This December, we’ve found tons of family-friendly fun, including holiday lights and holiday tea experiences for you to check out with your kids. We also have plenty of other holiday fun such as magical holiday events, Hanukkah events and Nutcracker and holiday shows.
I can’t wait to take my son, Jordan, to Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo and Winter Wonder Lights at Meadow Brook Hall this month. Last year, my son went ice skating for the first time at Holiday Nights and has loved it ever since. He can’t wait to do that again!
Keep on scrolling to see our other top picks of December family events in metro Detroit. You can also find more family events listed in our calendar. Be sure to tag us on Instagram @metroparentmag if you check any of them out!
This article was recently updated on Nov. 22, 2024 by Metro Parent’s audience development coordinator, Kari Zaffarano. The update included her adding new events to MetroParent.com‘s calendar and featuring the best family events in metro Detroit this month. Questions? Please reach out to kari@metroparent.
Best December family events in Macomb County
Get your tickets in advance to Macomb Ballet Company Presents The Nutcracker at Macomb Center for the Performing Arts and Blake’s Santa Experience at Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill. Find even more Macomb County events in December on our calendar.
Blake’s Santa Experience at Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill
Dec. 1, 7-8, 14-15, 2024
- Address: 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada
- Cost: $19.95/child, $7.95/adult, free/ages 2 and under
Children can visit and take a photo with Santa Claus at this event. Tickets also include donut and cider, make-and-take craft, children’s activities and a take home toy.
Check out our family guide to Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill.
Holiday Market at the Anton Art Center
Dec. 3-8, 10-15, 17-22, 2024
- Address: 125 Macomb Place, Mount Clemens
- Cost: Free admission; donations welcomed and appreciated
Shop various unique gifts and décor crafted by Michigan artists at this annual holiday market.
Holiday Lights at the Farm at Wolcott Mill Metropark
Dec. 6-8, 13-15, 20-21, 2024
- Address: 65775 Wolcott Road, Ray
- Cost: $8/person, free/under 2
See the holiday lights and decorations at Wolcott Mill Metropark, listen to holiday music, take a tractor-drawn wagon ride around the farm fields and visit with Santa and the resident animals. Pre-registration required.
Macomb Ballet Company Presents The Nutcracker at Macomb Center for the Performing Arts
Dec. 6-8, 2024
- Address: 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Township
- Cost: $25
This holiday performance features beloved characters as they travel with Clara on a magical adventure through the Enchanted Forest to the Kingdom of Sweets.
Rock the Rink at Mount Clemens Ice Arena
Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27, 2024
- Address: 200 N. Groesbeck Hwy., Mount Clemens
- Cost: $8/admission, $4/skate rental
Families can enjoy a fun open ice skating event that features popular music, black lights and a party vibe.
Holiday Express Train Rides at Joy Park
Dec. 14 and 21, 2024
- Address: 24001 Joy Blvd., Clinton Township
- Cost: $19/resident, $25/non-resident
Families can enjoy a holiday train ride, which includes a reading of The Polar Express, hot chocolate, cookies and carols. The trains are enclosed but not heated. Pre-registration required.
Best December family events in Oakland County
This month, I recommend going to AURORA, a Winter Wonderland at Glenlore Trails, Magic of Lights at Pine Knob Music Theatre and Winter Wonder Lights at Meadow Brook Hall. Find even more Oakland County events in December on our calendar.
HollyDazzle at the Michigan Renaissance Festival
Dec. 1, 6-8, 13-15, 20-24, 27-31, 2024
- Address: 12600 Dixie Hwy., Holly
- Cost: $21.95/ages 13-plus, $21.95/one adult and one child bundle, $8.95/ages 5-12, free/ages 4 and under; free/parking
Stroll through the winter wonderland at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, which features over a dozen mesmerizing Christmas scenes. Visit with Santa Claus, experience a Polar Pub Crawl, join the Holiday Token Hunt and much more.
