Said the crazy mom to her little kids…Do you hear what I hear? It’s December! Holy cow. 2018 is quickly coming to a close. Maybe your Elf on the Shelf is finally coming out, maybe you have gobs of family parties to attend. Regardless, it’s the season of love, magic and FUN!
I’ve shared about some of my favorite Christmas events, meals with Santa and holiday tree lightings and parades already, so today’s post focuses on everything else that’s happening in the month of December, which includes a TON more holiday-related events, and even a few that aren’t related to the holidays 😉
Plan some fun today with this big list!
Family Fun in Southeast Michigan December 2018
Through December 2 — Living Christmas Story at Brighton Assembly of God {Brighton} — A drive-thru spectacular for the whole family. Experience the Nativity complete with live animals, 14 amazing scenes, and a disc telling the story of Christmas. FREE.
Through December 2 — 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.
Through 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.
Through 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.
Through January 6 — The Big, Bright Light Show {Rochester} — One of the state’s best light displays. FREE.
December 1 — Kids Workshop at The Home Depot {Nationwide} — Make a sled with reindeer 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 or day-of in stores. Learn more about the workshops here. FREE.
December 1 — 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 1 — 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 1 — Holiday Lights Parade {Berkley} — Visit downtown Berkley for vintage trolley rides, carolers, a petting zoo, and more. The Holiday Lights Parade will kick-off at 5:30 p.m. FREE.
December 1 — Cool Yule {South Lyon} — Visit South Lyon for a Christmas in the Country craft show, Cool Yule Lighted Parade and tree lighting ceremony. FREE.
December 1 — 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 1 — 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.
December 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 — FREE Day at the Flint Institute of Art {Flint} — This museum is FREE to visit every Saturday thanks to Huntington. 
December 1 — MAKEbreak at Michaels {Nationwide} — Visit Michaels and make a gingerbread house; supplies will be provided. 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. FREE with purchase of gingerbread house kit.
December 1 — 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 an advent calendar. Learn what to expect at these events at this post.
December 1-2 — 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 $10-$32.
December 2 — MAKEbreak at Michaels {Nationwide} — Visit Michaels to make gingerbread man slime; decorating supplies will be provided. 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. FREE with purchase of jar.
December 2 — 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 4 — Holiday Walk at the Flint Cultural Center {Flint} — Enjoy this 33rd 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 p.m. to 8 p.m. FREE {non-perishable item suggested}.
December 4 & 5 — 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! December’s project is a LEGO reindeer sleigh. Quantities are limited. Event is open to children ages 6-14 only. FREE.
December 7 — 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 7-16 {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. $11/adults, $8/children, 2 and under are free. Various time slots available. Register online in advance. 
December 8 — MAKEbreak at Michaels {Nationwide} — Visit Michaels to test creative products and make a wishlist. 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. FREE.
December 8 — 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 dashing reindeer. Learn what to expect at these events at this post.
December 8 — Polar Express Day {Hartland} — Visit historic downtown Hartland for live reindeer, crafts, live music and more. FREE. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
December 8 — Santa’s Jingle Bell Brunch {Macomb Township} — Spend a festive morning eating breakfast with Santa as he performs an interactive show singing some of his favorite songs and telling some of his favorite stories. After, children can visit with Santa and receive a holiday gift from him. Bring your own camera. 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. $6/residents, $11/non-residents.
December 8 — 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 9 — MAKEbreak at Michaels {Nationwide} — Visit Michaels to make a picture frame; decorating supplies will be provided. 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. FREE with purchase of a frame.
December 9 — 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 the DTE Energy Foundation. 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
December 11 & 12 — 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 15 — MAKEbreak at Michaels {Nationwide} — Visit Michaels to make a cute Christmas T-shirt. 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Buy the T-shirt, get the supplies for free. 
December 15 — 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 frame. Learn what to expect at these events at this post.
December 16 — FREE admission to the Flint Children’s Museum {Flint} — Visit this Flint gem for FREE on this day, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. thanks to HAP. Learn more about what to expect there at this post.
December 29 — 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. Check out the details for this event here. FREE.
Through January 6 — Visit the Sloan Museum Dinosaurs {Burton} — Visit Courtland Center Mall in Burton to learn about all things dinosaur. See this post for details!
Have a very merry December and let me know what I’ve missed in the comments!
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