Festive lights, tacky tinsel cars, and winter lighthouse tours are among some of the activities offered during Christmas in Mackinaw City Friday, December 4, and Saturday, December 5. New to Christmas in Mackinaw this year are McGulpin Point Lighthouse tours.

A procession for the annual tree lighting and Tacky Tinsel Town car parade, beginning from the Mackinaw City marina parking lot to Indian Pathways Park, will be Friday, December 4, at 5 p.m. The parade will travel down Central Avenue and end at the corner of Nicolet Street and Central Avenue. Any vehicles except snowmobiles may participate, and those interested can sign up at the marina parking lot before 4:45 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the "most tacky" decorated entries after the parade.

At 5:15 p.m. a community blessing with Santa Claus will begin at the community Christmas tree, at the corner of Nicolet Street and Central Avenue. Carols will be sung.

At 5:30 p.m. Mackinaw Outfitters will offer cookies, coffee, and hot chocolate. Children can make crafts, and prizes will be awarded for the parade.

McGulpin Point Lighthouse will open for tours Saturday, December 5, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, December 6, from noon to 4 p.m. Admission for the tours is free.

Several other community events in Mackinaw City are planned in December. Mackinaw City Public Schools will host a Christmas concert at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, December 10.

The Community Cantata Choir, comprised of singers from churches in Mackinaw City, will perform at the Church of the Straits on North Huron Avenue Sunday, December 13, at 2 p.m. The program will begin with songs from the Northmen Gospel Singers. The singers will perform several songs, including "Star of Glory," "Bring a Torch," "Villancio," and "On Christmas Night All Christians Sing." The cantata will follow. Judy Churchill, church secretary, said the program is a series of songs telling the Christmas story of Jesus Christ. The performance is free and open to the public.

The Mackinaw City Bible Church will offer its annual Christmas program Sunday, December 20, at 6 p.m. The Reverend Reid Nelson said the theme of the program will be "The Light of the World," and will feature Christmas carols, poems, and scripture. Refreshments will be served. The program is free and open to the public.