For me, Christmas officially begins with the music…then shopping…then purchasing a peppermint latte…and then I finally start to decorate {generally after Thanksgiving}. After all that, I’m ready to focus on the reason for the season, do some volunteering, and plan some rockin’ 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 my favorite 25+ Christmas events in southeast Michigan that are sure to get you in the spirit of the season!
See also: Collaborative list of tree lightings and parades and Meals with Santa
The Nutcracker Ballet {Various dates and locations} — Cities include Ann Arbor, Brighton, Canton, Chelsea, Clawson, Clinton Township, Detroit, East Lansing, Flint and more.
Weekends, November 16 – January 5 — 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. $11 in advance, $19 at the gate, children 2 and under free. $8 for parking.
November 21 – 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.
November 22 — 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. 5-9 p.m. FREE.
November 22 — Detroit Christmas Tree Lighting in Campus Martius {Detroit} — Such a beautiful event in the heart of downtown. 5 p.m. – Midnight. Free, but expect to pay parking fees.
November 22 – December 28 — 25th Annual 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 $7/person, children ages 3-12 are $5 and children 3 and under are free.
November 22 – January 2 — 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 23 — 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. Event is 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. FREE.
November 24 – December 1 — Festival of Trees {Dearborn} — Visit the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center for professionally decorated trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses, kid-friendly fun and Santa to support of the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation. $5/adults, $3 for children, and free for kids 2 and under.
November 25 – January 5 — 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 28 — America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade {Detroit} — Rockin’ parade along Woodward Avenue complete with floats, giant balloons, and Santa. Parade starts at 8:45 a.m. at Woodward Ave. and Kirby St. and ends at Campus Martius Park. FREE for general admission. Expect to pay parking fees, so bring cash.
November 29 — 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.
Various dates, November 29 – December 15 — Holly Dickens Festival {Holly} — Visit the charming village that is Holly for shopping, carolers and a meal. {I highly recommend making a date night or girl’s night out reservations at the Holly Hotel for delicious food in a beautiful, historic atmosphere.} FREE.
Various Dates, November 29 – December 29 — Christmas 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 for the village/train combo: Adult {ages 13-59} – $19, Senior {60+} – $18, Child {25 months-12} – $16, 2 years and under are free.
November 29 – December 23 — Meadowbrook Hall Holiday Walk {Rochester} – Visit this amazing historic mansion for a taste of Christmas past. It’s absolutely breath-taking! Visit with adults or with the kids and see Santa during select special events such as Breakfast with Santa. Tickets: $20/adults, $7.50 for children, and kids ages 5 and under are free.
November 29 – January 5 — Holiday Belles House Tour at Ford House {Grosse Pointe Shores} — Visit Ford House to see it authentically decorated as it was during the holiday receptions Mrs. Ford hosted to honor her granddaughters from 1959 through the ‘60s. Tickets are $12/adults, $11/seniors, $8 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 and under.
November 30 — Santaland Parade {Garden City} — This parade is in its 58th year and features more than 50+ floats, and Santa himself of course! The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. FREE.
November 30 – December 22 — 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.
December 3 — Holiday Walk at the Flint Cultural Center {Flint} — Visit the Flint Cultural Center from 5:30 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, but a donation to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan is encouraged.
December 3 — Holiday Tree Lighting and After Glow {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 “carol-o-ke.” FREE.
December 5 — 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.
Select nights, December 5-28 — Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village in Dearborn {Dearborn} — 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: $30 for adults, $22.50 for youth, ages 5-12, and children age 4 and under are 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, a heated tent, s’more roasting and a Lantern Parade. FREE.
December 6-8 — Hometown Holiday Parade {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. FREE.
December 7 — Christmas in the Ville {Fowlerville} — Visit downtown Fowlerville for a parade, a pet parade, hot air balloons and more. 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 — Holiday Hubaloo in Old Town Lansing {Lansing} — Stop into participating Old Town businesses to enjoy treats, crafts, and a whole bunch of holiday cheer. FREE.
December 7 — Noel Night {Detroit} — The annual Noel Night takes place at 75 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 Glow {East Lansing} — Enjoy winter-inspired fun in downtown East Lansing, including carriage rides, roasted marshmallows, Santa, a special outdoor holiday farmer’s market, live music, a kid’s winter carnival, roasted chestnuts, luminaries and much more. 2 p.m. – 5p.m. FREE.
December 14 — Polar Express Day {Hartland} — Visit Hartland’s Historic Village for cookie decorating, a Polar Express Bell, holiday crafts, feed magical reindeer feed and more. FREE.
What are your favorite Christmas events?
