Ludington & Manistee
Ludington
A Lake Michigan harbor town for beach and lighthouse trips, with the S.S. Badger car ferry and a big dune state park just north of town.
Holiday · Music · Ludington
Pure Ludington New Year's Eve Ball Drop
A downtown Ludington street party on New Year's Eve with live music, a ball drop at midnight and fireworks.
Downtown Ludington rings in the new year with a street party that builds toward a midnight ball drop and fireworks. Live music fills the evening.
The celebration takes place within the downtown Outdoor Social District, so drinks bought from participating businesses can be carried in the designated area. Dress for the weather: this is an outdoor event on the last night of December.
What to expect
The evening brings a street party with live music downtown, a ball drop at midnight and fireworks. Drinks bought within the Ludington Outdoor Social District can be carried within its marked area.
Location
Where Pure Ludington New Year's Eve Ball Drop happens
4 places on an OpenStreetMap map
The pin marks the town; check the organizer for exact venues.
About Ludington
Nearby attractions
Straight-line distances, not driving distances.
Attraction
S.S. Badger
A 1953 coal-fired steamship and National Historic Landmark that carries passengers and vehicles across Lake Michigan between Ludington and Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Under a mile away (straight line)
Beach
Stearns Park Beach
Ludington's free city beach on Lake Michigan: 2,500 feet of sand, a playground, mini golf, accessible paths and the pier to the North Breakwater Light.
Under a mile away (straight line)
State park
Ludington State Park
A big dune park between Hamlin Lake and 7 miles of Lake Michigan shore, with three campgrounds, 21 miles of trails and the walk to Big Sable Point Lighthouse.
About 6 miles away (straight line)
Places to stay nearby
Bed and breakfast · Upscale
Cartier Mansion
On East Ludington Avenue near downtown Ludington
The 1905 neoclassical home of lumberman Warren Cartier, now a bed and breakfast on Ludington Avenue that also runs the nearby 1878 Ludington House.
Bed and breakfast · Mid-range
The Fresh Coast Inn at Ludington
On East Ludington Avenue near the SS Badger dock
A historic home on Ludington Avenue, listed as a State Registered Historic Site, with seven guest rooms and an early breakfast for SS Badger passengers.
Bed and breakfast
The Lamplighter Bed and Breakfast
On East Ludington Avenue, five blocks from downtown Ludington
A five-room bed and breakfast in an 1894 Queen Anne Victorian on Ludington Avenue, a few blocks from downtown Ludington.
Hotel · Budget
Ludington Pier House
On West Ludington Avenue, across from the Lake Michigan beach
A seasonal family motel at the west end of Ludington Avenue, across from Stearns Park beach and within walking distance of downtown.
Listed as open May through October.
More events in and around Ludington
- Aglow on the AvenueAn evening holiday parade along Ludington Avenue that welcomes Santa downtown on Small Business Saturday, paired with the tree lighting at Legacy Plaza.
- Gold Coast Artisan FairA mid-August weekend in Ludington's Rotary Park with more than 170 arts and crafts displays, hosted by the Chamber Alliance of Mason County.
- Lantern-Lit Snowshoe Hikes at Ludington State ParkFree evening hikes on a lantern-marked trail at Ludington State Park on select winter Saturdays, ending at a bonfire at the park amphitheater.
- West Shore Art FairA juried open-air fine art and craft show in Ludington's Rotary Park over the Fourth of July weekend, with a children's art tent.
- Sparkle in the ParkA holiday light display at the Hopkins Park campground in Bear Lake, with more than 100,000 lights to drive through or see by carriage ride.
- Victorian Sleighbell ParadeAn evening holiday parade of horse-drawn entries on Manistee's Historic River Street, the centerpiece of the four-day Old Christmas Weekend each December.