Guide to Christmas in the Village 2025
Image credit: Christmas in the Village organizers.
by Sara Swanson
Whether or not we have snow on the ground for this year’s Christmas in the Village, it is bound to be a festive event! This year, Christmas in the Village is all on one day, Saturday, December 6, with the evening lighted parade capping off the event instead of kicking it off the night before. Keep up to date on any last-minute additions or changes to the schedule at https://www.facebook.com/manchestermichristmas.
Guide to Christmas in the Village 2025
December 6, 2025
Zion Lutheran Church’s Breakfast with Santa
When: 9:30am
Where: Zion Lutheran Church, 3050 S Fletcher Rd
Jolly good breakfast and photo ops with St. Nick, as well as music, and fun for the WHOLE family. $5/person or $20/family. Advanced registration required at https://zion-lutheran-church-cm.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3251805.
St. Thomas Lutheran Church Annual German Bake Sale
When: 9am–2pm
Where: Freedom Township Hall, 11508 E Pleasant Lake Rd
Featuring vendors, crafters, and a luncheon serving sloppy joes and ham-and-cheese pretzel-bun sandwiches. The bake sale features authentic German baked goods, homemade pretzels, and a huge cookie walk with 20+ varieties of cookies.
MUMC’s Craft Fair, Cookie Walk, and Forgotten Christmas Sale
When: 9am–2pm
Where: Manchester United Methodist Church, 501 Ann Arbor St
Craft Fair featuring wreaths, turned wood, knitted and crocheted items, and more! Forgotten Christmas Rummage sale with all proceeds going toward the Community Resource Center and Brynlee. The cookie walk featuring all homemade cookies sold individually or by the box. Lunch of sloppy joes, chips, dessert, and a beverage for a minimal donation is available from 11am to 1pm with proceeds going to support mission projects. All sponsored by MUMC United Women of Faith.
Emanuel UCC Bake Sale and Craft Show
When: 9am–3pm
Where: Emanuel Church Fellowship Hall, 324 W Main St
Featuring many crafters and vendors, there will be a drawing for a Christmas baking basket and all proceeds will go to helping their Missions Team. They will be offering a soup and sandwich lunch for those interested in a home-cooked meal.
Sharon Church’s Christmas Craft Show
When: 9am–3pm
Where: 19980 W Pleasant Lake Rd (M-52)
Craft show featuring jewelry, knitted and crocheted items, pottery, candles, soaps, aprons, and more! Lunch will be available for purchase, provided by the Sharin’ Women.
Country Craft Barn Open House
When: 9am–3pm
Where: 19442 Bethel Church Rd
Annual craft show with lots of country items!
Manchester Area Historical Society Museum Open House & Craft Show
When: 10am–3pm
Where: Kingsley-Jenter House, 302 E Main St
The first floor will host the Caife Aspire high school student business craft/vendor show, featuring soaps, fishing lures, freeze-dried candies, and more, and Breeda Miller selling her books; along with the museum gift shop featuring a variety of locally produced items—recently restocked! You can also have your items gift wrapped by volunteers for a donation. The museum will be open on the second floor. Manchester High Schools will provide live music during the day.
Blacksmith Shop Open House and Craft Sale
When: 10am–3pm
Where: Blacksmith Shop, 324 E Main St
Stop in the Blacksmith Shop Museum for blacksmith and tinsmith demonstrations. (The forge will be fired up for demonstrations only.) Many handmade items will be for sale, made by volunteers with proceeds used to sustain the programs. The Still Pickin’ Band will be playing from noon to 3pm.
Holiday card making and letter writing
When: 10am–2pm
Where: Manchester District Library, 912 City Rd
Create your own White Christmas–themed card to take home or leave with a member of the library staff to be passed out at local nursing homes on Monday, December 8. Email LWohlgemuth@manchesterlibrary.info if you’d like to participate in passing out the cards. Or draft a letter to Santa using the provided holiday stationery and stickers.
Happy Hearts Feline Sanctuary Fundraiser
When: 10am–5pm
Where: Jam & Suds Factory Laundromat (THE MAT), 144 E Main St.
Cat-themed gifts and gift baskets for purchase. Proceeds benefit Happy Hearts Feline Sanctuary. (Read more about this in a separate article in this week’s edition.)
Ladies’ Night Out at Ace Hardware
When: 11am–4pm
Where: Manchester Ace Hardware, 19870 Sharon Valley Rd
Enjoy refreshments and take part in fun holiday activities, including ornament- and cookie decorating. Each guest will receive a flower and coupon.
“Holidays from the Heart” Charity Dance Performance
When: 2pm
Where: Manchester High School auditorium, 20500 Dutch Dr
Dance With Heart Studios from Manchester and Adrian will be showcasing their dancers in their 12th annual charity event “Holidays from The Heart.” Exchange non-perishable food donations for admission tickets to the performance at the door when you arrive. $5 minimum donations will also be accepted. All donations will benefit the Manchester Community Resource Center and the Salvation Army in Adrian. Celebrate this holiday season while also helping others!
Visit with Santa & Hot Chocolate
When: 3pm–5pm
Where: Mill Porch, 201 E Main St
Visit with Santa and get a free cup of hot chocolate provided by SRSLY Manchester.
Christmas in the Village Lighted Parade
When: 6pm
Where: Starting at Emanuel Church, the parade will head east on Main Street and stop at Adrian Street. This is a NO CANDY parade. If you would like to be in the parade, just show up at 5:45pm in the Emanuel Church parking lot, no registration required.
Manchester Men’s Club Christmas Parade Food Drive
When: 6pm
Where: Throughout downtown
Bring non-perishable food with you to the parade! The Manchester Men’s Club will have donation stations throughout downtown. After the parade, they will collect it all and donate it to the Community Resource Center. They suggest non-perishable proteins like canned tuna and peanut butter; whole-grain staples such as pasta and brown rice; shelf-stable fruits and vegetables; cooking oil; spices; kid-friendly items like boxed mac and cheese and cereal; and essential household items like paper towels, soap, and diapers.
Mayor presents Santa with the Key to the City
When: 6:15pm
Where: Mill Porch, 201 E Main St
Following the parade, Mayor Patricia Vailliencourt will present the Key to the City to Santa.
Visit with Santa
When: 6:30pm–7:30pm
Where: Manchester Mill Porch, 201 E Main St
After Santa receives the Key to the City, kids can visit with him.
Downtown Business Specials
During Christmas in the Village, many downtown businesses will have extended business hours and will be offering specials, including 20% off all CBD products and a free gift with purchase at All Thingz Green; in-store specials, fudge specials, and a free gift with purchase at Dragonfly and Birch; lunch specials at Frank’s Place; holiday drink specials and a Christmas gift basket raffle at Millie’s Coffeehouse; 35% off everything and a free gift with purchase at River Raisin Mercantile; $5 ornaments and in-store specials at Steele Grafix; 20% off all purchases at The Sassy Peacock; 10% off Christmas items and a raffle ticket for a gift basket at The Vintage Flea; and 15% off retail products at Village Hair Forum.
Thank you to Christmas in the Village organizers: Kathy LaHaie, Merrill Guerra, and Sue LaRocque; and sponsors: The Manchester DDA, The Manchester Mill, Worth Repeating, and Manchester Mill on the Water.
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