Find details on some of those events including听Wayne County Lightfest,听Detroit鈥檚 tree lighting, the Holly Dickens Festival,听Noel Night, Rochester鈥檚 Lagniappe, and so many others in this handy guide.
November听触 December
November
Blissfield Yuletide Festival
Vendors set up at 121 South Lane and 124 South Lane kick off the event selling handcrafted items and food. Santa arrives at 6:30 p.m. and is ready to meet kids across from Historic Depot. Plus, carriage rides, live reindeer, performances by the Blissfield High School Small Ensemble, crafts, and more.听Nov. 8-10. Fees vary by activity. Blissfield area;听.听听
Canterbury Village Tree Lighting
Canterbury Village is ringing in the holidays with caroling, holiday shopping, hot cocoa and cider, costumed characters, and tree lighting. Bring a box of cereal to support The Village Food Pantry.听Nov. 15. No cost for admission.听;听.
Holiday Happenings
Join the city of Wyandotte in celebrating the holiday season with their tree lighting and a holiday parade that makes its way through the downtown area between Sycamore and Biddle. Nov. 15-16. No cost for admission, Downtown Wyandotte area;听.
Wayne County Lightfest
This annual drive-thru display features nearly 50 animated holiday displays that use more than 100,000 lights. Tune in to AM 1640 when you鈥檙e three to five miles away to get regular updates on wait times, traffic flow, and more.听Nov. 21-Dec. 24. $5 per car, $20 for commercial vans, $25 for mini-buses, $50 for passenger busses, cash only.听;听.
Silver Bells in the City
Thousands of people gather to take in millions of twinkling lights that adorn the city. In addition to the light displays, this holiday tradition features a variety of holiday events including a lighted parade in celebration of Santa鈥檚 arrival, fireworks, a holiday vendor market, the lighting of Michigan鈥檚 official Christmas tree, and so much more.听Nov. 22. No cost for admission. Downtown Lansing area;听.听听
21st Annual Detroit Tree Lighting
Downtown Detroit Partnership and DTE Energy Foundation present the 21st installment of Detroit鈥檚 tree lighting. Head downtown to see the 64-foot Michigan-grown Norway spruce illuminated by thousands of multi-colored lights. Performances by Olympic figure skaters, holiday shopping, music, food trucks, and more.听Nov. 22. No cost for admission. Campus Martius Park, Detroit;听.听
Downtown Rochester Festival of Trees
Walk through beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, tablescapes, centerpieces and more. Visit with Santa, too.听Nov. 23-24. No cost for admission. Rochester Community House,听;听.
Holiday Hoopla & Tree Lighting
Enjoy photos with Santa, visits with reindeer, crafts, cookie decorating, and more ahead of the community tree lighting. Dress for the weather.听Nov. 23. No cost for admission. Waterford Town Hall,听;听.听
Blake鈥檚 Holiday Extravaganza
Spend the day at Blake鈥檚 for local maker and artisan booths, u-pick trees, fresh evergreen wreaths and other d茅cor, ice skating, igloo dining, a tree lighting and more.听Nov. 23. No cost for admission but advance registration is required. Blake鈥檚 Orchard & Cider Mill,听;听.
Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo
Visit the zoo to take in spectacular听light displays听themed to animals that live at the zoo. The event takes place in the front half of the zoo and animal habitats are not accessible during the event.听Nov. 23-Jan. 5. $17+. Detroit Zoo,听;听.
Festival of Trees
Help support the Children鈥檚 Hospital of Michigan Foundation with a preview of beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, and other holiday d茅cor.听Nov. 24-Dec. 1. $5 for adults, $3 for kids, free for kids under 2. Ford Community & Performing Arts Center,听;听.听听
Lagniappe
For 51 years, the merchants in downtown Rochester have offered their customers 鈥渁 little something extra,鈥 around the holidays. This year鈥檚 event includes performances by The Keynote Sisters and the Meadow Brook Carolers, the debut of the Big, Bright Light Show, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and more.听Nov. 25. No cost for admission. Downtown Rochester area;听.
