Family Fun in Southeast Michigan in November 2018

November is the kick off to Michigan’s long winter, which isn’t so fun, BUT there are lots of fun activities to keep us all warm!

I love this month because there are always tons of plays/musicals {my weakness!} and it starts lots of Christmas fun. I don’t know about you all, but it’s about to be a whole lotta Christmas music from now on in my minivan 😉

Family Fun in Southeast Michigan in November 2018

November 2 — 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.

November 2 — Macy’s Fireworks Spectacular {Troy} — Celebrate the arrival of Santa to the Oakland Mall with fireworks. The event is at 7 p.m. FREE.

November 2-4 — Scranton Players presents The Lion King Jr. {Brighton} — Visit the Brighton Center for Performing Arts to witness The Lion King live on stage. More than 150 Scranton Middle School students and their parents are involved in the production. Tickets are $10.

November 3 — Kids Workshop at The Home Depot {Nationwide} — Build a helicopter! 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. Learn what to expect here. FREE.

November 3 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} —Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project for $2-$5! 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a Christmas tree. Learn what to expect at these events at this post.

November 3 — MAKEbreak at Michaels {Nationwide} — Visit Michaels and purchase a mini Christmas tree; all trimming supplies will be provided. 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. FREE with purchase of tree.

November 3 — Families at The Broad {East Lansing} — Visit this East Lansing modern art museum from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. for hands-on activities. FREE thanks to Farm Bureau.

November 3 — $5 Day at The Henry Ford {Dearborn} — $5 admission per venue: Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, Ford Rouge Factory Tour or a traditional IMAX. $5/person per venue. $5 for parking. The one day only event is in recognition of the historic decision by Henry Ford to offer workers a wage of $5 per day in 1914, which played a major role in building America’s middle class.

November 3 — Fall Savings Spectacular at Salvation Army {SE Michigan Stores} — Visit Salvation Army thrift stores in metro Detroit for 50% off clothing from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. See my tips at this post. We love this sale for stocking up for a new season!

November 3 — Family Saturday at Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame {Lansing} — Visit and learn about Michigan’s history of women voters. Free to visit; donations encouraged.

November 3 — Dancing with Dinosaurs {Burton} — Visit the Sloan Museum at Courtland Center Mall and show off your best Stegosaurus twist and shout as we dance with dinosaurs! Tickets include admission to the Dinosaurs Unearthed exhibit, plus cookies and punch. Advance reservations are required. Call 810-237-3427. $12 adults, $11 seniors 60+, $9 youth ages 2-11. Members are free. {Learn more about Dinosaurs Unearthed here!}

November 3 & 4 — Enchanted Princess Ball {Plymouth} — Dress-up your little one and enjoy a show by Disney-inspired princesses! $24.50/person + a service fee. Advance tickets required.

November 3, 10, 17 & 24 — FREE Day at the Flint Institute of Art {Flint} — This museum is FREE to visit every Saturday thanks to Huntington.

November 4 — MAKEbreak at Michaels {Nationwide} — Visit Michaels and make Christmas slime; all supplies will be provided. 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. FREE.

November 4 — Christmas Open House at English Gardens {All Locations} — Celebrate the holiday season with displays of professionally decorated theme trees, visit with Santa, go and receive free refreshments. Santa photos are from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Additionally, enjoy a free craft project to make a picture frame. FREE.

November 6 & 7 — FREE LEGO® Mini Model Build {Nationwide} — Visit your local LEGO Store to learn how to build a cool mini model, and take it home – for free! November’s project is a LEGO blue dragon. Quantities are limited. Event is open to children ages 6-14 only. FREE.

November 9 – December 23 — A Christmas Carol at Meadowbrook Theatre {Rochester} — The tale of Ebenezer Scrooge returns to the stage for the 33rd year. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Tickets are $34 {+ service fees}.

November 10 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} —Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project for $2-$5! 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a jolly Santa craft. Learn what to expect at these events at this post.

November 10 — MAKEbreak at Michaels {Nationwide} — Visit Michaels and make DIY Christmas ornaments; all supplies will be provided. 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. FREE.

