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 don’t know about you all, but it’s about to be a whole lotta Christmas music from now on in my minivan 😉
Enjoy the month together as a family with these 30+ ideas.
30+ Things To Do In November 2025 In Southeast Michigan
November 1
- Learn about Dia de los Muertos {Day of the Dead} and check out these activities and videos kids can learn from.
- Check out Home Depot for a FREE Kids’ Workshop.
- Take a tour of the Fisher Building in Detroit with Pure Detroit.
- Visit the Flint Institute of Art. This museum is FREE to visit every Saturday thanks to Huntington.
November 2
Daylight Saving ends on this day. How will you spend your extra hour?!
- Go to the Michigan History Center in Lansing. It’s FREE every Sunday from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Watch the Detroit Lions take on the Minnesota Vikings at 1 p.m.
November 3
Find a new, family-friendly trail and take a hike during this beautiful time of year. Nothing beats the sound of leaves {and soon snow} crunching under your feet!
November 4
Rake up some leaves for a fun fall photo session or build a fort from sticks! This is the best time of year to do this while sticks are visible.
November 5
Have you checked out Sloan Museum in Flint? It is well worth a drive for a day trip on a cool day.
November 6
Shop for some fleece and make a no-sew blanket for the holidays or for nursing homes. {This is my teen’s favorite seasonal thing to do!}
November 7
Look for an upcoming performance of The Nutcracker or another holiday show. It’s the perfect excuse to get together with friends and family and is put on by many local dance studios.
November 8
- Visit JCPenney for their Kids Zone activity from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. This month is a turkey door hanger. FREE.
- Check out Island Lake State Park in Brighton for a FREE lantern hike. {There are a few dates. These are super pretty and fun!}
November 9
- Shop at the All Things Detroit Market and Food Truck Rally, which features more than 200 small business vendors. Tickets are $15.
- Watch the Detroit Lions take on the Washington Commanders at 4:25 p.m.
November 10
This time of year is fantastic for supporting our local community theatre programs. Find one here and see what’s coming up!
November 11
Happy Veteran’s Day! Visit this link for some great resources for teaching kids about this important day.
November 12
The “coziest” spot in Detroit — the Cadillac Lodge — is open again! If you’ve never been, I highly recommend planning a day in Detroit this holiday season. Enjoy treats in Cadillac Lodge, shopping small in the markets, ice skating in Campus Martius, and more! {You can read about our experience from a few years back here.}
November 13
Today is World Kindness Day. Check out these ideas for inexpensive acts of kindness to surprise someone.
November 14
- Check out A Christmas Story: The Musical at the Fox Theatre, November 14-16. Tickets start at $41.
- Head to Motor City Comic Con at the Suburban Showplace Collection in Novi. Children’s passes are $10 and adult passes start at $45.
November 15
- Today is America Recycles Day! Sounds like a great excuse to declutter and donate to organizations in need. Clean out your bookshelves and visit a Little Free Library, or go through hats, gloves, coats and boots and find a local spot accepting donations.
- Visit Lowe’s for a DIY-U Workshop to make a letter box.
November 16
As the holidays approach, make a holiday bucket list of things you’d like to do as a family.
November 17
If you have a little one, the Flint Children’s Museum is one of our favorites for little learners.
November 18
Look for some opportunities to volunteer as a family this holiday season, whether it’s at a soup kitchen, ringing bells for Salvation Army, packing Thanksgiving meals, or organizing items for Toys for Tots. It’s the perfect excuse to do service together and give back! If you’re not sure where to start, check out your local chapter of United Way to see if they can help.
November 19
Have the kids help create a cute turkey on your door for Thanksgiving or check out Kids Art Hub for Thanksgiving art projects and get some new art for your fridge. Or simply get together as a family and create a list of things and people you are thankful for.
November 20
The Wayne County Lightfest opens today. Take a drive through to admire all of the beauty! $5/car.
November 21
- Head to Lansing for the annual Silver Bells in the City parade.
- Visit Detroit for the tree lighting ceremony and the Light Up Beacon Park event.
- Magic of Lights opens today at Pine Knob Music Theater in Clarkston. Pricing starts at $25/car.
- Wicked for Good, the movie debuts on this day. {So excited for this one!}
- Check out the annual production of A Christmas Carol at Meadow Brook Theatre in Rochester, which has various performance dates. Tickets start at $45.
November 22
- Potter Park’s Wonderland of Lights in Lansing kicks off today and is happening Thursday-Sundays evenings through December 23.
- Head to Brighton for the city’s annual Holiday Glow & Christmas Market from 1-7 p.m.
November 23
Wild Lights opens this weekend at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak and runs through January 4 on select dates. Make sure to grab tickets in advance to reserve a spot.
November 24
The Big Bright Light Show in downtown Rochester kicks off tonight and runs daily through January 18. FREE to see.
November 25
Check out the I Am Wild exhibit at Impression 5 Science Center in Lansing. Included with museum entry.
November 26
Visit the library to pick out books, puzzles and games to enjoy together during the long holiday weekend.
November 27
Happy Thanksgiving! Make sure to tune into America’s Thanksgiving Day parade taking place in Detroit and then watch the Lions take on the Green Bay Packers!
November 28
- Check to see if there is a local parade near you. One of our local favorites is the Fantasy of Lights in downtown Howell on this day. Such a fun way to kick off the season!
- Visit Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester to see the mansion decorated for the holidays, or see the Winter Wonder Lights display. Ticket prices vary. After, drive through downtown Rochester to admire The Big, Bright Light Show, which is FREE.
November 29
- Enjoy Small Business Saturday by supporting your favorite local businesses. Don’t forget about local makers as well!
- Head to Home Depot for a FREE kids’ workshop to make a teddy bear ornament.
- Visit Canterbury Village in Lake Orion for their annual Holiday Stroll event on select days. Early bird pricing starts at $15.99/person. See an event write-up from a few years ago at this post.
November 30
Visit Ford House in Grosse Pointe to see the house at Christmastime. Tickets range from $12 for children to $22 for adults.
I often add fun to my Facebook page and share about our adventures on Instagram, so make sure to check there, too!
What are your favorite events happening this month? Let me know in the comments!
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