Holiday season is here and Metro Detroit is in its Festive Era! Favorite local spots are transforming into winter wonderlands complete with sparkling lights, fun activities, and the joy of the season. Whether you are a long-time local, new to town, or visiting the area for the holidays, there are many options to experience holiday family-friendly fun in + around Detroit.
Here are 16 of the BEST spots for holiday family-friendly fun in + around Detroit!
Broadway in Detroit presents Frozen | Detroit
Consider heading downtown and starting the holiday season with a live show! Frozen, the Tony®-nominated Best Musical, is now on tour in Detroit and the show is absolutely magical. It features new songs that your kids are sure to love! The special effects, performances, costumes, and sets will leave everyone in awe.
HOURS: the show runs now through December 17
COST: check website for prices
Beacon Park | Detroit
Beacon Park is home to the Detroit Children’s Christmas Tree. Additionally, the green-space is decorated with large light features, over 125,000 lights, and its newest addition, the Design Haus, which is a heated indoor space hosting a variety of events.
HOURS: Open through January 16, 2024.
COST: Free!
Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill | Armada
Blake’s Winter Wonderland boasts a synthetic ice rink, dining igloos, and an open-air tap room serving 30 rotating taps of their hard cider and beer. Tickets must be purchased online to guarantee skating. Additionally, walk-in tickets may not be available, depending on capacity limits.
HOURS: Open Fridays and Christmas Day from 2:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Closed Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.
COST: $10 for 50 minute skating session, $5 skate rental. Children 2 and under are free.
Campus Martius Ice Rink | Detroit
The Rink at Campus Martius offers visitors views of the city’s skyline and holiday lighting, including the Detroit Christmas Tree. Also, it can be easily paired with other downtown Detroit activities such as Beacon Park, the Downtown Detroit Markets, and Winter Monroe Street Midway! Tickets and skate rentals can be purchased on-site and are first come.
HOURS: Open 7 days a week and holidays; check website for detailed hours.
COST: General admission (ages 13-58) $12 and children (age 12 and under) $9 for a 2 hour skate session. Skate rental $6.
Candlelight Concerts | Birmingham + Detroit
Inspiring venues host Candlelight concerts, and elevate live music performed by small ensembles with the glow of candlelight. It is truly a unique experience! They offer both a holiday music concert and a holiday jazz concert. Venue locations and concert dates vary. Tickets must be purchased online.
COST: $40-$63 depending on concert and seating preference. Children must be 8 and older to attend.
Downtown Detroit Markets & Cadillac Lodge | Detroit
The Downtown Detroit Markets are made up of local small businesses who offer unique and artisanal items, perfect for holiday gift giving! Afterwards, visit Cadillac Lodge, a family-friendly heated tent that serves food and drinks, and offers board games and fireplaces.
HOURS: Monday-Thursday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve hours are from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Christmas Day Closed, New Year’s Eve from 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m., and New Year’s Day from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
COST: Entry to Cadillac Lodge is free!
Glenlore Trails: Aurora | Commerce Township
This one-mile interactive night walk winds through the forest on a maintained path. It is great for all ages and is guaranteed to keep even the littlest of explorers engaged with its wintry imagery. Advanced ticket purchase recommended.
HOURS: Open through December 30, 2023, Thursday-Sunday, from 5:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
COST: General admission (age 13+) $25 and youth admission (ages 4-12) $15. Children 3 and under are free.
Holiday Concerts with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra | Detroit
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra offers a variety of holiday delights. From children’s concerts, to holiday films with live music, to classic Christmas symphonies, there is something for everyone. Concert dates and times vary.
COST: Main floor seats start at $48.
Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village | Dearborn
Henry Ford’s Greenfield Village transports visitors back in time to a historic Main Street decked out in holiday cheer. Carolers, warm bonfires, and decorated spaces are sure to get you and your family in the spirit of the season. A grand finale firework show is a spectacular end to the festive-filled evening. Advanced ticket purchase recommended.
