101 Ideas for Holiday Family Fun in the Ann Arbor / Detroit Metro Area - 2023
KidsOutAndAbout is SE Michigan's online guide to everything for kids, teens, and families! The activities we've listed here are confirmed for this year, but many require reserving ahead of time, and please keep in mind that events could be canceled... so click through to make arrangements. Enjoy the holidays!
If we're missing an activity that should be on our list, please email Mindy Mangan at mindy@kidsoutandabout.com. Please make sure to include a link to the event when you email. Thank you!
If you don't already receive our free weekly e-newsletter for the Ann Arbor / Detroit Metro area, sign up today to make sure you're in the know about free stuff, festivals, classes, camps, vacation ideas, and all the best events near you! In the meantime, enjoy the ideas below for holiday family fun in 2023!
Santa Sightings
| Nov 17 - Dec 31, 2023 | Lights Before Christmas - Toledo Zoo |
| Multiple Days Starting Nov 18, 2023 | Santa Meet and Greet - Orchard and Cider Mill |
| Nov 19 - 26, 2023 | Santa at The Festival of Trees - Dearborn, MI |
| Nov 24, 2023 | The Lighted Parade & Arrival of Santa Claus - Downtown Holly, MI |
| Starting Nov 24, 2023 | Santa Photo Experience - Briarwood Mall |
| Multiple Days Starting Nov 24, 2023 | The Holidays- Meadow Brook |
| Nov 24 - Dec 23, 2023 | Breakfast with Santa and The Grinch - Canterbury Village |
| Opening Nov 24, 2023 | Country Christmas - Three Cedars Farm |
| Nov 25, 2023 | Birmingham Santa Walk (REGISTER NOW) |
| Nov 25 - Dec 24, 2023 (select dates) | Santa House - Downtown Birmingham Shain Park |
| Nov 29 - 30, 2023 | Cookies With Santa - Farmington Hills, MI |
| Dec 1 , 2023 | Tree Lighting Ceremony & Visits with Santa & Mrs. Claus - Downtown Auburn Hills |
| Dec 1 - 28, 2023 (select nights) | **SOLD OUT***Holiday Nights Supper with Santa - The Henry Ford |
| Dec 2, 2023 | Hometown Holiday Light Parade - Main Street Chelsea |
| Dec 2, 2023 | Breakfast with Santa - Royal Scot Golf & Bowl |
| Dec 2, 3, 9, 10, 2023 | Holiday Fun & Santa Visits at the Farm - Maybury Farm |
| Dec 3 & 4, 2023 | Christmas in the Village - Mills Race Village |
| Multiple Days Starting Dec 3, 2023 | Snacks with Santa- Lake Erie Metropark Golf Course |
| Multiple Dates Starting Dec 9, 2023 | Santa’s Candy Cane Trail - Indian Springs Metropark |
| Dec 10, 2023 | Sunday with Santa - Oakwoods Metropark, Nature Center |
| Dec 16, 17, 2023 | Breakfast with Santa - Longacre House |
| Dec 5, 7, 2023 | PJ'S & Stories With Santa - Saline Rec Center |
| Dec 9, 2023 | Storytime with Santa - Community House |
| Dec 10, 2023 | Sunday with Santa - Oakwoods Metropark |
| Dec 16, 17, 2023 | **SOLD OUT** Breakfast With Santa - Farmington Hills |
| Dec 16, 17, 2023 | Breakfast with Santa - Maggiano's Troy |
Old-Time Christmas
| Nov 24 - Dec 10, 2023 (select dates) | Holly Dickens Festival |
| Nov 25 - Dec 24, 2023 (select dates) | Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides - Downtown Birmingham Shain Park |
| Dec 1 & 2, 2023 | Christmas in the Village - Mill Race Village |
| December 1-28, 2023 (select dates) | Holiday Nights in Greenfield - The Henry Ford |
| Dec 9, 2023 | Victorian Christmas at the Cappon House |
Light Displays
| Nov 17 - Dec 3, 2023 | Walk of Trees - Kellogg Park |
| Nov 17, 2023 | Annual Tree Lighting Celebration - Canterbury Village |
| Nov 17, 2023 | Light Up Beacon Park |
| Nov 17, 2023 | 20th Annual Detroit Tree Lighting - Downtown Detroit |
| Nov 17 - Dec 30, 2023 | Magic of Lights - Pine Knob Music Theatre |
| Nov 17, 2023 | 20th Annual Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony - Campus Martius Park |
| Nov 17 - Dec 31, 2023 | Lights Before Christmas - Toledo Zoo |
| Nov 24, 2023 | Dickens Lighted Parade - Holly, MI |
