This month, visions of turkey, football and parades are dancing in many metro Detroit parents’ heads (not to mention that delicious hour of sleep we gain when we “fall back” in the wee hours of Sunday, Nov. 3!). And small wonder, too. November is a season rife with tradition and family fun here in southeast Michigan.
From stage shows and nature fun to festive trees and several parades (including the Nov. 28 show stopper on Woodward Avenue in Detroit), here’s a little list of kid-pleasing November festivals in metro Detroit and beyond, sure to create a few memories this season.
East Michigan VegBash
Nov. 3, 2019
- Address: Packard Proving Grounds, 49965 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township
- Time: Noon-5 p.m.
- Phone: 810-908-9976
- Cost: $10/person
Vegans and vegetarians gather to sample a variety of plant-based food, cruelty-free goods and more.
Stars and Stripes Forever Celebration
Nov. 8, 2019
- Address: Costick Center, 28600 W. Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills
- Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Phone: 248-473-1800
- Cost: $10/advance, $12/at the door
Honor the services and sacrifices of our nation’s veterans at this 23rd annual.
Wyandotte Christmas Parade
Nov. 16, 2019
- Address: Downtown Wyandotte area
- Phone: 734-324-7283
- Time: 10 a.m.
- Cost: Free
This annual procession features 90 floats full of festive holiday cheer.
Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak
Nov. 16, 2019-Jan. 5, 2020 (select days)
- Address: Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak
- Phone: 248-541-5717
- Time: 5:30-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and select Sundays, 5:30-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday
- Cost: $11-$18/general, $8/parking
Get festive and take in twinkling light displays on the zoo’s trees, buildings and 265 animal sculptures.
Royal Oak Market: Art Fair Edition
Nov. 21-22, 2019
- Address: Royal Oak Farmer’s Market, 316 E. Eleven Mile Road, Royal Oak
- Time: Noon-10 p.m. daily
- Phone: 248-246-3276
- Cost: Free/admission
See artwork by 60-plus artists at this third annual juried art event.
Wayne County Lightfest
Nov. 21-Dec. 31, 2019
- Address: Merriman Road between Warren Ave. and Ann Arbor Trail, Westland
- Time: 7-10 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 6-10 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, closed on Christmas Day
- Phone: 734-261-1990
- Cost: $5/vehicle, $8/photos with Santa
Drive through this family-favorite to check out some 50 giant animated lighted holiday displays.
Lighted Christmas Parade in Allen Park
Nov. 22, 2018
- Address: Downtown Allen Park area
- Time: 6 p.m.
- Phone: 313-928-1400
- Cost: Free
Floats and performers brightly lit for the holidays make their way through the downtown area.
Holiday Lighted Parade in Northville
Nov. 22, 2019
- Address: Downtown Northville area
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Phone: 248-349-7640
- Cost: Free
Twinkling lights are not only on the streets but also in them at this downtown Northville community favorite.
Downtown Rochester Festival of Trees at Rochester Community House
Nov. 23-24, 2019
- Address: Rochester Community House, 816 Ludlow Ave., Rochester
- Phone: 248-656-0060
- Time: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
- Cost: Free
Tons of 4-feet, 6-feet and even 7-feet-tall trees are festively decorated for families to explore. There’s live entertainment, kids’ activities and visits with Santa, too.
Festival of Trees at Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn
Nov. 24-Dec. 1, 2019
- Address: Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave., Dearborn
- Times: 2-7 p.m. opening day, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, closed Thanksgiving
- Phone: 734-748-3822
- Cost: $5/adults, $3/kids
Support the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation and get in the holiday spirit at this family-favorite, which features professionally decorated trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses, visits with Santa, kids’ activities and more.
America’s Thanksgiving Parade
Nov. 28, 2019
- Address: Woodward Avenue between Kirby and Congress streets, Detroit
- Time: 8:50 a.m.
- Phone: 313-923-7400
- Cost: Free/general, fees/ VIP seating
For its 93rd romp, this big-time Detroit tradition features a procession of floats, balloons, Big Head Corps and, of course, Santa on Woodward Avenue. Catch it live on WDIV-Local 4, too.
Holly Dickens Festival in Downtown Holly
Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Dec. 7-8 and 14-15, 2019
- Address: Downtown Holly area
- Time: 7:30 p.m. Opening Day, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Sundays
- Phone: 248-431-1894
- Cost: Free
Inspired by the Charles Dickens classic tale A Christmas Carol, this 46th annual festival revels in the writer’s era, compete with four stages of entertainment, festive food and more – even Scrooge himself.
Garden City Santaland Parade
Nov. 30, 2019
- Address: Downtown Garden City area
- Time: 10 a.m.
- Cost: Free
Santa Claus and all his pals make their way through the streets of Garden City accompanied by local bands and floats.
Annual Milford Christmas Parade
Nov. 30, 2019
- Address: Downtown Milford area
- Time: 10 a.m.
- Phone: 248-684-9719
- Cost: Free
Line the streets of the downtown area to watch local bands and floats celebrate the incoming holidays.
Classic Cartoon Festival at the Redford Theatre
Nov. 30, 2019
- Address: Redford Theatre, 17360 Lahser Road, Detroit
- Time: 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday
- Phone: 313-537-2560
- Cost: $5
See some of your favorite classic cartoons like Popeye, Superman, Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny and many others – all on the big screen again. Rated G.
This post was originally published in 2012 and is updated regularly.
