Said the crazy mom to her little kids…Do you hear what I hear?
It’s December! Holy cow. 2015 is quickly coming to a close.
A few weeks back I shared a post about Christmas events in southeast Michigan this year, so today’s post focuses on everything else that’s happening in the month of December, which of course, includes a TON more holiday-related events. So many fun things going on…Plan some fun today!
FAMILY FUN IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN IN DECEMBER 2015
Through December 23 — Cosmic Christmas at Longways Planetarium {Flint} — Visit Longway Planetarium to see a brand new Christmas light show, which is a combination of 16 songs including several holiday classics, a few new hits, and more. All of this will be set to stunning 4k visuals in a festival of Christmas splendor. $6/adults, $4 for seniors {60+} and youth, children under 1 are free.
December 1 — Holiday Walk at the Flint Cultural Center {Flint} — Enjoy this 32nd annual free event featuring caroling, festive live music, Santa Claus visits, planetarium shows, holiday theatre activities, hands-on arts and crafts, refreshments, and more. From 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. FREE.
December 3 — Christmas Open House {Milford} — This seasonal event brings strolling entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday caroling, special promotions and deals at downtown stores and restaurants as well as a highly anticipated visit with Santa Claus in Center Street Mall. 6-9 p.m. FREE.
December 4 — Light Up The Night {Novi} — Visit Novi for live reindeer, marshmallow roasting, Santa, ice sculptures and more from 6-9 p.m. FREE.
December 4 —Kerrytown Children’s Lantern Parade {Ann Arbor} — Bring your family to the Kindlemarket for an exciting children’s lantern parade, modeled after the German St. Martin tradition that celebrates Samaritan deeds. At the parade, the children will illuminate the neighborhood with their colorful lanterns while singing American Christmas carols. Cost: $10 per Lantern {or, bring your own}.
December 4 — Cranbrook Institute of Science {Bloomfield Hills} — Visit this gem for FREE after 5 p.m. on the first Friday of the month courtesy of the MASCO Corporation Foundation.
December 4-6 — Living Christmas Story at Brighton Assembly of God {Brighton} — A drive-thru spectacular for the whole family. Experience the Nativity complete with live animals, 10 amazing scenes, and a disc telling the story of Christmas. Follow the search lights. FREE.
December 4-6 — Birmingham Winter Markt {Birmingham} — Shain Park will come alive with activity including European food and drinks, gift items, holiday greens, crafts, ice carving demonstrations, live reindeer, warming stations, a Kinderhaus children’s activity area, the popular Santa House, horse-drawn carriage rides, and live entertainment. FREE.
December 5 — Winter Glow {East Lansing} — There is something for everyone at East Lansing’s outdoor winter festival. This winter-inspired annual tradition has a variety of fun-filled seasonal activities from 2-5 p.m. FREE.
December 5 — Holiday Extravaganza Parade {Pontiac} — Enjoy an ice carving competition, petting farm, live reindeer, s’mores, face painting and more. The parade steps off at 11 a.m. FREE.
December 5 — Kids Workshop at The Home Depot {Nationwide} — Make holiday stacking blocks at this event. This hands-on workshop is designed for children ages 5 – 12. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Register online in advance. FREE.
December 5 — Hometown Holidays {Berkley} — Visit downtown Berkley for vintage trolley rides, carolers, a petting zoo, and more. Additionally, the Holiday Lights Parade will kick-off at 5:30 p.m. FREE.
December 5 — A2SO Sing-Along with Santa {Ann Arbor} — Join Santa and piano accompaniment in singing your favorite carols at Bethlehem United Church of Christ, at 4 p.m. Pre-events include an instrument petting zoo and post-concert fun includes Christmas arts and craft, cookies and photos with Santa with a suggested $10 donation. Tickets are $8/child and $12/adults.
December 5 — Cool Yule {South Lyon} — Groups across South Lyon come together to offer free/low-cost family friendly activities and to support local charities. From the Christmas in the Country Craft Show to the Cool Yule Lighted Parade and tree lighting ceremony, this event offers something for everyone. FREE.
December 5 — Holly Days and Light Up the Grand Parade {Farmington} — Various activities happening throughout the city including face painting, sand art, balloon animals, story time with Mrs. Claus, free visit with Santa, free movies and more. Light Up the Grand parade will kick-off at 5 p.m. FREE.
December 5 — Michael Kids Club {Nationwide} — Visit Michaels from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. to make a clothespin character. Kids 3 and up can enjoy a quick project and take home a finished masterpiece. Sign up in store or online, or just drop in. $2 per child, supplies included.
December 5 — Classic Christmas at Troy Historic Village {Troy} — Have yourself a merry little Christmas with the sights and sounds of Christmas classics on the grounds of the Village. Visit jolly old St. Nicholas. warm up with hot chocolate from a hot cocoa buffet, make a special Christmas craft and more. 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Price: $8/adult, $5/seniors and kids 12 and under.
December 5, 12 — Breakfast With Santa at Sloan Museum {Flint} — Visit Sloan Museum for a magical meal with Ole St. Nick. Families will enjoy a meal, listen to a story and have pictures taken with Santa. $18/youth and $25/adults.
December 5-20 The Wizard of Oz at The Flint Youth Theatre {Flint} — Follow Dorothy on her trip to Oz and back, and learn along with her that there truly is “no place like home.” Tickets are $12-$16.
