Gabi Kautz

Whether you’re ready or not, Santa is coming to town soon. Why not embrace it and celebrate with some fun and festive events right here in the West End?

Negaunee will begin the festivities with the annual Tinseltown coming to downtown Negaunee! Stroll along Iron Street on Dec. 1 from 4-8 p.m. to enjoy shopping, delicacies, entertainment and fun. Participating businesses will offer in-store giveaways, hors d’oeuvres, sales, specials, prizes and more! Make sure to grab a Tinseltown Passport and fill it up for your chance to win custom gift baskets and giveaways which are full of fun items from participating businesses. Take a break from walking and warm up in the City Center for a craft show, which will be held from 4-8 p.m. Grab your family and walk through the “Tunnel of Lights” in the pocket park, a perfect opportunity for some candid Christmas photos! The Holiday Parade begins at 6 p.m. on Iron Street, and immediately after the Irontown Association will do the Tree Lighting at the band shell. To end the evening, head to the Elks Club for pictures with Santa.

Ishpeming Community Events, formerly known as the Ishpeming Business Association, is bringing back the Thursday night sleigh rides and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus! On Dec. 6, 13, and 20 from 6-8 p.m. take your family out for a sleigh ride around the Main Street block in downtown Ishpeming. Then head over for a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the newly renovated Santa House (located next to Old Ish). The first Santa House visits will begin this coming Thursday. Dec. 20 will mark a special evening, as Christ the King Lutheran Church will be doing a live nativity at 6 p.m. on Main Street. Feel the spirit of Christmas as the snow falls around you. There will be a short reading of a Christmas story followed by caroling. Feel free to take part in the caroling or just hang out and enjoy it.

Did we mention that all of these events are free? The holiday season can be stressful enough with gift buying and party planning. Don’t let the stress get in the way of enjoying the magic of the season! The folks of the West End are working hard to provide families with easy and fun ways to celebrate the holidays. Maybe we’re a little biased, but we think they’re doing an awesome job!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Gabi Kautz is the communications & marketing assistant for GINCC. She currently resides in Ishpeming. She enjoys traveling, yoga and photography.