Our December theme is “A Grand Place to Give Back & Celebrate.” And truly, December in Grand Traverse County lives up to every word.
Here, the season sparkles—twinkling lights line our streets, local shops glow with hometown charm and fresh snow transforms familiar places into winter wonderlands. It’s a month filled with generosity and joy, where neighbors come together to support local causes, share traditions and lift one another up.
From holiday markets to cozy gatherings, snowy trails and the simple warmth of community spirit, December in Grand Traverse County is more than just a month — it’s a celebration of giving, gratitude and all the magic that makes our region feel like home.
Commission on Aging: Baskets of Bounty & Volunteers Needed!
Food, paper products and small gifts are packaged and delivered to senior citizens in need, who will be alone during the holiday season. The Baskets of Bounty program exists due to donations of time and funding from employees, residents, groups and businesses.
We need volunteers to help put together and deliver the Commission on Aging's Baskets of Bounty goodies for delivery to seniors who are alone for the Holidays.To become a volunteer, please call our office at (231) 922-4688 to set up an introduction and an interview.
Opportunities to Serve in Our Community…
This time of year is filled with opportunities to spread kindness, and volunteering in Grand Traverse County is one of the most meaningful ways to do it. From supporting our parks to helping seniors and seasonal community events, there are countless ways to lend a hand and make someone’s season a little brighter. Whether you give an hour, a day, or ongoing support, every act of service helps strengthen our community and reflects the generous spirit that makes Grand Traverse County such a special place to call home.
Learn How to Become a Volunteer:
Senior Center: Click here.
Commission on Aging: Click here.
Parks & Recreation: Click here.
Kick-Off Party & Holiday Tree Stroll at the Civic Center
Get ready for some festive fun! This season, eight beautifully decorated holiday trees will brighten up the Civic Center—and each one is created by a different local organization that helps make our community special.
Seven community partners will be showcasing their creativity by decorating a tree:
Norte Youth Cycling
Aloft Disc Golf
Traverse City Roller Derby
Grand Traverse Conservation District
GT Bay YMCA
TART Trails
North Sky Raptor Sanctuary
And of course, Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation will be proudly decorating the eighth tree.
Join us for the grand kickoff at the Civic Center on December 5th from 3:00–5:00 PM.
Stop by to:
Stroll through the decorated trees
Meet representatives from the participating organizations
Sip on complimentary hot chocolate (thank you, Hangry’s!)
Help your little ones write letters to Santa—we’ll take care of sending them to the North Pole
The Holiday Tree Stroll will remain open through January 24, wrapping up just in time for our annual Winterfest celebration. Stay tuned for more details!
While you’re visiting, consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy. The Civic Center is an official Toys for Tots drop-off location, and your donation will help make the season brighter for local kids.
A big thank you to DTE for generously sponsoring this year’s Holiday Tree Stroll.
Holiday Hours
The Governmental Center will be closed in observation of Christmas December 24 and 25th and New Years on December 31 and January 1. Please check each unit of Government’s google business profile for updated hours!
Recess Event on December 3:
Recess is an afterwork networking event for business professionals in Grand Traverse County. Recess 2025 is brought to you by us. Our theme this year is “Grand Traverse County: A grand place to live, work and play.” At each Recess we will be delivering Public Service Announcements relevant to what’s going on in the county that month.
In December our mini theme is “A Grand Place to Give Back & Celebrate”. County Administrator Nate Alger will discuss year-end reflections and highlight the County's achievements he is most proud of accomplishing this year!