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. 6!). 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. 24 showstopper 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.
Columbia Street Fall Fest
Oct. 6-Nov. 13, 2022
- Address: West Columbia Street, Detroit
- Cost: Free
Experience this Urban Pumpkin Patch Experience with fall décor, games and food and beverage specials. There are lots of seasonal photo ops with cornstalks, fresh flowers, hay bales, life-sized animal statues, a wall of pumpkins and more.
71st Annual Detroit Jewish Book Fair Festival at Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit
Nov. 1-13, 2022
- Address: 6600 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield Township
- Cost: Contact for prices
Join the Detroit Jewish Book Fair for a week of in-person activities at The J and virtual author events, all celebrating the art of Jewish literature.
All Hallows Illumination of Frog Island
Nov. 1, 2022
- Address: Frog Island Park, 699 Rice St., Ypsilanti
- Cost: Free
Bring your carved jack-o’-lanterns to the Frog Island Amphitheater to light up the track at this 4th annual event. Costumes are encouraged.
Youmacon 2022
Nov. 3-6, 2022
- Address: Huntington Place, 1 Washington Blvd., Detroit; The Renaissance Center Marriott, 400 Renaissance Drive W., Detroit
- Cost: $75/3-day, $40/Friday, $50/Saturday, $30/Sunday
Similar to a comic con, the focus is on anime, Japanese style artwork and comics, video games and more. Cosplay is worn as well.
Ann Arbor Stamp Show at Morris Lawrence Building, Washtenaw Community College
Nov. 4-5, 2022
- Address: 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor
- Cost: Free
Introduce your child to stamps, learn the value of that old album and build your own collection. Twenty-five dealers from seven states will be on hand with U.S. and foreign stamps, postal history and collector supplies. Registration required.
2022 Canton International Showcase at Canton Village Theater
Nov. 5, 2022
- Address: 50400 Cherry Hill Road, Canton
- Cost: $7/individual ticket, $22/family ticket for 4 or more
This annual cultural and educational festival celebrates the diversity of Canton and surrounding communities through song and dance on the main stage of The Village Theater. There will be vendor tables, cultural displays and an international sweets table.
Earth Day at The J at The Berman Center For The Performing Arts
Nov. 6, 2022
- Address: 6600 West Maple Road, West Bloomfield
- Cost: $5/person, free/1 and under
Join them for an environmentally-themed family event featuring a concert with Latin Grammy Award winner MISTER G, a reading of the new Topsy Turvy Bus book by local author Anita Pazner and a festival of activities. This event is geared toward families with children ages 3-9.
Veterans Day Celebration at Costick Center
Nov. 11, 2022
- Address: 28600 W. Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills
- Cost: $10/residents, $12/non-residents, free/veterans
Recognize and honor the sacrifice our veterans have made at this annual event, which features an honor guard ceremony, luncheon and more.
Anime Fest at Ypsilanti District Library
Nov. 12, 2022
- Address: 5577 Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti
- Cost: Free
This teen-only event happens after the library closes. It features an anime screening, a costume contest and anime-inspired art projects and snacks. For ages 12-18.
Diwali Celebration at Schoolcraft College
Nov. 12, 2022
- Address: 18600 Haggerty Road, Livonia
- Cost: $25/ticket, free/ages 3 and under
Individuals of all faiths are invited to a Diwali celebration at Schoolcraft College. There will be dinner and entertainment.
Fishville Farms Fall Festival Holiday Craft Show & Food Drive at Chelsea Fairgrounds
Nov. 12, 2022
- Address: 20501 W. Old U.S. Hwy. 12, Chelsea
- Cost: Free admission
The family-friendly event features 40 local vendor booths, gift basket giveaway, The Rub BBQ food truck and more. Bring a canned food donation for the local food banks.
All Things Detroit Holiday Shopping Experience & Food Truck Rally at Eastern Market
Nov. 13, 2022
- Address: 2934 Russell St., Sheds 3, 4 & 5, Detroit
- Cost: $10/early admission, $5/general admission, free/kids 6 and under
The All Things Detroit Holiday Experience features a highly curated list of 100 local makers offering handcrafted and holiday-themed goods and treats. Early admission comes with an All Things Detroit tote bag and one-hour early admission to shop and beat the crowds.
Royal Oak Market: Art Fair Edition at Royal Oak Farmers Market
Nov. 17-18, 2022
- Address: 316 E. Eleven Mile Road, Royal Oak
- Cost: Free/admission
See artwork by 60-plus artists at this sixth annual juried art event.
