Holland's Kerstmarkt

I'd been interested in visiting the Kerstmarkt in Holland, Michigan for several years and this season I finally made it on the last day it was open.  The Kerstmarkt is the Dutch version of the outdoor Christmas markets that are popular throughout Europe.

Holland's market featured over a dozen booths selling crafts, plus a few offering food and drinks, and warming hut.

 

On Saturday's the Holland Farmer's Market sells fresh produce, baked goods, and chocolates which doubles the size of the market.

It also offered a dogsled demo on the day I visited.

The Kerstmarkt was a pleasant, low-key experience.  It was no where near the size of Chicago's Christkindlmarket but it did make a list of the Top 50 Christmas Markets worldwide.  On its own, I'm not sure it justifies the drive from Kalamazoo but it does make a good excuse to visit downtown Holland during December.

The Kerstmarkt right at the edge of Holland's 8th Street shopping district, which is West Michigan's best "Main Street." My favorite place for lunch in Holland, New Holland Brewing, is just a few blocks from the market. Along the way, The Outpost is great shop for camping, SUPs, and outdoor clothing.  8th Street also has branches of regional favorites like Gazelle Sports and Kilwins chocolates and a newly opened Hopcat.

Holland Kerstmarkt
8th Street Market Place
150 W. 8th Street
Holland, Michigan

Winter Events 2019-2020

While we had snow earlier this year, December is the traditional start to Winter.  Get ready for a season of skiing, sledding, and skating.  Plenty of local festivals celebrate the season.

Winter Events near Kalamazoo

December 7, 2019 Tree Lighting & Traditional Holiday celebration Celery Flats, Portage 

December 7, 2019 13th annual Candy Cane Hunt Mayors Riverfront Park Kalamazoo

December 7, 2019 Local Gift Fair  9 am -4 pm Kalamazoo Nature Center Kalamazoo 

December 31, 2019 New Year's Eve Fest Kalamazoo

January 11-18 2020 Kalamazoo Beer Week Kalamazoo

January 23-26, 2020 Winterfest Grand Haven

January 31- February 3, 2020  Icebreaker  South Haven

February 14 -17,  2020  Great Backyard Bird Count

February 15-16, 2020 Free Fishing Winter Weekend throughout Michigan

February 22, 2020 Winter Beer Festival Grand Rapids

February 29, 2020 Quietwater Symposium East Lansing

Ongoing events

International Festival of Lights Battle Creek November -December 

Zoo Lights Binder Park Zoo Battle Creek

          Dutch Winterfest Holland

Millennium Park Skate Rink opens December 8, 2019, or when weather permits Portage

          Christmas Bird Count


See also

OptOutside  An alternative to hitting the malls on Black Friday

Discover Kalamazoo's event listing
 
Gazelle Sports Races and running calendar

11 Unforgettable Winter Places in Michigan

West Michigan Winter Weekends

Sarrett Nature Center's Event list Benton Harbor

The DNR has calendars of events for State Parks and Recreation Areas.

Events from Pure Michigan  

Fall Events 2019

As August comes to a close, Labor Day brings the final holiday of summer.  September and October offer plenty of warm days and cool nights for outdoor activities.  Fall is a great season for for camping, paddling or a walk or bike ride through the woods.  Area festivals celebrate Labor Day, Sandhill Cranes, harvests, and art.

Fall events around Kalamazoo

August 30- September 2 Lawrence Ox Roast Lawrence

September 2 West Michigan Labor Fest Grand Rapids

September 6-8  Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival Paw Paw

September 13-14 Grand Haven Salmon Festival Grand Haven

September 7-October 27 Project 1 Grand Rapids (Project 1 replaces Art Prize this year.)

September 21 Fall Festival St. Joseph

September 27-28 Oktoberfest Grand Rapids

October 12 BontebokOktoberfest Binder Park Zoo  Battle Creek 

October 12-13 Cranefest Bellevue

October 11-13 Fennville Goose Festival Fennville

October 19-20 Arts and Eats Tour  Hastings, Middleville, Hickory Corners, and surrounding areas



Also consider:

Southeast Michigan Labor Day events from MetroParent

Labor Day Weekend Events for Metro Detroit (Oakland County Moms)

Mackinac Bridge Walk

5 Spots to Sip Cider, Pick Pumpkins, and Soak up Fall from Discover Kalamazoo

Fall Scenic Drives from Pure Michigan

Fall recommendations from 52 Michigan Weekends

Fresh apple cider from VerHages Cider Mill.

Fall walks and rides on the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail

Event listings from Discover Kalamazoo

Gazelle Sports' calendar of West Michigan Races and Events

League of Michigan Bicyclist's Michigan Ride Calendar

Sarrett Nature Center's Event list Benton Harbor

Events from Pure Michigan 

The DNR has calendars of events for State Parks and Recreation Areas.

Summer Events 2019

Now that the solstice has passed, Kalamazoo is fully into Summer.  West Michigan is a great place for biking, canoeing, hiking, and camping, or beachtime at Lake Michigan.  

