Tours + Experiences

Snuggle up under a blanket for a horse-drawn tour with Fantasy Carriage Company or Frankenmuth Carriage Company, and see snowy scenery all through Little Bavaria.

Get to know your way around Frankenmuth — and find shops & eateries to visit later — while warming up on the Golden Ticket Trolley.

Explore an oasis of mid-century modern architecture, the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio, when you schedule a tour this winter.

Shopping

Brighten up winter with 40+ stores at Frankenmuth River Place Shops and warm up while sampling Michigan-made wines & spirits to fudge & toffee.

With 50,000+ trims, gifts, and ornaments to shop, find joy & magic at the world’s largest Christmas store, Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland!

If winter is simply your reason for a new wardrobe or seasonal decor, then Birch Run Premium Outlets is your wonderland! Enjoy savings of up to 65% off at 100+ stores.

Explore “Michigan’s Largest Village of Unique Shops,” dusted with snow & perfectly cozy in the winter, at Pride and Country Village.

Step inside a cobblestone-lined castle, the Bavarian Inn Castle Shops, and uncover treasures across seven uniquely themed shops.

Sample from an assortment of eateries while shopping yarn & beads to apothecary products inside the SVRC Marketplace.

Discover one-of-a-kind gifts & goods by Michigan artisans at Serendipity Road, Creative Lane, or Amazin’ Mitten.

Browse interesting treasures & trend-forward fashions at My Secret Garden and Botanica Modern Market.

Find your fill of cozy home décor, unique gifts, and garden items inside inviting shops like Violets Blue, Little House, Warmbier Farms, or G.T. Homestead.

Antiquing

Scout for treasures at Michigan’s largest antique mall, Bay City Antiques Center/Bay Antique Center. Explore 400+ booths to shop local & regional antiques, alongside European imports.

Weave your way through 90+ booths overflowing with antiques & vintage goods at the Freeland Antique Mall.

Browse from 70+ antique dealers inside the Antique Warehouse before enjoying lunch at the café.

Find pure nostalgia at Americana Company Antiques, with unique antiquities, vintage items, and local memorabilia.

Spend time exploring The Iron Gate Emporium, where Michigan-made, shabby chic, vintage, antique, and mid-century modern meet.

Delighting shoppers for 40+ years, find vintage kitchenware to collectibles at The Little House Antiques.

See which reimagined pieces of mid-century modern furniture speak to you as you wander through Retro Attics Studio, Saturdays only.

Shop vintage galore (and start thinking spring by picking up interesting garden décor) from 60+ vendors at Around the Farm Antiques.

With three well-stocked buildings to explore, visit Thrifty Treasures Antiques & More for vintage pieces and collectibles of all kinds.

Find polished mid-century pieces, quirky collectibles, and retro threads inside Sister's Vin-Tiques.

Beer, Wine + Spirits

Watch the flakes fly through a wall of windows while staying warm inside Michigan’s oldest microbrewery, Frankenmuth Brewery — and taste winter’s flagship Christmas Town Ale.

Distillery, brewery, winery — experience all three this winter at Three Bridges Distillery & Taproom! Order a wood-fired sourdough pie to pair with your Oatmeal Stout or Cinnamon Whiskey Sour.

Gather in the warm ambiance of Prost! Wine Bar & Charcuterie to explore six tap wines, or build your own tasting board to enjoy with house specialty cocktails.

Cozy up at Midland Brewing Company, overlooking a wintry beer garden that backs up to the Pere Marquette Rail Trail, and try their seasonal Lumberjack Brawl Midnight Wheat.

Unwind with artisan cocktails inside The Public House, knowing each drink is handcrafted with fresh-squeezed citrus & house-made syrups.

Sip on suds that pay homage to the area at Tri-City Brewing Company and be there for Hot Dog Fridays & Trivia Nights!

Indulge in a one-of-a-kind tasting (mixing wines with each other, lemonade, or even cream soda) at Modern Craft Winery.

With Vanilla Bean Stout to Sesh’n Haze IPA, enjoy a wood-fired pie & a pint at W.H. Ales Brewpub.

Relax in a casual tasting room at Crazy Vines Winery and sample wines, ciders, and charcuterie in a rustic setting.

Saunter into Beaver’s Pub to linger over signature smoked cocktails in this laid-back whiskey bourbon bar.

Arts + Culture

Step into the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, and bundle up for the outdoor Sculpture Garden, beautiful when blanketed in winter white.

Discover the historic charm of the Saginaw Art Museum & Gardens — with two award-winning modern wings, a permanent collection, and dynamic exhibitions.

Relax & create in a comfortable environment at Painterly Pottery or Space Studios, where you’ll DIY from ready-to-be personalized pottery.

Bring out your inner artist at Board & Brush Creative Studio, in fun workshops that result in inspirational pieces of wooden décor.

Visit the gallery at Studio 23/The Arts Center, and drop into the Craft Bar for a self-service art experience!

History + Museums

Visit a French chateau-style castle in the middle of the city, the Castle Museum of Saginaw County History, and discover three floors of fascinating displays.

Discover the only museum of its kind in the country, the Michigan Heroes Museum, featuring displays of Michigan veterans.

Reserve your personally guided tour of the Autism History Museum and explore a space that celebrates neurodiversity.

Live Holiday Entertainment

Enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner at Zehnder’s Restaurant, and take in a memorable holiday show during Christmas with Groove Marmalade.

Celebrate the season at Midland Center for the Arts when the Midland Symphony Orchestra presents Holiday Pops, featuring Broadway star Arielle Jacobs.

Savor seasonal delights amidst the historic grandeur of The Temple Theatre, including The Nutcracker by International Ballet Stars.

Watch as 40 international ballet dancers bring a beloved holiday tradition to life when the World Ballet Company presents The Nutcracker at The Dow Event Center.

Step inside the State Theatre of Bay City to Celebrate the Season with The Classic Women of Country or hear world-renowned pianist Kevin Cole perform holiday favorites.