Friday
The Downtown Traverse City Association presents Santa's Arrival; 5 - 8 p.m. in downtown Traverse City; more information available at www.downtowntc.com
Community Christmas tree lighting sponsored by the Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce; held at East Park starting at 4 p.m. with tree lighting at 6 p.m.
Saturday
The 2009 Macaroni & Cheese Bake-Off sponsored by the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula; 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; tickets available from the Old Mission Peninsula wineries, the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau or www.chateauchantal.com
Holiday Marketplace at the Glen Arbor Township Hall; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
14th annual Holly Berry Arts and Crafts Fair in downtown Frankfort; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. featuring more than 90 exhibitors; more information available at (231) 352-7251.
Holiday Open House sponsored by the Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce; 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Christmas Craft show presented by the Torch Area Artisans Guild; 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Helena Township Community Center.
Dec. 1
Frankfort Community Christmas tree lighting; 7 p.m. at Rotary Park.
Dec. 3
Using social entrepreneurship to build financial sustainability; presented by NorthSky Nonprofit Network; noon to 1:30 p.m. at Northwestern Michigan College University Center, Room 5; register at northskynonprofitnetwork.org
Dec. 5
Merry Marketplace at the Old Art Building in Leland; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The Charlevoix Merchant Open House featuring holiday sales, refreshments and other promotions in downtown Charlevoix; starts at noon, with a free holiday movie for children at 1 p.m. at the Charlevoix Cinema; more information available at www.charlevoix.org
Dec. 7-10 & 14-17
Traverse City Fastrack Builders Prelicense course from the Builders License Training Institute, Mon.- Thu., 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., at Northwestern Michigan College for $750. Register online at www.licensetobuild.com, call (800) 727-7104, email builders@torchlake.com.
Dec. 8
Water Environmental Research Foundation's fifth annual research forum; 12:30 - 6 p.m. at Northwestern Michigan College's Hagerty Center in Traverse City; $55 admission fee, with free admission for active students; program information available at www.wastewatereducation.org or by contacting Dendra Best at (231) 233-1806.
"Trucking Laws & Regulation for the Green Industry" from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Great Wolf Lodge, Traverse City; sponsored by the Northern Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association; register with Beth Hooley at 1-800-879-6652 or at www.mnla.org
Dec. 17
Business After Hours presented by the Benzie County Chamber of Commerce; 5 - 7 p.m. at Crystal Cafe in Benzonia.
Business After Hours presented by the Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce; 5 - 7 p.m. at Elk Rapids News office, 212 River St.
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