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**Updated Nov 25, 2025
December in Metro Detroit is a vibrant time filled with festivities, entertainment, and unforgettable experiences for all ages. For those living in Metro Detroit, the month offers an exciting mix of concerts, comedy shows, Broadway performances, and sports events, alongside dazzling holiday festivals and markets. If you're moving to Metro Detroit, December is the perfect time to immerse yourself in the city's rich culture and dynamic community events, such as the iconic Wayne County Lightfest or the enchanting Eastern Market Holiday Markets. Whether you’re exploring the city's celebrated nightlife with events like the NYE 2025 Resolution Ball or indulging in seasonal outdoor fun at The Rink at Campus Martius, Metro Detroit promises an unforgettable holiday season brimming with cheer and charm.
Concerts by location
Comedy
Theatre
Sports
Metro Detroit Events
Metro Detroit Main Event
Concerts by location
Meadow Brook Hall
350 Estate Dr, Rochester, MI 48309
Ben Sharkey – Holiday Concert
Date: Dec 3, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Ticket: $150 per person | $135 for Meadow Brook members
Website: Starlight Stroll Details
Little Caesars Arena
2645 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Christmas in the City Tour – Pentatonix
Date: Dec 3, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Ticket: $53-$281
Website: Pentatonix
Andrea Bocelli
Date: Dec 7, 2025
Time: 8:00 pm
Ticket: $108-$508+
Website: Andrea Bocelli
Channel 95.5’s Jingle Ball Presented by Capital One
Date: Dec 9, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm
Ticket: $57-$203
Website: Channel 95.5’s Jingle Ball Presented by Capital One
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Date: Dec 27, 2025
Time: 3 & 7:30pm
Ticket: $55-$377
Website: Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Fox Theatre Detroit
2211 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Christmas Together
Date: Dec 1, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Ticket: $76-$207
Website: Christmas Together
RAIN - A Beatles Christmas Tribute
Date: Dec 3, 2025
Time: 8:00 pm
Ticket: $38-$128
Website: RAIN - A Beatles Christmas Tribute
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis
Date: Dec 23, 2025
Time: 8:00 pm
Ticket: $43-$167+
Website: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis
A Night of Holiday Soul
Date: Dec 27, 2025
Time: 8:00 pm
Ticket: $72-$280+
Website: A Night of Holiday Soul
The Majestic Theatre
4140 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
The Elovators
Date: Dec 4, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Ticket: $40.81 - $97.28
Website: The Elovators
Darude
Date: Dec 6, 2025
Time: 9:00 pm
Ticket: $33.91
Website: Darude
Shakey Graves
Date: Dec 11, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Ticket: $45.48 - $101.92
Website: Shakey Graves
The Fillmore Detroit
2115 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Highly Suspect
Date: Dec 12, 2025
Time: 8:30 pm
Ticket: $48-$186
Website: Highly Suspect
Chris Isaak
Date: Dec 16, 2025
Time: 8:00 pm
Ticket: $41-$187+
Website: Chris Isaak
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
3711 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201
Home for the Holidays - Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Date: Dec 12-14, 2025
Time: Fri (10:47 am & 8:00 pm) | Sat (3:00 pm & 8:00 pm) | Sun (3:00 pm & 7:00 pm)
Ticket: start at $29
Website: Home for the Holidays - Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Trisha Yearwood
Date: Dec 19, 2025
Time: 8:00 pm
Ticket: start at $74
Website: Trisha Yearwood
Sound Board Theater
2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Home for the Holidays – Peabo Bryson, Sheena Easton & Ruben Studdard
Date: Dec 7, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm
Ticket: $54-$202+
Website: Home for the Holidays
Lit & Fuel – Ignited We Stand Tour
Date: Dec 12, 2025
Time: 8:00 pm
Ticket: $44-$141+
Website: Lit & Fuel – Ignited We Stand Tour
Morris Day & The Time
Date: Dec 27, 2025
Time: 8:00 pm
Ticket: $59-$227+
Website: Morris Day & The Time
Masonic Temple
500 Temple St, Detroit, MI 48201
GRiZMAS
Date: Dec 19-20, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Ticket: Starts at $49
Website: GRiZMAS
Comedy
Fox Theatre
2211 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
All Star Comedy Festival
Date: Dec 6, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Ticket: $99-$387+
Website: All Star Comedy Festival
Masonic Temple
500 Temple St, Detroit, MI 48201
Killers of Kill Tony