Madison Heights Holiday Tree Lighting
Santa will be on site to turn on the holiday lights for the season. Plus, free cookies and cocoa, holiday music and photos with Santa.听Nov. 25. No cost for admission. Madison Heights City Hall,听;听.听
Canterbury Village Holiday Stroll
Kids are invited to bring their letters to Santa and drop them in his mailbox and explore holiday displays that feature live characters.听Select days from Nov. 29-Dec. 23. Canterbury Village,听;听.听听
Fantasy of Lights & Fantasy 5K
State Street transform into Festival Street and offers everything from holiday shopping, to visits with Santa and his reindeer, and live entertainment. This event also features one of the longest-running听holiday parades听in the area and a 5K race.听Nov. 29. No cost for admission. Downtown Howell area;.
Holly Dickens Festival
This year marks the 51st anniversary for this annual festival, which transforms historic Holly into a scene right out of a Charles Dickens story. Wander the streets for live music and performances, try delicious food, and shop local vendors. It all kicks off with a lighted parade on Nov. 29.听Nov. 30-Dec. 1, Dec. 7-8, and Dec. 14-15. No cost for admission. Downtown Holly area;听.
Christmas in Frankenmuth
Michigan鈥檚 Little Bavaria is celebrating Christmas with a driving light tour, a spectacular Christmas tree, Mid-Michigan鈥檚 largest open-air听holiday market听Frankenmuth ChristKindlMarket, and an ice rink. The entire community is decorating for the season to compete in the neighborhood decoration competition. Be sure to visit Bronner鈥檚 to visit with Santa, too.听Kicks off Nov. 29. No cost for admission. Downtown Frankenmuth area;听.听
The Holidays at Meadow Brook
Meadow Brook celebrates the holidays with its Holiday Walk and Winter Wonder Lights events. The Holiday Walk will take you on a tour of the historic mansion, which is decked out in its holiday best, while Winter Wonder Lights takes you around the grounds to see the breathtaking seasonal displays.听Nov. 29-Dec. 30. $21 for adult Holiday Walk, $8.50 for kids 3-12 Holiday Walk, $23 for adult Winter Wonder Lights, $13 for kids 3-12 Winter Wonder Lights, free kids under 2. Meadow Brook Hall,听;听.
December
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Depot Town
Find live reindeer, free unicorn rides, strolling caroling with Crystal Harding鈥檚 children鈥檚 choir, and snacks including cookies, hot cocoa, and cider. Gifts from Santa and the community tree lighting, too.听Dec. 1. No cost for admission. Depot Town,听;听.
Christmas in Ida
Experience the magic of the holiday season at this winter wonderland. It all kicks off with the parade of lights, which features two hours of illuminated and animated displays. After, explore a craft and vendor show, listen to the Jingle Bell Rockout concert, check out ice sculptures, and much more.听Dec. 5-7. Ida East St. area, Ida;听.听
Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village
This event has been a holiday tradition in metro Detroit for nearly 25 years. Explore the 80-plus acres of the village for holiday goods, seasonal food and warm drinks, Model T rides, and horse-drawn wagon rides. There鈥檚 also carolers, bonfires, and fireworks.听Dec. 5-8, 11-15, 18-23, and 26-28. $36-$42 for adults, $27 for kids 5-11, free for kids 4 and under. Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation,听;听.
Home for the Holidays at Ford House
Take an evening self-guided through the beautifully lit historic estate. As you make your way around the home and grounds, you鈥檒l hear stories about its history. Each ticket includes hot chocolate.听General admission Dec. 6-Dec. 22. $20-$28 for adults, $10-$14 for kids. Edsel & Eleanor Ford House,听;听.
Christmas Aglow
Watch a 34-foot Christmas tree light up to guide Santa Claus to town. Enjoy these festivities along with hot chocolate, horse-drawn carriage rides, marshmallow roasting, 鈥淗oliday Express鈥 train display, and live reindeer.听Dec. 6. No cost for admission. Shelby Township Municipal Campus,听;听.
Auburn Hills Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Embrace the holiday magic as you watch the tree light up for the first time this season.听Dec. 6. No cost for admission. Downtown Auburn Hills area;听.听
Chesterfield Christmas Tree Lighting with Santa and Mrs. Claus
Santa joins in the fun at this community tradition, which offers visits with The Big Guy and the lighting of the Christmas tree.听Dec. 6. No cost for admission. Downtown Chesterfield area;听.
