20 things to do in metro Detroit that will put you in the holiday spirit

By Metro Times editorial staff on Fri, Dec 2, 2022 at 12:35 pm

We may have had to bring out the heavier coats and wool hats, but that doesn’t mean Detroiters have turned completely cold as the holiday season approaches. From photos with some Santa Claus to dazzling Christmas light displays, the metro Detroit area has a lot to offer this holiday season.

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Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland / Facebook

Visit the world's largest Christmas store

When it comes to Christmas in Michigan, Frankenmuth does it best. It helps when one of the largest Christmas-themed stores just so happens to be located there. At Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland, it's Christmas all year round.

Wayne County Parks / Facebook

Wayne County's annual light display

Take a spin through Hines Park as the Wayne County Lightfest will host over 50 animated displays with more than 100,000 lights.

For more information, see waynecounty.com.

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Detroit Historical Museum / Facebook

Relive Hudson's at the Detroit Historical Museum

The holiday season wasn't the holiday season in Detroit without the magic of the former J. L. Hudson Department Store. The Detroit Historical Museum taps into that nostalgia with the return of its Hudson's Holiday exhibit.

For more information, see detroithistorical.org.

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Detroit Partnership / Facebook

Shop in Cadillac Square

Downtown Detroit Market has returned to Cadillac Square, where visitors can shop local businesses while staying warm in the heated booths.

For more information and a complete list of vendors, see downtowndetroitparks.com.

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Meadow Brook Hall / Facebook

Take a festive walk at Meadow Brook Hall's Holiday Walk

If poinsettias and twinkling lights mark the holiday season, there's plenty of cheer at Meadow Brook Hall. Enjoy a stroll through and experience the displays set for the season.

For more information, see meadowbrookhall.org.

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Courtesy of Bedrock

Take a cool slide at Monroe Street Midway

For the first time, Detroit's Monroe Street Midway is going to be filled with winter activities. Gone are the drive-in and roller rink that ruled over the summer. The Bedrock-owned space now has bumper cars, an arctic slide, and more.

For more information visit deckedoutdetroit.com.

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Ford House / Facebook

Have breakfast with Santa at the Ford House

Christmas may be a few weeks away, but you can chow down with Santa at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe. Each ticket includes breakfast and a visit from Santa to your table.

For tickets and more information, see fordhouse.org.

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Downtown Detroit Partnership/Facebook

Take a carriage ride through downtown Detroit

Hallmark movies always make carriage rides through the city look like the ideal setting for a wintry romantic night. Fortunately for us, we can try it out ourselves right in the heart of downtown.

For more information, including pricing, see downtowndetroitparks.com.

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Eastern Market Partnership / Facebook

Support a local vendor at Eastern Market's holiday markets

This holiday season, Eastern Market is making your holiday shopping easier. The market on Tuesdays is focused on food vendors allowing you to get all the ingredients and edible gifts for the holidays, while the weekend market is more general.

For dates and times, see easternmarket.org.

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Detroit Zoo / Facebook

Check out the lights at the Detroit Zoo

Go wild at the Detroit Zoo when it's transformed into a festive display of lights. While none of the animal exhibits will be open, visitors can check out the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit.

For hours and pricing, see detroitzoo.org.

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The Henry Ford / Facebook

Visit Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village

Take a wintry spin in a Model T, ride in a carriage, listen to the carolers, or enjoy all the other holiday activity happening in Dearborn's Greenfield Village.

For more information, see thehenryford.org.

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Fairlane Town Center / Facebook

Head to the mall for photos with Santa

Nothing says Christmas like a cheesy mall photo with Santa Claus. Sure, some sets keep Saint Nick socially distant from you, but the sentiment is the same. Santa is making appearances at Fairlane Town Center, Oakland Mall, Laurel Park Place, Great Lakes Crossing, Twelve Oaks Mall, The Somerset Collection, and The Mall at Partridge Creek.

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Downtown Detroit Partnership / Facebook

Ice skate in Campus Martius Park

Is it even a Detroit holiday season without a spin around the rink in Campus Martius? The rink is open for skating now through March.

For hours and pricing, see downtowndetroitparks.com.

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Detroit Symphony Orchestra / Facebook

Listen to the DSO play your favorite holiday carols

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra is not only bringing Home Alone alive this season by performing the entire score, they are also performing a weekend full of carols and songs to get you in the spirit.

For a complete list of events, see dso.org.

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Magic of Lights Clarkston/Facebook

Drive through holiday lights at Pine Knob

Take a cruise through Pine Knob for Magic of the Lights, a display of LED and animated lights.

For tickets and hours, see magicoflights.com.

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Oakland Mall / Facebook

Let your pup take a pic with Saint Nick

Santa Claus gets a lot of love this time of year, but what about Santa paws? Malls like Oakland Mall and Twelve Oaks Mall are having special days for your furry friends to take pictures with Santa Claus. You can also check your local PetSmart for Santa photos as well.

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BYOB Holiday Lights Trolley / Facebook

Grab a bottle and take a Christmas Light Trolley Tour

What better way to view lights than a BYOB Christmas light tour on a trolley through the city? Journey by trolley viewing light displays in Rochester, the Detroit Zoo, and downtown Detroit.

For tickets and trolley information, see eventbrite.com.

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Glenlore Trails / Facebook

Stroll through a lighted winter wonderland at Glenlore Trails

Glenlore Trails were spooky for Halloween, and now they're offering a little bit of festive cheer this holiday season. The mile-long trail has been transformed into a winter wonderland.

For more information and tickets, see glenloretrails.com.

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The Michigan Pedaler / Facebook

Drink and pedal your way through the Holiday Lights Beer Bike Bar Crawl

It may be cooler outside, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a ride on a pedal bike bar through downtown Detroit. This bar crawl combines a drinking tour at a few popular bars and the sights of downtown.

For more information and tickets, see eventbrite.com.

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Check out the Cirque Du Soleil Christmas show

There's nothing like a good holiday performance during the holiday season. Cirque Du Soleil has brought its first Christmas show, Twas the Night Before, to the Fox Theatre.

For more information visit, including showtimes and tickets, see 313presents.com.

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