Experience the holiday season in Sterling Heights with our guide. Discover all the essential festive events. Whether you're deeply connected to Sterling Heights or just making connections, this guide enhances your festive experience.
One highlight of the season is the Campus Martius Park Tree Lighting, where the city pulses with the spirit of the holidays as a towering tree is illuminated, bringing together families and friends. In addition, Birmingham Winter Markt transforms the streets into a charming European-style market featuring unique crafts and delicious treats. And the Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering spectacular performances and a vibrant atmosphere. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Sterling Heights
- Campus Martius Park Tree Lighting (Detroit)
- Mannheim Steamroller (Detroit)
- Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony (Detroit)
- Birmingham Winter Markt (Birmingham)
- A Christmas Carol (Rochester Hills)
- Elf The Musical LIVE (Detroit)
- Holly Dickens Festival (Holly)
- Holiday Nights @ Greenfield Village (Dearborn)
- Northville Lighted Parade and Downtown Northville Tree Lighting (Northville)
- A Sterling Christmas
See these and even more events listed below!
Sterling Heights Holiday Light Displays
Campus Martius Park Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Live entertainment and festive lighting in a historic park setting.
Description:
The 20th Annual Detroit Tree Lighting at Campus Martius Park features spectacular live entertainment, Olympic figure skaters, award-winning local performers, and skating clubs. The event includes amazing lighting attractions, holiday shopping, hot chocolate giveaways, food trucks, and visits with Santa.
Where: Detroit | More Info: Campus Martius Park Tree Lighting
Northville Lighted Parade and Downtown Northville Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Annual downtown tradition with live performances and festive lighting.
Description:
The Northville Lighted Parade and Downtown Northville Tree Lighting feature bands, dancers, floats, and Santa, culminating in a festive tree lighting ceremony in Town Square.
Where: Northville | More Info: Northville Lighted Parade and Downtown Northville Tree Lighting
Village of Rochester Hills Tree-Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Dazzling light display with family-friendly activities.
Description:
The Village of Rochester Hills Tree-Lighting Ceremony features over 350,000 dazzling-colored lights and family-friendly entertainment, welcoming the Metro Detroit community and visitors to celebrate the holiday season.
Where: Rochester Hills | More Info: Village of Rochester Hills Tree-Lighting Ceremony
Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Live entertainment and festive lighting in a historic park setting.
Description:
The Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony is a cherished tradition 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
Christmas Aglow @ Clinton Township Civic Center
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with Santa visits and holiday lights.
Description:
Join Clinton Township for a festive holiday event featuring Santa visits, holiday lights, and light refreshments. Bring a non-perishable food donation to support local families.
Where: Clinton Township | More Info: Christmas Aglow @ Clinton Township Civic Center
The Big, Bright Light Show @ Downtown Rochester
What to Expect:
Synchronized holiday light display on downtown buildings.
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, making it a must-see holiday event.
Where: Rochester | More Info: The Big, Bright Light Show @ Downtown Rochester
Tree Lighting @ Shain Park
What to Expect:
41-foot LED-lit holiday tree with live caroling.
Description:
The annual Birmingham Holiday Tree Lighting at Shain Park features a 41-foot holiday tree adorned with over 40,000 LED lights, live caroling, and a visit from Santa Claus.
Where: Birmingham | More Info: Tree Lighting @ Shain Park
Wayne County Lightfest @ Merriman Hollow Park
What to Expect:
Extensive animated light displays along a five-mile stretch of Hines Park.
Description:
Wayne County Lightfest is a 4.5-mile drive-through holiday display featuring nearly 50 animated light displays and over 100,000 lights along Hines Drive in Hines Park. 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 @ Merriman Hollow Park
Winter Wonder Light @ Meadowbrook Hall
What to Expect:
Immersive outdoor light show with music and seasonal treats.
Description:
Winter Wonder Lights at Meadowbrook Hall features unique light displays across the grounds, music, and seasonal treats, transforming the estate into an immersive light environment.
Where: Rochester Hills | More Info: Winter Wonder Light @ Meadowbrook Hall
Sterling Heights Holiday Markets and Shopping
Birmingham Winter Markt
What to Expect:
Holiday market with European cuisine and local art displays.
Description:
The Birmingham Winter Markt is an annual event featuring local artists and vendors, European cuisine, thousands of holiday lights, ice sculptures, live entertainment, and complimentary carriage rides. The event includes a Santa House, Kinderhaus children's activity area, and warming stations for all ages.
