For me, Christmas officially begins with the music…then shopping…then purchasing a peppermint latte…and then I finally start to decorate. After all that, I’m ready to focus on the reason for the season, do some volunteering, and plan some rockin’ family outings.
It should come as no surprise that many local events and parades have been cancelled this year. However, there are still some great ones, and plenty of new ones that can easily be enjoyed from inside you car.
Get some cutie cozy PJs + thermoses for hot cocoa, and plan some fun to get in the spirit of the holiday season!
Note: Many events may sell out due to limited crowds, so make sure to purchase tickets in advance.
2020 Christmas Events in Southeast Michigan
November 13 – January 2 — DTE Energy Music Theatre Magic of Lights {Clarkston} — Magic of Lights is a unique and dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience to celebrate the season. Pile everyone into the car and experience from the safety and comfort of your own car as you wind through the sparkling 1 1/2 mile path. Tickets starts at $20 for a standard vehicle.
Select dates, November 19 – January 10 — Winterfest: Blizzard of Oz {Taylor} — Come walk with family through a winter wonderland of unique, interactive high-tech light shows, holiday displays and characters throughout the historic Coan Lake area, Heritage Park Petting Farm, and the Taylor Conservatory and Botanical Gardens! $25/adults, $15 for ages 4-12, age 3 and under are free.
Select nights, November 20 – January 3 — 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 are $15-$20, plus $8 for parking. Purchase tickets in advance.
Thursday – Sundays, November 21 – December 27 — Wonderland of Lights at Potter Park Zoo {Lansing} — Potter Park will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland with thousands of holiday lights during the evening. Adults are $9/person, children ages 3-12 are $5 and children 3 and under are free. Purchase tickets in advance.
Wednesday – Sundays, November 25 – December 31 — Wayne County Lightfest {Westland} — Lightfest features more than 47 giant animated displays and more than one million lights and is the Midwest’s largest light show. The complete route is more than four miles of Hines Dr. Entry is $5 cash fee per vehicle.
Select nights, November 27 – December 24 — Light Up Howell {Howell} — Visit Scofield Park to see thousands of strands of lights, an animated display set to music from Santa’s Light Crew, fun inflatables, and even a reverse parade. Each vehicle will need one ticket and will receive a special ornament commemorating the event. Tickets are $15/car.
November 27 – January 3 — Walk of Trees {Plymouth} — Bundle up the family and stroll through the Kellogg Park Walk of Trees. See 75 trees, each decorated by a local family, club or business. Trees are lit 24 hours from the Saturday after Thanksgiving through Christmas. FREE.
Fridays – Sundays, through January 3 — The Big Bright Light Show {Rochester} — Visit downtown Rochester for one of the area’s most amazing displays of lights! Thousands adorn the buildings along Main Street. Absolutely stunning and FREE.
November 26 — America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade {Detroit} — This year’s parade is on TV only. Grab some yummy brunch or snacks, and cuddle up on the couch to enjoy.
November 26 – December 31 — Nite Lights at Michigan International Speedway {Brooklyn} — Visit MIS for Michigan’s largest Christmas drive-thru light show with many unique animated displays on the 3 mile long trail. $25/car during the week and $30/care on weekends.
Throughout December — Hometown Holiday Parade {Chelsea} — Visit Chelsea for annual gingerbread house displays, Santa Mail and more special events. FREE.
Through January 10 — Light Up Beacon Park {Detroit} — Beacon Park will transform into a winter wonderland this holiday season! Visit from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, to enjoy photo-ready interactive lighting like a gingerbread house, candy arches, a giant hot chocolate, and other sweet-themed light-up delights, along with the beautiful 125,000 twinkling LED lights. FREE.
Select nights, through December 30 — Crossroads Village’s Holiday Magic Drive Thru {Flint} — Join family and friends for an evening drive through historic Crossroads Village – magically lit by over one million twinkling lights. See displays of your favorite holiday scenes as Christmas music fills the air. $10/car.
December 2 — Walk & Talk with Santa Drive-Thru {Clarkston} — Visit Bay Court Park for a night full of lights and delicious treats! Drive-thru a holiday light display, see live reindeer, and if you write a letter, you can deliver it to Santa onsite! Children may see and talk to Santa from the safety of their vehicle. Every child registered will receive a special gift from Santa. $8/child. Ages 2-12. {Tickets to be sold in 20 minute increments}. Pre-registration required.
