Thrilled for holiday celebrations in Detroit? Discover all the festive events with our ultimate guide! Whether Detroit is your permanent address or your seasonal escape, this guide ensures you make the most of the festivities.
One of the highlights of the season is the 20th Annual Detroit Tree Lighting, where the city gathers to ignite the holiday spirit with a stunning light display. Nearby, the Downtown Detroit Markets offer a charming blend of local vendors, food, and crafts, creating a vibrant atmosphere. And the Rink at Campus Martius Park is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring ice skating amidst a beautifully lit urban landscape. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Detroit
- 20th Annual Detroit Tree Lighting
- The Rink at Campus Martius Park
- Downtown Detroit Markets
- Noel Night
- 1001 Winter Wonders
- Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical
- Menorah in the D
- The Muppets Christmas Carol
- Leslie Odom Jr. The Christmas Tour
- A Charlie Brown Christmas (Touring)
See these and even more events listed below!
Detroit Holiday Light Displays
20th Annual Detroit Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Spectacular live entertainment and Olympic figure skaters.
Description:
The 20th Annual Detroit Tree Lighting at Campus Martius Park features live entertainment, Olympic figure skaters, award-winning local performers, and holiday shopping. The event includes amazing lighting attractions, hot chocolate giveaways, food trucks, and visits with Santa.
Where: Detroit | More Info: 20th Annual Detroit Tree Lighting
Winter Wonder Lights at Meadow Brook Hall
What to Expect:
Immersive light environments with music and seasonal treats.
Description:
Winter Wonder Lights at Meadow Brook Hall is a nighttime outdoor event featuring immersive light environments, music, and seasonal treats across the estate's grounds, including an optional tour inside the historic mansion.
Where: Rochester | More Info: Winter Wonder Lights at Meadow Brook Hall
Wayne County Lightfest at Hines Park
What to Expect:
Extensive animated light displays along a five-mile stretch.
Description:
Wayne County Lightfest at Hines Park features a five-mile stretch of nearly 50 animated displays and over 100,000 lights, offering a spectacular holiday light show.
Where: Westland | More Info: Wayne County Lightfest at Hines Park
The Big, Bright Light Show in Downtown Rochester
What to Expect:
Over 1 million points of glimmering holiday lights.
Description:
Downtown Rochester's Big, Bright Light Show features over 1 million points of glimmering holiday lights illuminating the city's buildings every evening from 5 pm to midnight.
Where: Rochester | More Info: The Big, Bright Light Show in Downtown Rochester
Magic of Lights at Pine Knob Music Theatre
What to Expect:
Over two million sparkling lights and interactive augmented reality features.
Description:
At Pine Knob Music Theatre, Magic of Lights transforms the parking area into a vibrant drive-through holiday light display featuring dozens of displays, festive favorites, and digital animation. The event includes classic holiday scenes like Winter Wonderland and 12 Days of Christmas, as well as new light tunnels and illuminated displays such as a 32-foot-tall animated Mattel's Waving Christmas Barbie and life-sized dinosaurs celebrating the season. Guests can also stop inside the Jolly Holiday Village to walk through a magical out-of-car area.
Where: Clarkston | More Info: Magic of Lights at Pine Knob Music Theatre
Lights Before Christmas at Toledo Zoo
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with over one million lights.
Description:
Over one million lights illuminate the Toledo Zoo, featuring an 85-foot Norway spruce, "Dancing Lights" synchronized with holiday music, and various rides and activities like the Ice Slide and Holly Jolly Express train ride.
Where: Toledo | More Info: Lights Before Christmas at Toledo Zoo
Detroit Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Noel Night
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday experiences with live music and family activities.
Description:
Noel Night is an open house in Midtown Detroit and the Cultural Center, celebrating diverse holiday traditions with live music, interactive experiences, holiday shopping, family crafts, and visits with Santa.
Where: Detroit | More Info: Noel Night
Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical
What to Expect:
Timeless story with magnificent sets and costumes.
Description:
Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical is a heart-warming holiday classic featuring the hit songs "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas." Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is "two sizes too small," decides to steal Christmas away from the holiday-loving Whos. The show features magnificent sets and costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss' original illustrations, directed by Matt August and choreographed by Bob Richard.
Where: Detroit | More Info: Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical
A Charlie Brown Christmas (Touring)
What to Expect:
Live stage adaptation with real actors and Vince Guaraldi musical score.