Aurora at Glenlore Trails
Dec. 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, 26-29, 2024
- Address: 3860 Newton Road, Commerce Township
- Cost: $20/ages 13-plus, $12/ages 4-12, free/ages 3 and under
Enjoy an immersive wintery outdoor holiday experience featuring dazzling holiday lights, displays, games, holiday music and more. Select nights will also have themed activities, balloon twisting, live music and visits from Santa. Food and wands will be available to purchase.
Birmingham Winter Markt and Tree Lighting in Shain Park
Dec. 6-8, 2024
- Address: 270 W. Merrill St., Birmingham
- Cost: Free/admission, fees vary/items on sale
The tree lighting takes place on Friday and will feature Santa Claus, carolers and the lighting of the 41-foot tree with over 40,000 LED lights. Enjoy shopping from local vendors and artisans, holiday lights, ice sculptures, live entertainment and more.
Holiday Stroll at Canterbury Village
Dec. 6-8, 13-15, 20-23, 2024
- Address: 2325 Joslyn Ct., Lake Orion
- Cost: $14.99-plus/person, free/parking
Stroll through the village and see the million festive lights while listening to classic holiday songs, hear carolers and see live Christmas performances.
Check out our family guide to Canterbury Village.
Chanu-Con! at Congregation Beth Shalom
Dec. 8, 2024
- Address: 14601 Lincoln St., Oak Park
- Cost: Free admission; donations welcome
This annual features children’s activities, delicious kosher food, a 50/50 raffle, gift vendors, live musical entertainment, Oak Park Library storytime, bounce house and more.
Magic of Lights at Pine Knob Music Theatre
Through Dec. 30, 2024
- Address: 33 Bob Seger Drive, Clarkston
- Cost: $23/standard vehicle advanced ticket, $30/standard vehicle on weekday, $35/standard vehicle on weekend
Enjoy a holiday-themed light experience from the inside of your vehicle. You’ll see different characters and themes using the latest LED technology and digital animations.
Noon Year’s Eve at Southfield Public Library
Dec. 30, 2024
- Address: 26300 Evergreen Road, Southfield
- Cost: Free
Enjoy dancing, games, New Year’s crafts and more. This event is for preschoolers. Advanced registration required.
Winter Wonder Lights at Meadow Brook Hall
Through Dec. 30, 2024
- Address: 350 Estate Drive, Rochester
- Cost: $23/ages 13-plus, $13/ages 3-12, free/ages 0-2 and OU Students
See an interactive light experience outside Meadow Brook Hall. Also, enjoy seasonal beverages, bonfires, glow-in-the-dark cotton candy and popcorn and more.
Check out our tips for visiting Winter Wonder Lights with kids.
ChaNEWkah at Adat Shalom Synagogue
Dec. 31, 2024
- Address: 29901 Middlebelt Road, Farmington Hills
- Cost: $18/family, $8/person
Celebrate Chanukah and New Years Eve at this event that features entertainment, a light dinner, activities and more.
Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo
Through Jan. 5, 2025
- Address: 8450 W. Ten Mile Road, Royal Oak
- Cost: $17-$26/advanced online pricing, free/2 and under, $8/parking
Encounter enchanting animal-themed light sculptures that bring a whimsical touch to the festive season and create a magical experience for all ages.
Check out our tips for visiting Wild Lights with kids.
Best December family events in Wayne County
This month, see the holiday lights at Home for the Holidays at Ford House and Wayne County Lightfest at the Merriman Hollow Park Area. Also, be sure to see the giant menorah lit up at Menorah in the D at Campus Martius Park. Find even more December events in Wayne County on our calendar.
Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village
Dec. 5-8, 11-15, 18-23, 26-28, 2024
- Address: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
- Cost: $ $32.50-$38/ages 12-plus, $29.25-$34.25/ages 62-plus, $24.25-$28.50/ages 5-11, free/ages 4 and under
This annual event features live music, holiday cooking demos, free carousel rides, free ice skating and skate rentals, free horse-drawn carriage rides, free Model T rides, a fireworks finale and more.
