Fairytale Frankenmuth Christmas in 2023

Have a Perfect Frankenmuth Christmas in 2023: Visit Michigan’s Christmas Town

Looking to a visit a cool Christmas destination in Michigan to rev up your holiday spirit? Look no further than Frankenmuth, Michigan, where it’s the Christmas season all year-round, and even more Christmas-y during the holiday season!

There is really no better place for holiday spirit than this charming small town in mid-Michigan, that glows with good cheer and holiday fun. From the elaborate Christmas light displays, Christmas market, decorated Christmas trees and nativity scenes to the fairytale-like Glockenspiel Tower, a Frankenmuth Christmas is a Hallmark movie come to life.

What better way to celebrate the season than with a quick family vacation or romantic getaway to Frankenmuth, MI? Explore this Christmas Village for a memorable tim with famiy and friends.

Whether you’re looking for a brief respite with your kids during the holiday school break, or even thinking about spending Christmas in Frankenmuth, you’ll find an opportunity for a Merry Christmas in Michigan’s Little Bavaria.

Read on to learn more about Christmas in Frankenmuth, MI.

Michigan Christmas Things to DO: Visit A Michigan Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, MI

We love to visit this charming little mid-Michigan town, rich with German heritage and a heavy sprinkling of Christmas spirit during the winter holidays; it truly is ground zero for pure Michigan holiday fun.

As Christmas towns go, the city of Frankenmuth is truly unique: a mix of fun activities for both families (think indoor water parks and petting farms) and couples (think romantic horse-drawn carriage rides through streets twinkling with pretty Christmas lights).

Use this guide to have your very Hallmark Christmas in Michigan.

Things to Do on Your Frankenmuth Christmas Getaway

Explore Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland
Address: 25 Christmas Ln, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

The first stop should be Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the world’s largest Christmas store, located at 25 Christmas Lane (of course). You’ll find seven acres of Christmas decor and Christmas ornaments of all shapes and sizes at the magnificent Bronner’s Christmas store.

This is my favorite store in Frankenmuth for holiday decor, and they have an amazing assortment of Fontanini Nativity figures and nativity scenes. From special glass ornaments that commemorate special moments, we try to visit Bronners every year a few weeks before Christmas.

PRO-TIP: Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland always has a wonderful Santa (in case anyone wants to visit with him). If you have young ones with you, you’ll want to make it a point to stop here.

Visit Santa’s Reindeer Farm at Grandpa Tiny’s Farm
Address: 7775 Weiss St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

This almost 85-year-old historical, working farm with lambs, goats, chicks and bunnies is a must on any visit to Frankenmuth, but especially during the holidays, when it becomes Santa’s Reindeer Farm.

This fun holiday event is a great opportunity to stroll the farm, chat with the farm workers as they tend to the animals, visit with Santa for some perfect Christmas photos, and even make an ornament with a woodworker.

Santa Reindeer’s Farm is open Saturdays and Sundays beginning November 19 and runs through December 18. You’ll need to purchase tickets for this event online before the event.

If you visit before Christmas, be sure to bring a letter to Santa if you haven’t mailed it yet.

Stroll the River Place Shops
Address: 925 S Main St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

The Frankenmuth River Places Shops, a Bavarian-themed outdoor mall. This unique collection of 40 boutiques, cafes, and attractions that will keep you busy all day long.

We love the mix of Michigan specialty stores (like the Cherry Republic), fun attractions (like the Mirror Maze) for kids, and other shops. Don’t let the cold temperatures deter you: the cobblestone streets are heated in the winter, and the beautiful Christmas trees make this spot glow all season long.

You’ll find a gorgeous light display, too, that makes this spot even more special in the winter. Here’s two more spots that we love here, that you won’t want to miss.

Zac and Mac’s Chocolate Haus offers a wide range of unique homemade confections including peppermint mocha caramels and rich, creamy sipping chocolate. Crepe DuJour has delicious, made-to-order crepes, coffees and espresso that will make you feel like you just might be in Paris instead of mid-Michigan.

Go Ice Skating in the Open Air at the Frankenmuth Ice Rink
Address: Zehner Park, 959 Flint St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

Lace up your skates and head for the ice on this 60-by-120-foot open-air ice-skating rink in downtown Frankenmuth, located by the visitor center. It’s so much fun to skate around the rink with the festive feeling of the holidays in the air. The best news? Ice skate rental is available, too.

Take a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride

Take a horse-drawn carriage ride around town to see the beautiful Christmas light displays. The beautiful twinkling lights illuminate Frankenmuth’s Main Street against the dark, silent night sky make for a memorable Christmas experience.

Frankenmuth ChristKindlMarkt
Address: Frankenmuth Farmers Market, 534 North Main Street, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

Visit the Frankenmuth Christkindlmarkt, mid-Michigan’s largest open-air holiday market for a true Frankenmuth Michigan Christmas experience. This Frankenmuth Christmas market is one of the top holiday markets in Michigan, full of artisans selling handmade gifts and goods.

Check Out the Frankenmuth Cheese Haus
Address: 545 S Main St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

The Cheese Haus is a Frankenmuth must: in addition to a wide variety of both imported and domestic cheese, you’ll find Chocolate Cheese. It’s a favorite, and we’re pretty sure you’ll join the legions of others (like us) who love this sweet treat. This uniquely Michigan treat makes a great holiday gift, too!