Select nights, December 3-20 — Holiday Stroll at Canterbury Village {Lake Orion} — Stroll through Canterbury Village to see multiple displays with live characters. After your stroll, comfort yourself with hot chocolate, snacks, and local food trucks. Purchase tickets in advance at $9.99/person {groups of 6 or less only} + $5 for parking. Children 2 and under and active military and veterans are free.
Select nights, December 4-28 — Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village in Dearborn {Dearborn} — Mingle with merrymakers amid the smells of roasting chestnuts and warming bonfires and the sounds of carolers, fiddlers and bustling yuletide activity. Ticket prices: $30 for adults, $22.50 for youth, ages 5-12, and children age 4 and under are free. Purchase tickets in advance.
Select nights, December 4-January 10 — Glenlore Trails present Aurora {Commerce Township} — Aurora is an interactive wintry light show that takes place along a 1/2 mile wooded trail, located in the center of Multi Lakes Conservation Association. Tickets are limited to ensure social distancing, and must be purchased online prior to the event. Masks are also required for participation. Ages 13 and up are $20, youth are $10, and ages 3 and under are free.
December 4-6 — Winter Wonderland Walk {Canton} — Get bundled up, grab your flashlight and hot cocoa and head to Pheasant Run Golf Course for a 2 mile Winter Wonderland walk. Enjoy the lights, whimsical displays and photo opportunities with your family. Register in advance to ensure proper physical distancing $10 for resident families, $13 for non-residents {limited to 6 people}.
December 5 — Enchanted Winter Wonderland {Plymouth} — Experience a winter wonderland filled with Elsa, elves, Santa, the Grinch, and other winter delights at the Plymouth Historical Museum. Forty tickets will be sold for each half hour, so purchase tickets in advance. Tickets are $10/person ages 11 and up; $5 per person ages 6-10; and children 5 and under are free.
Select dates, December 5-13 — Wild Holidays With Santa {Howell} — Visit the Howell Nature Center to explore a magical winter wonderland full of festive decorations, animal friends and learning about their amazing winter adaptations. Then head to the NatureScape to drop off letters to Santa while the big man himself greets each child from high in his Christmas Treehouse Workshop! He will then deliver a special gift to every child. Members: $12 per child; $5 per adult Non-Members; $15 per child; $8 per adult
December 11-12 — Christmas in the Village {Northville} — The buildings will be beautifully decorated for the first-ever Festival of Trees. There will be a Christmas Market, holiday inflatables, Christmas music, and much more! This will be a socially-distanced, masked event. Tickets are timed and $8/person. Purchase them in advance.
Select nights, December 11-19 — Trail of Lights – Horse Drawn Wagon Rides {Davison} — Visit the trails at Robert Williams Nature and Historical Learning Center to see thousands of holiday lights! This fun evening will include horse drawn wagon rides through the Trail of Lights, holiday music, hot chocolate and a take home craft. Tickets sell out fast so purchase them in advance. $10 for residents, $12 for non-residents.
Select nights, December 11-19 — Bicentennial Park Drive Thru Lights Display {Grand Blanc} — Bicentennial Park will be filled with thousands of lights, sweeping lighted arches and animated displays. Traffic will enter through Grand Blanc Road and follow the lighted path to Reid Road. Instead of a fee, organizers are asking for donations of an unwrapped new toy or 5 non perishable food items.
December 12 — Polar Express Drive-Thru Experience {Hartland} — Visit Hartland for a special drive-thru experience celebrating the book The Polar Express. Wear your best pajamas, decorate your car to look like a train and slowly chug your way through the historic Village of Hartland to encounter the sights and sounds of the holiday season, including a live reindeer, a Seek & Find game along the route, carolers, a photo opportunity with Santa while snug in your car — and more. FREE.
December 17-21 — Holiday Lights on the Farm {Novi} — Celebrate the holidays with a cruise at the farm! Guests will enjoy holiday light displays built by volunteers and businesses from the comfort of their cars. Add to the fun by pre-purchasing a cookie and cocoa to-go box for your cruise. Pre-registration is required and registration fee is non-refundable. $10/car.
What are your favorite Christmas events? If you’d rather stay home, visit here for ideas!
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