Date: Dec 6, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm
Ticket: Starts with $38
Website: Killers of Kill Tony
Chris D’Elia
Date: Dec 7, 2025
Time: 6:00 pm
Ticket: Starts with $57
Website: Chris D’Elia
Jeff Arcuri
Date: Dec 21, 2025
Time: 6:30 pm
Ticket: Starts with $48
Website: Jeff Arcuri
Saint Andrew’s Hall
431 E Congress St, Detroit, MI 48226
COREY B
Date: Dec 5, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Ticket: $42-$66
Website: COREY B
Theatre
Fox Theatre Detroit
2211 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
A Magical Cirque Christmas
Date: Dec 5, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm
Ticket: $54 - $179
Website: A Magical Cirque Christmas
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
Date: Dec 7, 2025
Time: 12pm, 4pm & 8pm
Ticket: $42 -$130
Website: Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Date: Dec 9 - 14, 2025
Time: Tue-Fri (7:30 pm) | Sat (11:00 am) | Sun (3:00pm pm)
Ticket: $41 - $181+
Website: Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Meredith Willson’s Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical
Date: Dec 16 - 18, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm
Ticket: $49 - $154
Website: Meredith Willson’s Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical
Champions of Magic: Holiday Spectacular
Date: Dec 21, 2025
Time: 3:00 pm
Ticket: $37 - $131+
Website: Champions of Magic: Holiday Spectacular
Fisher Theatre
3011 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48202
Hell’s Kitchen – The Broadway Musical by Alicia Keys
Date: Dec 2 - 14, 2025
Time: Wed - Fri (7:30 pm) | Sat (2:00 pm & 7:30 pm) | Sun (1:00pm - 6:30pm)
Ticket: $46.80 - $280.80
Website: Hell’s Kitchen – The Broadway Musical by Alicia Keys
Shucked – The Tony Award-Winning Musical Comedy
Date: Dec 23, 2025 - Jan 4, 2026
Time: Tue (7:30 pm) | Wed (1:00 pm) | Fri-Sat (2:00 pm & 7:30 pm) | Sun (1:00 pm & 6:30 pm)
Ticket: $46.80 - $239.85
Website: Shucked – The Tony Award-Winning Musical Comedy
Meadow Brook Theatre
378 Meadow Brook Rd, Rochester, MI 48309
A Christmas Carol
Date: Dec 21 - Dec 30, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:30pm
Ticket: $26 - $56
Website: A Christmas Carol
Orchestra Hall
3711 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Detroit Symphony Orchestra: Home Alone in Concert – Film with Live Orchestra
Date: Dec 20 - 21, 2025
Time: Sat (7:30 pm) | Sun (3:00 pm)
Ticket: $59 - $109
Website: Home Alone in Concert – Film with Live Orchestra
Sports
Lions Games Schedule
Ford Field | 2000 Brush St, Detroit, MI 48226
Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys
Date: Dec 4, 2025
Time: 8:15 pm
Ticket: $187-$1,104+
Detroit Lions vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: Dec 21, 2025
Time: 4:25 pm
Ticket: $279-$1,146+
Pistons Games Schedule
Little Caesars Arena | 2645 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Detroit Pistons vs. Atlanta Hawks
Date: Dec 1, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Ticket: $22-$126+
Detroit Pistons vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Date: Dec 5, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm
Ticket: $32-$202+
Detroit Pistons vs Milwaukee Bucks
Date: Dec 6, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm
Ticket: $52-$322
Detroit Pistons vs Charlotte Hornets
Date: Dec 20, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm
Ticket: $63-$309+
Red Wings Games Schedule
Little Caesars Arena | 2645 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Detroit Red Wings vs. Boston Bruins
Date: Dec 2, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Ticket: $33-$233+
Detroit Red Wings vs. New York Islanders
Date: Dec 16, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Ticket: $35-$211+
Detroit Red Wings vs. Utah Mammoth
Date: Dec 17, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm
Ticket: $33-$206+
Detroit Red Wings vs. Washington Capitals
Date: Dec 21, 2025
Time: 1:00 pm
Ticket: $78-$421+
Detroit Red Wings vs. Dallas Stars
Date: Dec 23, 2025
Time: 7:00pm
Ticket: $78-$398+
Detroit Red Wings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Date: Dec 28, 2025
Time: 5:00 pm
Ticket: $98-$570+
Detroit Red Wings vs. Winnipeg Jets
Date: Dec 31, 2025
Time: 6:30 pm
Ticket: $105-$480+
2025 Mac Football Championship
Ford Filed | 200 Brush St, Detroit, MI 48226
Date: Dec 6, 2025
Time: 3:30 pm
Ticket: $18-$84
Website: 2025 Mac Football Championship
Oakland University vs. Michigan State University
LITTLE CAESARS ARENA | 2645 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Date: Dec 20, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm
