Gear up for the holiday season with this list of 60+ Christmas Events in Southeast Michigan and beyond for 2021!
For me, Christmas officially begins with some shopping…then music…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.
And there is no shortage of options for family fun in SE Michigan this year, like seeing beautiful twinkly lights, standing a parade, or getting the chance to tell Santa what your heart desires.
Grab some cozy PJs + thermoses for hot cocoa, and plan some fun to get in the spirit of the holiday season with this huge list of 60+ Christmas Events in Southeast Michigan!
Note: Many events may sell out due to limited crowds, so make sure to purchase tickets in advance.
2021 Christmas Events in Southeast Michigan
LIGHTS TO DISCOVER
November 18 – January 9 {Various nights} — Starry Lights at Ford House {Grosse Pointe Park} — Illuminate your holidays with Starry Lights, an all-new winter light walk at Ford House, including an immersive and interactive display on the grounds of the estate. Advance tickets: adults are $20; children are $12. Day-of tickets: $25 for adults and $15 for children.
November 19 – January 1 — 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 1.5 mile path. Tickets start at $30 for a standard vehicle. {Purchase in advance to save $!}
November 19 — Tree Lighting at Campus Martius {Detroit} — The highly anticipated 2021 Detroit Tree Lighting at Campus Martius Park returns LIVE for an unforgettable night for the entire family. FREE to attend.
Thursday – Sundays, November 20 – December 26 — 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. *Awaiting 2021 pricing* Adults are $9/person, children ages 3-12 are $5 and children 3 and under are free. Purchase tickets in advance.
Select nights, November 20 – January 9 — 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 $17-$24, plus $8 for parking. Children 2 and under are FREE. Purchase tickets in advance.
Wednesday – Sundays, November 18 – 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. The hours are 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. when open. Entry is $5 cash fee per vehicle.
November 19 through January — Light Up Beacon Park {Detroit} — Beacon Park will transform into a winter wonderland this holiday season! Visit daily 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.
Fridays – Sundays, November 22 – 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 25 – January — Walk Thru The Lights {Pinckney} — Beautiful outdoor holiday experience with lights, photo opportunities, music, gift shop with hot cocoa available, and lots of memories waiting to be created! $5/person.
November 25 – 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/car on weekends.
Select nights, November 26 – January 2 — 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. Purchase tickets in advance. Ages 13 and up are $25, seniors are $20, youth are $15, and ages 3 and under are free.
December 16-20 — Holiday Lights at the MSU Tollgate Farm {Novi} — Come celebrate the holiday season with a cruise through MSU Tollgate Farm! The event will run nightly from December 16th to December 20th. Guests will enjoy the farm from the comfort of their cars. Add to the fun by pre-purchasing a cookie and hot chocolate to-go box that will be provided to your car when you arrive onsite. $10/car.
December 3-31 — Bicentennial Park Drive Thru Lights Display {Grand Blanc} — Bicentennial Park will be filled with thousands of lights, sweeping lighted arches and animated displays. {More information coming soon!}
December 10, 12, 17, 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. $12 for residents, $15 for non-residents.
PARADES TO WATCH
November 19 — 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. 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. FREE.
November 25 — America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade {Detroit} — Head to Downtown Detroit to see amazing floats and live entertainment. FREE to spectators; grandstand tickets are $55-$70.
November 26 — Fantasy of Lights Parade {Howell} — The annual Fantasy of Lights on the day after Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season in Howell. Activities begin at 4pm, followed by the Fantasy 5K at 6 p.m., and the start of the parade at 7 p.m. FREE.
November 26 — Grosse Pointe Santa Claus Parade {Grosse Pointe} — Visit Grosse Pointe for the 46th annual parade. Kick-off is at 10 a.m. FREE.
November 27 — Annual Christmas Parade {Milford} — Head to Downtown Milford at 10 a.m. to kick-off the holiday season. The parade will begin at Main and Commerce and end at Central Park. FREE.
November 27 — Festival of Lights Parade {Stockbridge} — Visit the Stockbridge Town Hall for crafts, a gingerbread house contest, elf stops and more. The parade will kick-off at 6 p.m. FREE.
November 27 — Santaland Parade {Garden City} — This parade is in its sixth decade and features more than 50+ floats, and Santa himself of course! The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. FREE.
December 4 — Holiday Light Parade {Williamston} — The annual Light Parade steps off at 6 p.m., with illuminated floats and vehicles, marching band, animals, and more. After the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will help with the lighting of the tree in front of City Hall. FREE.
December 4 — Christmas in the Ville {Fowlerville} — Visit downtown Fowlerville for a parade, a pet parade, hot air balloons and more. FREE.
MAGICAL EVENTS TO WITNESS
November 20 — Holiday Glow {Brighton} — Enjoy holiday music, local dance performances, hay and train rides, a petting farm, letters to Santa, tasty holiday treats and, of course… a visit from The Big Man Himself. FREE.
