The holidays in metro Detroit shine bright with dazzling light displays perfect for families.
From classics like Wayne County Lightfest and Rochester’s Big, Bright Light Show to immersive experiences at the Detroit Zoo and Meadow Brook Hall, there’s something magical for everyone.
Whether you’re looking for a stroller-friendly walk, a cozy drive or a stop to see Santa, these events are worth adding to your family’s holiday calendar.
2025 Best holiday lights in metro Detroit
Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad’s Christmas at Crossroads
4-9 p.m. Nov. 29-30; Dec. 5-7, 12-14, 17-21, 26-28, 2025 (multiple timed sessions each evening)
- Address: Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad, 6140 N. Bray Road, Flint
- Cost: $17 per adult (13-59), $16 per senior (60+), $15 per child (25 months–12 years); free for children under 2. $10 per vehicle on drive-through-only nights.
- Area: Genesee County
- Age fit: All ages
- Indoor/outdoor: Both indoor and outdoor attractions throughout the historic village
- Stroller-friendly options: Strollers allowed throughout the village; some gravel paths may be uneven
- Parking: Onsite parking available near the entrance to Crossroads Village
- Accessibility: Village is mostly accessible; some older buildings may have limited access. No sensory-friendly hours listed.
Families can step into a storybook holiday setting as Crossroads Village transforms into a twinkling wonderland with thousands of lights, artisan crafts, and classic Christmas décor. Ride the historic Huckleberry Railroad, meet Santa, and enjoy carolers, fireworks on opening night, and a tree lighting ceremony. Drive-through-only nights are also available for a cozy car experience.
Holiday Lights at the Farm
6-9 p.m. Dec. 6, 12-13, 19-20, 2025 (multiple timed sessions each evening)
- Address: Wolcott Mill Metropark, Farm Center, 65775 Wolcott Road, Ray Township
- Cost: $8 per child, $8 per adult; free for children under 2. Registration required by 4 p.m. the day of the program.
- Area: Macomb County
- Age fit: All ages
- Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor walking event through the farm
- Stroller-friendly options: Gravel paths; strollers allowed but may be difficult in some spots
- Parking: Onsite parking available at Wolcott Mill Metropark
- Accessibility: Path is mostly flat but gravel; limited ADA accessibility. No sensory-friendly hours listed.
Families can stroll the farm decorated with thousands of holiday lights, visit Santa and make a holiday craft. Vendors will be on hand with unique gifts, and concessions will be available for purchase. Registration is required.
Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village
6:30-10 p.m. Dec. 4-7, 12-14, 16-23, 26-28, 2025 (member preshow entry at 6 p.m.)
- Address: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
- Cost: Public tickets $36–$42; member tickets $30.50–$35.75; seniors (62+) receive 10% off; youth (5–11) 25% off; free for ages 4 and under. Dining packages, including Supper with Santa and Eagle Tavern meals, sold separately and must be booked in advance.
- Area: Wayne County
- Age fit: All ages
- Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor walking event with access to select historic homes and shops
- Stroller-friendly options: Strollers welcome, though cobblestone and uneven paths may be challenging
- Parking: Free onsite parking included with admission
- Accessibility: Event covers 80 acres with uneven terrain; wheelchairs available on a first-come basis. Motorized scooters and wagons not available for rent. No sensory-friendly hours listed.
Families can enjoy one of the nation’s premier holiday celebrations with carolers, fiddlers, artisan demonstrations, decorated historic homes and festive food. Free activities include carousel rides, horse-drawn wagons, Model T rides, ice skating and a nightly fireworks finale. Advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended, as this event often sells out.
Holiday Stroll at Canterbury Village
6 p.m. Nov. 28-29; Dec. 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 22-23, 2025
- Address: 2325 Joslyn Court, Lake Orion
- Cost: Pricing not listed yet; check event website for updates.