Ticket: $34-$230
Website: LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
GameAbove Sports Bowl
Ford Field | 2000 Brush Street, Detroit, MI 48226
Date: Dec 26, 2025
Time: 1:00 pm
Ticket: $36-$132
Website: GameAbove Sports Bowl
WWE® Live Holiday Tour
LITTLE CAESARS ARENA | 2645 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
DAte: Dec 30, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm
Ticket: $79-$307+
Website: WWE® Live Holiday Tour
LittleGuide Detroit, Facebook
Metro Detroit Events
Detroit Holiday Markets
Date: Nov 12, 2025 - Jan 4, 2026
Campus Martius Park & Cadillac Square | 60 Campus Martius, Detroit, MI 48226
Ticket: Free
Website: Detroit Holiday Markets
Cadillac Square turns into an open air shopping arcade, lined with glass storefront huts showcasing Detroit makers, indie boutiques and gourmet treats all curated by Decked Out Detroit. Shoppers move from candles to streetwear to small batch snacks with the city skyline and Campus Martius tree setting the mood. The markets are designed as a holiday gift hunt, with rotating vendors and themed weekends that reward lingering rather than rushing. Admission is free, so the only splurges are the gifts and goodies that follow visitors home.
Cadillac Lodge
Date: Nov 12, 2025 - Jan 4, 2026
Cadillac Lodge | 60 Campus Martius, Detroit, MI 48226
Ticket: Free
Website: Cadillac Lodge
Just steps from the markets, Cadillac Lodge functions as downtown Detroit’s living room, a heated tent outfitted with sofas, blankets and fireplaces that invite guests to sink in for a while. Board games, cozy seating and weekly programming give the space the feel of a ski lodge dropped into the middle of the city grid. Families warm up between shopping runs while groups settle in with seasonal cocktails and comfort snacks from the bar. The entire operation is cashless, keeping lines moving and the focus squarely on conversation and atmosphere.
The Rink at Campus Martius Park
Date: Nov 22, 2025 - Mar, 2026
Campus Martius Park | 60 Campus Martius, Detroit, MI 48226
Ticket: $12 for adults, $9 for children (12 and under), and $9 for seniors (59+)
Website: The Rink at Campus Martius Park
The Rink at Campus Martius has become Detroit’s signature winter postcard, framed by the downtown skyline and the towering city tree. Recognized by national rankings as one of the country’s top outdoor rinks, it welcomes skaters seven days a week through the heart of winter. Seasonal lighting, nearby cafés and CHALET 313 create a full scene around the ice, so non skaters have plenty to enjoy while friends and family circle the rink. With clear pricing and on site rentals, it functions as an easy holiday outing for both downtown regulars and first time visitors.
1001 Winter Wonders
Date: Nov 13 to Dec 2025
1001 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226
Ticket: Free
Website: 1001 Winter Wonders
Inside the lobby at 1001 Woodward, Winter Wonders turns a downtown office tower into a gentle, storybook style holiday experience. Families queue up for complimentary photos with Santa, letter writing stations and small interactive vignettes that feel more like a boutique gallery than a mall display. A dedicated sensory friendly session, offered in partnership with local accessibility advocates, softens lighting and sound levels so guests with sensory needs can fully participate. Timed hours, clear guidelines and a strictly capped photo count keep the experience moving while still giving each family a few unhurried moments of magic.
For a full breakdown of this year’s ceremony, check out our Detroit Tree Lighting Guide: Date, Time, Road Closures & How to Watch
Glenlore Trails: Aurora – Winter Wizards
Date: Nov 21 to Dec 28, 2025
3860 Newton Rd, Commerce Charter Township, MI
Ticket: $25 General Admission 13+ | $15 Youths 4-12 | Free Children 0-3 | $20 Seniors 65+ | $18 Groups 20+ Tickets
Website: Glenlore Trails: Aurora – Winter Wizards
Aurora reimagines the woods of Commerce Township as an illuminated storybook, with visitors cast as allies to a band of Winter Wizards pushing back an encroaching gloom. The one mile trail winds through trees washed in color, projection mapped scenes and interactive set pieces that respond to movement and optional “magic wands.” Concession stands, occasional food trucks and warm gear from the Glenlore shop turn the outing into a full evening program rather than a quick photo stop. Time slots are staggered across Thursday through Sunday nights, keeping crowds manageable while preserving the sense of wandering through an enchanted forest.
