Hancock embraces winter, plans to add to the feeling of the season in the city

When your hometown receives more than 200 inches of snow annually, you make the most out of winter. Hancock embraces its location and winter city spirit. After the first snowfall, the city begins decorating for the holiday season. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the city worked hard to bring the community back outside with additions to annual traditions and new events. City Councilor Whitney Warstler says Hancock Lights the Night seeks to add another element to winter in the city, and offer the entire Copper Country the opportunity to share their holiday spirit at the Hancock Campground.
Making our city feel like a really lovely place to be. And the Lights of the Night project, hopefully, will bring people together during the darkest, coldest months of the year and create a space for some magic, some joy, some connection. – Whiteney Warstler, Councilor, City of Hancock
Warstler says Hancock appears excited for the new, unique celebration opportunity already. 19 lots have already been selected for the brightly lit tour grounds. Each site at the campground will offer participants open space to get as creative as they want to.
The city is going to be decorating, um, the big surrounding areas. And we want to give people the freedom to decorate their spot, you know, to be creative and showcase what they want to showcase. Um, this is new to us. – Whiteney Warstler, Councilor, City of Hancock
In many communities, neighborhood may open their streets to families walking or driving around to look at Christmas and holiday light displays. Warstler says what the city will attempt for the first time will work a little differently. Families can park, walk around the campground, and create new memories.
You know, we’re going to think on our feet. And I just got off the phone with someone from lacrosse. They have a big rotary; their rotary does a big display, and now, getting advice from others who have done something similar has been helpful. And yeah, I think everyone’s excited and we’re going to, we’re going to figure it out. – Whiteney Warstler, Councilor, City of Hancock
To assist the city with getting Hancock Lights the Night started, Visit Keweenaw provided a $15,300 grant from the 2025 Destination Development Program.
Hopefully, turning it into something kind of magical for Christmas. We’re trying to utilize our resources that we already have that, you know, aren’t being utilized otherwise, like the campgrounds. We thought it was the perfect spot for it. There’s electricity available in the areas that have the RV parking. – Whiteney Warstler, Councilor, City of Hancock
To help Hancock prepare the campground and get ready for residents and businesses setting up displays, organizers ask participants to register before August 29th. The Hancock Campground comes equipped with 58 electrical hookups and 14 tent sites. The city will open the Hancock Lights the Night area to the public for self-guided tours on November 26th just before Hancock’s annual Christmas Walk takes place on Thanksgiving weekend.
The setup will begin in October after summer campers have picked up the stakes and rolled up the canopy.
Call the city of Hancock at 906 482 2720 to learn more, or email the city at city@cityofhancock.com