Are you working on last minute holiday details already or are you like me and finally able to give this season of “to-do lists” a kick-start.  {deep breath} It always works out in the end.  Always.  Even when my grand plans only come to partial fruition. My point is there is still time!  Get out there, enjoy some fun festivities going on around town.  Do a little shopping {Shop Local if you can!}, visit with some friends, get yourself a treat, and enjoy the season that is upon us.   {P.S. if you want to learn how to get on our list and get involved with DMB, email us at [email protected]!  We love sharing Local Shops + Businesses with our readers!}

Be sure to check out {if you haven’t already!} Detroit Moms Blog Ultimate Holiday Guide!  It is packed full of things to do.  For those of us who missed the beginning festivities don’t worry there is still a ton to do!   We include a list of Holiday Festivities, Winter Fun, Places to See and Visit with Santa and Christmas Tree Farms!  It truly is the ULTIMATE list!!

Here is a sprinkling of the Weekend Happenings in and around Detroit at a glance for you!!!  

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Downtown Carriage Rides | Birmingham

Carriages load at the corner of Henrietta & Merrill

{Date}
November 26 – December 20, 2014

{Time}
Weekends

{Cost}
FREE

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Friendship Church Living Nativity | Canton

Sunday, December 14 at 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
1240 N. Beck Rd, Canton, Corner of Beck and Saltz Roads

Free | The Living Nativity is a FREE event that is an outside guided walking tour that will transport you back to ancient Bethlehem and Jesus’ birth with costumed actors and with live animals

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Holidays in Henry Ford Museum | Dearborn

A giant Christmas tree, trains + Santa!

{Date}
November 28^th, 2014 – January 4^th, 2015

{Time}
Santa Hours 10 am – 4 pm Monday – Friday
9:30 am – 5 pm Saturday + Sunday

{Cost}
$18 adults
$13.50 ages 5-12
FREE 4 and under

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Holidays Nights in Greenfield Village | Dearborn

A lantern lit walk through the village with live music, skating, fireworks, Santa with his reindeer and more!  Also check out :: Holidays Nights Supper with Santa Package

{Date}
December 12-14, 18-23 and 26-27^th, 2014

{Time}
6:30 – 10 pm

{Cost}
$18 adults
$13.50 ages 5-12
FREE 4 and under

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Geminids Meteor Shower | All of Metro-Detroit

The Geminid Meteor Showers take place annually in mid December, but the peak viewing of the Geminid Meteor Shower will be at the time between when the moon sets and dawn on 12/13/13 and 12/14/13 because of the gorgeous full moon that peaked on the 6th {hope you saw it!} it may be bright enough to interfere with viewing.  Hope you find a window where it is dark and the sky is clear to catch this December light show of the brightest falling stars!

{Dates}
Peek nights between December 13^th + 14th

{Time}
During the Night Sky

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Menorah in the D | Detroit

Menorah in the D is a community-wide menorah lighting event in downtown Detroit taking place this Chanukah.  This event is full of inspiration and pride for our entire community and local Jewish families throughout Metro-Detroit. The 26 ft Menorah was designed and built by artists Erik & Israel Nordin of the Detroit Design Center in Corktown.  Enjoy a concert with the Soul Farm Band along with lots of family fun including strolling jugglers and acrobats, roasting marshmallows, pose with the Detroit Mascot Paws, as well as a free food court serving traditional Chanukah doughnuts called sufganiot, hot soup bar, hot apple cider, snacks and lots more!

{Date}
December 16

{Time}
5 – 7 pm

{Cost}
Free

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Woodward Wonderland at the DIA | Detroit

Come kick off the holidays with a Detroit Holiday Celebration at the Detroit Film Theatre. Young artists will share holiday stories, joyous songs, and loving memories. You’ll enjoy a unique Detroit spin!

{Date}
December 10, 11 and 12

{Time}
December 10 + 11 at 8:00 p.m.
December 12 at 4:00 p.m.

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Ice Skating at Campus Martius | Detroit

Campus Martius Park was designed to be the central square of Detroit.  During the winter months the offers a venue for ice skating, and the nearby cafe offers hot chocolate to keep Detroiters warm and toasty.  The rink opens officially after the Tree-Lighting Ceremony.

{Date}
November 21, 2014– January 3, 2015

{Time}
See Schedule HERE

{Cost}
Adults (13-49 years) $8

Child (12 & under) $7

Seniors (50 & older) $7

Skate Rental $3

Shoe Check available for people with their own skates $2

Skate Sharpening $5

Monthly Skate Pass $30

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Riley Park Ice Rink | Farmington

For this first season skating is FREE to the public!  They encourage a little donation, secure donation box on site. 

{Date}
Open Daily, Weather Permitting

{Time}
8:30 am – 10 pm Sunday – Thursday
8:30 am – 11 pm Friday + Saturday

{Cost}
FREE

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Christmas at Crossroads Holiday Magic | Flint 

Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad presents costumed villagers preparing for the holiday season in the Village.  The Colwell Opera House presents live entertainment and Santa Claus!  Featuring model trains, craft demos, holiday music and thousands of lights sparkle through the village and a nighttime train ride!

{Dates}
December  12-14, 19-21, 23, 26-28, 30
(Drive through ONLY nights :: December 15, 22, 24, 29)

{Time}
Christmas Departures :: 5:00, 5:50, 6:40, 7:30 pm {additional trains available!}
(5 – 9 pm)

{Cost}
Village tickets $8 – $10
Combo Village + Train tickets $10 – $13

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Winter Wonderland | Grosse Pointe Shores

This event takes place at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House.