  

Summer events near Kalamazoo

June 26-July 3 Wenke Greenhouse's Cart Sale  Kalamazoo

July 3-7 Balloon Festival Battle Creek

August 8-11  56th annual Blueberry Festival South Haven

August 23-25 Hastings Summerfest Hastings

August 23-25 Kalamazoo Balloon Fest at  Gull Meadow Farms, Kalamazoo

September 2-5 Lawrence Ox Roast Lawrence

Also consider:

Long weekend suggestions from Pure Michigan

50 fun things to do in Michigan this summer

West Michigan Summer Weekends

Kalamazoo Farmers Market

Michigan Fireworks Displays a comprehensive list of fireworks throughout the state

Kzoo Kids: 101 Summer fun ideas for families.

Ultimate Kalamazoo Summer Fun Guide – 101 Ideas for FamiliesUltimate Kalamazoo Summer Fun Guide – 101 Ideas for FamiliesUltimate Kalamazoo Summer Fun Guide – 101 Ideas for FamGazelle Sports Events page (running and races)

Bike Friendly Kalamazoo's  Event listings

Event listings from Discover Kalamazoo

Events from West Michigan Tourist Association

Kzoo Kids lists Beaches near Kalamazoo & Battle Creek

Cleveland.com promotes Lake Michigan beach towns.

Beach Freaks guide to Michigan's Best Beaches

League of Michigan Bicyclist's Michigan Ride Calendar

West Michigan Coastal Kayaker's Association Event Calendar

Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy volunteer workdays

Sarrett Nature Center's Event list Benton Harbor

Michigan Festivals and Events Association Events browser

Michigan DNR's State Park Events

Bow in the Clouds Preserve

Somehow I had never visited Bow in the Clouds Preserve, even though it's just a few miles northeast of downtown Kalamazoo.  The preserve was originally part of the Nazareth Campus of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.  They donated it to the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy several years ago.

The entrance is off Nazareth Road, about a half mile north of Gull Road.  There's a good-sized gravel parking lot beside an old barn.  The SWMLC just completed an accessible trail with an overlook to the marsh.  (Grand opening event May 11, 2019.)

From the new loop trail, a dirt (non-accessible) trail drops down to the marsh itself.  Look for the blue metal blazes.  An extended boardwalk took us right through the marsh, where we saw woodpeckers, mourning doves, robins, and deer.   Marsh Marigolds added some nice color.

After crossing the marsh on the boardwalk, the trail climbed slightly through some mature woods.  There were some big patches of Mayflowers and one section featured budding Celadine Poppies. Eventually stairs led uphill to the Nazareth Campus.

We took another set of steps back down to the marsh and then switched to the trail with white metal blazes.  This trail followed the edge of the marsh and looped north along Nazareth Road to return to the accessible trail and the parking area.

Bow in the Clouds Preserve
3400 block of Nazareth Rd.
Kalamazoo, MI 49048

Spring Events 2019

While this morning's snow wasn't very promising, there have been  signs that Spring is coming.  Blackbirds, Great Blue Herons, and Turkey Vultures have returned.  Turtles have been sunning.  Crocus have been in full flower and the daffodils are starting to blossom.  Kalamazoo's Spring is a great time for hiking, biking, or bird watching.  Warmer temperatures will also bring wildflowers and morels.

Many West Michigan festivals and activities celebrate Spring.

Spring events near Kalamazoo

March 1- April 30 Butterflies are Blooming at Meijer Gardens Grand Rapids

April 20  free admission to the Kalamazoo Nature Center for Earth Day 

April 22 free admission to the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary for Earth Day   

April 20-28, National Park Week

April 27 Thornapple Woodpecker Festival Middleville 

May 4 Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade 1pm St Joseph - Benton Harbor

May 4-12 Tulip Time festival Holland 

May 11-18 Kalamazoo Bike Week Kalamazoo

May 18-19 The Kite Festival at Grand Haven Grand Haven

May 18 Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones 6th Annual Native Plant Sale People's Food Co-op Kalamazoo 

Also consider:

Vegetable planting dates

Earth Day Activities throughout Michigan

Bike Friendly Kalamazoo's  Event listings

Tawas Point Birding Festival Iosco County May 16–18

birdwatching at Bird Trails and Sanctuaries in Michigan

Discover Kalamazoo's event listing

Events from Pure Michigan
 
Gazelle Sports' calendar of West Michigan Races and Events

League of Michigan Bicyclists Michigan Bicycling Calendar

Michigan Festivals and Events Association Events browser

The DNR has calendars of events for State Parks and Recreation Areas.

Sarrett Nature Center's Event list Benton Harbor

Southwest Michigan Cultural Exchange  May  Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Hickory Corners

Spring weekend getaways

Maple Syrup Season 2019

As winter wanes, warm days and cold nights cause the maple sap to flow.  40 gallons of sap yield one gallon of syrup.  Local events celebrate the season.

Maple Syrup Festivals near Kalamazoo

March 2-3 and 9-10 Maple Sugar Time Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Chesterton, Indiana 

March 3, 9 Maple Sugar Madness Sarett Nature Center Benton Harbor

March 9-10 Maple Sugar Festival Kalamazoo Nature Center Kalamazoo

March 16-17 Sugar Camp Days Bendix Woods County Park, New Carlisle, IN

March 23  Sugarbush Festival  Blandford Nature Center  Grand Rapids

April 26 - 28 Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival, Wakarusa, Indiana

April 26 - 28 79th Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival Vermontville

Also consider

Michigan MapleWeekends

Michigan Maple Syrup Events 2019 in Oakland County and Southeast Michigan
 
Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival

Chicago-area Maple Syrup Events