Christmas Tree Galleria
More than fifty decorated trees and a gift basket raffle fill the Iron County Historical Museum. Read our Galleria guide.
906-214-2308
906-265-9100
40 E Adams St
Iron River, MI 49935
Winter Events in Iron County, Michigan
Iron County • Michigan • Winter 2026–27
Lighted parades and a museum full of Christmas trees, fireworks over the ski hill on New Year's Eve, vintage sleds on the trail, and a costume party on skis to close the season. Here's Iron County's winter, month by month.
DEC. 5
Christmas in Lights parade and fireworks, Iron River
DEC. 31
Torchlight parade and fireworks at Ski Brule
MAR. 20–21
Brule Bash closes out the ski season
ALL WINTER
Groomed trails, ski hills and ice fishing
Start Here
Winter Events in Iron County, Michigan
Winter is the busiest season on Iron County's calendar. December is all about Christmas, from the tree-filled museum in Caspian to the lighted parades in Iron River and Crystal Falls. New Year's Eve lights up Ski Brule, January and February bring free weekends and small-town festivals, and March ends the season with a party on the slopes.
Some events set their dates once the snow comes. Where the 2027 date isn't out yet, we show last year's so you know roughly when to plan, and every event links to its own page for the latest.
Stay In Iron County
Where to Stay for Winter Events in Iron County
December 2026
December Events in Iron County: Christmas and New Year's
Christmas at the Barn
An evening of Christmas at The Serenity Barn on M-73. See the event page.
Christmas in Lights
A lighted float parade down Genesee Street, then the tree lighting and fireworks. Read our Christmas in Lights guide.
Crystal Christmas
Crystal Falls' own downtown Christmas celebration, on the second Saturday of December. See the event page.
New Year's Eve Torchlight Parade
Dinner at the lodge, then skiers carry torches down the hill at 9 p.m., followed by fireworks. Read our New Year's Eve guide.
Ski Brule
Skiing, snowboarding, tubing and night skiing over the holidays, with something going on most weekends. Read our Ski Brule guide.
January & February 2027
January and February Events in Iron County
Free Snowmobiling Weekend
Ride Michigan's trails with no registration or trail permit. Last year it was January 10 and 11. See 3 for Free.
Winterfest
A day of winter fun at Young's: dog sled and sleigh rides, trails, kids' crafts and live music. Last year it was February 21. Read about Winterfest.
Relic Ride
Vintage snowmobiles ride from Crystal Falls to Alpha and back. Last year it was February 14. Read our Relic Ride guide.
Free Fishing Weekend
Fish without a license on Presidents' Day weekend, ice fishing included. See 3 for Free.
Valentine's Weekend
A Northwoods weekend for two: quiet trails, warm dinners and a cozy room. Plan Valentine's weekend.
Candlelight Snowshoe
About a mile of woods lit for an evening snowshoe, with cocoa and soup. Last year it was February 28. See the trail club's events.
Tippin' Up
Ice-shanty games and a "Tipsy Trout" tournament at Alpha Michigan Brewing, raising food for local pantries. Last year it was February 28. See the event page.
March 2027
March Events in Iron County: Brule Bash and More
Alpha Ice Bowl
A winter disc golf tournament in Alpha that raises money for the food bank. Last year it was March 7. See the event page.
Freeze Your Bass Off
"Yooper curling" on Runkle Lake in Crystal Falls, raising money for children with cancer. Last year it was March 14. See the event page.
Brule Bash
Ski in costume for half-price lift tickets, then a weekend of races, games, a costume parade and family fun. Read our Brule Bash guide.
Between Events
Ride, Ski and Fish
Hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile trails, the slopes at Ski Brule, and lakes full of perch and walleye under the ice.
Snowmobile GuideAll of Winter
Winter in Iron County
Every winter activity in one place: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, fat biking, ice fishing and more.
Winter in Iron CountyQuestions
Winter Events in Iron County: Common Questions
What winter events are in Iron County, Michigan?
The Christmas Tree Galleria in Caspian, Christmas in Lights in Iron River, Crystal Christmas in Crystal Falls, New Year's Eve at Ski Brule, Winterfest, the Relic Ride, Michigan's free snowmobiling and fishing weekends, and Brule Bash at Ski Brule in March.
When is Christmas in Lights in 2026?
Saturday, December 5, 2026, in downtown Iron River. It's always the first Saturday of December.
What's happening on New Year's Eve in Iron River?
Ski Brule holds a New Year's Eve dinner, then a torchlight parade down the hill at 9 p.m. followed by fireworks.
When is Brule Bash 2027?
Saturday and Sunday, March 20 and 21, 2027, at Ski Brule in Iron River.
When is Michigan's free snowmobiling weekend in 2027?
The 2027 dates haven't been announced. It's usually in January; in 2026 it was January 10 and 11.
When is Winterfest in 2027?
The 2027 date hasn't been announced yet. In 2026 it was Saturday, February 21.
Start Planning
Plan a Winter Trip to Iron County
Pick an event, then build a weekend around it: a parade on Saturday night, the trails on Sunday morning. Winter weekends fill up, so book your room early.
Fireworks photo courtesy of Ski Brule.
winter activities and tagged brule bash, christmas events, crystal falls michigan, iron county michigan, iron river michigan, new years eve, relic ride, upper peninsula michigan, winter events, WinterFest.
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by Wyndham
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906-265-9244
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906-265-3611
1257 W Ice Lake Rd
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800-362-7853
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Iron County Michigan Visitors Guide
Iron County is one of the Upper Peninsula’s best kept secrets. From camping to fishing, hunting to canoeing, mountain biking to forest bathing – no matter your interests, the great outdoors and clear crisp air await you here.