Check out our family guide to Greenfield Village.
Holiday Movies at the Redford Theatre
Dec. 6-8, 13, 2024
- Address: 17360 Lahser Road, Detroit
- Cost: $7/adult, $5/child and senior
See holiday classic movies at Redford Theatre. Scrooged (1988) is on Dec. 6, The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) is on Dec. 7, Home Alone (1990) is on Dec. 7 and White Christmas (1954) is on Dec 13. There’s even a holiday mystery movie on Dec. 8.
Home for the Holidays at Ford House
Dec. 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 2024
- Address: 1100 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores
- Cost: $20-$28/ages 13-plus, $10-$14/ages 1-12, free/under 12 months
Enjoy a one-mile walk outside to look at the lights, visit the Main Residence, stop by the concessions tent for your complimentary hot chocolate, see Santa Claus and more.
Santa Visits at the Farm at Maybury Farm
Dec. 7-8, 14-15, 2024
- Address: 50165 Eight Mile Road, Northville
- Cost: $10/person, free/under 2
Come out to Maybury Farm to visit with Santa in his antique sleigh and have your photo taken by Santa’s elf. Drop your letter off in their North Pole mailbox, see farm animals and more. Reservations are required.
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet at the Fox Theatre
Dec. 8, 2024
- Address: 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: $49-plus
This nutcracker’s international cast performs jaw-dropping acrobatics. You’ll also see larger-than-life puppets and stunning hand-crafted sets and costumes.
“‘Twas the Night Before…” by Cirque du Soleil at the Fox Theatre
Dec. 20-24, 26-31, 2024
- Address: 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: $46.50-plus
See thrilling acrobatics performed by international artists and the soundtrack of Christmas classics re-invented by Cirque du Soleil.
Wayne County Lightfest at the Merriman Hollow Park Area
Through Dec. 24, 2024
- Address: 7651 Merriman Road, Westland
- Cost: $5/car (cash only)
See the magical five-mile stretch of Hines Park that displays nearly 50 animated-themed displays and more than 100,000 lights.
Menorah in the D at Campus Martius Park
Dec. 25, 2024
- Address: 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: Free
See the lighting of the 26-foot menorah, enjoy complimentary soup, snacks and cider, crafts, games, a fire show and more at this annual.
Best December family events in Washtenaw County
Washtenaw County has some great holiday markets in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Also, be sure to see Annie at The Encore Theatre. Find even more December events in Washtenaw County on our calendar.
Ypsi Artisan Holiday Market at Ypsilanti Freight House
Dec. 1, 21-22, 2024
- Address: 100 Market Place, Ypsilanti
- Cost: Free admission
There will be over 40 crafters, small businesses, non-profit organizations, food vendors, live entertainment and more at this 4th annual event.
Kerrytown District KindleFest at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market
Dec. 6, 2024
- Address: 303 Detroit St., Ann Arbor
- Cost: Free/admission, fees vary/item on sale
Shop from artisan vendors and crafters and enjoy food, kids activities, live music and more at this annual holiday market.
Santa’s Candy Cane Trail at Hudson Mills Metropark
Dec. 14, 2024
- Address: 8801 N. Territorial Road, Dexter
- Cost: $6/person, free/under 2
Take a stroll down the candy cane trail, meet winter characters and get a chance to see Santa. Also, take a ride on the Holiday Carol Wagon Ride. Bring your cameras. Pre-registration is required.
Annie at The Encore Theatre
Through Jan. 12, 2025
- Address: 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter
- Cost: $43.50-plus/ages 13-plus, $31.50/ages 12 and under
See this musical that follows an orphan named Annie. The sensory-friendly performance is Dec. 12.
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