Tree Lighting Festival
Watch the giant tree light up after Santa and his reindeer arrive. Other activities include face painting, kids鈥 crafts, ice sculpting, horse and carriage rides, food, beer, and live music.听Dec. 6. No cost for admission. Wixom Community Center,听;听.听
Holiday Lighting Fest
Kick off the holidays by welcoming Santa to town and the lighting of the community鈥檚 holiday display. There will also be refreshments, crafts, music, live reindeer, photos with Santa, and special giveaways.听Dec. 6. No cost for admission. Macomb Township Recreation Center,听;听.
Hometown Holiday
The evening begins with free Cottage Inn pizza and hot cocoa from Lakehouse Bakery (while supplies last). It ends with the official tree lighting and Christmas sing-alongs.听Dec. 6. No cost for admission. Pierce Park, Chelsea;听.听
Christmas in the 鈥榁ille
This all-day Christmas celebration kicks off with a hot air balloon show and breakfast with St. Nick. As the day progresses, there will be a cookie walk Christmas story times, holiday crafts, a pet parade, hay and sleigh rides, visits with Santa, and even a parade.听Dec. 7. No cost for admission. Downtown Fowlerville area; .听听
Noel Night
More than 80 cultural and educational institutions, small businesses, galleries, restaurants, and more participate in this 50th annual event. Explore some of these organizations, shop pop-up markets, enjoy seasonal food and drink, check out artwork and performances, and more.听Dec. 7. No cost for admission. Midtown Detroit area;听.
Holiday Extravaganza
The communities of Auburn Hills, Pontiac, Waterford, and White Lake come together to put on this annual festival, which includes the annual parade, meet-and-greets with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a jolly 5K run.听Dec. 7. Fees apply. Downtown Pontiac area;听.听听
2024 City of Warren Tree Lighting
The city of Warren is ringing in the holidays with an evening of seasonal fun including ice skating, photos with Santa, live music, a parade, and a tree lighting.听Dec. 7. No cost for admission. Warren City Square;听.听
Krampusnacht
This first-ever event aims to 鈥渃apture the spirit of old work European Krampus celebrations鈥 with a traditional Krampus parade, a costume contest, the vendor market Misfit Market, photos with Krampus, games, visits with Santa, and more. This event may feature a few scares.听Dec. 7. Fees may apply. Old Town Neighborhood, Lansing;听.听
Taylor Winterfest 5K & Stroll
Join in the Taylor Winterfest with a stroll through Heritage Park, or by participating in the Goodfellows 5K run/walk. Make a reservation in advance to take a stroll by carolers and characters, check out the Holiday Barn, snap a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and more.听A parade and tree lighting, too. Goodfellows 5K Dec. 7. Winterfest stroll Dec. 19-23. Heritage Park, Taylor;听.听听听
Kwanzaa at The Wright
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is once again hosting its annual Kwanzaa celebration. It all kicks off with the lighting of the Motor City Kwanzaa Kinara downtown on Dec. 26, followed by special daily events and programming celebrating the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).听In addition to the Kinara lighting, this year鈥檚 events include family activities, educational programs, and a marketplace (Sunday only) at the museum, daily candle lightings on The Wright鈥檚 website, and daily activities at the Detroit People Food Co-op. Dec. 26-29. No cost for the Kinara lighting or activities at The Wright except the marketplace. Museum admission fees apply to see exhibits. Various locations, Detroit;听.听听
2024 Festival of Trees
Visit Mill Race Village during the month of December to see the village covered in festive lighted trees and holiday decorations. All trees are decorated by businesses, families, and groups from around the area. All trees will be on display until January 1. Dec. 7-Jan. 3. No cost for admission. Mill Race Village, ; .
Santa Pub Crawl
Join thousands in dressing up in festive outfits and spreading some Holiday Cheer around Downtown Wyandotte. Shuttle buses will hit several bars in the area, offering festive drinks and activities such as Face Painting, Beard Glittering, Christmas Karaoke and more. Join the costume contest for the funniest costume, best group costume, and best couple costume. This event is 21+ only. Dec. 20. Fees apply. District听142, ;听.
Menorah in the D
Celebrate Hannukah with greetings from community leaders and the annual lighting of a massive 26-foot Menorah. The event also features strolling entertainment, kosher eats, Chanukah treats, games and more. It鈥檚 all broadcast live on the event鈥檚 website.听Dec. 25. No cost for admission. Campus Martius, Detroit;听.听听
This post has been updated for 2024.听
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