Things To Do in Detroit in December

Christmas in Oxford | Soup & Sweet Stroll – December 2

The Holiday Celebration in Downtown Oxford is back to warm your tummy and touch your heart! On Friday, December 2 the annual Soup & Sweet Stroll takes place from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm. Visitors can purchase ticket spoons in Centennial Park then stroll from restaurant to restaurant and store to store tasting some of our town’s signature hors d’oeuvres, soups, and sweet baked goods.

Birmingham Winter Markt – December 2-4

Experience the magic of the holidays at the annual Birmingham Winter Markt featuring displays from local artists and vendors, European cuisine, thousands of holiday lights, ice sculptures, live entertainment, complimentary carriage rides, and more. Santa House, a Kinderhaus children’s activity area, and warming stations are sure to please visitors of all ages!

Historic Palmer Woods Holiday Home Tour & Soiree – December 3

One of Metro Detroit’s most popular events, this year’s Holiday Home Tour offers a unique opportunity to see inside the homes in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Michigan. The 2022 Tour will feature five homes throughout the neighborhood, which highlight the diversity and splendor of our neighborhood’s varied architectural styles, showcasing the homes all decked out in holiday style.

Noel Night – December 3

On Dec. 3, 2022, more than 90 venues in Midtown Detroit and the Cultural Center will open their doors for the return of Noel Night. The 48th annual holiday tradition, which has been on a hiatus since 2019, kicks off at 5 p.m. and features a wide variety of activities that the entire family will enjoy. Start your evening off with a free visit to one of your favorite educational spots including the College for Creative Studies, Wayne State University, The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, or the Michigan Science Center. The area’s art galleries, non-profit organizations, churches, and cultural institutions, along with area bars and restaurants, will also be open during the event.

Plus, you can get find exciting holiday events all around the metro area in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties!

The holidays are all about shopping! While you can always find something good at metro Detroit malls or on the Livernois Avenue of Fashion, there are pop-up markets and hidden gems all throughout December. Be sure to make your list and check it twice at these shops and markets:

Detroit Urban Craft Fair – December 2-4

epiphany glass Holiday Open House & Sale – December 2-4

Detroit Book City’s Holiday Book Festival – December 3

Shop Detroit: Livernois Avenue of Fashion Walking Tour – December 10

Downtown Detroit Markets and the Cadillac Lounge – through December

Holiday Market at Anton Art Center – through December 23

Find more holiday shopping opportunities here.

Holiday lights are aglow in Detroit and in the metro area! Don’t miss out on spectacular lighting displays happening through December:

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train – December 1

Campus Martius Photo by Camera Jesus

Downtown Rochester Big, Bright Light Show Photo by Camera Jesus

Detroit Zoo Wild Lights

Wayne County Lightfest

Winter Wonder Lights at Meadow Brook

Pine Knob’s Magic of Lights

The holidays are a time to get festive! There is no shortage of ways to be jolly and cheerful on your visit to Detroit. Whether you’re looking for outdoor, winter wonderland experiences or ways to keep warm, Detroit has you covered with activations like:

The Rink at Campus Martius Park presented by Visit Detroit Photo by Charles Falsetti

Monroe Street Midway

Royal Park Hotel Pop-Up Bar

Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village

Holiday Stroll at Canterbury Village

A Ford House Christmas