Local light shows and events keep December in Bay County merry and bright

Silent nights only happen in songs. Around here, we fill December days and nights with music, light shows, makers’ markets, and so much more.

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate the many holidays during this season, check out the following list of community-wide events. (If you have a local event to add, visit the Route Bay City Facebook page. We’ll post this story there and invite people to add additional public celebrations and events in the comments.)

Photo courtesy of Trinity Episcopal ChurchTrinity Episcopal Church hosts an evening of Lessons and Carols on Sun., Dec. 22.

1. Trinity Episcopal Church and choir Exultate Deo

Great Lakes Bay Region singing group Exultate Deo will lead “Service of Lessons and Carols,” featuring hymns and other music during a 4 p.m. Sun., Dec. 22 performance at Trinity Episcopal Church, 815 N. Grant St. in Bay City. Exultate Deo is an ecumenical chamber choir. A reception follows the performance.

2. Christmas Musical Light Show in Freeland

For many families, the holidays aren’t complete without a visit to the Freeland Lights Christmas Musical Light Show in Hayes Park, 9200 Midland Road in Freeland. The display, coordinated by the Shepard family, pairs thousands of lights with music.

The show runs nightly through Tues., Dec. 31 from 5:30 to about 10:20 p.m. The full show lasts 15 minutes, repeating continuously. When you pull up to the show, tune your car radio to 93.9FM to hear the accompanying music.

Admission is free, but visitors are encouraged to contribute at donation stations inside the park. All donations go to the CAN Council and Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity.

3. Two light shows in Auburn

Once again, TriCity Furniture at 135 W. Midland Road in Auburn, turns its parking lot and building exterior into a Christmas light show. Park anywhere near the store and enjoy the show from the warmth of your car.

After the TriCity Furniture show, drive a few blocks to the corner of Midland Road and Auburn Road. There you’ll find the Holiday Light Display at Auburn City Park. You can see this one from US-10, but it’s well worth getting off the highway and into the park to sit and enjoy the show. At the site, you’ll see instructions for tuning your car radio into the accompanying music. Multiple parking spots near the display also make it easy to watch without venturing into the cold.

4. Holiday light displays in Bay County

If you want to see even more holiday lights after the big shows in Freeland and Auburn, you’re in luck. Amber Tilley Sevilla compiled a map of light displays in the area and posted it on Facebook. Click here to see the map.

Putting up your own display of lights? Be sure to take advantage of the Bay City Electric Light and Power’s Holiday Light Rebate Program. Purchase up to 10 strands of qualifying LED lights by Tues., Dec. 31, fill out a rebate application form and submit it by Mon., Jan. 6, and you’ll earn up to $5 per strand of new lights.

Ashley BrownWith a little help, children pet the horses during the 2022 Sundays in the City celebration.Photo courtesy of Kevin ColeTickets are on sale now for "Cole in Your Stocking," at the State Theatre.There’s still time to visit Downtown Bay City to stroll past festive window displays, take a carriage ride, and pick up some deals during holiday sales. The centerpiece of the Season of Celebration is Sundays in the City, but Downtown Bay City businesses offer special events every day of the week during December. 

Some highlights include: the 23^rd Annual Black & White Affair at Studio 23, 901 N. Water St. in Bay City, on Fri., Dec. 13; 12^th Annual Cole In Your Stocking Christmas Show featuring Kevin Cole at the State Theatre, 913 Washington Ave. in Bay City, on Fri., Dec. 13 and Sat., Dec. 14; and Meet & Greet with the Grinch on Sat., Dec. 14 at My Secret Garden, 600 Saginaw St.

The centerpiece of it all is the traditional Sundays in the City program. You have two more chances (Sun., Dec. 15 and Sun., Dec. 22) to take advantage of free carriage rides, special sales, and more. Click here for the link to the full schedule.

6. Bay County Library System

Between the Alice and Jack Wirt Public Library at 505 Center Ave. in Downtown Bay City; the Sage Branch Library at 100 E. Midland St. on Bay City’s West Side; Auburn Area Branch Library at 235 W. Midland Road in Auburn; and Pinconning Branch Library at 218 Kaiser St. in Pinconning, it’s no surprise that you’ll find lots of options for family fun inside our libraries this month.

Some of the highlights include a Pups & Pages at 11 a.m. Sat., Dec. 14 at Auburn ; Gingerbread Story time at 10 a.m. Mon., Dec. 16 at Sage; “The Mitten” story and crafting at 3:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 18 at Pinconning; and Move and Groove at 10:30 a.m. Thurs., Dec. 19 at Wirt.

Click here for the full December schedule. It’s a long list, but there’s a filter button at the top. You can sort the calendar by ages, locations, and types of programs.

Ashley BrownNo matter what the weather, it's warm and dry inside the Delta College Planetarium. During the holiday season, family-friendly shows at the Planetarium keep kids engaged and entertained.


7. Delta College Planetarium

Everyone is already scanning the sky for Santa Claus. Why not check out the stars too? You can take the family inside the Delta College Planetarium, at 100 Center Ave., in Downtown Bay City, to learn about the stars from the comfort of theater-style seats inside a heated building.

Click here for the schedule of December shows. Parents, take note. Many of these are matinees during the school break.

Ashley BrownIf you want to have fun while learning about Bay County's history from inside a climate-controlled building, visit the Historical Museum of Bay County.

8. Bay County Historical Society Museum

Craftsmen displaying their unique wares take over the Bay County Historical Society Museum – 321 Washington Ave. near Downtown Bay City – on Sat., Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 35 vendors are expected for the Holiday Bay City Makers Market. Insiders tell us that Santa Claus will visit the museum that day between 11 a.m and 2 p.m.

Before or after shopping, you can browse the museum exhibit showcasing Bay City businesses from 1880 to about 1910.

For the full schedule of museum events – including a few taking place while the kids are off school – click here.

9. Bay-Arenac Great Start Parent Coalition/Collaborative

Click here for a Facebook page you’ll want to keep an eye now and long after the winter holidays end. On it, you’ll find community events, tips for at-home fun with kids, and links to family-friendly programs throughout the two-county region.

December highlights include the Great Lakes Bay Mom Café every Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Bay City Town Center Community Room. A play area is available for kids and babies, if they accompany Mom.

Sign up for the organization’s newsletter and pick up literacy tips from Maggie Dwan, from the MiFamily Engagement and Literacy Hub. This month she suggests reading holiday or winter-themed books and singing songs such as “Jingle Bells” or “Frosty the Snowman,” to build language skills. Dwan also says kids learn from creating holiday cards. Parents can turn the fun activity into a teaching moment by talking about the shapes and colors the kids are using as they create the cards.

Best of all, some of these activities may become holiday traditions your family enjoys long after the kids can read.