Wayne County Lightfest
Date: Nov 20 to Dec 24, 2025
Entrance at Merriman Hollow Park, 7651 N. Merriman Rd., Westland, MI 48185
Admission: Cars $5.00 cash | Commercial van/RV/limo $20.00 cash | Mini-Bus (20 passenger) $25.00 cash | Bus (40+ passenger) $50.00 cash
Website: Wayne County Lightfest
Lightfest stretches for nearly five miles through Hines Park, layering more than one hundred thousand lights and close to fifty animated displays along a river of headlights in Westland. Families roll through at their own pace, tuning in to an AM radio station that broadcasts event updates and seasonal music right into the car. Special theme nights swap the admission fee for toy donations or add run and bike events ahead of the drive through schedule, turning the show into a multi day tradition rather than a single visit. Mid route amenities at Perrin Park, including food trucks, restrooms and an oversized walk through gift box, invite drivers to pull over and linger in the glow.
For a dedicated rundown of the region’s brightest displays, explore Metro Detroit’s Best Trail of Lights to Brighten Your Winter Nights
Candyland at Beacon Park
Date: Nov 21 to Jan 20, 2025
Beacon Park | 1901 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI 48226
Ticket: Free
Website: Candyland at Beacon Park
Beacon Park leans fully into confectionery fantasy during Candyland, filling its lawn with an oversize gingerbread house, towering candy canes, cupcakes and glowing gumdrops. A sweeping LED canopy and sculptural light pieces create multiple photo ready vignettes, from walk through arches to a giant snowflake structure that frames the skyline. The installation runs all day, but the atmosphere shifts dramatically after dark when the displays and surrounding buildings light up together. With Lumen Detroit perched at the park’s edge, visitors can pair the outdoor spectacle with a warm seat, seasonal menu and rooftop views of the color soaked park.
Winter at The Station – Michigan Central Station
Date: Nov 14 to Dec 28, 2025
The Station at Michigan Central | 2001 15th St., Detroit, MI 48216
Ticket: Free general admission
Website: Winter at The Station – Michigan Central Station
The newly reopened Michigan Central Station becomes a full scale holiday destination during Winter at The Station, with the historic concourse wrapped in contemporary decor, digital art and warm lighting. General admission hours invite the public to wander the grand halls, browse permanent shops and pop up artisan stalls, and sample coffee, gelato and seasonal bites from local partners. On select nights, the building shifts into an evening venue with live performances curated by Detroit collective D. Cipher, cocktail service and special programming that showcases the city’s creative scene. The combination of architectural restoration, free daytime access and curated ticketed events positions the station as Detroit’s newest winter tradition with deep local roots.
Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo
Date: Nov 22, 2025 - Jan 4, 2026
8450 W. 10 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067
Ticket: $17 - $75
Website: Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo
Wild Lights transforms the Detroit Zoo into a winter-night gallery of glowing trails, animal silhouettes and immersive themed zones, all designed for strolling with cocoa in hand in Royal Oak. Guests follow a curated path past millions of LEDs, from rainforest scenes to wide-open fields of light that feel almost otherworldly. Timed tickets keep the experience from feeling crowded, so families, couples and friend groups can linger at fire pits, pause for photos and take the evening at their own pace. It is one of Metro Detroit’s most polished, production-level holiday experiences, with ticket options that let visitors scale the night from simple walk-through to full-on “total experience” outing.
Nite Lites
Date: Nov 21, 2025 - Jan 5, 2026
Michigan International Speedway | 12626 US 12, Brooklyn, MI 49230
Ticket: $25 per car
Website: Nite Lites
Nite Lites turns the infield and access roads of MIS into a six-and-a-half mile ribbon of light, with tunnels, towering displays and synchronized scenes unfolding along the racetrack. Drivers enter straight off US 12, tune in to holiday music and settle in for a slow cruise that feels more like a rolling attraction than a simple drive. The scale is big enough to justify a full road trip, and the flat per-vehicle pricing encourages carpooling with family or friends. With the show running in rain, snow and on the holidays themselves, it has become a dependable, tradition-level outing for families across southern Michigan.
