America鈥檚 Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit is the unofficial start of the holiday season in southeast Michigan, but there are plenty of other community parades that celebrate the season, too.
From the Holiday Extravaganza parade in Pontiac to Wyandotte鈥檚 annual Christmas Parade, bundle up and enjoy these hot holiday processions in metro Detroit and beyond in 2024.
November听触 December
November
Wyandotte Christmas Parade
Ken Milewski is the Grand Marshall of this 81st annual parade, which features local marching bands, dancers, and floats by community organizations.听Nov. 16, 10 a.m. Free. Downtown Wyandotte;听.听听
24th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade
Allen Park鈥檚 annual tree lighting kicks off this event, which makes its way down Park Ave to the Allen Park Community Center.听Nov. 22, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Englewood to White St., Downtown Allen 笔补谤办;听.
2024 Holiday Lighted Parade
This nighttime procession offers performances by local marching bands and dancers, along with floats and a visit from Santa Claus. Stick around after the event for the official community tree lighting.听Nov. 22, 6:30 p.m. Free. Downtown Northville;听.听
Mount Clemens Santa Parade
Santa Claus is coming to town! Join him, Mrs. Claus, the elves, and some of your favorite local businesses and organizations as they ring in the holidays at this annual event.听Nov. 23, 10 a.m. Free. Downtown Mount Clemens;听.
America鈥檚 Thanksgiving Day Parade
The 98th annual event, which is presented by Gardner White, fills the streets of Detroit with area marching bands, floats, big heads, clowns, and more.听Nov. 28. Free. Woodward Ave., Detroit;听.
How the Grinch Stole The Santa Claus Parade
Line up on Kercheval Ave. between Lewiston and Cadieux to watch this Grinch-themed 49th annual parade.听Nov. 29, 10 a.m. Free. Downtown Grosse Pointe 笔补谤办;听.
Fantasy of Lights
This holiday event offers local dining and shopping opportunities, visits with Santa and his reindeer, a 5k race, and one of the longest-running holiday parades in the area. Line up along Grand River for a procession of marching bands, first responders, floats, and more.听Nov. 29. Free. Downtown Howell;听.
Santaland Parade
This year鈥檚 event is themed 鈥淪nowflakes and Cobwebs,鈥 celebrating 鈥渁 Haunted Holiday鈥 with 鈥渟pooktacularly鈥 decorated floats, performances by local bands and dance teams, and much more.听Nov. 30, 10 a.m. Free. Downtown Garden City;听.
Milford Christmas Parade
Area dance companies perform alongside community floats, bands, and Santa Claus during this annual hometown event.听Nov. 30, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Downtown Milford; .
December
Holly Dickens Festival
This 51st annual will take you back in time to the days of Charles Dickens and听A Christmas Carol.听Stroll the Village of Holly to see carolers, dancing ladies, juggling, and more. There will be a lighted parade on Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. Plus, shopping and horse-drawn carriage rides. You may even run into Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge while you鈥檙e there.听Weekends Nov. 30-Dec. 15. Free. The Village of Holly;听.
Chelsea Hometown Holiday
This monthlong holiday tradition offers a shopping bazaar, live entertainment, crafts, a tree lighting ceremony, and the Hometown Holiday Light Parade. Line up along Main Street between Old US 12 and E. Middle St. to see brilliantly lit and decorated floats from area organizations.听Dec. 1-31, with the parade on Dec. 7. The parade is free, but fees may apply for other activities. Downtown Chelsea;听.
Christmas in Ida Parade of Lights
The parade steps off at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7 with two hours of illuminated floats, marching bands, and more from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Canada. The procession is a piece of the larger Christmas in Ida event, which features a tree lighting, concerts, a crafts and vendor show, visits with Santa, ice sculptures, and so much more. 听Dec. 5-7. Free. Downtown Ida;听.听
Holiday Extravaganza
Auburn Hills, Pontiac, Waterford, and White Lake join forces to put on this massive holiday party. Kick off your day watching a procession of over 100 costumed characters, marching bands, balloons and professional floats by The Parade Company. Then, explore a听petting farm, live reindeer, crafts and a visit to the Gallery of Ice at the WinterFUN Festival.听Dec. 7, 11 a.m. Free. Downtown Pontiac;听.
Oxford Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Parade
This year鈥檚 parade theme is 鈥淐lassic Christmas.鈥 Be sure to stop at the gazebo in Centennial Park after the parade to听visit with Santa.听Dec. 7, 1 p.m. Free. Downtown Oxford;听.听
Old Town Krampusnacht
This event brings old world Krampus celebrations to life. Find food, a vendors鈥 market, kids鈥 activities, visits with St. Nick, and a traditional costumed Krampus parade. Be aware: there may be a few scares at this event.听Dec. 7, 4-9 p.m. Free. Old Town, Lansing;听.听
SACC Holiday Parade
This annual event kicks off the holidays with lights, music and entertainment, including a visit by Santa. Enjoy over 100 parade participants such as dancers, musicians, and even a hot air balloon. The parade steps off at Davenport St. and E. Michigan Ave.听Dec. 7, 5:30-9 p.m. Free. Downtown Saline;听.
St. Clair Shores Holiday Lights on Wheels Parade
Dress your car in its holiday best, and then show it off. At dusk, all the decorated cars will drive through town for the holidays.听Dec. 7, 5:30 p.m. Free. Downtown St. Clair Shores;听.
Orion Lighted Christmas Parade
The largest lighted Christmas Parade in Michigan is back with the theme, 鈥淎 Storybook Christmas.鈥 You can expect more than 75 decorated floats, illuminated vehicles, holiday music, and more. It ends with Santa and Mrs. Claus waving from their sleigh.听Dec. 7, 6 p.m. Free. Downtown Lake Orion;听.听
City of Trenton鈥檚 Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony
Join Trenton in celebrating their annual lighted parade down West Jefferson Ave., from Cherry St. to Maple St., followed by a tree lighting ceremony at City Hall with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. After the ceremony, join inside City Hall for free cookies, cocoa, and pictures with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the elves. Dec. 7, 6 p.m. Free. Downtown Trenton; .
Rochester Area Hometown Christmas Parade
This annual holiday tradition has been a part of the Rochester community for more than 70 years. This year will feature more than 100 entries including local bands, dance groups, and floats.听Dec. 8, 2 p.m. Free. Along Main Street in downtown Rochester;听
This post has been updated for 2024.听
|
| 听 |
|