| Nov 24 - Dec 30, 2023 | Winter Wonder Lights - Meadow Brook Hal |
| Nov 24, 2023 - Jan 7, 2024 (select dates) | Wild Lights - Detroit Zoo |
| Nov 24 - Dec 23, 2023 (select dates) | Canterbury Holiday Stroll - Canterbury Village - Lake Orion |
| Nov 30 - Dec 30, 2023 (Thursdays - Sundays) | Marshall's Merry Mile Light Display - Calhoun County Fairgrounds |
| Dec 1 - Dec 17, 2023 (select dates) | Nights of Lights - Greenmead Historical Park |
| Dec 1, 2023 | Tree Lighting Ceremony - Downtown Auburn Hills |
| Dec 2, 2023 | Hometown Holiday Light Parade - Downtown Chelsea |
| Multiple Days Starting Dec 1, 2023 | Holiday Lights on the Farm - Wolcott Mill Metropark Farm Center |
Living Nativities
| Dec 15 - 17, 2023 | Walk Through Bethlehem Drive Through Experience - Clare Assembly of God |
Holiday Theatre
| Nov 8 - 12, 2023 | Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical- Fox Theatre Detroit |
| Nov 11, 2023 | Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE!- King For A Day - Michigan Theater |
| Nov 17-Dec 24, 2023 (select dates) | A Christmas Carol - Meadow Brook Theatre |
| Nov 18, 2023 | The Nutcracker Ballet - Village Theatre at Cherry Hill |
| Nov 24, 25, 26, 2023 | Annie Jr. - Village Theatre at Cherry Hill |
| Nov 30 - Dec 3, 2023 | The Spongebob Musical - Village Theatre at Cherry Hill |
| Dec 1 - 3, 2023 | Cirque Dreams Holidaze - Fox Theatre Detroit |
| Dec 8, 2023 | Lightwire Theater Presents: A Very Electric Christmas - Michigan Theater |
| Dec 8, 2023 | A Magical Cirque Christmas - Fox Theatre Detroit |
| Dec 7, 8, 9, 2023 | Ebird & Friends Holiday Show - The Ark Ann Arbor |
| Dec 10, 2023 | Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet - Fox Theatre Detroit |
| Dec 11, 2023 | The Founding's "A Celtic Christmas" - The Ark Ann Arbor |
| Dec 16, 2023 | Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System - Michigan Theater |
| Dec 21, 2023 | Aaron Radatz 2023 Holiday Magic Show - Village Theatre at Cherry Hill |
| Dec 21 - 23, 2023 | The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays - Fox Theatre Detroit |
Holiday Concerts
| Nov 12, 2023 | CYE Family Experience - Detriot Symphony Orchestra |
| Dec 6, 13, 20, 2023 | Holiday Concert Series - The Community House |
| Dec 9, 2023 | Christmas With The Celts - Village Theatre at Cherry Hill |
| Dec 9, 2023 | The Snowman - Detriot Symphony Orchestra |
| Dec 9, 2023 | Canton Concert Band Christmas Concert - Village Theatre at Cherry Hill |
| Dec 13. 2023 | Home Alone In Concert - Detriot Symphony Orchestra |
| Dec 15 - 17, 2023 | Home For The Holidays - Detriot Symphony Orchestra |
| Dec 16, 2023 | Holiday Pops 2023 - Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra |
| Dec 17, 2023 | Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis - Fox Theatre Detroit |
| Dec 20, 2023 | The Music Of The Nutcracker - Detriot Symphony Orchestra |
| Dec 22 - 23, 2023 | Elf In Concert - Detriot Symphony Orchestra |
| Dec 13, 2023 | Home Alone In Concert - Detroit Symphony Orchestra |
| Dec 15 - 17, 2023 | Home for the Holidays - Detriot Symphony Orchestra |
| Dec 23, 2023 | Trans-Siberian Orchestra The Ghosts of Christmas Eve - Fox Theatre Detriot |
Christmas Tree Experience
| Open Nov 24, 2023 | The Henry Ford Holiday Greens & Tree Lot |
| Open Nov 18, 2023 | Addison-Oaks Christmas Tree Farm |
| Open Nov 19, 2023 | Hillside Christmas Tree Farm |
| Open Nov 18, 2023 | Candycane Christmas Tree Farm |
| Open Nov 18, 2023 | Huron Christmas Tree Farm |
| Open Nov 18, 2023 | Middle Road Tree Farm |
| Open Nov 18, 2023 | Urquart's Christmas Tree Farm |
| Open Nov 21, 2023 | The Millhaven |
| Open Nov 24, 2023 | Runyan's Tree Farm |
| Open Nov 24, 2023 | Arend's Tree Farm |
| Open Nov 24, 2023 | Top Hill's Farm |
Ice Skating
| Opening Nov 18, 2022 - Mar 5, 2023 | Outdoor Ice Skating at The Rink - Campus Martius |