The Big, Bright Light Show
Date: Nov 24, 2025 - Jan 18, 2026
Downtown Rochester Main Street, Rochester, MI 48307
Admission: Free outdoor display
Website: The Big, Bright Light Show
Downtown Rochester’s core storefronts are wrapped in more than a million points of light, turning a traditional main street into something close to a movie set once the sun goes down. Instead of a single viewing area, the experience is the entire streetscape, which means visitors can fold the show into dinner reservations, boutique shopping or a simple evening stroll. The lights run every night, so locals treat it less like a one-off event and more like a seasonal backdrop that rewards repeat visits. It is one of the rare displays that feels equally suited to families with strollers, late-night photos with friends or a bundled-up date night after dessert.
Meadow Brook Hall - Holiday Walk & Winter Wonder Lights
Date: Nov 28 to Dec 30, 2025
Meadow Brook Hall | 350 Estate Dr, Rochester, MI 48309
Ticket: Holiday Walk from $8.50 youth and $21 adults | Winter Wonder Lights $13 youth and $23 adults | children 2 and under free
Website: Meadow Brook Hall - Holiday Walk & Winter Wonder Lights
By day, Holiday Walk opens the doors of the 110-room Dodge mansion for a self-guided tour through fireplaces, hallways and grand rooms dressed in full holiday regalia in Rochester. The mood is more architectural pilgrimage than quick photo stop, with more than 50 trees, layered décor and enough detail to keep design lovers roaming for hours. At night, the estate flips into Winter Wonder Lights, a mile-long outdoor route packed with interactive light environments, music, bonfires, food trucks and specialty drinks. Taken together, the two experiences give Oakland County one of its most complete holiday destinations, equally appealing to families, couples and serious history buffs.
Holiday Stroll at Canterbury Village – with Krampus Fridays
Date: Nov 28 to Dec 23, 2025
Canterbury Village, 2325 Joslyn Ct, Lake Orion, MI 48360
Ticket: $14.99 advance ticket purchases. Children under 2, Veterans & active-duty members with military ID get in FREE
Website: Holiday Stroll at Canterbury Village
Holiday Stroll reimagines Canterbury Village as a walk-through storybook, with Whoville, classic toy soldiers, towering trees and a cast of live characters that ranges from Santa and Mrs. Claus to the Grinch and Buddy the Elf. Guests follow a set path lined with light displays, carolers and vignettes, breaking mid-route for cider and sweets at Yates Cider Mill before ending at the C-Pub patio for more food and drinks. New this year, Friday nights add an optional encounter with Krampus, giving thrill seekers a darker twist on the season while families who prefer cozy cheer can simply stay on the main trail. The result feels part theme park, part old-world village, with enough personality to stand out in a crowded field of light shows.
Birmingham Santa House
Date: Nov 29 to Dec 24, 2025
Shain Park | 151 Martin St, Birmingham, MI 48009
Ticket: Free visits with Santa; horse-drawn carriage rides in Shain Park are also free
Website: Birmingham Santa House
Set in a pint-sized cottage right in Shain Park, Birmingham’s Santa House delivers the classic “visit with Santa” experience without the mall chaos. Families line up for walk-up visits on most dates, with a few reserved time slots available for peak days, then step into a cozy interior for conversation, photos and wish-list handoffs. Outside, the park itself turns into a holiday set, with lights, music and free horse-drawn carriage rides creating a small-town vignette in the heart of an upscale downtown. It is the kind of scene where parents linger over coffee while kids orbit between the playground, carriage and Santa’s front door.
Home for the Holidays at Ford House
Date: Nov 30 to Dec 21, 2025
Ford House | 1100 Lake Shore Rd, Grosse Pointe Shores, MI 48236
Tickets: Public adult $22, public child (ages 3–17) $12, children 2 and under free
Website: Home for the Holidays at Ford House
Home for the Holidays brings a quieter, more romantic tone to the light-show world, with a one-mile walking route that winds through formal gardens, lakeside paths and historic outbuildings washed in warm light. Along the walk, guests encounter candy-cane alleys, glowing willows, fire pits and a Christmas train scene before stepping inside the main residence for a self-paced tour of Eleanor and Edsel Ford’s home in full seasonal dress. Live carolers rotate throughout the run, adding a soundtrack that shifts from classic choral arrangements to local school choirs and community ensembles. For those who like their holiday outings elegant and lakefront, this is the east side’s signature December experience.
Eastern Market Partnership, Facebook
Holiday Market at Eastern Market
Date: Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, 14 and 21, 2025
Eastern Market | 2934 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207
Admission: Free, no tickets required
Website: Holiday Market at Eastern Market
Eastern Market’s Holiday Market series layers seasonal energy onto one of Detroit’s most beloved public spaces, turning the sheds into a mix of food hall, craft fair and tree lot. Tuesday’s pre-Thanksgiving market leans heavily into provisions, from fresh produce and breads to specialty ingredients that turn home kitchens into restaurant-level tables. The December Sunday markets shift the focus to Michigan-made gifts, lining the sheds with artists, makers and small-batch producers alongside stalls selling wreaths, garlands and full-size trees. It is an easy place to knock out serious shopping while still feeling like a relaxed city day, complete with murals, coffee stops and the soundtrack of a working market district.
