Manistee's Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend
December 5-8, 2019

Photos by ToddAndBradReed.com

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.

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...
- Enjoy Concerts and Performances During the Holidays
- Where to Find a Fresh Christmas Tree
- Christmas in Scottville
- The Ludington & Scottville Branches of the Mason County District Library Offer Numerous Programs for Children & Families
- New Year's Eve in Downtown Ludington
- Pentwater's Christmas in the Village Festivities
- The Season for Giving
- The Holiday Season Shines at Bear Lake's Sparkle in the Park
- Home for the Holidays Events in Hart & Silver Lake
- Holiday Parties Made Easier
- Good Cheer is Found in West Michigan During the Holiday Season
- Christmas Festivities and the Aglow on the Avenue Parade with Santa in Downtown Ludington
- Manistee's Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend
- Shop Local, Support Your Community
- Local Bazaars and Holiday Arts & Crafts Shows
For more activities & attractions, check out these additional links for Things to Do in West Michigan:

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.
Uniquely Manistee...
- Discover Manistee's Riverwalk!
- Your M-22 Scenic Drive Begins in Manistee County
- Manistee National Forest
- The North Country Trail through the Manistee National Forest
- Tour the S.S. City of Milwaukee & US Coast Guard Cutter Acacia in Manistee
- Manistee Charter Boat Fishing on Lake Michigan
- Manistee Arts & Crafts Fairs
- Manistee Saints Baseball Team
- The Vogue Theatre: An Integral Piece of Manistee's Rich History
- 2019 Manistee County Festivals and Events
- Manistee Area Weather
- Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts in Manistee
- Manistee...Great Restaurants, Wonderful Food!
- Featured Manistee Area Businesses
- Community Services & Demographics for Manistee, Michigan