Description:
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage brings Charles M. Schulz's Emmy and Peabody award-winning story to life with real actors, maintaining the integrity and spirit of each Peanuts character. The show features the unforgettable music of Vince Guaraldi and includes an intermission where the audience is invited to join the Peanuts gang in singing traditional Christmas songs and carols.
Where: Detroit | More Info: A Charlie Brown Christmas (Touring)
Leslie Odom Jr. The Christmas Tour
What to Expect:
Grammy and Tony award-winner performing with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Description:
Broadway star Leslie Odom, Jr. joins the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for a special evening of Christmas, Broadway, and popular hits, celebrating the holiday season with his vocal prowess and charisma.
Where: Detroit | More Info: Leslie Odom Jr. The Christmas Tour
The Muppets Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Live orchestral performance of the Muppets' adaptation of A Christmas Carol.
Description:
The Muppets' beloved retelling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, featuring the Detroit Symphony Orchestra playing Miles Goodman's original score alongside the film.
Where: Detroit | More Info: The Muppets Christmas Carol
The Nutcracker at the Music Hall Center for Performing Arts
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Nutcracker at the Music Hall Center for Performing Arts features Clara's journey with her beloved Nutcracker, battling the Mouse King and whisking her away to the Land of Sweets. The production showcases Tchaikovsky's iconic score, mesmerizing choreography, stunning costumes, and hand-painted sets.
Where: Detroit | More Info: The Nutcracker at the Music Hall Center for Performing Arts
Detroit Other Holiday Activities
Downtown Detroit Markets
What to Expect:
Variety of seating amidst beautiful gardens.
Description:
Downtown Detroit Markets offer a vibrant gathering place with relocated Bagley Memorial Fountain, food truck rallies, and beautiful perennial gardens.
Where: Detroit | More Info: Downtown Detroit Markets
The Rink at Campus Martius Park
What to Expect:
Home to world-class Olympic athletes performing annually.
Description:
The Rink at Campus Martius Park is a premier family-friendly outdoor skating rink in Michigan, offering one of the most beautiful and iconic skating experiences in the country. Situated on Woodward Avenue in Downtown Detroit, it provides a dramatic backdrop of the city's skyline and the Christmas Tree. The rink is open seven days a week, including holidays, from November through March, and features award-winning holiday lighting and public spaces.
Where: Detroit | More Info: The Rink at Campus Martius Park
1001 Winter Wonders
What to Expect:
Sensory-friendly Santa visits available.
Description:
Visit Santa Claus in a whimsical, wheelchair-accessible space at 1001 Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit. Families can pre-register for sensory-friendly visits on December 2nd and 8th. Enjoy free Santa visits during various hours from November 16 to December 24.
Where: Detroit | More Info: 1001 Winter Wonders
Menorah in the D
What to Expect:
26-foot menorah lighting ceremony
Description:
Menorah in the D is a vibrant celebration featuring a 26-foot menorah lighting, community greetings, and entertainment including a fire show, strolling entertainment, and a kosher food truck. The event honors eight community lamplighters and offers activities like a scavenger hunt and photo ops.
Where: Detroit | More Info: Menorah in the D
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Windsor (3 miles)
- Hamtramck (4 miles)
- LaSalle (6 miles)
- Dearborn (7 miles)
- Tecumseh (8 miles)
- Lincoln Park (9 miles)
- Wyandotte (10 miles)
- Allen Park (10 miles)
- Ferndale (10 miles)
- Eastpointe (11 miles)
- Madison Heights (11 miles)
- Southgate (11 miles)
- Warren (11 miles)
- Oak Park (11 miles)
- Dearborn Heights (12 miles)
- Royal Oak (12 miles)
- Roseville (13 miles)
- Taylor (13 miles)
- Redford (13 miles)
- Southfield (13 miles)
- Inkster (14 miles)
- Saint Clair Shores (14 miles)
- Garden City (15 miles)
- Livonia (16 miles)
- Birmingham (17 miles)
- Sterling Heights (17 miles)
- Westland (18 miles)
- Clinton Township (19 miles)
- Romulus (19 miles)
- Troy (20 miles)
- Farmington Hills (20 miles)
- Canton (22 miles)
- Rochester Hills (23 miles)
- Shelby (23 miles)
- West Bloomfield Township (24 miles)
- Novi (24 miles)
- Pontiac (25 miles)
- Auburn Hills (26 miles)
- Leamington (30 miles)
- Monroe (34 miles)
- Ann Arbor (36 miles)
- Chatham (44 miles)