Kris Kringle Market
Date: Dec 5 - 6, 2025
Downtown Rochester, Rochester, Mi 48306
Ticket: Free
Website: Kris Kringle Market
Downtown Rochester’s Kris Kringle Market channels a classic European street market, only with the Big, Bright Light Show glowing overhead. Vendor huts line West Fourth, stocked with handcrafted gifts, fresh greens, baked goods and specialty foods, while Santa’s Village keeps kids busy with visits, story time and marshmallow roasting. Live bands and carolers rotate through the main stage, so the soundtrack shifts from traditional choral sets to late night jazz. It feels like a full holiday village dropped into a couple of city blocks, with enough energy to make even a casual stroll feel like an event.
KindleFest – Kerrytown District
Date: Dec 5, 2025
Kerrytown District in Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Ticket: Free
Website: KindleFest – Kerrytown District
KindleFest turns Kerrytown’s brick-lined streets into a German-inspired Christkindlmarkt, with more than fifty artisan vendors, local food stalls and hot mulled wine flowing from Ann Arbor favorites like TeaHaus and Zingerman’s. Families start the evening with kids’ activities, Santa visits and balloon animals before the crowd shifts into more of a night-market scene. Choirs and brass ensembles take over the main stage later in the night, so the music builds along with the crowd. With Kerrytown shops and restaurants staying open late, the whole district becomes a one-night mashup of neighborhood block party and European holiday market.
Birmingham Winter Markt & Holiday Tree Lighting
Date: Dec 5-7, 2025
Shain Park | Henrietta St & Martin St, Birmingham, MI 48009
Ticket: Free
Website: Birmingham Winter Markt & Holiday Tree Lighting
Birmingham’s Winter Markt wraps Shain Park in strings of light, vendor chalets and the scent of glühwein and roasted nuts, with carriage rides looping past a 41-foot tree strung with more than 40,000 LEDs. Opening night doubles as the city’s tree lighting, complete with Santa’s arrival and live caroling before the switch is flipped. Throughout the weekend, families cycle through the Kinderhaus kids’ area, Santa House and ice-sculpture demos while shoppers work the market stalls for wreaths, gifts and European treats. It is polished but still neighborly, the kind of event where the same faces keep showing up with new friends in tow.
Detroit Urban Craft Fair (DUCF)
Date: Dec 6-7, 2025
The Masonic Temple | 500 Temple St, Detroit, MI 48201
Ticket: $5 at the door, with children 12 and under admitted for free after 1 PM
Website: Detroit Urban Craft Fair (DUCF)
Detroit Urban Craft Fair packs the historic Masonic Temple with Michigan’s indie maker scene, turning multiple levels of the building into aisles of handmade art, clothing, ceramics, jewelry and zines. The vibe leans more creative studio than traditional craft show, with many vendors debuting small-batch collections that never make it to big-box shelves. Shoppers can spend hours combing through prints, apothecary goods and quirky home décor, then refuel at on-site food and coffee stations before doing a second lap. For anyone who wants gifts that feel personal and unapologetically Detroit, this is the December weekend to circle.
Holly Dickens Festival
Date: Dec 6-7, 13-14, 2025
Downtown Holly, around 118 S. Saginaw St, Holly, MI 48442
Ticket: Free
Website: Holly Dickens Festival
The Holly Dickens Festival converts downtown Holly into a Victorian streetscape where carolers, chimney sweeps and costumed characters from Dickens novels wander between brick storefronts. Each weekend layers on horse-drawn carriage rides, stage performances, pop-up music and plenty of opportunities to duck into local shops or the Holly Shoppe for souvenirs. The Run Like the Dickens race adds a modern twist on festival Saturday, sending costumed runners down streets lined with spectators and gas lamp style décor. With its cobblestone feel, historic buildings and open-air entertainment, it is about as close as Metro Detroit gets to stepping into a Christmas storybook.