{Date}
December 12^th, 13^th, 19^th, 20^th, 26^th, 27^th 2014

{Time}
5 – 8 pm

{Cost}
$10, add $5 for a candlelight stroll through the house

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Holiday Tea and Tour | Grosse Pointe Shores

This event at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House is a lovely afternoon with ladies, spend this time with your daughters and enjoy a holiday house tour followed by a light meal with tea and pastries. 

{Date}
December 15t^h 2014

{Time}
3 pm

{Cost}
$35

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Dickens Festival | Holly

Holly’s Victorian architecture comes alive in its 40^th annual Dickens Festival.  Featuring Characters from Dickens’ Novels, music from the Festival Singers, crafts and pictures with Santa!

{Date}
December 14^th-15^th

{Time}

{Cost}
FREE

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Christmas Tea at Blue House | Livonia

The Greenmead Historical Park presents this festive afternoon with Christmas tea in the decorated village.  

{Date}
December 11, 2014

{Time}
5:00 am – 7:00 pm

{Cost}
Advance tickets $25

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Sunday Christmas Tours | Livonia

The Greenmead Historical Park presents this festive afternoon touring the beautifully decorated village.  

{Date}
December 14th + 21^st, 2014

{Time}
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

{Cost}
$3 Adult
$2 Children

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Anton Art Center Christmas Market | Mount Clemens

Shop for unique gifts my Michigan artists, and check ou the decorated trees

{Date}
Sundays November 14th thru December 21st

{Time}
10 am – 5 pm Tuesdays – Thursdays and Saturdays
10 am – 6 pm Fridays
noon to 4 pm Sundays

{Cost}
FREE

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Simply Dickens Tea | Mount Clemens

This event at the Crocker House Museum is so popular that we are doing it twice this year.  However, seating is extremely limited. We hope you will reserve early and join us for an elegant formal tea while listening to Simply Dickens sing old world Christmas carols.  Learn the history behind these carols.

{Date}
December 14^th – 21^st, 2014

{Time}
1 – 4 pm

{Cost}
$35/$40

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Walk of Trees | Plymouth

Bring the family to walk quaint Kellogg Park in downtown Plymouth. Approximately 75 trees have been decorated by the local businesses, clubs and families for your viewing pleasure. This exhibit is lit 24 hours from the Saturday after Thanksgiving until Christmas. So bundle up your family and start a new family tradition!

{Dates}
November 28 – January 1  

{Time}
24/7

{Cost}
Free

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The Glory of Christmas | Plymouth

Northridge Church puts on a dazzling Christmas performance each year.  This year is full of excitement and holiday cheer, through flying angels, indoor fireworks, exciting music with full orchestra and choirs, dazzling lights, amazing special effects and powerful video, they are telling the story of a great light that shone in the darkness so that we might see. “Let there be light!” is a story about the true meaning of Christmas.  

{Dates}
December 11th – 14th

{Times} 
For times and tickets visit here.

{Cost}
$18 – $20

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Holiday Walk at Meadow Brook Hall | Rochester

43^rd Annual sets a 110-Room Tudorrevival style mansion aglow with holiday décor and historic fun.

{Date}
Now thru December 23^rd 2014

{Time}
11 am -5:00 pm

{Cost}
$5-$20

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Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo | Royal Oak

More than 5 million LED lights illuminate the zoo!  Opening night includes some fun activities and an appearance by singer Karen Newman performin “Christmas Eve on Woodward Avenue”.  Live entertainment, photos with Santa “Paws”, ice carving, arts + crafts.

{Date}
December  11-14, 18-23 + 26-31

{Time}
5”30 – 9 pm

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Winter Concert | Royal Oak 

The Royal Oak Orchestra will be performing a holiday concert full of holiday classics.  The concert takes place at Dondero Auditorium at Royal Oak Middle School.

{Date}
December 12th, 2014

{Time}
8 pm

{Cost}
$10 + $7

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Holiday Fest + Mill Lighting | Westland

This 26th annual Annual Mill Lighting will add more lights to the already beautiful and festive Hines Drive. From 3:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. children can make holiday crafts and play games with prizes. Families can participate in holiday games such as “Fruitcake Bowling”, “Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt”, and “Reindeer Antler Wreath Toss”. You can visit Santa Claus from 5:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. during the Nankin Mills Traditional Mill Lighting and Sing-A-Long. *Registration required! Call 734.261.1990 for more information. Limited spots available. 

{Date}
December 13

{Time}
3:30 – 6:00 p.m.

{Cost}
Free 

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Hines Drive Wayne County Lightfest | Westland

Drive through an animated holiday lighting displayed Hines Drive!  Visit Santa’s Workshop at the end of Warrendale Park starting November 26^th until December 23^rd.  Don’t forget to bring your letter to Santa, you can drop it in the giant mailbox.

{Date}
November 21^st – December 31^st
(closed December 25^th!)

{Time}
7 – 10:00 pm (Monday thru Thursday)
6:00 – 10:00 pm (Friday thru Sunday)

{Cost}
$5 a vehicle
{Toy night “Tuesdays”, bring an uwrapped toy instead of $5, toys will be donated to the Wayne County Family Center

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