Make the Yuletide Gay in Saugatuck/Douglas
If this time of year makes you want to star in your own Hallmark holiday movie, have we got the perfect setting for you! Picture this: downtown streets sparkling with twinkling lights, storefronts dressed to the nines in festive décor, and friendly, welcoming faces everywhere you turn. Add in some nostalgic holiday events sure to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside (and some stops for hot cocoa sprinkled in), and you’ve got pure small-town magic with a fabulous twist. Because after all the holiday adventures, The Dunes Resort will be keeping spirits merry and bright well into the night.
Published December 1, 2025 • By The Dunes Resort
So pack your gay apparel and get ready for this lineup of festive happenings in Saugatuck/Douglas—the Midwest’s most welcoming winter wonderland—where the joy is genuine and the warmth stays with you long after last call.
Cute Crowds & Ugly Sweaters
The Whootville Christmas Parade on December 6 is the kind of delightfully heart-warming small-town event you can’t help but love. Bring your best “Cindy Lou Who” energy to Wicks Park for the celebration at 11:00 a.m., then swing by the nearby bars afterward for some post-parade cheer. Because starting at 12:30 p.m. is the 6th Annual Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl, where the festivities turn from sweet to spirited (pun intended). Hop between local watering holes in your tackiest knit, complete elf-directed challenges, and earn prizes—all while supporting a good cause.
Saugatuck Whootville Christmas Parade
The Glow-Up of the Season
When it comes to holiday sparkle, the Felt Estate does not hold back. Throughout December, the historic mansion transforms into a dazzling wonderland, featuring over 20 decorated trees, 5,000 twinkling lights, and self-guided tours that make you feel as though you’ve stepped straight into a vintage Christmas card. Whether you choose a candlelight stroll or a hot cocoa-filled daytime visit, it’s holiday perfection, no filter required.
The Felt Estate
Get into the holiday spirit by catching one of the local performances of A Christmas Carol at the Saugatuck Woman’s Club, running December 12–21. Now in its 39th year, this beloved community tradition brings Dickens’ classic tale to life with homegrown charm and just the right amount of theatrical flair. And when the curtain falls, carry that good cheer right down Blue Star Highway, where The Dunes will keep your spirits well lifted.
Light Up The Night
For those who like to get their holiday lights fix all in one go, take a drive through Crane Orchards’ mile-long Drive-Through Light Show, open Wednesday through Sunday through December 28. Hand-crafted props and glowing displays light up the orchards, giving serious winter-wonderland vibes, best followed by dancing at The Dunes.
Crane Orchards
Stay Where the Spirit Never Sleeps
The magic of Saugatuck/Douglas doesn’t fade when the lights dim—it just moves to the drag shows and the dance floor. Make The Dunes Resort your home base this season and enjoy a mix of cozy comfort, holiday mischief, and nights that feel like the perfect ending to your holiday story.
Book your winter stay with us and let your getaway begin.