Santa Hustle Detroit
Date: Dec 13, 2025
Stony Creek Metropark | 4300 Main Park Dr, Shelby Township, MI 48316
Ticket: Free
Website: Santa Hustle Detroit
Santa Hustle Detroit turns Stony Creek Metropark into a moving sea of red hats and beards as thousands of runners tackle the 10K, 5K and Kids Dash in full holiday gear. Along the route, participants hit cookie and candy cane stations while holiday music blasts from speakers and volunteers cheer in elf costumes. Every finisher walks away with themed swag, a medal and the kind of group photos that live on in family threads for years. With proceeds supporting the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Foundation’s Metroparks and Me initiative, the race doubles as a high-energy morning workout and a way to give back to the parks that define southeast Michigan weekends.
Night of Lights at Greenmead Historical Village
Date: Dec 13 to 14, 20 to 21, 2025
Greenmead Historical Village | 20501 Newburgh Rd, Livonia, MI 48152
Ticket: $10 Suggested Donation Per Vehicle Upon Entry
Website: Night of Lights at Greenmead Historical Village
Night of Lights threads a walking route through Greenmead’s historic homes and churches in Livonia, all washed in color and trimmed with vintage style décor. Each night carries its own theme, from Grinch Night and Lights, Sirens & Heroes to Frozen Night and Holiday Magic, layering in character meet-and-greets, live music and special programming inside the village buildings. Kids bounce between crafts in the schoolhouse, games and street hockey while adults linger by fire pits, shop the A.J. Geer Store and tour the bungalow decked out for the season. It is equal parts old-fashioned village and neighborhood festival, with just enough structure to feel planned and just enough open space to wander at will.
Menorah in the D
Date: Dec 14, 2025
Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Ticket: Free
Website: Menorah in the D
Detroit’s official Chanukah celebration gathers thousands downtown as a 26 foot menorah rises over Campus Martius and a full program of music, blessings and community tributes plays out on stage. Guests are treated to complimentary hot soup from Chef Cari, snacks, cider and a steady rotation of family friendly entertainment, from strolling performers to dancing dreidels and balloon artists. Craft stations and kids activities make it easy for families to settle in well before the lighting, then linger as the menorah burns against the city skyline. The whole evening is designed as an open invitation to add light and togetherness to the heart of the city.
World Ballet Company: The Nutcracker
Date: Dec 16, 2025
Michigan Theater | 603 E Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Ticket: $33.25 - $96.25
Website: World Ballet Company: The Nutcracker
World Ballet Company brings a full scale Nutcracker to the historic Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor, complete with 40 professional dancers, more than 150 hand crafted costumes and richly painted sets. Tchaikovsky’s score anchors the evening while snow scenes, battle sequences and the Land of Sweets unfold with Broadway level pacing. The production is designed to work for both first timers and ballet loyalists, pairing classical choreography with clear storytelling and eye catching visuals. With reserved seating and a straightforward ticket range, it is an easy way to turn a December night in Ann Arbor into a true holiday outing.
New Year’s Eve Family Bash & Kids Countdown
Date: Dec 31, 2025
Paradise Park | 45799 Grand River Ave, Novi, MI 48374
Ticket: $20.95 to $23.95 per guest
Website: New Year’s Eve Family Bash & Kids Countdown
Paradise Park’s noon year celebration in Novi is engineered for families who want the full countdown experience without sacrificing bedtime. Kids get a game of laser tag, a homemade pizza buffet with unlimited soda and a balloon drop loaded with prize filled balloons, all packed into a compact two hour window. Party hats, horns, a coloring contest and optional mimosas and Bloody Marys for adults keep things feeling festive rather than chaotic. It functions as the rare New Year’s event where the under 10 crowd is clearly the VIP list.
Mega 80s NYE Bash - The Magic Bag
Date: Dec 31, 2025
The Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave, Ferndale, MI 48220
Tickets: $30 advance, 21 and over only
Website: Mega 80s NYE Bash - The Magic Bag
The Mega 80s NYE Bash turns the Magic Bag into a shoulder to shoulder time machine, with Detroit’s long running 80s tribute outfit ripping through everything from synth pop to arena anthems in Ferndale. Doors open at 8 p.m., giving plenty of time to claim a spot before the dance floor turns into a full retro sing along. Costumes and neon are strongly encouraged, and regulars treat it as an annual reunion with big hair, bigger choruses and minimal New Year’s formality. It is the opposite of a seated gala, built for anyone who would rather ring in midnight in motion with a live band driving the countdown.
