Christmas, Michigan Welcomes You   Christmas is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan just 4 1/2 miles west of Munising, and 9 miles east of AuTrain on the shores of Lake Superior.

  

The small town of Christmas, MI welcomes you to celebrate the joys of Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and the Elves and Reindeer. All the businesses in Christmas, MI carry out the Santa Claus theme.

Christmas, Michigan, population about 400, was given its name by a Munising man who started a roadside factory to make holiday gift items in 1938. The factory is long gone, but the the community of Christmas continued to grow, becoming a popular resort area and a joy for snowmobilers. Snowmobile Rental at White Pine Lodge in Christmas and in Munising.

On July 8, 1966 Christmas acquired its first Post Office and Christmas, Michigan was chosen as the issuing site for the First Day Cover of the 1966 Christmas Stamp. Commemoration ceremonies were held on November 2, 1966.

Bay Furnace Park on Lake Superior
Bay Furnace Park in Christmas, (a National Forest Campground and Picnic Area) was originally the town of Onota where a huge stone blast fumace was built in 1869 to make iron. Ships carrying iron ore docked at the long pier and the iron was smelted in the forge and melted into "pigs". The "Pig Iron" was then shipped to the lower Great Lakes. In 1877 the town, also known as "Bay Furnace", was destroyed by fire leaving only the iron smelting kiln.
A trail circles the ruins and interpretive signs explain how the furnace operated. The Bay Furnace still stands majestically, a historical monument overlooking Lake Superior and Grand Island. There are picnic tables if you would like to have lunch or just sit and enjoy this beautiful view of the Lake.
Grand Island West Channel Front & Rear Range Lights
Standing tall at the eastern entrance to Christmas is the Grand Island West Channel Rear Range Light, also called the End of the Road Lighthouse. This Lighthouse, built in 1914, replaced the older wooden lighthouse built in 1868. A modern Front Range Light is on the shoreline of Lake Superior. The Lighthouse is still lit and guiding mariners around Grand Island and into the harbor at Munising. A lovely sight as you drive by in the evening and see the light glowing out over the water.

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A stop in Christmas is a must if you are to fully enjoy your vacation visit to the Upper Peninsula. An ideal spot for fishermen, hunters, hayfever sufferers, rockhounds, for swimming, hiking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, visiting the Pictured Rocks or just plain relaxing.

Enjoy Winter Fun in Christmas, Michigan Easy access to snowmobile and ATV trails. Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing Ice Climbing Convenience Store and Gas Station located on Highway M-28, next door to the Casino. Open 24 hours daily

Waterfalls in Alger County: The area around Christmas in Alger County has delightful waterfalls for visitors to enjoy. Two waterfalls can be viewed from your car, others are a short stroll through the woods on an easy path, while a few require a serious hike into the woods.  

Exploring Munising, MI
Exploring AuTrain, MI
Upper Peninsula Towns and Cities Page
Upper Peninsula Traveler Home Page
Exploring the North Home Page
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Snowmobile Photo: Trail View Cabins 

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