Frankenmuth

4 specially in 2020! The joyful feeling that comes along with the holidays is needed this year more than ever. It's a time to rejoice and celebrate, even if things may be a bit different. The holidays have a way of bringing people together. As a community, coming together for a good cause is what we do. Local businesses and organizations are at it again, joining forces to create a new Frankenmuth Christmas experience this holiday season. This effort is intended to not only be enjoyed by the guests of our town, but to lift the spirits of our entire community after a courageous year. The effort intentionally shifts from having an event that promotes over-crowding, to festivities that can be experienced all over town any day of the season. While some traditions like the Holiday Celebration & Candlewalk are on hold this year, new memories will be made. The concept will evolve and grow over 3 years, but 2020 welcomes the first big investments, including a new 40ft. Christmas tree. This special tree not only provides beautiful lights, but also comes to life with music throughout Zehnder Park at 11:30am, 2:30pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm, and 8:30pm every day with a bonus show on Fridays & Saturdays at 9:30pm. The tree shares the park with the cherished nativity to remind us of the reason for the season. With all these showtimes, locals can enjoy it midweek to avoid the visitor crowds. The goals of this effort also include spreading out the festivities and sharing all the happenings in collaborative ways. Grab your favorite hot chocolate and get in your car with your loved ones to do a fun driving tour of the lighted displays all around town. There's a printed map for the tour, a webpage, and printed guide dedicated to all the festive fun in Frankenmuth this holiday season. The Downtown Development Authority is a big partner with the Convention & Visitors Bureau in this effort. They have added nearly 90 additional lit trees north of Downtown and along Weiss Street as well. This builds on their commitment to continue the Downtown trees being lit which were privately funded for the past 5 years. They've added some incredible "super" trees to the mix this year as well. The Frankenmuth Jaycees are hosting the Joyful Jubilation House Decorating Contest to help encourage us all to get in the spirit throughout our neighborhoods as well. Weeknights are the perfect time for locals to enjoy the charm of their town without all the crowds and perhaps use one of the new Stop & Snap stations to fill their Instagram, photobook, or take that perfect Christmas card photo! There will also be Santa Sightings and letter to Santa locations among other happenings at many of the local businesses. This has truly been a year of coming together as we wrap up 2020 in a beautiful way in Frankenmuth! Grab the printed guide outside the Visitor Center 24 hours a day or checkout the webpage for the latest in holiday happenings at frankenmuth.org/christmas. Most Wonderful Time of the Year It the E LITTLE BAVARIA'S "LITTLE" LIGHT TOUR When the sun goes down and the lights throughout town turn on – it's the perfect time to go for a drive and check them out! Pick up a driving light tour map from the Visitor Center, follow the arrows, have a passenger read the story, and enjoy the little light tour throughout town! Best if done after 5pm.

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