Visiting Canterbury Village with Kids and 2024 Events Not to Miss

Head to Lake Orion for some family-friendly fun this year at Canterbury Village.

This historic landmark is home to a quaint village full of unique shops, Yates Cider Mill store and fun events all year round.

Their events are often tied to a charity such as The Bottomless Toy Chest, Walk for Warmth and Jay’s Juniors. Visitors are often asked to donate canned food goods or other items if they can, when arriving to their events. There is also a Village Food Pantry that is open 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. You can drop off food any time at the front doors of Canterbury Michigan Market or Woodside Church.

This article was updated on March 27, 2024 by Metro Parent’s Audience Development Coordinator, Kari Zaffarano. Her work included her finding and adding Canterbury Village events to this post and to MetroParent.com‘s calendar, aligning with Metro Parent’s mission to provide the top parenting resources for local families. Questions? Please reach out to kari@metroparent.com.

Canterbury Village is lined with different shops, restaurants and small businesses.

  • Fae Fantasies – A fantasy based cosplay accessories and trinkets shop, featuring: Dungeons and Dragons minis, 3D printed art, cosplay accessories and charm jewelry
  • Thrifty & Thriving – Kind of new, sometimes used but always one of a kind! Clothing, home decor, accessories, toys, and more!
  • All Natural Hippie – This shop is run by a mother and daughter duo. It sells lip balms, soaps, aromatherapy jewelry, tie-dye clothing and more.
  • Michigan Mystic – A cozy little shop offering a variety of crystals, gifts, jewelry and hemp products from Nepal.
  • Down the Rabbit Hole – Dragons, fairies, unicorns, and more fantasy-based fun make up this whimsical gift shop.
  • Yates Cider Mill – Although it’s known for its premium cider, it sells lots of treats such as donuts, cookies, pies and turnovers. Be sure to try their donut sundae if you’re in the mood for ice cream and donuts.
  • The Wooden Tulip – The Wooden Tulip Boutique and Uniques provides women’s clothing, jewelry, and accessories, as well as an amazing selection of gifts and vintage offerings from several great vendors. Don’t miss the Kid Cave or the Man Cave, housing offerings for the kids and men of the family!
  • Graveldinger Graphix – Creative gifts, custom apparel, embroidery, and promotional products. On-the-spot customization available!
  • The Village Smokehouse – Delicious hot meals featuring smoked meats, from chicken chili to pulled pork sliders. Plus grab-and-go snacks such as chips and salsa and sweet treats!
  • EZE-Bikes – The first ALL electric bicycle (e-bike) stores in Oakland County, MI. A wide variety of electric bicycles are available here. Rediscover the FUN of bike riding!
  • Made in Michigan Market – If you’re looking for something Michigan-themed, this is the perfect shop. Find handmade and artist designed products.
  • Revival Salon – This full-service salon offers manicures, pedicures, gel polish, make-up (traditional and air brushed) and formal hair styling.
  • Stitch in Time Tailor Shop – Clothing and tailoring, extraordinary tailoring, clothing design, costume, historical clothing

Also, be sure to check out the village pavilion at the middle of the village where kids can ride the carousel and play arcade games. 

Upcoming Canterbury Village Events for Families 

Photo credit: Canterbury Village

Every year, Canterbury Village features an exciting lineup of family-friendly events spanning various themes and interests. From magical scavenger hunts to medieval fairs, there’s something for everyone in the coming months. Note: All events are subject to change.

Canterbury EGGstravaganza (March 23-24, 29-30)

A helicopter will rain Easter eggs from the sky at this hunt at Canterbury Village. The afternoon will also include lawn games, a petting zoo, bounce houses and photos with the Easter Bunny. Make sure to bring your own basket to collect your eggs. Advanced registration required.

Breakfast with the Bunny (March 23-24, 29-30)

Families can come enjoy a buffet-style breakfast with the Easter Bunny. There will be pancakes, French toast, bacon, eggs, sausage and more. Advanced registration required.

