Get Festive with these Metro Detroit Holiday Attractions

The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year in metro Detroit, and there are events throughout the area to keep people jolly and happy throughout the often cold and miserable weather.

Below are some of the best holiday events throughout the area.

Downtown Detroit Holiday Attractions

There are no shortage of things happening in Downtown Detroit for the holidays. Scattered throughout the city, you can start at Campus Martius where you can see the beautifully-decorated tree and do some skating on the ice rink.Then, head over to Cadillac Square where you can shop at local businesses and have a drink and a snack at the stunning Cadillac Lodge.

Then, you can walk up and down Woodward Ave. to take in the lights and see it with the stunning architecture in Detroit.

Beacon Park has also transformed into Toyland and a winter wonderland through the middle of January. It includes a choo-choo train, a giant teddy bear, nutcrackers, walk-through ornaments, LED light displays and more.

On Dec. 18, the Menorah in the D celebration will happen with the lighting of the Detroit Menorah, a fire show, hot soup and cider and more.

Holidays at Eastern Market

Get all of your holiday shopping done locally at Eastern Market. The market hosts special Holiday Markets on certain days in November and December.

Dates on Tuesdays focus on food vendors while Sunday dates focus on Michigan-made products.

It’s also a spot where you can get Christmas trees freshly cut from Michigan farms.

The market will be open Sundays on Dec. 4, 11, 18 and Saturday, Dec. 24 for last-minute gifts and food shopping.

The Big, Bright Light Show

The Big, Bright Light Show is one of the best holiday light displays in the country, and runs from just before Thanksgiving until the new year.

Over 1.5 million points of light will go from the roof to the sidewalk on the buildings of Downtown Rochester, lighting up the city with various, beautiful colors in a way you’ve likely never seen before.

This is the 15^th year for the display, and It makes a great spot to take incredible photos and show off metro Detroit!

The Big, Bright Light Show is free for everyone.

Photo by Joe Gall

Blake’s Winter Wonderland in Armada

About 45 minutes north of Detroit in Armada you’ll find Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill, which transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season.

They have a 2,000 square foot synthetic ice rink that will allow skating no matter what the temperature is.

You can also grab a drink and some food in a heated igloo, or go cut down your own Christmas tree, as they have a 100-acre farm with more than 10,000 trees to choose from.

When you’re done, make sure to grab some dessert to take home with donuts, pies, and other pastries available for purchase.

Canterbury Village Holiday Stroll

In Lake Orion, Canterbury Village also turns into a winter wonderland where you can stroll through the historic village with nearly 1 million festive holiday lights.

There are also professional carolers and live Christmas performances, plus a choreographed light show for the season.

For kids, they can stroll through and meet characters like Frosty the Snowman, Buddy the Elf, The Grinch, Olaf, Jack Frost, Anna and Elsa, and more.

When you’re done, head to the C-Pub outdoor patio and enjoy a variety of beers, hard ciders, wine, cocktails and more.

Finally, make sure to drop a letter in Santa’s mailbox.

Edsel & Eleanor Ford House

The historic home of Edsel & Eleanor Ford gets incredibly festive around the holidays and allows you to travel back in time to spend the season with the Ford family.

There will be a lighted shuttle ride to the home where you’ll then go through a historic tour inside.

The visitor center will have holiday crafts and entertainment, and a concession stand is available as well.

For kids, there will also be visits from Santa and cookies with him and Mrs. Claus. It’s happening on Dec. 3, 6, 7, 10, 13, 14 and 17.

Photo by Justin Maconochie

Wayne County Lightfest

Drive through Hines Park for over four miles of beautiful lights with dozens of animated displays.

Lightfest includes more than 100,000 lights and the entrance is at 7651 N. Merriman Rd.The drive is incredible to see the lights, and the cost is $5 or cars, $20 for commercial vans, $25 for mini-buses and $50 for busses. Payment is in cash.

The display is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. More information available on the county website.

Glenlore Trails Aurora

In Commerce Township, Glenlore Trails Aurora is an immersive wintry experience for everyone. Glenlore Trails is an illuminated forest, with a one-mile outdoor path with interactive, story moments and other entertainment.

It includes a place to purchase food and drinks and beautiful light displays through the wintry forest.

It runs Thursdays through Sundays through the holiday season, and tickets area available on the website.

Taylor Winterfest

The City of Taylor will celebrate the holidays throughout the month of December with Winterfest and the Winterfest Stroll.

Then, the Winterfest Stroll will return for two weekends which will include carolers, characters, a petting farm and photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Tickets are $10 for resident adults and $5 for resident children, and $12 for non-resident adults and $6 for non-resident children. More information is available on the City of Taylor website.

Detroit Zoo Wild Lights

Wild Lights returns once again to the Detroit Zoo through Jan. 8, and it features millions of lights as you walk through the zoo.

There’s also a light projection show, a Toyland, an enchanted trail, the Wild Lights Lodge and a wishing tree.

Carousel rides are available and you can also check out some of the animals if they are out!

Photo by Mark M. Gaskill