Learn the Tale of the Pied Piper at the Glockenspiel Tower
Address: 1 Covered Bridge Ln, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

Located outside The Bavarian Inn, this 50-foot-tall bell tower is more than 50 years old and features 35 bells. In addition to the bells, you’ll also find an illuminated clock and see a beautiful figurine movement that tells the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

Imported from Germany, the bells can be heard for miles around when their chimes ring out. It’s quite pretty, so be sure to bring your camera for this.

Walk the Holz-Brucke Covered Bridge

A Frankenmuth at Christmas is special, and a walk or drive this magical, wooden bridge makes it even more so.

The Holz-Brucke bridge is a two-lane, two-sided covered bridge completely made of wood and it spans the Cass River. Whether you cross it in the day or at night, when it is lit up by twinkling lights, this pretty bridge is a Frankenmuth landmark.

Try Some Old World Sausage at Willi’s Sausage
Address: 316 S Main St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

People who know good sausage flock to this store in Frankenmuth using authentic German recipes. You’ll find everything from breakfast sausage, knowckwurst, bockwurst, hot dogs and a wonderful beef summer sausage. Pick up some for your holiday charcuterie board.

See Frankenmuth’s Christmas Lights

Is there any better way to get into the spirit of the season than seeing twinkling Christmas lights?

The entire village of Frankenmuth comes alive during Christmas, and this is especially event at night. Take a driving tour through the downtown streets and see the gringerbread storefronts decoarted or christmas with bright, colorful lights.

Where to Eat in Frankenmuth at Christmas

Breakfast at Bavarian Inn Restaurant

Oma’s Restaurant, part of the Bavarian Inn Restaurant, has a breakfast like no other: German Potato Pancakes and Banana Nut Bread French Toast; Belgian Waffles and Bavarian Eggs Benedict…these are just a few of the mouth-wateringly delicious morning offerings. We recommend visiting more than once during your stay.

Use our Guide to the Best Restaurants in Frankenmuth to help you plan your visit.

Try Some Michigan Craft Beer at Frankenmuth Brewery

You haven’t lived until you’ve tried the Buffalo Chicken Rolls at this 150-year-old brewery on the Cass River. It’s not only America’s oldest microbrewery, but it also offers great food and some stunning waterfront views of the Cass River.

The brewery has been perfecting the craft of great beer since 1862 and offers at least 15 options on tap to try year-round.

Check out our guide on the best Michigan craft breweries.

Where to Stay on Your Christmas in Frankenmuth Holiday

You’ll find a variety of great places to stay in Frankenmuth, but we usually alternate between the Bavarian Inn Lodge, Zehnder’s Splash Village, the Farifeld Inn, the Springhill Suites and the Marv Herzog Hotel on the banks of the picturesque Cass River. These hotels are so comfortable and full of amenities, you almost don’t have to leave.

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Bavarian Inn Lodge
One Covered Bridge Lane, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

The Bavarian Inn Lodge, also on the Cass River, you’ll find seven acres of family fun, including mini-golf and an indoor water park complete with water slides, lazy rivers, and family raft rides. You’ll also find a restaurant serving world-famous chicken dinners and a fun place to shop, the Castle Shops boutiques,

It’s a family favorite, especially for the delicious, on-premise bakeshop, whose cinnamon and vanilla scents waft over the entire place.

The Marv Herzog Hotel
501 South Main Street, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

The Marv Herzog is our favorite choice for a romantic getaway: it’s a smaller accommodation with only 38 rooms, and the lovely atmosphere and gorgeous location on the riverfront are undeniably enchanting.

Every time I walk through the lobby of the Marv Herzog Hotel, I find people hanging out and having fun in the comfortable lobby or on the patio overlooking the picturesque Cass River. The Marv Herzog is right up there for favorite hotels in Frankenmuth, thanks to its clean, spacious rooms and great location in the heart of downtown.

Fairfield Inn by Marriott
430 South Main Street, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

The central location of the Fairfield Inn makes this a perfect headquarters for exploring the are ,espcially in the winter when the weather is chilly.The Farifield features a heated indoor pool, complimentary hot breakfast and contemporary guest rooms with free WiFi, too.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Frankenmuth
530 South Main Street, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

I really like SpringHill Suites. The exceptionally clean rooms are quite large so if you’re traveling with a family or others, this might be the perfect spot for you. These are suites, so you’ll find special amenities like a desk and pull-out sofas too.

The SpringHill Suites also has a nice indoor pool ( I love to swim), as well as a good fitness room with newer equipment. You’ll find a nice daily breakfast buffet, too.

Zehnder’s Splash Village

We stayed at Zehnder’s Splash Village and Hotel the last time we visited Frankenmuth. It’s the largest indoor water park in Frankenmuth (over 50,000 square feet of aquatic fun), so it’s a good base if you plan to spend a lot of time indoors during your getaway.

Celebrate YOUR Christmas in Frankenmuth

Our Christmas getaway to Frankenmuth, Michigan is one of our favorite holiday memories…we hope you can use these things to do to make some wonderful Christmas memories, too.

More Fun Christmas Things to Do in Michigan

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