November 11 — FREE admission to the Flint Children’s Museum {Flint} — Visit this Flint gem for FREE on this day, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Learn more about what to expect there at this post.

November 11 — 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 from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. for FREE, thanks to DTE Energy Foundation.

November 11 — MAKEbreak at Michaels {Nationwide} — Visit Michaels and make a melted snowman jar; all supplies will be provided. 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. FREE.

November 12 — MSU Bug House Open House {East Lansing} — If your child loves all things creepy crawly, the MSU Bug House is a fun place to visit. FREE.

November 16 — Silver Bells in the City {Lansing} — The premiere holiday event for the state of Michigan, which includes the lighting of Michigan’s official Christmas tree and a fireworks show over the State Capitol. The light parade kicks off at 6 p.m. FREE.

November 16 — Peter Gros’ Animal Kingdom show at The Whiting {Flint} — Get the scoop + enter to win tickets HERE. {Plus learn how Geneseee residents can get 40 percent off tickets!}

November 17 — Girls STEM Day at MSU {East Lansing} — From 1-4 p.m., girls in grade K-4th grades will have the opportunity to rotate through 4 Hands-on STEM activities. Registration required. FREE.

November 17 — Donuts with Dinosaurs {Burton} — Visit the Sloan Museum dinosaur-loving at Courtland Center Mall and meet with a friendly T. Rex to enjoy donuts and milk, and explore the Dinosaurs Unearthed exhibit! Advance reservations are required. Call 810-237-3427. $12 adults, $11 seniors 60+, $9 youth ages 2-11. Members are free. {Learn more about Dinosaurs Unearthed here!}

November 17 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} —Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project for $2-$5! 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a penguin craft. Learn what to expect at these events at this post.

November 17 — MAKEbreak at Michaels {Nationwide} — Visit Michaels and make Christmas wreaths; all supplies will be provided. 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. FREE.

November 17 — December 31 {Weekends} — Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo {Royal Oak} — A million-plus LED lights cover trees, buildings and animal sculptures. Live entertainment, arts, crafts, ice carving and holiday train displays, too. Tickets range from $10-$16 + parking.

November 19 — Ladies Night Out at Crossroads Village {Flint} — Grab your favorite shopping buddies and start the holiday season together in the festive quaint glow of Crossroads Village. Enjoy shopping, crafts, demonstrations, holiday lights, vintage rides and more. $5 per person.

November 19 – January 6 — The Big, Bright Light Show {Rochester} — One of the state’s best light displays will turn on during Rochester’s signature Christmas event, Lagniappe. FREE.

November 22 —  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

November 22 — America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade {Detroit} — Rockin’ parade along Woodward Avenue complete with floats, giant balloons, and Santa. Parade starts at 8:45 a.m. at Woodward Ave. and Kirby St. and ends at Campus Martius Park. $35-$55 for advance tickets/grandstand seating, or FREE for general admission. Expect to pay parking fees as well.

November 22 – December 30 — Wonderland of Lights at Potter Park Zoo {Lansing} — Potter Park Zoo is transformed into a magical winter wonderland with thousands of holiday lights and extraordinary displays Thursdays-Sundays 5-8 p.m. Adults are $7/person, children ages 3-12 are $5 and children under 3 are free.

November 23 — Fantasy of Lights Parade {Howell} — Festive nighttime parade in downtown Howell with each float illuminated with a minimum of 5,000 holiday lights. Entertainment and activities such as cookie decorating, visits with Santa, live reindeer and music begin at 4 p.m. The parade kicks off at 7 p.m. FREE.

November 24-25 — The Nutcracker at The Detroit Opera House {Detroit} — Journey to the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy as one of the nation’s most respected dance companies returns to the Detroit Opera House with their enchanting interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s magical holiday classic. In addition to the show, there are photos with Santa, live reindeer, crafts and more. Tickets range from $29-$99.

November 27 — Tree Lighting & After Glow {Macomb Township} — Macomb Township Parks and Recreation kicks off the season with caroling, the arrival of Santa a tree lighting and more. FREE.

What are your favorite events happening this month? Let me know in the comments!