The holiday season is truly and fully in swing. Enough time has passed where we’ve recovered from the Thanksgiving overeating and while our bank accounts may not be as healthy as they were before Black Friday, many of us are enjoying the holiday shopping season.

There is much about winter in the Upper Peninsula that isn’t always pleasant: icy roads, driveways that need constant work and car batteries that die at the most inopportune time.

While those aspects of winter can spread us Yoopers thin, it is worth it to enjoy the winter wonderland that is Superiorland in Christmastime.

Anyone who has ever seen a Hallmark movie will appreciate downtown Marquette during the holiday season: local shops have quality Christmas gifts you can’t find anywhere else, the houses are lit up and there is a magic in the air.

Beyond all of the cozy Christmas atmosphere, the Marquette area has a constant stream of holiday activities for people of all ages.

Whether it be Negaunee’s Tinseltown 2024 event, upcoming this weekend, or downtown Marquette’s holiday parade and tree lighting, there is no shortage of fun to be had.

We encourage you to head to Third Street in Marquette on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. to enjoy the Marquette Downtown Development Authority’s yearly parade, tree lighting and yule market event. The parade will feature illuminated floats, tinsel covered trucks and carolers. The parade starts at 6 p.m. and will head south towards Washington Street and the yule market, new this year, will have plenty of unique treats and local merchandise to help really make your families stockings full of interesting things.

More information about the parade can be found online at https://www.downtownmarquette.org/downtown-events/holiday-parade-tree-lighting

Tinseltown will take place Saturday in downtown Negaunee from 4 to 8 p.m. and will feature a full bevy of activities for all ages!

Check out the Tinseltown 2024 Facebook page.