- Area: Oakland County
- Age fit: All ages
- Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor walking event through the village
- Stroller-friendly options: Strollers welcome; pathways are paved but can be crowded
- Parking: Onsite parking available; fees not listed
- Accessibility: Village walkways are ADA accessible; no sensory-friendly hours listed.
Families can stroll through a winter wonderland filled with holiday displays, musical light shows, and live characters, including Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Grinch and Buddy the Elf. Guests can stop for cider, hot drinks, and sweet treats along the way and browse shops for holiday gifts. This is a walk-through event, so dress warmly.
Holiday Walk at Meadow Brook Hall
Nov. 28-Dec. 30, 2025 (hours vary by ticketed entry time)
- Address: 350 Estate Drive, Rochester
- Cost: Pricing not yet listed; tickets must be purchased online in advance for a specific date and time.
- Area: Oakland County
- Age fit: All ages
- Indoor/outdoor: Indoor self-guided tour through the mansion
- Stroller-friendly options: Strollers not recommended; mansion has stairs and narrow passageways
- Parking: Free onsite parking at Meadow Brook Hall
- Accessibility: Mansion has limited ADA accessibility due to historic design; contact venue for accommodations. No sensory-friendly hours listed.
Families can tour the historic 110-room mansion decorated with more than 50 trees, glowing fireplaces and thousands of sparkling lights. The self-guided Holiday Walk is a long-running tradition and part of Meadow Brook’s larger holiday programming. Advance online registration is required for timed entry.
Home for the Holidays at Ford House
5:30-8 p.m. Nov. 29–30; Dec. 4-7, 11-14, 18-21, 2025
- Address: 1100 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores
- Cost: Public adult $22; child (3–17) $12; child (0–2) free. Friend adult $18; Friend child (3–17) $10. Tickets must be purchased online in advance for timed entry.
- Area: Wayne County
- Age fit: All ages
- Indoor/outdoor: One-mile outdoor walk with indoor tour of the Main Residence
- Stroller-friendly options: Not recommended; paths include gravel, grass and wood chips, which may be difficult for strollers
- Parking: Free onsite parking in the Visitor Center lot; entry through the Main Gate and exit through the North Gate
- Accessibility: Event includes uneven terrain and may be challenging for wheelchairs and strollers; no shuttle service available. Contact Ford House for accessibility questions. No sensory-friendly hours listed.
Families can take a one-mile holiday stroll through Ford House’s lighted gardens and historic grounds before exploring the decorated Main Residence. Santa will be on-site for photos, and children can enjoy festive sights like a holiday train inside the Recreation Building. Advance online registration for timed entry is required.
Magic of Lights
6-9 p.m. Nov. 21-Dec. 11, 2025; 6-9 p.m. Dec. 12-Jan. 3, 2026 (Monday-Thursday & holidays); 5:30-10 p.m. Dec. 12-Jan. 3, 2026 (Friday-Saturday)
- Address: 33 Bob Seger Drive, Clarkston
- Cost: Pricing not yet listed; one carload, one price. Check the website for updates.
- Area: Oakland County
- Age fit: All ages
- Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor drive-through with optional outdoor holiday village
- Stroller-friendly options: Not applicable for drive-through; holiday village is walkable but no stroller info listed
- Parking: Included with admission; onsite at Pine Knob Music Theatre
- Accessibility: Families stay in vehicles for most of the event; limited accessibility details for holiday village; no sensory hours listed.
This drive-through holiday lights display features digital animations, holiday scenes and a festive holiday village with Santa visits, s’mores and hot cocoa. Families can enjoy the sparkling route from the comfort of their car, then stop for photos and activities. Ticket info has not been released yet, so check the event site for updates.
The Big, Bright Light Show
5 p.m.-midnight Nov. 24, 2025-Jan. 18, 2026
- Address: Downtown Rochester
- Cost: Free
- Area: Oakland County
- Age fit: All ages
- Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor downtown display
- Stroller-friendly options: Stroller-friendly sidewalks throughout downtown
- Parking: Free and paid municipal parking lots available downtown
- Accessibility: Sidewalks and crosswalks are ADA accessible; no sensory-friendly hours listed.
