The 2025 Downtown Iron Mountain Christmas Walk takes place from 4 to 6 p.m., with the First National Bank & Trust returning as the event presenting sponsor.

“We are so happy to once again be able to host this special event,” said Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority Event Coordinator Katherine Mentel. “It has become a wonderful holiday tradition for many area families, as well as getting everyone in the spirit of Christmas.”

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be ready to hear wishes from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Dickinson County Library.

The library will also have a variety of Christmas crafts and activities for all ages while they wait.

The Downtown Development Authority’s annual Christmas Walk and Community Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday evening in downtown Iron Mountain will again included a live Nativity scene by Bishop Baraga Catholic School at the downtown stage across from the Dickinson County Library. This was the display in 2023. (Jim Paul/Daily News, file)

“There’s going to be a lot going on inside the library,” Mentel said.

The Kingsford High School Jazz Band is back to perform a selection of popular Christmas classics at the library.

“Come down to hear great music from these talented musicians,” she said.

Students of Bishop Baraga Catholic School will present its live nativity scene from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the downtown stage on Iron Mountain Street, across from the library.

“The students always do such a great job with this — it’s such a fantastic part of the event,” Mentel said.

Everyone will gather at 5:30 p.m. outside the library to join in the festive foot parade, led by Santa and Mrs. Claus, to the First National Bank & Trust Plaza. The parade will head up Iron Mountain Street and down Ludington Street to the plaza.

Caroling will be led by members of the Dickinson County Community Chorus.

Santa will do the countdown to the community tree-lighting ceremony.

Mentel noted they will have hot chocolate and continue with caroling while at the plaza.

“The evening is a kickoff to the holiday season,” she said.

This year’s Community Christmas Tree is again donated by Swanson’s Big Red Barn Holiday Events in Niagara, Wis., and will be set up and decorated by Bacco Construction.

Area children are invited to drop their Letters to Santa at the special mailbox at the City Hall, 501 S. Stephenson Ave., or at the library until Christmas Day.

“We will make sure your holiday wishes get delivered right to the North Pole,” she said.

They also have special free Christmas letter templates that can be download from their website.

Students will be ringing bells for the Dickinson County Salvation Army at two locations in downtown.

In conjunction with the Christmas Walk, the DDA will again host a Window Decorating Contest.

Friday evening kicks off the voting, which will continue through Dec. 25.

The DDA will announce the winners the week after Christmas.

“We have a number of businesses already signed up. You may have seen them already decorated downtown,” Mentel said.

Any downtown business that wishes to participate can sign up by Wednesday.

Winners will receive a DDA mini-grant. First place will be $400 and second place $200.

Each participating business will have a poster in the window with a QR code to scan or on the Christmas Walk website.

The DDA and the Dickinson County Library have teamed up to conduct a winter clothing drive to benefit the Dickinson Foster Closet that runs from today through Sunday, Jan. 11.

Donations can be dropped off at the library.

Mentel said non-clothing items, such as toiletries and blankets, will be donated to The Caring House.

“We are encouraging everyone to help keep our community warm by donating a winter item,” she added. “This is a great way to spread holiday cheer.”

Mentel thanks all their sponsors and partners, including signature sponsor First National Bank & Trust, Radio Results Network, Dickinson County Library, Dickinson County Community Chorus, Bishop Baraga Catholic School, Swanson’s Big Red Barn and Bacco Construction.

“We hope everyone joins us for a great evening of holiday festivities,” Mentel said.

For more information on the Downtown Christmas Walk, including activities and schedules, or to register for the window contest, go to the DDA website at https://downtownironmountain.com/christmas-walk.

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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.