Central UP Events

Experience the magic of the season in downtown Marquette! The historic Lower Harbor Ore Dock will light up for the holidays with dazzling laser displays by Fresh Coast Light Lab, every Thursday through Saturday from 6-9 PM on the north side of the dock.     This free, family-friendly show offers something new each week from festive and winter-themed scenes to colorful, abstract displays inspired by Marquette itself. While you’re downtown, warm up with dinner, local brews, or a little holiday shopping just steps away.   2025 DATES November 20 – December 27 & New Year’s Eve   Every Thursday, Friday,

Thursday, December 4, 2025.  6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Community Room. Adults, Seniors, Teens. Three-time Michigan Notable Book writer John Smolens reads from his new collection of short stories, Possession(s), accompanied by special musical guest Bill Hart. The stories in the collection explore the fears, doubts, and uncertainties of the human condition, from the shores of Lake Superior to streets of 19th-century Paris. No admission charge. For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.  

Fridays, December (5, 12, 19, 26) 2025.  Noon – 1:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library, Heritage Room.  In partnership with several area organizations, this hour-long event offers a safe space to pause, reflect, and build meaningful connections with others who are committed to cultivating kindness in our world. Each week, a different organization takes the lead, with experienced educators and leaders facilitating. This rotating format ensures diverse perspectives and practices while maintaining a shared commitment to the Charter for Compassion and the Circle of Trust principles. For more information and to check on the status of the program, call 906-226-4303

Experience the magic of the season in downtown Marquette! The historic Lower Harbor Ore Dock will light up for the holidays with dazzling laser displays by Fresh Coast Light Lab, every Thursday through Saturday from 6-9 PM on the north side of the dock.     This free, family-friendly show offers something new each week from festive and winter-themed scenes to colorful, abstract displays inspired by Marquette itself. While you’re downtown, warm up with dinner, local brews, or a little holiday shopping just steps away.   2025 DATES November 20 – December 27 & New Year’s Eve   Every Thursday, Friday,

Saturday, December 6, 2025.  10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  Peter White Public Library, George Shiras III Room.  Four mindfulness meditation and yoga teachers invite you to engage in a year of mindful living. Each month, one of the teachers will present a topic that addresses the different dimensions where we can practice mindfulness and presence. The intent is for us to cultivate mindfulness, care, and well-being individually and in our love, business, and social relationships. These are drop-in sessions, although committing to a full year is a way to build a consistent mindfulness practice. For more information and to check

Saturday, December 6, 2025,  1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Heritage Room. Adults, Seniors, Family Friendly. For this special event, PWPL partners with NMU’s MFA Program to sponsor an end-of-semester poetry reading. Students currently enrolled in NMU’s graduate-level poetry workshop will share their work in a poetry-palooza. No admission charge. For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.  

Experience the magic of the season in downtown Marquette! The historic Lower Harbor Ore Dock will light up for the holidays with dazzling laser displays by Fresh Coast Light Lab, every Thursday through Saturday from 6-9 PM on the north side of the dock.     This free, family-friendly show offers something new each week from festive and winter-themed scenes to colorful, abstract displays inspired by Marquette itself. While you’re downtown, warm up with dinner, local brews, or a little holiday shopping just steps away.   2025 DATES November 20 – December 27 & New Year’s Eve   Every Thursday, Friday,

Sunday, December 7, 2025,  1:30 p.m.  Marquette Regional History Center.  Family Friendly, Adults, Seniors. Join Peter White Public Library, in partnership with the Marquette Regional History Center, for a booming, brassy concert of Christmas carols. Let the spirit of Christmas resonate within you. This event will be livestreamed on the PWPL YouTube Channel. No admission charge. For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.  

Holiday Open House December 10, 6:30pm at the Marquette Regional History Center Wrap up the calendar year with a gathering of greetings. This year, join us for a reading by Bruce Closser of “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” Known to most as the poem, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” this verse and some special surprises will cheer your winter eve. Light refreshments. Free, donations appreciated. For more info visit marquettehistory.org or call 906.226.3571.   Tuba Christmas December 7, 1:30pm at the Marquette Regional History Center Join us for the start of the holiday season with Tuba Christmas. We are happy

Monday December 8, 2025.  6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Community Room.  Families with children of all ages are invited to this special winter holiday storytime to enjoy interactive stories and songs. PJ’s or holiday-themed apparel encouraged. No admission charge. For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit pwpl.info.