, and has toured internationally. This concert is a free event.
Saturday December 4th can be a shopping day, with multiple holiday markets taking place in our area. River Valley High School is hosting their 5th Annual Holiday Market from 9am to 2pm in the cafeteria, and will showcase more than 20 vendors selling jewelry, crafts, decor, beauty products, and more. The Christmas Bazaar at the Buchanan Area Senior Center is open from 9am to 2pm, and offers baked goods for purchase, a $5 boxed lunch, as well as unique, hand-crafted gifts for your friends and loved ones. The Saugatuck Center for The Arts invites you to shop their Outdoor Holiday Market from 9am – 3pm, where forty different vendors will exhibit their giftable goods for purchase.
At 9am Saturday morning, the second annual Candy Cane 5K Run will race through the Village of Stevensville, hosted by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School. Registration ends on December 2nd, so join quickly! The fee is $25 per participant and the proceeds will benefit the St. Paul’s Lutheran School Scholarship Fund.
The St. Joseph Reindog Holiday Parade welcomes pets and owners dressed in holiday flair to fill the streets downtown. At 3pm, the parade will travel around businesses and onlookers, celebrating the arrival of Santa just outside of the St. Joe Today Welcome Center. To participate with your pet, register day-of or online at stjoetoday.com.
After sunset, spend sixty minutes strolling through Fernwood Botanical Gardens for their Lights At Fernwood display. Available Thursday-Sunday through January 2nd, the grounds will be illuminated in glorious light, and their Holiday Hub will be open for the purchase of snacks and beverages. Buying tickets in advance is strongly recommended, and you can find the link at fernwoodbotanical.org.
At 8pm on Saturday, the Andrews Wind Symphony performs their annual holiday concert at the Howard Performing Arts Center. They will include timeless Christmas classics as well as some symphonic highlights from Disney’s “Frozen”. Director Byron Graves invites you to welcome the season and share your Christmas spirit. General admission tickets are $7 each.
Gather your friends, family, neighbors, and strangers and greet the holidays in wonderful Southwest Michigan. There is so much to do!
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM Contributor
