Winter in metro Detroit doesn’t have to mean hibernation. From ice rinks and ice sculptures to chili cook-offs, polar plunges, and high-octane car shows, the cold months are packed with reasons to bundle up and get out.
The Rink at Campus Martius Park
Named the “No. 1 Best Ice Skating Rink” in the country by USA Today 10Best in 2024 and 2025, downtown Detroit’s picturesque skating rink is open through March seven days a week. After skating, you can enjoy hot chocolate in Chalet 313, a glass-covered heated lounge with views of Campus Martius Park.
From 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; noon-8 p.m. Sundays; downtowndetroit.org. Tickets are $8-$12 for admission, $6 for skate rentals, and $2 for shoe check.
Detroit Auto Show
After a few years of experimenting with September dates, the Detroit Auto Show returned back to its traditional time in January last year, though the 2025 show was quite sparse compared to previous years, when the Motor City auto industry’s engines were really roaring. Where the show may lack some of the glamor and glitz of its heyday, one shift at Huntington Place has been more test driving opportunities. Expect immersive exhibits, hands-on experiences, and interactive displays that go beyond the showroom floor, along with family-friendly attractions and opportunities to get up close with the cars shaping the future. Whether you’re a gearhead, tech enthusiast, or just curious about what you’ll be driving in years to come, the Detroit Auto Show remains a must-see winter tradition.
From 10 a.m.-8 p.m. through Saturday, Jan. 24 and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25; Huntington Place, 1 Washington Blvd., Detroit; detroitautoshow.com. Tickets start at $11.04.
Fire & Ice Festival: Winter at Valade
A medieval-themed festival on the Detroit River with bonfires, turkey legs, ice carving, vendors, live performances, and more, highlighted by the lighting of the Fire and Ice Tower — a seven-foot ice structure lit in a massive bonfire at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
From noon-8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24 and noon-6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25; Robert C. Valade Park, 2670 Atwater St., Detroit; detroitriverfront.org. No cover.
Zehnder’s Snowfest
Michigan’s “Little Bavaria” is most associated with Christmastime, but winter magic continues with its long-running Zehnder’s Snowfest. Festivities include ice and snow sculptures, live entertainment, a petting farm, fireworks, children’s activities, and more.
From Wednesday, Jan. 28-Sunday, Feb. 1; Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, 730 S. Main St., Frankenmuth; zehnders.com/snowfest. No cover.
Plymouth Ice Festival
Downtown Plymouth dazzles with ice sculptures, a zip line, shopping, and more.
From 5-10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1; downtown Plymouth; plymouthicefestival.com. No cover.
Southfield Winter Festival
Family-friendly fun indoors and outdoors, including ice skating, horse-drawn carriage rides, rock climbing wall, marshmallow roasting, and more.
From 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, 26000 Evergreen Rd., Southfield; bit.ly/SfldWinterFest26. Cover is $4 for Southfield residents, $5 for non-residents.
Shiver on the River
A free, family-friendly winter celebration of the Detroit River with ice carvings, a family magic show, winter birding, kids’ activities, free caricatures, and free access to the Dossin Great Lakes Museum for the day.
From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7; Belle Isle (Dossin Great Lakes Museum and Belle Isle Nature Center), Detroit; detroitriver.org. No cover.
Lake Orion Ice Fest
Family-friendly event with ice sculptures, live carving demonstrations, a Selfie Station with a chance to win prizes, a scavenger hunt, bingo, a Chilly Chili Cook-Off competition, and more.
From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7; downtown Lake Orion; facebook.com. No cover.
Berkley Winterfest
This outdoor winter celebration features ice skating, ice sculptures, s’mores, games, a petting farm, doughnuts, and more.
From noon-2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7; Berkeley Community Center, 2400 Robina Ave., Berkley; berkleymi.gov/winterfest. No cover.
Rouge Park Winterfest
Hosted by Friends of Rouge Park, this free, family-friendly annual winter festival features sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hot chocolate, bonfires, marshmallow toasting, an ice fishing demonstration, and, weather permitting, ice skating on the marsh.
From noon-4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7; 21800 Joy Rd., Detroit; eventbrite.com. No cover.
Polar Plunge
Brave metro Detroiters take a dip into frigid waters to raise funds for the Special Olympics Michigan. Plunges are set for Wayne County on Saturday, Feb. 14; Macomb County on Saturday, Feb. 21; Washtenaw County on Sunday, Feb. 22; and Oakland County on Saturday, Feb. 28.
See plungemi.org for full schedule and locations.
Cupid’s Undie Run
Strip down for a good cause this Valentine’s Day. This charity event sees hundreds of people in various states of undress brave the cold to embark on a mile-long run. Dubbed “the nation’s largest pantless party,” the event raises awareness of neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body.
From noon-4 p.m. (run starts at 2 p.m.) on Saturday, Feb. 14; Tin Roof, 47 E. Adams St., Detroit; cupids.org. Registration is $40.
Lunar New Year Celebration: Winter at Valade
Detroit rings in the Chinese New Year with a parade including lion and dragon dances, musical performances from a Chinese orchestra, arts and crafts, and more. The event is presented by the Michigan Taiwanese American Organization.
From noon-8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14; Robert C. Valade Park, 2670 Atwater St., Detroit; detroitriverfront.org. No cover.
Waterford Fireworks & Flannels Night Out
An illuminated walking path with horse-drawn wagon rides and pony rides, petting farm, live music, food trucks, beer tent, sledding hill, face painting, winter games, arts and crafts, fireworks, and more (weather permitting). The path will remain open Fridays-Sundays through March 1.
From 4-8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 14; Waterford Oaks County Park, 1702 Scott Lake Rd., Waterford Township; facebook.com. No cover.
73rd Annual Autorama
This annual hot rod competition sees gearheads showing off their custom rides in a competition for the coveted Ridler Award, the Miss Autorama pin-up contest, celebrity guests, and more.
From noon-10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27; 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Huntington Place, 1 Washington Blvd., Detroit; autorama.com. Tickets are $10-$30.
World of Winter
Billed as the “the largest winter festival in America”, this event features art installations, light shows, and other activities throughout downtown Grand Rapids.
Through March 1; downtown Grand Rapids; worldofwintergr.com. No cover.
Hamtramck Blowout
Metro Times’s former local music festival is in good hands, now organized by the folks behind the Hamtramck Labor Day Festival. While a lineup for this year’s fest hasn’t yet been announced, expect red-hot performances from dozens of local acts at venues across this Detroit enclave.From Thursday, March 5-Saturday, March 7; hamtramckblowout.com. Ticket info TBA.
This article appears in Jan. 21-Feb. 3, 2026.