| Now Open 2023 | Arctic Colliseum Public Skate |
| Now Open 2023 | Ann Arbor Ice Cube |
| Riley Park Ice Rink | |
| Nov 18, 2023 | Skating With Santa - Campus Martius |
| December 31st, 2023 | Harry Potter and the Bicentennial Skate- Riley Park Ice Rink |
| Now Open 2023 | Garden City Ice Arena |
Hanukkah
| Dec 1, 2023 |
Hanukkah Bizarre - Temple Beth Emeth |
| Dec 4, 2023 |
Chanukah Party for Single Parent Families - Aish Detroit |
| Dec 7, 2023 |
Unite to Light 2023 - Chabad House of Ann Arbor |
| Dec 7 - 14, 2023 |
TBE: Shine Together Hanukkah Candle Lighting - Temple Beth Emeth |
| Dec 7 - 15, 2023 |
8Ks of Hanukkah... 8 Krazy Ks! - Downtown Ann Arbor |
| Dec 9, 2023 |
TBE: Hanukkah Cookie Decorating with Cantor Hayut - Temple Beth Emeth |
Shopping & Craft Fairs
| Nov 11, 2023 | Mrs. Claus’s Purse Arts & Craft Show - Trinity Episcopal Church, Marshall |
| Nov 11, 2023 | Santa’s Bag Arts and Craft Show - Marshall High School |
| Nov 11, 2022 - Jan 1, 2023 | The Downtown Detroit Markets and Cadillac Lodge - Cadillac Square |
| Nov 16, 17, 2023 | Royal Oak Market: Art Fair Edition - Royal Oak Farmers Market |
| Nov 17-19, 2023 | Wayne Open-Air Christmas Market - Notre Dame Hall |
| Nov 18, 2023 | Eastend Holiday Emporium - Eastend Studio & Gallery, Marshall |
| Nov 18, 19, 2023 | Holiday Greens & Winter Market - Northville |
| Nov 18, 19 & 24 - 26, 2023 | Holiday Extravaganza! - Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill |
| Nov 21, 2023 | Marygrove Market Holiday Bazaar - Madame Cadillac – Brownstone |
| Nov 26, 2023 | Downtown Plymouth Holiday Greens Market - The Gathering in Downtown Plymouth |
| Nov 29, 2023 | Holiday Market - Oakland County Farmers Market |
| Dec 2, 2023 | Holiday Bazaar - Downey Brewing Company |
| Dec 2, 2023 | Parcells Middle School Holiday Bazaar |
| Dec 8, 9 , 10, 2023 | Tinsel & Treasures - Embassy Suites Livonia |
| Dec 2 - 3, 2023 | Detroit Urban Craft Fair 2023 - Masonic Temple Detriot |
New Year's Eve
| Dec 31, 2023 | The Detroit Circus - Village Theatre at Cherry Hill |
| Dec 30, 2023 | Comfy Cozy New Year's Party (Youth/Adult) - Troy Recreation Center |
Miscellaneous
| Nov 4 - Dec 12. 2023 | Hometown Holidays Toys For Tots - Chelsea, Michigan |
| Nov 11, 2023 | Turkey Fest - Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center |
| Nov 18, 2023 | Holiday Hustle - Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill |
| Nov 18 - 19, 2023 | Cocoa Crawl - Canterbury Village |
| Nov 24 - 26, 2023 | Grinch Weekend - Canterbury Village |
| Nov 25 - Dec 31, 2023 | Holiday Carriage Rides - Downtown Detroit |
| Nov 27, 2023 | 59th Annual Marshall Christmas Parade- Marshall |
| Dec 2 - 3, 2023 | Elf Weekend - Canterbury Village |
| Dec 1 - 30, 2023 | Hometown Holiday Gingerbread House Display - Historic Downtown Chelsea |
| Dec 6, 2023 | Merry Mile Eggnog Jog - Calhoun County Fairgrounds |
| Dec 8, 2023 | Holiday Gifts w/ Buff City Soap - Saline Recreation |
| Dec 9, 2023 | Holiday Nature Ornaments - Stonycreek Metropark |
| Dec 9 - 10, 2023 | Cookie Crawl - Canterbury Village |
| Dec 10, 2023 | Polar Paws & Santa Claws 5K - Teledo Zoo |
| Nov 30 - Dec 3, 2023 | Belleville WinterFest - City Center of Bellville |
| Dec 15, 2023 | Grinchmas Swim Night - Saline Recreation |
| Dec 16 - Dec 17, 2023 | Grinch Weekend - Canterubry Village |
| Dec 17, 2023 | Natural History of the Holidays- Lake St. Clair Nature Center |
| Dec 22, 2023 | Twilight Luminary Hike - Lake St. Clair Nature Center |
Below are items that have been posted to our calendar. If you are affiliated with a business hosting a holiday event that should be on our calendar, we'd love to see it there... it's free to post! Click here for instructions about how to add your organization to our list and easily post your events to our calendar!
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