The Frankenmuth Christmas Experience epitomizes the very light that it stands for, which means the celebration is that much merrier! Whether you decide to skate your heart out on the Frankenmuth Ice Rink, capture memories through the Stop and Snap Challenge, sing along to the Spectacular Christmas Tree, or write a Letter to Santa, shine and share some Christmas joy in Michigan's Little Bavaria!
Seeing festive streetscapes and Bavarian architecture aglow with twinkling lights, cuddling up on a cozy, horse-drawn carriage ride, or strolling a European-style holiday market with freshly roasted chestnuts and hot cocoa in hand — it’s simple to see why Time magazine named Frankenmuth one of the “9 Most Christmassy Towns in America”.
Whether you experience it all by holiday roadtripping to see Santa at the world’s largest Christmas store — or delighting in a Christmas concert inside Frankenmuth’s founding church — the magic of the season can be seen, heard, and felt, all throughout Frankenmuth!
Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland
The world’s largest Christmas store and an epic experience any time of year, filled with wonder and joy from start to finish. Shop 50,000+ trims and gifts and over 8,000 styles of ornaments – all amidst 300+ decorated trees that line the showroom! Have your purchases personalized on-site – or signed by the artists themselves during special ornament signing events – and take a memorable trip down 25 Christmas Lane, illuminated by 100,000 twinkling lights, every night of the year.
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
Whether you start just south of Zehnder’s Restaurant with Fantasy Carriage Company or take off beneath the Glockenspiel Tower with Frankenmuth Carriage Company, soak in the sights of Frankenmuth at Christmastime on these festive and unforgettable rides along our decorated Downtown streets.
FRANKENMUTH CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY EVENTS
Here are a few of the most popular holiday events in Frankenmuth. Make sure to check out our events calendar for the full line up this season!
Zehnder's Holiday How To's
MID-NOVEMBER
Learning how to host a fabulous holiday party or baking up a sugar cookie platter that’ll double as an eye-catching, edible centerpiece — tackle your whole holiday to-do list in this series of hands-on classes that’ll have you prepping alongside the Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth pros! But, keep in mind: these holiday crash courses in cooking, baking, and entertaining are known to sell out fast!
Frankenmuth ChristKindlMarkt
CHECK OUT THIS YEAR'S DATES HERE
Greenery and garlands to baked goods and handcrafted holiday decor — gift-giving dreams do come true at this festive, European-style, outdoor holiday market— tucked inside cozy, heated tents. Snack on freshly roasted chestnuts or sip just-brewed hot cocoa while you shop this very merry artisan marketplace.
Christmas Concerts at St. Lorenz
LATE NOVEMBER/EARLY DECEMBER
Listen as the vocal, instrumental, and handbell choirs of St. Lorenz fill Frankenmuth’s founding church with the sounds of the season during their 68th annual celebration.
Ornament Signing Events
THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
Stop and shop during special ornament signing events to have your finds hand-signed by the artisans who crafted them — including favorites like Jacki Edwards and Teresa Thibault.
Blair Cook
Blair Cook, a Go Great Lakes Bay native, is the Founder + Creative Director at Brandscape, a boutique marketing firm that helps Pure Michigan businesses build their brands with handspun, original content. Her favorite part? Sharing stories and travel tips about the places she loves!