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 family outings.
Lucky for me, there are SO many neat things to do in this area during Christmas, so I am starting to plan ahead since many of these events do sell out. Below, I’ve picked some of the best Christmas events in southeast Michigan for 2024 that are sure to get you in the spirit of the season!
Make sure to check out this post of 25+ FREE Christmas Light Displays too!
30+ Family Christmas Events To See in Southeast Michigan in 2024
November 29 — Fantasy of Lights Parade {Howell}
The annual Fantasy of Lights is on the day after Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season in Howell. Activities such as reindeer and live performers begin at 3 p.m., followed by the Fantasy 5K at 6 p.m., and the start of the parade at 7 p.m. FREE.
November 29 — Plymouth Santa Parade {Plymouth}
Visit downtown Plymouth to check out various places Santa will visit for the Santa Parade. Events start kicking off at 5:30 p.m. FREE.
November 30 — Christmas Parade {Milford}
Take a trip to the quaint village of Milford for the hospitality of the downtown merchants, strolling entertainment and more for the annual Christmas Parade at 10 a.m. FREE.
November 30 — Santaland Parade {Garden City}
This parade is in its 60th year and features more than 50+ floats, and Santa himself of course! The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. FREE.
Various dates, Saturdays and Sundays through December 15 — Holly Dickens Festival {Holly}
Visit the charming village that is Holly for shopping, carolers and old world charm. Such a beautiful city at Christmas! FREE.
December 3 — Holiday Walk at the Flint Cultural Center {Flint}
Visit the Flint Cultural Center from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for Holiday Walk, which features Santa, live entertainment, crafts and more. Don’t miss the Tree Lighting at 5:15 p.m. FREE.
December 6 — Holiday Lighting Fest {Macomb}
Visit the Macomb Township Parks and Recreation for the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. This event includes caroling, the arrival of Santa, and concludes with the lighting of the tree. After, step inside for refreshments, children crafts and more. 6:30-8:30 p.m. FREE.
December 6 — Kerrytown District’s Annual KindleFest {Ann Arbor}
Visit the Kerrytown District for an outdoor holiday market featuring local and regional artisans and farmers selling unique holiday gifts, as well as German foods, sweets and beverages. Enjoy live music, fire pits and more. 5-9 p.m. FREE.
December 7 — 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 7 — Christmas in the Ville {Fowlerville}
Visit downtown Fowlerville for a parade, a pet parade, hot air balloons and more. Activities begin at 8 a.m., parade kicks off at 6 p.m. FREE.
December 7 — Noel Night {Detroit}
The 50th annual Noel Night takes place nearly 100 Midtown Detroit venues, including the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Michigan Science Center, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Historical Museum, and more, each opening their doors to the public FREE of charge. Additional activities include carriage rides, shopping, crafts and performances by more than 120 area groups.
December 7 — Winter Fest {East Lansing}
Enjoy winter-inspired fun in downtown East Lansing, including ice carving, roasted marshmallows, live music, and more. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. FREE.
December 9-23 — Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams {Royal Oak}
Visit Beamont Hospital in Royal Oak at approximately 8 p.m. to shine flashlights to remind pediatric patients they aren’t alone and wish them sweet dreams. {Free to attend, brings lights and arrive early to park.}
Throughout December — Hometown Holiday {Chelsea}
Visit Chelsea for the ceremonial lighting of the giant Christmas tree at Pierce Park, the Chelsea Light Parade, luminaries on Main Street and more. Explore the annual gingerbread house displays, sip on hot chocolate, and enjoy the special events planned throughout the month. FREE.
Through December 22 — Home for the Hollidays: Ford House Christmas {Grosse Pointe Shores}
Step into a world aglow with the magic of the season at Home for the Holidays at Ford House. Enjoy a one-mile walk around the property as shimmering lights surround you. Along your walk, visit the Main Residence for a self-paced journey, witnessing how Eleanor Ford would have decorated the home for the holidays. Stop by the concessions tent for your complimentary hot chocolate, adding a delightful touch to your holiday excursion. After, visit Santa himself! Tickets are $28/adults/non-members, $14 for children.
Through December 23 {Thursdays – Sundays} — 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.
