The holidays are almost here — and there are plenty of ways to kick off the season with your friends and family. In Macomb County, tree lightings and holiday fest begin as early as Nov. 17 and continue until Christmas. Looking for a tree lighting or holiday event near you? Browse this list of Macomb County tree lightings and holiday fun.
Note: Due to COVID-19 some events may have safety protocols in place or may cancel unexpectedly. Check ahead before you go out.
Tree Lighting Celebration at The Mall at Partridge Creek
Nov. 17, 2021
- Location: The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Road, Clinton Township
- Time: 5-7 p.m.
- Cost: Free
The first 2500 kids under 10 will get a light-up wand to help Santa light the mall’s tree. There’s photo booths and live performances, too.
Holiday Market at the Anton Art Center
Nov. 18-Dec. 23, 2021
- Location: Anton Art Center, 125 Macomb Place, Mount Clemens
- Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, noon-8 p.m. Thursday, noon-5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday
- Cost: Free/admission
Year 50 features handmade gifts and decor to shop from this holiday season. Shop online or in-person on select days.
Uptown Christmas Open House
Nov. 19, 2021
- Location: Downtown area, Mount Clemens
- Time: 5-9 p.m.
- Cost: Free
Kids can visit with Santa, experience the tree lighting ceremony and more to kick off the holiday season.
Mount Clemens Santa Parade
Nov. 20, 2021
- Location: Downtown Mount Clemens area
- Time: 10 a.m.
- Cost: Free
This annual procession welcomes the holiday season with five local marching bands, floats and tons of fun. See it step off on Main Street.
The Village of New Haven Parade and Tree Lighting
Nov. 27, 2021
- Location: Fountain Park, 58420 Main St., New Haven
- Time: 6 p.m.
- Cost: Free
A parade kicks off this event at 6 p.m. The tree lighting ceremony follows and after that, enjoy a cookie contest and visits with Santa at the New Haven Fire Hall.
Harrison Township Christmas Tree Lighting
Dec. 2, 2021
- Location: Downtown Harrison Township area
- Time: 5:30-8 p.m.
- Cost: Free
This outdoor event features photo ops with Santa, a holiday sing-along and more.
2021 Christmas Aglow
Dec. 2, 2021
- Location: Hope Chapel, 52700 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Cost: Free
Watch as Santa gets a key to the township and lights the tree at this event. Plus, find traditional fun including horse-drawn carriage rides, kids’ crafts and a holiday train display.
Holiday Tree Lighting and After Glow at the Macomb Township Recreation Center
Dec. 3, 2021
- Location: Macomb Township Recreation Center, 20699 Macomb St., Macomb Township
- Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
- Cost: Free
This 17th annual tree lighting event kicks off with caroling and Santa’s arrival. There’s refreshments, crafts, music and live reindeer, too.
Armada Holly Days and Christmas Parade
Dec. 4, 2021
- Location: Downtown Armada area
- Time: 5:30-7 p.m.
- Cost: Free
This annual procession features a choir performance, tree lighting and parade down Main Street.
A Sterling Christmas
Dec. 4, 2021
- Location: Dodge Park, 40620 Utica Road, Sterling Heights
- Time: 5:45-8:30 p.m.
- Cost: Free
Ring in the holidays with a holiday music, caroling, a petting farm, visits with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides and ice skating. There’s a tree lighting, too.
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa Parade
Dec. 4, 2021
- Location: Downtown Richmond area
- Time: TBD
- Cost: Free
Celebrate the incoming holiday with a parade featuring Santa Claus and a tree lighting ceremony.
Brunch with Santa
Dec. 5, 2021
- Location: Sherwood Brewing Company, 45689 Hayes Road, Shelby Township
- Time: 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
- Cost: $12/person
Make an appointment for a five-minute chat with Santa in the North Pole Room.
Bay-Rama Christmas Tree Lighting
Dec. 6, 2021
- Location: New Baltimore Civic Club, 36551 Main St., New Baltimore
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Cost: Free
Kick the evening off with a sing-a-long. Then, watch the tree light up for the season and follow Santa back to the New Baltimore Fire Department for even more fun.
Ray Township Christmas Tree Lighting
Dec. 8, 2021
- Location: Ray Township Park
- Time: TBD
- Cost: Free
The city welcomes Santa to kick off the season with an annual tree lighting.
Santa Jingle Bell Brunch
Dec. 11, 2021
- Location: Macomb Township Recreation, 20699 Macomb St., Macomb
- Time: 9-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Cost: $6/residents, $11/non-residents
Have some pastries, fruit and juice as you visit with Santa, Frosty and Freckle the Frog.
Warren Tree Lighting
Dec. 11, 2021
- Location: Warren City Square, 1 City Square, Warren
- Time: 5-8 p.m.
- Cost: Free
This annual tree lighting features pictures with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, a parades, caroling and much more.
Jingle Bell 5K Run
Dec. 12, 2021
- Location: Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, 4101 River Bends Drive, Shelby Township
- Time: 9 a.m.
- Cost: $30
Celebrate the holidays with a 5k run around the Nature Center.
Jingle Bell Run
Dec. 12, 2021
- Location: New Baltimore area
- Time: 3 p.m.
- Cost: $20-$25/by Nov. 23; $20-$35/Nov. 24-Dec. 12
This race offers a 5K run or a 1-mile walk through downtown New Baltimore. It steps off at the MacDonald Public Library.
This post was originally published in 2020 and has been updated for 2021.
For more information on living and learning in Macomb County, visit Make Macomb Your Home. Find more articles like this at Metro Parent’s A Family Guide to Macomb County.