Wayne County Lightfest at Merriman Hollow Park
Nov. 17-Dec. 24, 2022 (Wednesdays-Sundays)
- Address: 7651 Merriman Road, Westland
- Cost: $5/car (cash only)
A magical four-mile stretch of Hines Park, displaying nearly 50 animated themed displays and more than 100,000 lights.
Lighted Christmas Parade in Allen Park
Nov. 18, 2022
- Address: Downtown Allen Park area
- Cost: Free
Floats and performers brightly lit for the holidays make their way through the downtown area.
Magic of Lights at Pine Knob Music Theatre
Nov. 18-Dec. 31, 2022
- Address: 33 Bob Seger Drive, Clarkston
- Cost: $15-plus
Drive through this holiday themed light display with different characters and themes using the latest LED technology and digital animations.
Classic Cartoon Festival at the Redford Theatre
Nov. 19, 2022
- Address: 17360 Lahser Road, Detroit
- Cost: $5
See some of your favorite classic cartoons like Popeye, Felix the Cat, Bugs Bunny and many others — all on the big screen again. Rated G.
Downtown Rochester Festival of Trees at Rochester Community House
Nov. 19-20, 2022
- Address: 816 Ludlow Ave., Rochester
- Cost: Free
Tons of 4-foot, 6-foot and even 7-foot-tall trees are festively decorated for families to explore. Also, decorated wreaths, stockings and more.
Holiday Lighted Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony in Northville
Nov. 19, 2022
- Address: Downtown Northville area
- Cost: Free
Twinkling lights are not only on the streets but also in them at this downtown Northville community favorite.
Mount Clemens Santa Parade
Nov. 19, 2022
- Address: Downtown Mount Clemens area
Line up on Main Street to enjoy floats, music and all of your favorite holiday characters at this annual Macomb County tradition.
Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak
Nov. 19, 2022-Jan. 8, 2023 (select days)
- Address: 8450 W. 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak
- Cost: $17-$24/advanced online pricing, free/2 and under, $8/parking
The Detroit Zoo is aglow with millions of LED lights on the zoo’s trees, buildings and more.
Festival of Trees at Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn
Nov. 20-27, 2022
- Address: 15801 Michigan Ave., Dearborn
- Cost: $5/adults, $3/kids, free/2 and under
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.
Holiday Stroll at Canterbury Village
Nov. 23, 25-27, Dec. 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 22-23, 2022
- Address: 2325 Joslyn Court, Lake Orion
- Cost: $14.99/person, $5/parking, free/children under 2, military and veterans
Enjoy an amazing light show choreographed to classic holiday songs, hear the sounds of professional carolers and live Christmas performances.
America’s Thanksgiving Parade
Nov. 24, 2022
- Address: Downtown Detroit
- Cost: Free
Celebrating its 96th year, the parade has all of your favorite floats, balloons, marching bands and entertainment.
Thanksgiving Family Fun Fest at the Majestic Theatre
Nov. 24, 2022
- Address: 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: $40/adult buffet ticket, $18/child buffet ticket for ages 12 and under
Families can enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet and watch the Thanksgiving Parade come down Woodward.
Winter Wonder Lights at Meadow Brook Hall
Nov. 25-Dec. 30, 2022
- Address: 350 Estate Drive, Rochester
- Cost: $22/adults 13-plus, $12/youth 3-12, free/under 3 years old
Check out Meadow Brook’s Winter Wonder Lights and see an interactive light experience. Visitors can explore the National Historic Landmark at its most festive time. There will be seasonal beverages, bonfires, selfie stations and more.
Annual Milford Christmas Parade
Nov. 26, 2022
- Address: Downtown Milford area
- Cost: Free
Line the streets of the downtown area to watch local bands and floats celebrate the incoming holidays.
Garden City Santaland Parade
Nov. 26, 2022
- Address: Downtown Garden City area
- Cost: Free
It’s celebrating its 61st year. Santa Claus and all his pals make their way through the streets of Garden City accompanied by local bands and floats.
Holly Dickens Festival in Village of Holly
Nov. 26-27, Dec. 3-4, 10-11, 2022
- Address: 300 East St., Holly
- Cost: Free; fees for some activities
Enjoy costumed characters, entertainment, vendors, the feel of a “Charles Dickens town” and shops open downtown. The Dickens Parade will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 26. Children can send a postcard to Santa, enjoy a story time and coronation and knighting ceremony with Queen Victoria and more.
This post was originally published in 2012 and is updated regularly.
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