O come, all ye faithful & joyful to the triumphant Motor City. Detroit sparkles with traditional and delightful holiday events that fill the air with anticipation and excitement for the season to come. This holiday season is the perfect time to stop and remember all of the amazingly cool things that make Detroit, well, Pure Detroit. Enjoy iconic Detroit Yuletide events in addition to discovering what’s new this season – the possibilities are endless. So without further ado – on the eighth day of Christmas, Detroit sent to you:
1. Winter Magic in Campus Martius Park
All Winter Long
The season of Winter Magic has been unwrapped in the heart of Downtown Detroit at Campus Martius Park. From ice skating in the rink to horse drawn carriage rides, Oakland University carolers, street performers, the cozy indoor/outdoor Rinkside bar and Showcase D’Holidays there’s fun to be had with the whole family. Showcase D’Holidays is the newest feature of the Winter Magic season featuring festive entertainment and eats including delicious tastings from The Whitney, Ottva Via, Slows Bar-B-Q, The RattleSnake Club, La Feria and more. Visit the Campus Martius Park website for the music and food line-up and celebrate the season at Showcase D’ Holidays!
2. Detroit Zoo
Wild Lights
December 5th-7th, 11th-14th, 18th-23rd, and 26th-31st, 5:30-9:00 PM
See the Detroit Zoo in a whole new light this holiday season. Experience the magic of the Detroit Zoo in winter as you take in the lights and the sights and enjoy holiday entertainment and activities for guests of all ages. More than five million LED lights will illuminate trees, buildings and more than 100 animal sculptures throughout the front of the Zoo. Live entertainment, arts and crafts, ice carving and the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit will add to the festivities. Seasonal refreshments, Wild Lights souvenirs and photos with Santa “Paws” will also be available. For tickets and event information, please click here.
Breakfast With Santa
December 6th, 13th, and 20th, 8:00-10:00 AM
The Detroit Zoological Society will host this year’s Breakfast with Santa in the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery. This buffet-style waffle breakfast includes a special gift for each child, arts and crafts, photo opportunities and a visit from Santa and a few of his wildlife friends. For more information, tickets and reservations, please click here.
3. Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village
December 5th-7th, 12th-14th, 18th-23rd and 26th-27th, 6:30-10:00 PM
Take a lantern-lit journey into a living snow globe filled with live music, skating, fireworks and tons of winter wonder during America’s premier celebration of the season, Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village. It’s no wonder Holiday Nights has become the most popular holiday event in the region and voted Top Holiday Event by USA Today and Reader’s Digest. Where else will you find lantern-lit paths, costumed presenters, horse-drawn wagons and Model T rides, plus Santa with live reindeer? It’s perfect, right down to the spectacular fireworks display that provides a dazzling finale to each and every evening. For more information on the enchanting Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village, check out their website.
4. Noel Night
December 6th, 5:00-10:00 PM
In Detroit’s Midtown District, over 70 institutions, including the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Michigan Science Center, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Detroit Public Library, will open their doors to the public FREE of charge during this Cultural Center-wide holiday open house. Activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday shopping, family craft activities and performances by over 200 area music, theatre, and dance groups, with special performances by: The Wild Feathers, Holly Miranda with Ambrosia Parsley and Chris Maxwell, Reverend Billy & the Stop Shopping Choir, The Good Lovelies, Andrew Belle, Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys, Dylan LeBlanc, The Rhythm Society Orchestra featuring Paul King, Tunde Olaniran, and Thornetta Davis. The evening’s festivities culminate with a community sing-along on Woodward Avenue led by the Salvation Army Band—a long-standing Noel Night tradition. Check out the Noel Night page on Midtown Detroit’s website here.
5. WICKED
Showing December 10th – January 4th
There’s something wicked going on at the Detroit Opera House this winter, as the award-winning musical returns to Detroit. WICKED is the prelude to “The Wizard of Oz,” long before Dorothy arrives in Munchkinland, two girls meet in the Land of Oz. One –born with emerald green skin is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and popular. How these two girls become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glenda the Good Witch makes for a musical that has become a cultural phenomenon. Winner of over 50 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards, WICKED is a must-see musical coming to Detroit this holiday season. For show times and tickets, please visit the Broadway in Detroit website.
6. Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker”
December 21st, 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Celebrate the beauty of the holidays with the Moscow Ballet’s acclaimed Great Russian Nutcracker at the Fox Theatre this December. The Dove of Peace, which has a 20-foot wingspan, will be included in the ballet, as well as Russian legends Father Christmas and the Snow Maiden. Keep an eye out for the 10-foot tall silk puppets, life-sized Matrushka Dolls and the intricately detailed costumes shimmering with Swarovski crystals that bring the holiday season to life. To order tickets today, please click here.
7. Fifth Third Bank 45th Annual Belle Isle New Year’s Eve Run/Walk
December 31st, 3:30-5:00 PM
Join Fifth Third Bank and the Downtown Runners & Walkers at the Belle Isle Casino on beautiful Belle Isle Park in Detroit to celebrate the Annual Belle Isle New Year’s Eve Family Fun Run/Walk. There is plenty of fun to be had for all ages with the Children’s Fun Run, Open Fun Run, and 5km Run/Fitness Walk. Plus, all children 12 and under receive a trophy at the finish line of their race! To register for a fun and healthy way to kick off the New Year with friends and family, please visit the Belle Isle Fun Run website here.
8. Motor City New Year’s Eve – The Drop
December 31st, 4:00PM – 1:00AM
There isn’t a ballroom big enough to house what you will experience this New Year’s Eve in the Heart of Downtown Detroit at Campus Martius and Cadillac Square. There is something for everyone to ring in the New Year this year’s event, including entertainment by some of Metro Detroit’s favorite local bands on two stages, family-friendly festivities, and plenty of activities for the kids – including the Kids Zone and Kids Drop at 6:30PM. Plus local restaurants, vendors and food trucks will be on-site offering a variety of your favorite Detroit Eats. Warm up in the mega sized heated tent hosting the tent stage with live entertainment and full bar or enjoy the warmth of a crackling fire pit. For more details on the best New Year’s bash in the Midwest, check out the Motor City New Year’s Eve website here. Oh yeah, the best part? It’s completely FREE. Don’t worry, you can thank me later.
With so many jolly events this yuletide season, how ever will you choose? It’s actually quite simple. Make a list, check it twice, and come see what makes Detroit (recently ranked as best by USA Today) so nice this holiday season!