Through December 23 — Canterbury Village Holiday Stroll {Lake Orion}
Canterbury Village transforms to a winter wonderland to provide a true Holiday setting that brings the spirit of Christmas to life! This family-friendly event is hosted outdoors where you can stroll through the quaint Village that is glowing with almost a million festive lights, enjoy a 7-minute amazing light show choreographed to classic holiday songs, hear professional carolers, and more. Additionally, be on the lookout for classic characters like Frosty, Buddy The Elf, The Grinch, Olaf, Jack Frost, Anna and Elsa and more! See our experience here.
Through December 24 — 1001 Winter Wonders {Detroit}
Stroll through a gingerbread house, look at the delightful holiday decor and get a photo with the jolly man in red. FREE. Sensory experience offered as well {register in advance for this}. After, head over to the Cadillac Lodge!
Through December 24 — Wayne County Lightfest {Westland}
Lightfest features nearly 50 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.
Through December 24 — Glenlore Trails presents Aurora {Commerce Township}
Head to Commerce Township to see Aurora, an immersive lighted trail experience presented by Glenlore Trails. Prices are $15 for youth, $20 for seniors, and $25 for adults.
Through December 24 — Santa’s Magic Forest {Taylor}
Visit Taylor’s Heritage Park to see heart-warming winter village scenes made livelier by moving animatronic figures. Many of the displays were created for the Hudson’s Department Stores. $3/adults, children 3 and under free. Pictures with Santa are $8. Proceeds benefit Fishes & Loaves.
Select nights, Through December 28 — Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village in Dearborn {Dearborn} – SOLD OUT for 2024
Take a lantern-lit journey into a living snow globe filled with live music, skating, fireworks and tons of winter wonder, including Santa and his reindeer. Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village is like stepping into a Christmas card from the past. Ticket prices: $38 for adults, $28.50 for youth, ages 5-12, and children age 4 and under are free.
Various Dates, through December 29 — Christmas Holiday Magic at Crossroads Holiday Magic {Flint}
Bundle up and visit from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. when thousands of lights sparkle throughout the Village. You’ll find villagers making vintage crafts, shops full of gifts and the Huckleberry Railroad waiting to take you on a festive nighttime ride. Ticket prices start at $17+, 2 years and under are free.
Through December 30 — Meadow Brook Hall Winter Wonder Lights {Rochester}
Winter Wonder Lights is a self-guided outdoor event featuring unique light displays across the grounds of Meadow Brook Estate, located in Rochester on the campus of Oakland University. This special experience also includes the option to tour part of the beautifully adorned interior of Meadow Brook Hall! Tickets: $23/adults, $13 for children age 3+. {This pairs great with seeing downtown Rochester’s Big Bright Light Show!}
Through December 30 — Magic of Lights at Pine Knob Music Theatre {Clarkston}
Drive through the dazzling drive-through light display, which features holiday themed scenes and characters using the latest LED technology and digital animations. Magic of Lights opens each day at 5:30 p.m. and runs through 10 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It’s $22. 50 + fees/car during the week and $27.50 + fees/car on the weekends.
Through December 31 — Lights Before Christmas at the Toledo Zoo {Toledo}
Visit the Toledo Zoo for Santa visits, rides, actives, and thousands of twinkling lights throughout the zoo. Tickets for children and seniors are $29, adults are $32.
Through January — Tree of Teeth Light Display {Northville}
For a totally unique experience, visit Preservation Dental in downtown Northville to see a nightly light and music show running every 30 minutes, from 6-9 p.m. The “Tree of Teeth” Christmas tree consists of 1,111 Michigan-made oversized white plastic molars, lit with 1,111 twinkling lights. FREE to visit.
Through January 5 {select days} — 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. Online tickets are $25 for ages 2+; children 2 and under free. $8 for parking.
Through January 5 — Cosmic Christmas at Longway Planetarium {Flint}
Enjoy a Christmas light show made at Longway Planetarium. 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. Non-member tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 60+, and $6 for youth ages 2-11. {I highly recommend purchasing as a combo ticket to Sloan Museum of Discovery if you’ve never been!}
Through January 10 — Visit Winter Gold at Beacon Park {Detroit}
Enjoy a photo-ready holiday backdrop and interactive lighting displays, featuring gold-themed reindeer, snowflakes, ornaments and more. With 125,000 twinkling LED lights illuminating the park, it’s the perfect place to capture magical holiday moments. FREE.
Through January 15 — 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 a day. FREE.
Through January 19 — 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.
What are your favorite Christmas events?
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