Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Crooked Tree Arts Center with Petoskey District Library
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2025
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Crooked Tree Arts Center with Petoskey District Library
PETOSKEY and TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Welcome 2026 with an evening of art, music and community at Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) and the Petoskey District Library. This family-friendly celebration returns on Wednesday, Dec. 31, from 6–9 p.m., featuring creative activities, live entertainment, and indoor and outdoor fun for all ages. Admission buttons are now on sale at Crooked Tree Arts Center (461 E. Mitchell St., Petoskey) or online at crookedtree.org. Ticket prices are as follows:
$10 adults (ages 18+)
$5 kids (ages 3–17)
Free for children 2 and under
Buttons include admission to all indoor activities at CTAC. Petoskey District Library activities and outdoor activities are free and open to the public.
Activities at Crooked Tree Arts Center
Inside CTAC, guests will enjoy a vibrant mix of creative experiences, including face painting, pottery and dance workshops, magic shows, a silent disco and hands-on art activities. Admission also includes a pizza buffet provided by Mancino’s.
New this year, Levitator will take the main stage, bringing high-energy live music to the heart of the event.
“The New Year’s Eve celebration at CTAC is a community tradition we look forward to all year,” said Michelle Horn, events and development manager at CTAC. “Each year brings new energy and creativity, and we’re thrilled to welcome families back for an evening filled with art, music and joyful celebration.”
Guests can also enjoy outdoor entertainment on the Bidwell Plaza with DJ Michael, along with cookies, coffee, cocoa and chili provided by Little Bay Gourmet (including a vegetarian option). The night will conclude with CTAC’s popular “Midnight at 9” ball drop on East Mitchell Street — perfect for younger families who want to celebrate together before bedtime.
Activities at the Petoskey District Library
While the library will be closed during the day on Wednesday, Dec. 31, it will reopen from 6–9 p.m. to host free, family-friendly activities open to the public.
“Library staff and volunteers will again offer s’mores kits for roasting over the fire pits in front of the library, while inside, kids can meet and take photos with the Wild Thing from ‘Where the Wild Things Are,’” said Stacy Cox, the library’s marketing manager. “Jeff Pagel will be back to entertain us with mellow tunes on guitar in the main lobby. Enjoy a break from the cold in the children’s area where kids can play, draw, color and do other craft activities. Petoskey Chess Club will again host chess games in the lower-level classroom, which were popular with all ages last year, and we’ll have other board games and activities on tables in the Makerspace. We’re looking forward to another fun evening for our annual year-end event.”
In addition to the above, the library will have water, coffee and decaf available, along with cookies.
Featured Artwork
This year’s promotional artwork was created by Ellie Peters, age 16 at the time of submission and currently a junior at Petoskey High School. Ellie has grown up engaging with the arts at CTAC, participating in music lessons and exhibiting in the Youth Arts Show through her school.
Her New Year’s Eve artwork — created with gel pens, acrylic paint and Sharpie — will appear on event materials, T-shirts and admission buttons.
Image: New Year’s Eve artwork by Ellie Peters to be featured art for Crooked Tree Arts Center's New Year's Eve at the Arts Center event.
Image: Ellie Peters with her New Year’s Eve artwork in the Crooked Tree Arts Center galleries.
Volunteers Needed
Join in the festivities for free by volunteering! CTAC is seeking volunteers to help with registration, ticket sales, cocoa and cookie service, and both indoor and outdoor activities. Interested individuals may call 231-347-4337 or sign up online at crookedtree.org/volunteer.
This event is made possible with support from the Kroeger-Mainland Family Fund at PHSACF, Tip of the Mitt Orthodontics, and the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau, and in partnership with the Petoskey District Library.
For more information, contact Crooked Tree Arts Center at 231-347-4337 or visit crookedtree.org. CTAC is located at 461 E. Mitchell St. in downtown Petoskey.
Join us for a festive evening of creativity, community and celebration — we can’t wait to welcome 2026 with you!