From carriage rides to giant Christmas trees, Calhoun County is ready to get you into the holiday spirit.

LIGHTS

Downtown Battle Creek is festooned with decorations for the Festival of Lights. Check out classics, such as the 12 Days of Christmas along the Battle Creek River. Or visit Mill Race Park, where there’s a playground and a coordinated light show, with music.

Marshall’s Merry Mile is a drive-thru experience. Follow a decorated path through the Calhoun County Fairgrounds Wednesdays through Sundays. 

If you want to tour in style, the Marshall Carriage Co. is now selling tickets for carriage rides through the Merry Mile for Wednesdays-Fridays and Sundays. On Saturday, the carriage company tours downtown and the historic neighborhoods of Marshall. For more information on tours, call 269-781-8818.

Gilmore Car Museum has an outdoor driving tour with lights and music. You can also go inside the museum for the Festival of Trees and a visit with Santa Claus, along with checking out all of the cool cars on display.

Southern Exposure is open on December weekends for tours of the lighted gardens, a Festival of Trees, crafts and shopping.

CHEER

New this year are giant Christmas trees at The Milton. They’re so big, they had to be lifted through a window instead of the doors. They look gorgeous in the Art Deco lobby. Kingman Museum also has an exhibit of artifacts there during the holiday season. Free hot chocolate and treats will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Station 66 sells Christmas trees and other holiday decorations, along with selling hot chocolate and some of the best doughnuts in Battle Creek.

The coffee is free at Horrocks, where you can buy evergreen wreaths and food-themed gift baskets stuffed with good things from small businesses.

SANTA

Santa’s mailbox returns to the Battle Creek Welcome Center – put in a letter to Santa with your address by Dec. 20, and you’ll receive a handwritten reply from Santa. 

If you want to see Santa, tune into Wonderful Winterfest online or on TV. The puppets are back!

Santa is going to visit different Marshall shops throughout December. Look here for the dates.

GIFTS

Holly Mart is going on at the Art Center of Battle Creek. Browse 75 local artists and science-centered wares from Kingman Museum. While there, you can check out Richard Schlatter’s latest exhibit.

December is a great month to visit Kellogg Manor. The historic house has a holiday market, craft classes and a visit from Mrs. Claus.