Dazzling Holiday Light Displays in Metro Detroit to See This Winter

Embrace the spirit of the holidays with a trip to one of these spectacular light displays.
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Drive through The Big Bright Light Show in Rochester or get out of your car and walk around the downtown area. // Photograph by Emily Morris

The holidays are almost here, and the halls in metro Detroit are getting decked with holiday light displays that are sure to put even the biggest Scrooge in the holiday spirit.

From special events that feature lights to communities that go all out this time of year, and even a couple of drive-thru options, here are 11 of our favorite local displays that you simply can鈥檛 miss this winter.

Glenlore Trails: Aurora

Back by popular demand, Michigan鈥檚 original听illuminated forest听will offer a one-mile outdoor path that is illuminated by glowing lights, and full of seasonal story moments and other activities.听Select nights Nov. 15-Dec. 29. $15-$25, free/kids 3 and under. Glenlore Trails,听;听.听

Wayne County Lightfest

The annual听Wayne County Lightfest听drive-thru display occupies four miles of Hines Park and features nearly 50 animated displays made up of more than 100,000 lights. The event runs 6-10 p.m. on select days. Enter the display on Merriman Road between Ann Arbor Trail and Warren Ave.听Wednesday-Sunday Nov. 21-Dec. 24, closed Monday and Tuesday. Tickets start at $5 (cash only) per vehicle.听Hines Park,听;听.听

Magic of Lights

Drive through more than a mile of spectacular displays and digital animations that showcase beloved holiday characters. Highlights of this display include a 32-foot-tall waving Christmas Barbie, the听叠颈驳蹿辞辞迟听monster truck, and life-sized dinosaurs. In addition, the 200-foot-long Enchanting Tunnel of Lights, along with the听12 Days of Christmas,听Winter Wonderland, and听Toyland听will return.听Catch it 5:30-10 p.m. Monday-Sunday and 5:30-9 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Nov. 22-Dec. 30.Tickets start at $22.50 a vehicle.听Pine Knob Music Theatre,听;听.听听

MI Bright Lights

Home to the famous haunted house and escape room, The Iconic Eloise Asylum 听is branching out with an immersive drive-through holiday light show, which features a synchronized pixel light display and dozens of holiday tunes, so that 听guests can experience Eloise like never before. Nov. 22-Jan. 5. General admission is $20 Monday-Thursday, $30 Friday-Sunday. Eloise Asylum, ; .

Night Lites

Take in this five-mile display from the comfort of your own car or hop aboard the Night Lites Express for a train ride through the lights. The display is open 5:30-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5:30-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.听Nov. 22-Jan. 5. Tickets start at $35 per car; $17.25 for train rides. Michigan International Speedway,听;听.

Wild Lights

The Detroit Zoo, and all the animals that live there, are celebrating the holidays with more than 30 nights of light displays that feature millions of twinkling LED lights adorning the zoo鈥檚 buildings, trees, and sculptures. This year welcomes new enhanced experiences within the display including the Field of Light, Underwater Trail, Enchanted Trail, and an environmental art exhibit.听Plus, the return of the wishing tree and听The Polar Express听4D movie.听Select nights Nov. 23-Jan. 5. $17-$70 online, $26-$75 at the door. The Detroit Zoo,听;听.听

The Big, Bright Light Show

Downtown Rochester will glow as more than 1 million lights drape the area鈥檚 buildings and businesses. They will click on at during Lagniappe (Creole for a little something extra) on Nov. 25 and will light up every evening from 5 p.m.-midnight through Jan. 19. You can drive through the downtown area to see them or take them in while you shop.听Nov. 25-Jan. 19. Free. Downtown Rochester Hills;听.

Canterbury Village Holiday Stroll

Take a walk through the village to take in lighted displays and visit with the costumed characters bringing them to life. Be sure to have the kiddos bring their letters to Santa so they can drop it in his mailbox.听Open select dates Nov. 29-Dec. 23. Early bird tickets $14.99, online registration required. Free parking. Canterbury Village,听;听.听

Winter Wonder Lights听

Meadow Brook Hall hosts this self-guided outdoor event where everything is washed in a glow of holiday lights and sounds. Plus, bonfires and more seasonal activities. For an additional cost, check out some of the indoor decor at Meadow Brook during a Holiday Walk.听Nov. 29-Dec. 30. Tickets start at $23 for听adults and $13 for kids, kids under 2 are free.听Meadow Brook Hall,听;听.

Holiday Lights听

Take a walk down Main Street in Greenfield Village to see carolers, fiddlers, and tons of lights adorning the village鈥檚 historic homes. Guests can also take a ride in an historic Model T or a horse-drawn carriage. There鈥檚 shopping, too. 6:30-10 p.m. on select days.听Dec. 5-28. $30.50-$42, free/kids under 5. Greenfield Village,听;听.

Holiday Lights at the Farm

The Farm Center at Wolcott Mill Metropark gets into the spirit of the holidays with traditional holiday decorations and thousands of sparkling lights. Listen to holiday music on a tractor ride around the farm fields to see them all. Pre-registration is required.听Select nights Dec. 6-21. $8/person, free/kids under 2. Wolcott Mill Metropark, Farm Center,听;听.

Looking for even more holiday fun? Check out our list of Nutcracker and Holiday Shows in metro Detroit.

This post has been updated for 2024.听