Holiday Tree Lightings Bring Community Cheer Across Grand Traverse County

Town squares, village greens, and a commons lawn lit up this holiday week as local celebrations across Grand Traverse County signaled the arrival of the season. On November 28 Glen Arbor staged its annual Bed Parade and PJ Party beginning at 6:30 a.m., followed by a community tree lighting and caroling at 6:15 p.m. Also on November 28 Glen Lake hosted a tree lighting and a preview of the Holiday Market at 6:15 p.m. outside Town Hall. Events timed for the post Thanksgiving weekend continued on November 29, with Traverse City offering multiple options. Seven Hills ran its third Twinkle the Night from 4 to 7 p.m. featuring seasonal cocktails, food, carols and family activities while the Village at Grand Traverse Commons provided hot cocoa and live music on the decorated front lawn for its tree lighting at 6:15 p.m. Suttons Bay held Holiday in the Village on November 29, with shop specials, opportunities to mail letters to Santa or find him at the Bay Theatre, and other family oriented programming.

The roundup published by Northern Express aimed to help residents plan Thanksgiving week and post Thanksgiving gatherings by consolidating times and locations for these kickoff events. For local merchants and restaurants the timing is important because the holiday weekend typically increases pedestrian traffic and creates early season revenue opportunities for small businesses and vendors at markets. For families and civic groups the events provide low cost social options, volunteer roles, and ways to sustain traditions that build community ties.

Municipal involvement ranged from Town Hall hosting to use of public greens and commons, underscoring the role of local government and nonprofit organizers in staging public celebrations. As the county moves deeper into the holiday season, residents can expect more market days and tree lightings that support the region's seasonal economy, provide part time opportunities for workers, and concentrate community activity in downtown areas and village centers.