Downtown Rochester glows with more than one million sparkling holiday lights covering building facades. Families can stroll the lit streets nightly and stop into shops, many of which stay open late Monday through Saturday. The display runs through early February, making it one of the longest holiday light shows in the region.
Trail of Lights
4:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 6-7, 12-14, 19-21, 2025 (walking nights and tractor rides on select dates)
- Address: Robert Williams Nature and Historical Learning Center, 1152 N. Gale Road, Davison
- Cost: Walking nights: $5 residents, $7 non-residents. Tractor wagon rides: $12 residents, $15 non-residents. Registration required (opens Sept. 1 for residents, Sept. 15 for non-residents).
- Area: Genesee County
- Age fit: All ages
- Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor walking trails and tractor rides
- Stroller-friendly options: Trails are outdoor and may be uneven; stroller use may be difficult
- Parking: Onsite parking available at the nature center
- Accessibility: Outdoor trails may not be fully ADA accessible; no sensory-friendly hours listed.
Families can stroll trails lit with thousands of sparkling holiday lights or choose a tractor wagon ride for an added festive twist. This outdoor event offers both walking and riding options, making it a fun holiday tradition for kids and adults. Registration is required.
Wayne County Lightfest
6-10 p.m. Nov. 20-Dec. 24, 2025 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
- Address: 7651 N. Merriman Road, Westland
- Cost: $5 per car; $20 commercial van/RV/limo; $25 mini-bus; $50 bus. Toy Night admission is free with a toy donation on select Wednesdays. Cash only at entrance; advance tickets available at Nankin Mills Interpretive Center.
- Area: Wayne County
- Age fit: All ages
- Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor drive-through
- Stroller-friendly options: Not applicable; vehicle-based event
- Parking: Included in vehicle admission; Hines Drive closed for event traffic
- Accessibility: Families remain in vehicles; accessible for those with mobility limitations. No sensory hours listed.
Drive through a five-mile stretch of Hines Park filled with nearly 50 animated displays and more than 100,000 twinkling lights. Families can enjoy the festive sights from the warmth of their car, with midweek visits offering shorter wait times. Advanced registration is required for bus groups and special events.
Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo
5-9 p.m. Nov. 22-23, 28-30; Dec. 5-7, 11-23, 26-31, 2025; Jan. 2-4, 2026
- Address: 8450 W. 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak
- Cost: $17-$75 depending on ticket type; tickets required for all guests.
- Area: Oakland County
- Age fit: All ages
- Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor walking event
- Stroller-friendly options: Strollers welcome; paved pathways throughout zoo
- Parking: Paid onsite parking available at the zoo
- Accessibility: ADA accessible; paved, wheelchair-friendly pathways. No sensory-friendly hours listed.
Families can stroll through millions of LED lights, a glowing field display, and an immersive light tunnel, with animal-themed sculptures adding a whimsical twist. This popular holiday tradition often sells out, so advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended.
Winter Wonder Lights at Meadow Brook Hall
Nov. 28-Dec. 30, 2025 (hours vary by ticketed entry time)
- Address: 350 Estate Drive, Rochester
- Cost: Pricing not yet listed; tickets must be purchased online in advance for a specific date and time.
- Area: Oakland County
- Age fit: All ages
- Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor light show and walking experience
- Stroller-friendly options: Strollers welcome; event is outdoors on paved and gravel paths
- Parking: Free onsite parking at Meadow Brook Hall
- Accessibility: Outdoor paths are partially accessible; some uneven terrain may be challenging for wheelchairs. No sensory-friendly hours listed.
This nighttime holiday light show transforms the estate with dazzling displays, music and seasonal treats. Families can enjoy bonfires, glow-in-the-dark cotton candy, specialty drinks and festive snacks while exploring the illuminated grounds. Advance online registration is required for timed entry.
This roundup was originally published in 2021 and was updated for 2025 in September.
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