HOURS: December 1-3, 8-10, 14-17, 19-23, and 26-28 from 6:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
COST: General admission (ages 12+) $38 and youth admission (ages 5-11) $28.50. Children 4 and under are free. Member discounts available.
Magic of Lights | Clarkston
Magic of Lights is a drive-thru holiday lights display that my family always enjoys in our pajamas. We bring treats and hot cocoa to enjoy as we experience all the dazzling displays along the path. Tickets must be purchased online.
HOURS: Open through December 30, 2023. Monday-Sunday from 5:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m. and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 5:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
COST: Sunday-Thursday, standard vehicle, $22.50. Friday and Saturday, standard vehicle, $27.50.
Meadowbrook Hall Holiday Walk & Winter Wonder Lights | Rochester
Meadowbrook Hall offers visitors two ways to enjoy this holiday destination. The Holiday Walk invites visitors to take a self-guided tour through the historic mansion. The estate has 110 rooms with 50 beautifully decorated trees, including a 10-foot tall poinsettia tree. At night their outdoor event, Winter Wonder Lights, takes center stage. The manicured grounds are illuminated with lights, displays, and sound. Tickets must be purchased online.
HOURS: Dates and times vary. Events open through December 30, 2023.
HOLIDAY WALK COSTS: General admission (ages 13+) $20.50, youth (ages 3-12) $8, children 2 and under are free.
WINTER WONDER LIGHTS COSTS: General admission (ages 13+) $22.50, youth (ages 3-12) $12.50, children 2 and under are free.
Merry & Bright: The Detroit Holiday Lights Tour | Detroit
Put on your Christmas sweater, pack some snacks, and hop on the Detroit Bus Company’s Merry & Bright tour. This holiday excursion takes visitors to six festive locations in downtown Detroit. It is a three-hour tour. Also, there are two pick-up locations for the tour: One Eyed Betty’s in Ferndale, or at Cadillac Square & Woodward in Detroit. Drinking is allowed on the bus, but the company states that the “mood is easy.”
HOURS: Dates and times vary.
COST: $58.99 per ticket. Group discounts (10-40 people) are available. Children must be 5 and older to participate.
Walk of Trees | Plymouth
75 Christmas trees fill Kellogg Park in downtown Plymouth. Local families, clubs, and businesses decorate each tree. A portion of the trees do have special meanings behind their designs, as they honor memories of loved ones who have passed.
HOURS: The trees are lit 24 hours until Christmas Day.
COST: Free!
Wayne County Lightfest | Westland
The Wayne County Lightfest is the Midwest’s longest drive-thru holiday light display. The five mile stretch treats visitors to 50 animated themed displays and more than 100,000 lights! It’s the perfect way to stay warm while enjoying holiday cheer with your family.
HOURS: Wednesday to Sunday from 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. through December 24, 2023.
COST: Standard cars are $5–cash only. On December 6th and 13th, visitors can bring new, unwrapped toys in place of the car entrance fee.
Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo | Royal Oak
After dark, the Detroit Zoo is illuminated by millions of lights, 500 light displays, and a walk-through light tunnel. This stroller-friendly event has a newly enhanced enchanted trail this year. Also, the interactive holiday wishing tree is back! Lastly, it has a heated lodge for families to warm up in, while enjoying live entertainment, food, and drinks.
HOURS: December 1-3, 8-10, 13-23, 26-31, and January 2-7. Fridays and Saturdays from 5:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m. and Sundays from 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
COST: General admission is $17-$25 when purchased online and $26 at the gate. Parking is $8. All children 2 and older must have a ticket for entry.
Winter Monroe Street Midway | Detroit
Monroe Street Midway is a hub for fun and activities, especially in winter. Its interactive entertainment includes an arctic slide, puck-putt, bumper cars, and arcade games. Participants must be 44 inches tall for the Arctic Slide and 42 inches tall and 5 years old to ride the bumper cars solo.
HOURS: Open through January 7, 2024. Thursdays from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m., and Sundays from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Christmas Eve hours are from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Closed Christmas Day.
COST: Entry and most activities are free! Bumper cars are $5 per session. Arcade games vary from $0.50-$3 per play.
