Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District will host the sixth annual Strolling Lights Festival starting Thanksgiving through the end of the year. 

In 2020, the Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District in downtown Glen Arbor started the tradition of offering up trees to individuals, families, businesses, charitable organizations, sports teams, clubs and more, which then sponsor and decorate the trees with the proceeds going to an organization or individual that their team collectively chooses for that year. Trees are then displayed throughout the holiday season for the community to enjoy.

This year, The District has chosen Leelanau Investing for Teens (LIFT) as the recipient of 2026 Strolling Lights Festival funds. LIFT was started in 2017 and has helped well over 1,000 teens in the four Leelanau County Schools of Glen Lake, Suttons Bay, Leland and Northport. LIFT is a free, out-of-school-time program for 6th through 12th graders.

Strolling Lights Festival Trees are $150 to sponsor and can be purchased at the link above. Tree sponsors can begin decorating their trees on Saturday, November 21 and the trees can be viewed Thanksgiving weekend through New Years.

The Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District is open daily throughout the holiday season for free viewing of the trees. Additionally, on November 27th, Santa will be on the M22 Glen Arbor Wine Patio from 4-6 pm to meet kids, hear holiday wishes and pose for family pictures.