HP Dinner in the Castle (April 6-7)

Witches and wizards are invited to dine in the elegant Canterbury Castle with characters from Harry Potter. A skit will also be performed before and after food is served. Dinner will be served buffet-style and a cash bar will be available with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic Butterbeer.

Canterbury Dragon Days (April 13-14)

Head to Canterbury Village for a dragon-themed scavenger hunt, crafts, games and more. Participate in the scavenger hunt and be entered to win 4 tickets to Dino & Dragon Stroll.

Pokemon Weekend (April 20-21)

Bring the kids out to Canterbury Village for to play Pokemon GO. Saturday is Community Day in the game.  Kids will have fun finding the hidden Pokemon in each shop and making a free Pokémon button at “Down the Rabbit Hole.” Also, receive a free Pokemon card for every $5 spent at village shops.

Canterbury Spring Fling (April 27-28)

Families can enjoy springtime at Canterbury Village with shopping, a free kids craft at “Down the Rabbit Hole,” a free tea party at “All Natural Hippie,” flowers handed out and more.

Lord of the Rings Night (April 27)

Enjoy a Lord of the Rings-themed buffet dinner at Canterbury Castle. Dressing up is encouraged and there will be a ton of photo opportunities. A cash bar will be available.

Dino & Dragon Stroll (May 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26)

Guests will stroll through this outdoor dinosaur adventure and get up close and personal with almost 75 life-like creatures, reptiles and life-size dinosaurs. There will be walking Velociraptors, smoke-breathing dragons, interactive baby dinosaurs, selfie stations and more.

Taylor Swift Dance Party (May 10)

Swifties are invited to a kid-friendly dance party inside Canterbury Castle. There will be a Taylor Swift look-alike contest, too. Advanced tickets required.

Canterbury Village Medieval Faire (June 1-2, 8-9)

Head to Canterbury Village and take a stroll through time. Celebrate with live music, food, arts, crafts, games and live reenactment, including a jousting tournament.

Superhero Saturday (June 15)

Grab your capes and come out to Canterbury Village to meet all of your favorite superheroes, plus magicians, monster truck rides, pro wrestling all stars, face painters and more. For all ages.

Canterbury Taco Fest (June 21-23)

Enjoy tacos, Mariachi bands, contests, dance lessons, bounce houses, vendors, live entertainment on five stages, wrestling and more at this annual event.

4th of July Michigan Made Fest (June 29-30)

Go shopping from local vendors and Michigan business owners, enjoy live music, games and a free kid’s zone with bounce houses.

Hippie Fest (July 13-14)

This festival is family-friendly and features live music, tie-dye chalk art, bubble fun, tarot readers, vendors, a best-dressed hippie contest and more.

Canterbury Kids Fest (July 20-21)

This two-day festival features a petting zoo, lawn games, bubbles, bounce houses, magic shows, circus acts, fun characters and more.

Harry Potter’s Birthday Celebration (July 27-28)

Come out to Canterbury Village to celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday. This outdoor event has costume contests, magic vendors, music, scavenger hunts, interactive characters and more!

Canterbury Barbecue Festival (Aug. 2-4)

Enjoy this BBQ festival, which features five stages of entertainment and activities, a free Kids Zone, delicious food and more.

Canterbury Dog Weekend (Aug. 10-11)

Bring your furry friends to Canterbury Villahe for dog-themed entertainment, dog-friendly vendors and more. There will be local rescues on site and a free Kids Zone.

5th Annual Michigan Made Festival (Aug. 24-25)

This 5th annual festival celebrates Michigan-made items, food, Michigan beers, cider and wine and shopping Michigan-made items. There will be live music and a free Kids Zone.


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Kari Zaffarano
Kari Zaffarano
Kari Zaffarano is a mom of one and Metro Parent's Audience Development Coordinator. She tracks down the best events every week and shares the inside scoop with families in print and online. She enjoys reading, traveling and exploring metro Detroit with her son.

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