An essential guide to Detroit-area holiday happenings this winter

By Metro Times editorial staff on Fri, Nov 29, 2019 at 11:22 am

There are so many ways to celebrate the holidays — use this list of activities to fill your calendar and keep your family busy all through the winter season.

Tags:

Scroll down to view images

Noel Night

Saturday, Dec. 7; North of Warren, 1-7 p.m.; South of Warren, 5-10 p.m.; Free admission
3939 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-420-6000; noelnight.org
Looking for a winter wonderland in Michigan? Midtown Detroit Inc. will be hosting its 47th annual Noel Night, with participating venues such as the Detroit Institute of Arts, Wayne State University, Michigan Science center, and more transforming into enchanted holiday destinations.

Photo via Noel Night / Facebook

1 of 14

Kwanzaa Celebration

Monday, Dec. 30; 6-8 p.m.; Free admission
24780 W. Seven Mile Rd., Detroit; eventbrite.com
Hosted by Detroit Deltas, A Kwanzaa Celebration will pay tribute to African-American culture through African drummers, dancers, as well as a ceremonial review of the Kwanzaa seven principles. The Detroit Deltas suggests anyone attending to dress in African apparel.

Photo via Google Maps

2 of 14

Menorah Lighting in the D

Friday, Nov. 22; Entertainment and refreshments, 4:30-5 p.m.; Menorah lighting ceremony, 5 p.m.; Free admission
800 Woodward Ave., Detroit (Campus Martius Park); menorahinthed.com
For those who celebrate Hanukkah, Menorah in the D offers a wonderful holiday experience through its lighting of the Detroit Menorah, fire show, music, face painting, along with complimentary snack bar. Not to forget, horse drawn carriage rides will be available, adding even more magic to the Hanukkah celebration.

Photo via Menorah in the D / Facebook

3 of 14

Detroit Urban Craft Fair

Friday, Dec. 6, 6-9 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 8, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Free admission
500 Temple St., Detroit (Masonic Temple); detroiturbancraftfair.com
On the hunt for holiday gifts or simply needing some new baubles for yourself? Various vendors selling unique products come together at the Detroit Urban Craft Fair, providing a great environment to search for presents for everyone.

Photo via Detroit Urban Craft Fair / Facebook

4 of 14

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical

Sunday, Dec. 1; Prices vary
2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit; rudolphthemusical.com
Want to see the classic Christmas tale of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer live? Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer the Musical will be bringing life to the movie at the Fox Theatre.

Photo via Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical / Facebook

5 of 14

Michigan Opera Theatre - The Nutcracker

Saturday, Nov. 30; 2:30 & 7:30 p.m and Sunday, Dec. 1; 2:30 p.m.; $35+
1526 Broadway St., Detroit (Detroit Opera House) detroittheater.org
The Nutcracker, the enchanted production of toys coming to life and sugar plum fairies, is coming to the Michigan Opera Theatre. This sensational ballet performance promotes the holiday feeling while transporting viewers to a fairy tale land.

Photo via Michigan Opera Theatre - Detroit Opera House / Facebook

6 of 14

Home For The Holidays - Orchestra Hall

Friday, Dec. 20-22; 7 p.m.; $28+
3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit (Detroit Symphony Orchestra); 313-576-5111; dso.org
Get into the holiday spirit with Home For The Holidays presented by Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The extraordinary live performance of holiday music by talented musicians sets the mood for the most wonderful time of year.

Photo via Detroit Symphony Orchestra / Facebook

7 of 14

Jeezy - The Return of Snow, All White Winter Mega Fest

Friday, Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m.; $79+
2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit (Little Caesars Arena); 313-471-7000; 313presents.com
Hip-hop artist Jeezy, also known as “Snow,” is returning to the Motor City after two years. For his All White Winter Mega Fest, Jeezy is bringing some of Detroit’s best-loved rappers on stage with him. Currently, Mozzy, Teyana Taylor, Jacquees, Durk, Lil Baby, Queen Naija, and Icewear Vezzo are all scheduled to perform, plus a selection of Jeezy’s friends and collaborators.

Photo via ATLNIGHTCLUBZ.COM / Facebook

8 of 14

Holiday Ice Festival - Ferndale

Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
W. Nine Mile and Planavon St., Ferndale; 248-546-1632; downtownferndale.com
During this annual ice festival in Ferndale, the city’s downtown is transformed into a winter wonderland. You can watch as ice carvers chisel almost 50 ice statues. Plus, there’s plenty of traditional holiday fun for the whole family.

Photo via Downtown Ferndale / Facebook

9 of 14

Belle Isle Holiday Stroll

Friday, Dec. 13, 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
3 Inselruhe Ave, Detroit; 313-402-0466; belleisleconservancy.org
This holiday event includes crafts at Santa’s workshop in the Belle Isle Nature Center, Wellspring Chorale holiday performances, and a DIY Trail Mix station at the Belle Isle Boathouse, among other attractions and activities. The evening of holiday-inspired crafts, performances, and demonstrations offers fun for visitors of all ages.

Photo via Belle Isle Conservancy / Facebook

10 of 14

Winter Faire

Saturday, Dec. 7; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Free admission with $1 activities
2555 Burns St., Detroit (Detroit Waldorf School); 313-822-0500; detroitwaldorf.org
Bring the family for aerial and musical performances, food trucks, carolers, outdoor fires, adult jewelry workshops, vendors, craft making, and more.

Photo via Detroit Waldorf School / Facebook

11 of 14

Pulse Fitness Winter Workout

Thursday, Dec. 5; 5:45-6:45 p.m.; Free admission
1903 Grand River Ave., Detroit (Beacon Park); 313-962-0101; dtebeaconpark.com
Get a holiday workout inside the winter-themed Heated Lodge.

Photo via Beacon Park Detroit / Facebook

12 of 14

Winter Market

Dec. 6 to Dec. 8; Free admission
270 W. Merrill St., Birmingham (Shain Park); 248-530-1200; allinbirmingham.com
Take a carriage ride, shop, eat, and enjoy crafts in the small, cozy town.

Photo via Birmingham Shopping District / Facebook

13 of 14

Cookies with Santa

Sunday, Dec. 1 - Dec. 17; 4 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
1100 Lake Shore Rd., Edsel & Eleanor Ford House, fordhouse.org Cookies with Santa provides the exciting opportunity for children to meet and take pictures with Santa. If the little ones also have a sweet tooth, Santa will be giving the kids his favorite treats, adding to the merry mood.

Photo via Edsel & Ford House / Facebook

14 of 14