Where: Birmingham | More Info: Birmingham Winter Markt
Christmas Open House @ Downtown Milford
What to Expect:
Horse-drawn carriage rides and Santa's arrival on a fire engine.
Description:
Downtown Milford's Christmas Open House features strolling entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday caroling, and special promotions at local stores and restaurants. Santa Claus arrives on Main Street aboard a Milford Fire Department fire engine, offering a highly anticipated visit at the Village Center Mall. Shoppers can find an array of holiday decor, locally-made gifts, and unique toys.
Where: Milford | More Info: Christmas Open House @ Downtown Milford
Sterling Heights Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holly Dickens Festival
What to Expect:
Victorian-themed celebration with historical characters and activities.
Description:
The Holly Dickens Festival is a historic celebration in downtown Holly, Michigan, where the story of "A Christmas Carol" comes to life. Meet characters like Ebenezer Scrooge, enjoy street performers, live music, and local vendors, all set in a Victorian England atmosphere.
Where: Holly | More Info: Holly Dickens Festival
Elf The Musical LIVE
What to Expect:
Hilarious musical comedy about a human raised by elves.
Description:
Elf The Musical is a hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. Unaware that he is human, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Featuring songs by Tony Award nominees and a book by Tony Award winners, this modern-day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf.
Where: Detroit | More Info: Elf The Musical LIVE
Mannheim Steamroller
What to Expect:
Classic Christmas music with multimedia effects.
Description:
Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas concert features classic holiday hits, multimedia effects, and 15 musicians playing over 20 instruments in an intimate setting.
Where: Detroit | More Info: Mannheim Steamroller
A Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Timeless tale of redemption through ghostly visitations.
Description:
A classic adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Nolte, featuring a mean-spirited miser and the ghosts that haunt him, celebrating 41 years of holiday storytelling.
Where: Rochester Hills | More Info: A Christmas Carol
Holiday Nights @ Greenfield Village
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with historic rides and live performances.
Description:
Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village is a premier holiday celebration featuring over 80 acres of decorated homes and shops, historic rides, live music, and festive activities.
Where: Dearborn | More Info: Holiday Nights @ Greenfield Village
Breakfast for Santa @ Shelby Township Activities Center
What to Expect:
Breakfast event with Santa Claus.
Description:
Join us for Breakfast for Santa at the Shelby Township Activities Center, where families can enjoy a delightful morning with Santa Claus.
Where: Shelby Township | More Info: Breakfast for Santa @ Shelby Township Activities Center
Santa Saturdays @ Meadowbrook Hall
What to Expect:
Meet Santa Claus in a beautifully decorated historic mansion.
Description:
Visit Santa Claus at Meadow Brook Hall during Santa Saturdays, where children can share their holiday wishes in the historic mansion decorated in shimmering splendor. Seasonal concessions are available.
Where: Rochester Hills | More Info: Santa Saturdays @ Meadowbrook Hall
Sterling Heights Other Holiday Activities
A Sterling Christmas
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with diverse activities.
Description:
A Sterling Christmas in Dodge Park features a tree lighting ceremony, holiday music, visits with Santa, a petting farm, refreshments, pony rides, horse-drawn wagon rides, train rides, ice skating, and warming fires.
Where: Sterling Heights | More Info: A Sterling Christmas
Waterford Holiday Hoopla & Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Free holiday activities with Santa and reindeer visits.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season with various free activities including a visit and photo opportunity with Santa, a reindeer visit, crafts, and cookie decorating, all held outdoors at Waterford Township Hall.
Where: Waterford | More Info: Waterford Holiday Hoopla & Tree Lighting Ceremony
Winterfest Parade
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with tree lighting and fireworks.
Description:
The Winterfest Parade in Taylor, MI, features a lighted parade, music, official tree lighting, and fireworks at Heritage Park. Families can enjoy children's crafts and activities throughout the event.
Where: Taylor | More Info: Winterfest Parade
Christmas On The Frontier @ Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center
What to Expect:
Historically accurate Christmas celebration with pioneer cabin activities.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas in a historically accurate setting with activities like candle-dipping and crafting rustic ornaments. Meet reenactors, visit an authentic pioneer cabin, and observe family traditions from early European settlers.
Where: Shelby Township | More Info: Christmas On The Frontier @ Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center
Holiday Express @ Joy Park
What to Expect:
Polar Express story reading with hot chocolate and cookies.
Description:
The Holiday Express train ride at Joy Park features a Polar Express story reading, hot chocolate, cookies, and carols. Families can enjoy this festive event while capturing special moments with holiday guests.
