Downtown Detroit will celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with “Merry & Bright: 20 Years of Holiday Lights.” The event will celebrate 20 years of Campus Martius Park and its annual Christmas tree lighting.

The Downtown Detroit Partnership will also host a weekend of free activities and entertainment following the tree lighting. As the event has grown from 3,000 to 100,000 attendees, according to a press release, this will also accommodate for the growth of the holiday season kickoff.

The tree lighting will take place on Friday, Nov. 17 from 4-9 p.m. Santa Claus will be the one to light up the 64-foot, Michigan-grown tree to highlight the evening.

If you want a smaller tree lighting, “Light Up Beacon Park” will happen blocks away at the same time, unveiling Beacon Park’s transformation into a “winter wonderland.” At the event, families can watch a smaller 20-foot, Michigan-grown tree come to life, decorated by local children and lit up at 6 p.m. Attendees will also be able to visit with Santa, see reindeer, and enjoy live music and food.

On. Saturday, Nov. 18, The Rink at Campus Martius Park presented by Visit Detroit will open for the 2023-2024 season with a family-friendly Santa Skate Party from noon-4 p.m. Children will also have the opportunity to write letters to Santa and skate to holiday music spun by DJ Invisible. From 6-11 p.m., skaters are encouraged to dress up for an Ugly Holiday Sweater Party.

Additionally, beginning on Nov. 18 and running through New Year’s Eve, people can experience Detroit in a new way, in a horse-drawn carriage with loved ones. The experience will be available at Campus Martius every Friday and Saturday from 6-11 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 19 will conclude the holiday kickoff weekend festivities. From noon-4 p.m., skaters can take photos with Elsa and Olaf during a Frozen Skate Party. A few attendees will win tickets to Broadway in Detroit’s winter Frozen shows.

Food trucks and Cadillac Lodge, offering holiday shopping and drinks, will also be open the weekend of festivities and for the remainder of the season.

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The annual Campus Martias tree lighting is celebrating 20 years. Credit: Courtesy of the Downtown Detroit Partnership
Santa Skate Party When: Nov. 18 from noon-4 p.m. Where: Campus Martius What: A family-friendly party Who: Downtown Detroit Partnership Why: Children can write letters to Santa and skate to holiday music spun by DJ Invisible. Credit: Courtesy of the Downtown Detroit Partnership
Credit: Courtesy of the Downtown Detroit Partnership
Light Up Beacon Park When: Nov. 17 from 4-9 p.m. Where: Beacon Park What: A children’s tree lighting Who: Downtown Detroit Partnership and local families Why: A smaller tree lighting with ornaments decorated by local children. Opportunities to meet Santa and live reindeer, plus take a ride on the Polar Express. Credit: Courtesy of the Downtown Detroit Partnership
Frozen Skate Party When: Nov. 19 from noon-4 p.m. Where: Campus Martius What: A skate party Who: Local families Why: Meet the cast from Disney’s Frozen and have a chance to win tickets to Broadway in Detroit’s winter Frozen shows. Credit: Courtesy of the Downtown Detroit Partnership
Credit: Courtesy of the Downtown Detroit Partnership
Credit: Courtesy of the Downtown Detroit Partnership
Credit: Courtesy of the Downtown Detroit Partnership
Credit: Courtesy of the Downtown Detroit Partnership
Credit: Courtesy of the Downtown Detroit Partnership
Ice skating at Campus Martius The return of the Campus Martius ice skating rink is what signifies that winter is here for Detroiters, and this year is its 20th season. Whether you have no experience and are bound to fall on your ass or you’re a figure skating champ, the activity will at least grant you some winter fun with family or friends. Admission is $12 for adults and $9 for kids 12 and under. If you need skates, rentals are an extra $6. The rink is open every day including holidays until March. Credit: Courtesy of the Downtown Detroit Partnership
Credit: Courtesy of the Downtown Detroit Partnership
Credit: Courtesy of the Downtown Detroit Partnership
Credit: Courtesy of the Downtown Detroit Partnership
Credit: Courtesy of the Downtown Detroit Partnership

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Layla McMurtrie is the digital editor of Detroit Metro Times. She's passionate about art, music, food, and Detroit's culture and community. Her work has been featured in the Detroit Free Press, Between...