Select nights, November 24 – December 23 — 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 $14.99/person {limited to groups of 6} + $5 for parking. Children 2 and under and active military and veterans are free.
November 26 – December 30 — Holidays at Meadow Brook Hall {Rochester} – Visit this amazing historic mansion for a taste of Christmas past. It’s absolutely breath-taking! The Holiday Walk is an indoor, daytime event. Winter Wonder Lights is an outdoor, evening event. Tickets for the Holiday Walk are $20/adults, $15/seniors, $7.50/youth, and ages 2 and under are free. Tickets for the Winter Wonder Lights are $22/adults, $18/seniors, $12/youth, and ages 2 and under are free.
November 26 – 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.
November 26 through December 30 {various dates} — Crossroads Village’s Holiday Magic {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 for drive-thru experience {on select nights} otherwise, in-person tickets range from $13-$24/person.
November 27 – January {various dates} — 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! *Awaiting 2021 information*
Various dates, November 27 – December 12 — Holly Dickens Festival {Holly} — Visit the charming village that is Holly for shopping, carolers and a meal. FREE.
November 27 — Holidays in Birmingham {Birmingham} — Visit Downtown Birmingham for their annual tree lighting, Santa House {additional dates available}, horse drawn carriage rides and more. Donations welcome, otherwise FREE.
November 28 — Menorah in the D {Detroit} — Visit Campus Martius for the lighting of the giant Menorah to celebrate Chanukah! FREE.
Throughout December — Hometown Holiday {Chelsea} — Visit Chelsea for annual gingerbread house displays, Santa Mail, a live nativity, and more special events. FREE.
Throughout December — FISH-MAS at SEALIFE Aquarium {Auburn Hills} — Experience an underwater winter wonderland during FISH-MAS, the kid-friendly holiday event at Michigan’s largest aquarium. Tickets start at $22.99.
Throughout December — Santa Sightings at Cranbrook House and Gardens {Bloomfield Hills} — Safely visit with Santa Claus and take a family photo outside at Cranbrook House. $30/car.
Throughout December — Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Michigan {Auburn Hills} — Experience a LEGO® winter wonderland during Holiday Bricktacular, the kid-friendly holiday event at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center. Tickets start at $22.99.
December 1-15 — Visit the Christmas House in Brighton — Deliver a letter to Santa and actually get a letter back! Details can be found here. {*Awaiting 2021 information if there have been changes*}
December 2 — Christmas Open House {Milford} — Take a trip to the quaint village of Milford for the hospitality of the downtown merchants, strolling entertainment and special promotions and refreshments. Santa arrives at 6 p.m. FREE.
December 3-28 {various dates} — 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: $32 for adults, $24 for youth, ages 5-12, and children age 4 and under are free. Purchase tickets in advance.
December 4 — Winter Glow {East Lansing} — Enjoy winter-inspired fun in downtown East Lansing, including live music, an outdoor holiday farmers market, ice carving, winter photo scenes, children’s activities hosted by the East Lansing Public Library and more. 2 p.m. – 5p.m. FREE.
December 3-4 — 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 $12/person {or $10/members}. Purchase them in advance.
December 3-5 Fuerst Festive Nights {Novi} — This festive weekend will include a holiday lights stroll, nature-friendly crafts along the trail, carolers in the amphitheater, marshmallow roasting, hot chocolate, food vendors, and Santa visits in Township Hall. The park will remain lit throughout the month of December for community members to enjoy. To reserve your time slot for Santa visit this link.
December 4 — Enchanted Winter Wonderland {Plymouth} — Come explore this Enchanted Winter Wonderland at the Plymouth Historical Museum, with tours starting every 15 minutes between 1 and 3:30 p.m. Children will be given takeaway items at various stations.Your ticket also gets you in to see the Museum’s special exhibit, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Tickets are $10/person ages 11 and up; $5 per person ages 6-10; and children 5 and under are free.
December 4, 5, 11, 12 — 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. Register in advance. Members: $12 per child; $5 per adult Non-Members; $15 per child; $8 per adult.
December 11 — Polar Express Day {Hartland} — Visit Hartland for a special day celebrating the book The Polar Express. Stroll through town in your best pajamas and enjoy holiday entertainment including spirited carolers, graceful dancers, magical reindeer, and Santa! Tons of activities. FREE.
SHOWS TO SEE
Various dates/locations — The Nutcracker Ballet — Cities include Ann Arbor, Brighton, Chelsea, Canton, Clinton Township, Detroit, East Lansing, Flint and more.
November 5-14 {various dates} — Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer JR. {Waterford} — Visit the Starlight Theater for a fun show starring kids based on the animated television special. Tickets are $13-$17.
November 12 – December 9 — MJR’s Festive Flicks {various locations} — Head to select MJR theaters to see Christmas classics for just $5. Movies include Harry Potter, The Polar Express, The Grinch and A Christmas Story.