December 5-20 {Weekends} — Breakfast or Hayrides with Santa at the Howell Nature Center {Howell} — Visit the nature center for a pancake breakfast complete with a visit from Santa who will have a special gift for each child. $8/adults, $6/children, 2 and under are free. Various time slots available. Register online in advance. {We LOVE this event!}
December 5-6 The Nutcracker at The Flint Youth Theatre {Flint} — Collage Dance Collective of Memphis and talented dancers from the Flint School of Performing Arts come together for the finest Nutcracker in Michigan. The Flint Symphony Orchestra brings the performances to life with Tchaikovsky’s classic score. Tickets are $29-$31.
December 5, 19 — Stories with Santa at Schuler Books in Eastwood Towne Center {Lansing} — From 10 a.m. until noon, enjoy stories with Santa and Mrs. Claus. FREE.
December 6 — Rochester Hometown Parade {Rochester} — The Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade is the largest Christmas parade in Michigan with an average 3,000 parade participants. Expect to see community organizations, floats, units of marchers, drill teams, marching bands, clowns, equestrian groups, fire trucks and Michigan dignitaries. FREE.
December 8, 9 and 14 — Bedtime Stories with Santa at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial {Grosse Pointe Farms} — Dressed in comfy PJs, gathered around the festive holiday tree, children will hear Santa read classic stories of the Christmas season. Milk and cookies add to this cozy experience. Recommended for ages 4+. $12/child, adults are free.
December 11-13 — A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol at the Village Theater at Cherry Hill in Canton {Canton} — All your favorite fairytale characters take on new roles to retell this adaptation of A Christmas Carol that’s surprisingly true to the original, yet unlike you’ve ever seen it before. $7-$12/ticket.
December 12 — Michael Kids Club {Nationwide} — Visit Michaels from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. to make a Perler Santa belt coaster. Kids 3 and up can enjoy a quick project and take home a finished masterpiece. Sign up in store or online, or just drop in. $2 per child, supplies included.
December 12 — Holiday Lights Parade and Tree Lighting {Clarkston} — Check out the Holiday Lights Parade at 6 p.m., then visit Santa and Mrs. Claus in Depot Park for the tree lighting ceremony. FREE.
December 12 — Snacks/Lunch/S’mores with Santa at Metroparks {Various Locations} — Santa will be visiting the various Metroparks for fun activities. Check the calendar linked above for pricing and details.
December 12 — Ariel, Zoey and Eli at Michigan Theater {Ann Arbor} —Emmy Nominees Ariel, Zoey & Eli have spent most of their young lives performing on stage or in front of the camera. With two national TV shows, their focus has always been on music, empowering their peers and enjoying those they meet along the way. This special concert will include their favorite songs, music to get you in the holiday spirit and a few surprises. Tickets are $12.
December 12 — Lowe’s Build & Grow Clinic {Nationwide} – Bring your child to Lowe’s to make a holiday train engine! Register online in advance. FREE.
December 13 — FREE admission to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History {Detroit} – The Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History opens its doors for FREE, thanks to Ford Motor Company. 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
December 14 — Macy’s 2nd Mondays at The Henry Ford Museum {Dearborn} — Introduce your preschool children to the wonders of The Henry Ford — all before nap time {10 a.m. – noon}. Storytelling, live entertainment and dozens of hands-on activities related to some of the museum’s most memorable artifacts. December’s theme is Celebrate the Holidays and will take place in The Henry Ford Museum. Free for kids, adults can get 25 percent off their tickets with this coupon!
December 16 — Kids Night on Broadway for Newsies at Detroit Opera House {Detroit} — Come to the Detroit Opera House early for pre-show activities including games and giveaways, themed craft making with Arts & Scraps, demonstrations with The Michigan Science Center, FREE ice cream from Treat Dreams and more. Tickets are discounted just for families. Kids tickets are FREE with the purchase of an adult ticket at full price {$59-$89}. Thanks for sharing, Catherine!
December 19 — Skate & Lunch with Santa Rollers and Strollers {Shelby Township} — Visit The New Rick Family Skating Center for the beginner skater ages 7 and under. Parents are welcome to skate or walk on floor or push strollers on floor. Session includes skate rental, hot dog, snack and drink. Santa will make his appearance and take picture with the children. Push Toys and ride-on toys are welcome. $7/person.
December 19 — Bounce With Santa {Hartland} — Bring your little ones to preschool playtime to spend a merry time exploring the gym! Bring your camera — there will be a photo spot set up for your child to have their picture taken with Santa. $7/child. 4 and under only.
December 26 — FREE Admission to Michigan Science Center {Detroit} — From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., patrons can get into MiSci for FREE thanks to MGM Grand Detroit – Touching Communities, Touching LivesTM. There will also be cake and special activities to commemorate the center’s birthday.
December 31 — Detroit Circus at the Village Theater at Cherry Hill in Canton {Canton} — Be thrilled as the Detroit Circus dazzle you with their high-flying aerial antics on fabric and trapeze, fire dancing and eating, stilt walking and acrobatics, contortion, juggling, feats of mind-bending strength and acrobalance, as well as a variety of circus sideshow acts. Each ticket includes one non-alcoholic drink and one popcorn, and exciting pre-show activities {face painting, temporary tattoos, photo-op and strolling circus entertainers} in the lobby starting at 6 p.m. Performance will begin at 7 p.m. with intermission. $20/ticket.
Don’t forget to check out my Christmas event picks HERE too!
What events did I miss? Please share them in the comments. I hope you have a magical holiday season!
how fun! i want this too >,<