Bellaire does the holidays the small-town way. There's a gift fair at the school, a soup cook-off, a parade of lights down Bridge Street and Santa at the pavilion, and the towns around Torch Lake each light their own tree. Here's what's on for 2026, in date order.
2026 holiday events at a glance
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 7 | Holiday Gift Fair | Bellaire Middle School |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa's Arrival | Downtown Elk Rapids |
| Sat, Nov 28 | Alden Christmas Celebration | Downtown Alden |
| Sat, Dec 5 | Light Up the Night and Soup Cook-Off | Downtown Bellaire |
| Sat, Dec 19 | Lighting of the Bridges | Grass River Natural Area |
| Fri, Dec 25 | $10 Christmas Day skiing | Schuss Mountain |
Holiday Gift Fair, November 7
The 43rd annual Holiday Gift Fair is Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 10am to 3pm at Bellaire Middle School. It's free to get in, and it's packed with local crafters and makers. It's also where tickets for the Soup Cook-Off go on sale first, so pick yours up early if you're coming back for Light Up the Night.
Elk Rapids tree lighting, November 27
The day after Thanksgiving, Elk Rapids lights its village tree and welcomes Santa downtown, from 6pm to 8pm on Friday, November 27. The tree goes up in front of Bayfront Beach and Bike. Expect caroling, hot cocoa and a meet and greet with the Second Chance Mushers and their sled dogs. Make an evening of it with dinner in town. Our Elk Rapids guide has our picks.
Alden Christmas Celebration, November 28
On Saturday, November 28, downtown Alden celebrates from 3pm to 7pm at the new Village Center. Cookies and crafts at the church run from 3pm to 5pm, everyone gathers at 5pm, the tree is lit at 5:20pm and Santa arrives by fire truck at 5:30pm. Merchants stay open until 7pm.
Light Up the Night and Soup Cook-Off, December 5
This is the big one. The 17th annual Light Up the Night fills downtown Bellaire on Saturday, December 5, 2026. The Chamber's schedule is still marked tentative, but here's the plan so far:
| Time | What |
|---|---|
| 10am – 11am | 5K Elf Run |
| 10am – 3pm | Last Chance Craft Fair at the ASI Community Center |
| 11:30am – 12:30pm | Polar Plunge at Riverside Marina |
| 1pm – 3pm | Free holiday movie at the Bellaire theater (bring a food donation) |
| 3pm – 5pm | Santa and Mrs. Claus at the downtown pavilion |
| 4:30pm – 7pm | Soup Cook-Off around downtown ($15 tickets, limited), plus warming stations |
| 5pm – 6pm | Live nativity at Ruthie's Dairy Twist |
| 6pm | Parade of Lights, theme "Christmas Traditions" |
| 6:45pm | Tree lighting |
Eleven local restaurants and teams cook this year, and you vote for your favorite. Tickets are limited: they go on sale at the Gift Fair, then at participating businesses. Dress warm, since you'll be outside for the parade. December 5 is also Schuss Mountain's projected opening day, so a ski morning and a parade night is a real option this year. See the Schuss 2026–27 season guide.
Lighting of the Bridges at Grass River, December 19
Our favorite quiet one. On Saturday, December 19, from 6pm to 8pm, Grass River Natural Area hosts an evening walk on its boardwalk, with a campfire, hot cocoa and holiday crafts. It's $5 a person. Bring your own light, and if the snow is deep, snowshoes may be available to rent. Grass River is at 6500 Alden Highway, about six miles south of downtown Bellaire. More in our Grass River guide.
Christmas week on the slopes
Shanty Creek's calendar lists $10 lift tickets at Schuss Mountain on Christmas Day, from 11am to 4:30pm, with Santa on the slopes. The holiday ski week runs December 26 through January 2, and night skiing is projected to start December 26. It's the busiest week of the ski season, so book lodging well ahead.
Looking ahead: Northern Escape in February
If you're planning a girls' weekend, Elk Rapids hosts Northern Escape, A Girls' Holiday in Elk Rapids, from February 18 to 21, 2027, with a vintage market on Saturday, February 20, from 9am to 3pm at HERTH, 401 River St.
Tips for a holiday weekend up north
- Book early for Light Up the Night weekend and Christmas week. They're two of the busiest winter weekends in Bellaire.
- Pack for snow. Early December can be anything from bare ground to a foot of fresh powder.
- Leave time to shop. Downtown Bellaire, Elk Rapids and Alden all have small, independent shops worth a browse, and Alden's merchants stay open until 7pm on celebration night.
Frequently asked questions
When is Light Up the Night in Bellaire in 2026?
Saturday, December 5, 2026, in downtown Bellaire. The Parade of Lights starts at 6pm and the tree lighting is at 6:45pm. The schedule is tentative until the Chamber confirms it.
Where is the 2026 Bellaire Holiday Gift Fair?
At Bellaire Middle School on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 10am to 3pm. Admission is free.
What is the Lighting of the Bridges at Grass River?
An evening walk on Grass River Natural Area's boardwalk, with a campfire, cocoa and crafts. In 2026 it's Saturday, December 19, from 6pm to 8pm, and it's $5 a person.
Sources
Bellaire Area Chamber of Commerce: Holiday Gift Fair and Light Up the Night. Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce: Elk Rapids tree lighting, Alden Christmas Celebration and Northern Escape. Grass River Natural Area programs. Shanty Creek's Schuss Mountain calendar. Checked November 1, 2026. Event details can change, so confirm with the organizers before you go.