Where: Clinton Township | More Info: Holiday Express @ Joy Park
Story Hour with Santa @ The Mall At Partridge Creek
What to Expect:
Interactive storytelling with seasonal themes.
Description:
Join The Mall at Partridge Creek for a fun and educational Story Time event, hosted in partnership with the Clinton Township Library. Enjoy seasonal reads and engaging activities designed to inspire a love of reading in children.
Where: Clinton Township | More Info: Story Hour with Santa @ The Mall At Partridge Creek
Breakfast with Santa @ Longacre House
What to Expect:
Interactive breakfast with Santa Claus.
Description:
Join Santa at the historic Longacre House for a delightful breakfast where he will share stories, play reindeer games, and sing songs. Make your wish list and capture every special moment with your cameras.
Where: Farmington | More Info: Breakfast with Santa @ Longacre House
Snacks With Santa @ Kensington Metropark Farm Center
What to Expect:
Horse-drawn hayride and holiday sing-along.
Description:
Join Snacks With Santa at Kensington Metropark Farm Center for a holiday tradition featuring a horse-drawn hayride, holiday sing-along, cozy blankets, snacks, and a visit with Santa.
Where: Milford | More Info: Snacks With Santa @ Kensington Metropark Farm Center
Christmas In The Village @ Mill Race
What to Expect:
Historic village setting with holiday decorations and activities.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Mill Race Village with festive decorations, holiday activities, and a charming atmosphere that brings the community together.
Where: Northville | More Info: Christmas In The Village @ Mill Race
Santa Visits @ Maybury Farm
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday experience with Santa and farm animals.
Description:
Children can visit Santa in the historic barn at Maybury Farm, share their wish lists, and have photos taken with him in his antique sleigh. They can also write letters to Santa, enjoy festive crafts, and holiday music, while visiting the farm animals. A warm bonfire with hot chocolate and coffee adds to the festive atmosphere.
Where: Northville | More Info: Santa Visits @ Maybury Farm
Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt @ McHattie Park
What to Expect:
Interactive candy cane hunt with flashlights.
Description:
Join us at McHattie Park for a fun-filled evening of searching for hidden candy canes with your flashlight. Enjoy the excitement of finding treats while spending time with family and friends.
Where: South Lyon | More Info: Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt @ McHattie Park
Holiday Spectacular @ McHattie Park
What to Expect:
Community-wide holiday celebration with family-friendly activities and local charity support.
Description:
The Holiday Spectacular @ McHattie Park is an annual community-wide holiday celebration featuring low-cost family-friendly activities, supporting local charities, and including a Christmas Country Craft Show at South Lyon High School.
Where: South Lyon | More Info: Holiday Spectacular @ McHattie Park
Firefighters Breakfast With Santa @ Wixom Community Center
What to Expect:
Personal visits with Santa and small gifts for children.
Description:
The Wixom Firefighters Foundation hosts an annual Breakfast with Santa at the Wixom Community Center, offering a pancake breakfast and personal visits with Santa for all children, along with small gifts. This event is free and open to all Wixom residents.
Where: Wixom | More Info: Firefighters Breakfast With Santa @ Wixom Community Center
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Clinton Township (6 miles)
- Shelby (6 miles)
- Warren (6 miles)
- Troy (6 miles)
- Roseville (7 miles)
- Madison Heights (8 miles)
- Rochester Hills (8 miles)
- Royal Oak (9 miles)
- Eastpointe (9 miles)
- Saint Clair Shores (9 miles)
- Birmingham (10 miles)
- Ferndale (10 miles)
- Oak Park (11 miles)
- Southfield (12 miles)
- Auburn Hills (13 miles)
- Hamtramck (13 miles)
- Pontiac (14 miles)
- Detroit (17 miles)
- West Bloomfield Township (18 miles)
- Farmington Hills (19 miles)
- Redford (19 miles)
- Dearborn (19 miles)
- Windsor (19 miles)
- Tecumseh (19 miles)
- Dearborn Heights (21 miles)
- Livonia (22 miles)
- LaSalle (23 miles)
- Garden City (23 miles)
- Novi (24 miles)
- Lincoln Park (24 miles)
- Allen Park (24 miles)
- Inkster (24 miles)
- Westland (26 miles)
- Wyandotte (26 miles)
- Taylor (26 miles)
- Southgate (27 miles)
- Canton (30 miles)
- Romulus (31 miles)
- Port Huron (41 miles)
- Burton (41 miles)
- Ann Arbor (42 miles)
- Sarnia (42 miles)
- Leamington (43 miles)
- Chatham (45 miles)
- Flint (45 miles)