Resolution Ball - New Year’s Eve Detroit
Date: Dec 31, 2025
The Masonic Temple | 500 Temple St, Detroit, MI 48201
Ticket: Starts with $50
Website: Resolution Ball - New Year’s Eve Detroit
Resolution Ball brands itself as Metro Detroit’s largest and most exclusive New Year’s Eve party, and the production backs up the claim with two ballrooms of DJs, cirque style performers and a midnight blowout that includes balloon drops, confetti, cryo jets and a live FOX 2 Detroit countdown. Guests can choose from multi tier ticket levels, from general admission in the Fountain Ballroom to full seated VIP dinners in the Crystal Ballroom with champagne reception, carving stations and late night snack bars. The crowd skews dressy and twenty and thirty something, with a stated dress code of evening chic and black tie optional. Add discounted hotel shuttles and booth or bottle service upgrades, and it becomes a turnkey way to do New Year’s Eve in full Vegas mode without leaving Detroit.
New Year’s Eve Casino Royale
Date: Dec 31, 2025
Daxton Hotel | 298 S Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI 48009
Ticket: $107.48
Website: New Year’s Eve Casino Royale
Daxton Hotel’s Casino Royale gala leans into a full James Bond fantasy, inviting guests to arrive in tuxedos and satin gowns for a night of gaming and live entertainment spread across the parlors, ballroom and lounge in Birmingham. A chef driven buffet and curated cocktails keep the food and drink experience in line with the hotel’s boutique reputation, while The Magnetics perform in the lounge and DJs drive the dance floor through the countdown. Casino tables, VIP bottle service, photo areas and optional valet or overnight stays turn the evening into a complete Birmingham staycation. It is a high gloss option for anyone who wants New Year’s Eve to feel more like a movie set than a bar crawl.
Detroit NYE Bar Crawl - Presented by NYE Bar Crawls
Date: Dec 31, 2025
Exodos Rooftop | 529 Monroe St, Detroit, MI 48226
Ticket: Start at $34
Website: Detroit NYE Bar Crawl - Presented by NYE Bar Crawls
The Detroit NYE Bar Crawl is built for people who want variety over velvet ropes, trading a single ballroom for a rotating lineup of downtown bars. Check in at Exodos Rooftop to grab a wristband, welcome drinks and the night’s itinerary, then move at your own pace between spots like Delux Bar and Lounge, Who Loves Ya Baby and Scrooges, where covers are waived for crawlers. Along the way, participants pick up drink tickets, appetizers, DJs and party favors, plus a rooftop vantage point for the midnight fireworks. It is structured enough to keep logistics simple, but loose enough to let each group shape its own version of the night.
If picking out the perfect tree is part of your December tradition, bookmark Top U-Cut & Pre-Cut Christmas Tree Farms in Southeast Michigan + Statewide Picks
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Metro Detroit Main Event
Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village
Date: Dec 4–7, 12–14, 16–23, 26–28, 2025
Greenfield Village | 20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI 48124
Ticket: $36
Website: Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village
Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village is the December event that many Metro Detroiters plan their entire holiday season around. More than 80 acres of historic streets and homes glow with lanterns, garlands and period décor, turning the village into a living holiday postcard. Guests stroll past bonfires and lamplit walkways while carolers, fiddlers and brass bands layer music into the cold night air. It feels nostalgic and storybook, yet still big and energetic enough to count as a full night out.
Throughout the evening, visitors can skate under the stars, ride a horse-drawn wagon or hop into a historic Model T as costumed presenters bring scenes of holidays past to life. Artisans demonstrate glassblowing, printmaking and open-hearth cooking in working shops, while families take advantage of free carousel rides and skate rentals. A holiday greens and tree market, hot cocoa, seasonal snacks and a nightly fireworks finale round everything out, so there is always something happening around the next corner.
Those who want to elevate the experience can choose from three premium dining options that include admission. Supper with Santa at A Taste of History caters to families, Holiday Nights in Eagle Tavern offers a candlelit 19th century dinner, and the adults-only Mummers’ Dinner adds a more theatrical twist. Tickets typically range from the low 30s to mid 40s depending on date and membership, parking is straightforward, and many dates sell out well in advance. For most who go once, Holiday Nights quickly shifts from “something to try” to a non-negotiable yearly tradition.
As December unfolds, Metro Detroit comes alive with a dazzling array of events and activities that cater to every interest. For those living in Metro Detroit, these experiences provide the perfect opportunity to celebrate the season and create cherished memories close to home. For anyone moving to Metro Detroit, the month offers a chance to discover the city's vibrant culture, from its festive markets and holiday light displays to its world-class entertainment and New Year's Eve celebrations. No matter how you choose to enjoy it, December in Metro Detroit is a magical time that beautifully showcases the warmth and spirit of this dynamic community.
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