November 19 – December 4 {various dates} — A Hunting Shack Christmas {Farmington} — Support the Farmington Players with this heartwarming holiday comedy for the family. Tickets for students and seniors are $20 and adults are $22. Masks required.
November 19 – December 23 {various dates} — A Christmas Carol at Meadow Brook Theater {Rochester} — Everyone’s favorite holiday classic captivates audiences for the 39th year with the tale of a mean-spirited miser and the ghosts that haunt him. Tickets are $35 each.
November 19 – December 23 {various dates} — A Christmas Survival Guide at The Dio Theatre {Pinckney} — Visit Pinckney for a fun dinner theatre experience. This musical revue promises to lessen the tension in your life, make the holidays a bit more fun and help audience members find a way to laugh at their own seasonal silliness. Tickets must be purchased as a table of two or 4 and are $45 each, which includes a meal. Masks required.
November 26 – December 11 {various dates} — It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play {Rochester Hills} — Support the Avon Players with this classic holiday movie presented with a twist: the story is staged as a live radio broadcast for an added layer of nostalgia. Tickets are $21. Masks required.
November 26 – December 23 — Cosmic Christmas Light Show {Flint} — Visit the Longway Planetarium for a Christmas light show made locally! This show features 16 songs to fill you with cheer, including holiday classics, some new hits, and a few fun oddities, all set to stunning 4k visuals in a festival of Christmas splendor. Great for adults and kids ages 6 and older. $7/adults and $5 for seniors and children.
December 3-19 {various dates} — Holiday Classic Movies at Redford Theater {Detroit} — Visit this Detroit icon for some Christmas classics. Movies include Die Hard, A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation, It’s A Wonderful Life, White Christmas, and a mystery movie! All shows are $5/person.
December 3-5 — Living Christmas {Brighton} — Visit Brighton Assembly of God for a live, drive-through nativity. This is such a neat way to celebrate the birth of Jesus! 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. FREE.
December 3-5 — Cirque Dreams Holidaze {Detroit} — This annual tradition wraps a whimsical, Broadway-style musical infused with contemporary circus artistry into the ultimate holiday gift for the entire family. Tickets start at $35/person.
December 5 — Hip Hop Nutcracker {Detroit} — Visit the Detroit Opera House for a holiday mash-up for the whole family. This contemporary dance spectacle is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic, smashing hip hop dance and Tchaikovksy’s timeless music together into a heart-stirring and inspirational holiday event. Tickets start at $29. {Guests must provide proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test upon entry.}
December 5 — Christmas Festival at Ward Church {Northville} — This “Christmas Festival” includes a show {9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.} of FX: A Family Experience and an entire afternoon of unforgettable fun, including crafts, cookie decorating, a petting farm and more. FREE.
December 9 — Christmas Vacation Live with Chevy Chase {Detroit} — Visit the Masonic Temple Watch A Christmas Vacation and then hear directly from star Chevy Chase. {Guests must provide proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test upon entry.}
December 10 — Holiday Pops with the Ann Arbor Orchestra {Ann Arbor} — Visit Hill Auditorium to hear some festive revelry, as American conductor and music director candidate Kazem Abdullah hits the stage with a sleigh-full of audience favorites. An evergreen classic on the Ann Arbor concert calendar, our Holiday Pops event is sure to delight music lovers young and old. {Guests must provide proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test upon entry. Face masks required.}
December 10-12, 17-19 — Elf the Musical Jr. {Howell} — Visit Howell’s community theatre for a kid-made production of Elf Jr. In case you aren’t familiar, Elf is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. Tickets are $15/person.
December 11 — A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage {Detroit} — This show celebrates the timeless television classic as the whole family can join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the Peanuts characters in their journey to uncover the true meaning of Christmas. Tickets start at $45.
December 12 — Magical Cirque Christmas {Detroit} — Witness some of the nation’s greatest entertainers for a thrilling, festive, fun-for-the-whole-family event. Tickets start at $40.
December 15 — Home Alone in Concert with the DSO {Detroit} — Enjoy one of the most beloved holiday films of all time projected on a giant screen in stunning High Definition, accompanied by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra! Tickets start at $48. {Guests must provide proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test upon entry.}
December 17-19 — Home of the Holidays with the DSO {Detroit} — Share Detroit’s favorite holiday musical tradition with family and friends and thrill to the spectacle of the season. Tickets start at $19. {Guests must provide proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test upon entry.}
December 28 — Trans Siberian Orchestra at Little Caesars Arena {Detroit} — This year’s long-awaited tour celebrates the 25th anniversary of the group’s landmark album Christmas Eve and Other Stories, the 3x certified platinum album that launched the group to superstardom and spawned the bring-the-whole-family rock holiday tradition. Tickets start at $43.
What are your favorite Christmas events? Visit here for ideas for sticking around home too!
Leave a Reply