Unveil the holiday magic in Southgate with our event guide. Whether you're deeply connected to Southgate or just making connections, this guide illuminates the seasonal offerings.
This festive season, experience the enchanting Wayne County Lightfest, where dazzling light displays transform the park into a winter wonderland. Among the twinkling displays, you'll find not just lights but the spirit of the season. The Tree Lighting and Christmas Express Train Rides offer delightful train rides through beautifully decorated areas, making it a charming adventure for families. And you definitely don't want to miss the Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony, which showcases a magnificent tree aglow with lights and community spirit. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Southgate
- Wayne County Lightfest (Westland)
- Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony (Detroit)
- Tree Lighting and Christmas Express Train Rides
- Holiday Nights @ Greenfield Village (Dearborn)
- The Big, Bright Light Show (Rochester)
- Shop Small Saturday Spectacular
- Winter Wonder Light @ Meadowbrook Hall (Rochester Hills)
- Christmas Aglow @ Clinton Township Civic Center (Clinton Township)
- Winter Wonderland Walk @ Heritage Park (Canton)
See these and even more events listed below!
Southgate Holiday Light Displays
Wayne County Lightfest
What to Expect:
Spectacular holiday light display with over 100,000 lights.
Description:
Wayne County Lightfest is a five-mile stretch of Hines Park featuring nearly 50 animated displays and over 100,000 lights. The event is open from 6 PM to 10 PM on Wednesdays through Sundays, with special Toy Nights where visitors can donate a new, unwrapped toy instead of paying the car entrance fee.
Where: Westland | More Info: Wayne County Lightfest
Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Live entertainment and festive lighting in a historic downtown setting.
Description:
The Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony is a cherished tradition held at award-winning Campus Martius Park, featuring spectacular live entertainment, Olympic figure skaters, and award-winning local performers. The event includes amazing lighting attractions, holiday shopping, hot chocolate giveaways, food trucks, and visits from Santa.
Where: Detroit | More Info: Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony
The Big, Bright Light Show
What to Expect:
Over 1 million points of glimmering holiday lights illuminate downtown Rochester.
Description:
Downtown Rochester transforms into a dazzling holiday spectacle with over 1 million points of glimmering holiday lights adorning the buildings. The display is lit every evening from 5 pm to midnight, with most stores open until 9 pm on weekdays.
Where: Rochester | More Info: The Big, Bright Light Show
Winter Wonder Light @ Meadowbrook Hall
What to Expect:
Immersive outdoor light show with interactive environments and festive treats.
Description:
Winter Wonder Lights at Meadowbrook Hall features unique light displays across the grounds, interactive environments, and seasonal treats like glow-in-the-dark cotton candy and popcorn.
Where: Rochester Hills | More Info: Winter Wonder Light @ Meadowbrook Hall
Southgate Holiday Markets and Shopping
Shop Small Saturday Spectacular
What to Expect:
Scavenger hunt with cash prizes and exclusive deals.
Description:
Shop Small Saturday Spectacular in Southgate features exclusive deals, a scavenger hunt with cash prizes, special gift bags, and in-store promotions.
Where: Southgate | More Info: Shop Small Saturday Spectacular
Southgate Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Tree Lighting and Christmas Express Train Rides
What to Expect:
Short train rides to the North Pole to visit Santa.
Description:
Join us in Southgate for the annual Tree Lighting ceremony, featuring City Officials, caroling, and Santa's arrival via fire truck. The event starts at 5:30 PM, followed by train rides beginning at 6:00 PM. On both days, Great Lakes Live Steamers will take you through a Winter Wonderland of lights and sparkles, with short train rides to the North Pole to visit Santa.
Where: Southgate | More Info: Tree Lighting and Christmas Express Train Rides
Christmas Aglow @ Clinton Township Civic Center
What to Expect:
Ice sculpture displays and trolley rides.
Description:
Join Clinton Township for a festive holiday event featuring ice sculpture displays, trolley rides, and visits with Santa. Enjoy holiday lights and light refreshments as the community comes together to usher in the holiday season.
Where: Clinton Township | More Info: Christmas Aglow @ Clinton Township Civic Center
Southgate Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Nights @ Greenfield Village
What to Expect:
Free activities including carousel rides, ice skating, and historic Model T rides.
Description:
Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village offers a festive holiday celebration with free carousel rides, ice skating, historic Model T rides, and horse-drawn wagon rides with live music. Explore decorated homes and shops, enjoy holiday vignettes in period attire, and experience live musical performances and cooking demonstrations.
Where: Dearborn | More Info: Holiday Nights @ Greenfield Village
Winter Wonderland Walk @ Heritage Park
What to Expect:
Lighted walk around the pond with winter activities and refreshments.
Description:
The Winter Wonderland Walk at Heritage Park is a free event featuring a lighted trip around the pond, offering winter fun, entertainment, and refreshments for all ages. No pre-registration is required.
Where: Canton | More Info: Winter Wonderland Walk @ Heritage Park
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Wyandotte (2 miles)
- Lincoln Park (3 miles)
- Allen Park (3 miles)
- Taylor (4 miles)
- LaSalle (7 miles)
- Dearborn (8 miles)
- Inkster (8 miles)
- Dearborn Heights (9 miles)
- Romulus (10 miles)
- Garden City (10 miles)
- Windsor (11 miles)
- Detroit (11 miles)
- Redford (13 miles)
- Westland (13 miles)
- Livonia (13 miles)
- Hamtramck (14 miles)
- Canton (16 miles)
- Tecumseh (17 miles)
- Oak Park (17 miles)
- Ferndale (17 miles)
- Southfield (18 miles)
- Royal Oak (19 miles)
- Madison Heights (19 miles)
- Farmington Hills (21 miles)
- Warren (21 miles)
- Eastpointe (21 miles)
- Birmingham (23 miles)
- Monroe (23 miles)
- Novi (23 miles)
- Roseville (24 miles)
- Saint Clair Shores (25 miles)
- West Bloomfield Township (26 miles)
- Sterling Heights (27 miles)
- Troy (27 miles)
- Ann Arbor (28 miles)
- Clinton Township (29 miles)
- Pontiac (30 miles)
- Rochester Hills (31 miles)
- Leamington (32 miles)
- Shelby (33 miles)
- Auburn Hills (33 miles)
- Oregon (42 miles)
- Toledo (42 miles)