101 Ideas for Holiday Family Fun in the Ann Arbor / Detroit Metro Area - 2024
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
| Starting Nov 21, 2024 | Santa Photo Experience - Briarwood Mall |
| Nov 22 - Dec 31, 2024 | Lights Before Christmas - Toledo Zoo |
| Weekends Starting Nov 23 - Dec 15, 2024 | Santa Experience - Orchard and Cider Mill |
| Starting Nov 23, 2024 | Santa at The Festival of Trees - Dearborn, MI |
| Nov 29, 2024 | The Lighted Parade & Arrival of Santa Claus - Downtown Holly, MI |
| Nov 29 - Dec 23, 2024 (multiple dates) | The Holidays - Meadow Brook |
| Nov 29 - Dec 22 (multiple dates) | Breakfast with Santa and The Grinch - Canterbury Village |
| Opening Nov 29, 2024 | Country Christmas - Three Cedars Farm |
| Nov 29 - Dec 1, 2024 | Visit With Santa - Henry Ford Museum |
| Nov 30, 2024 | Birmingham Santa Walk (REGISTER NOW) |
| Nov 30 - Dec 24 (multiple dates) | Santa House - Downtown Birmingham Shain Park |
| Dec 2, 2024 | 60th Annual Christmas Parade - Marshall |
| Dec 3 & 5, 2024 | PJs and Stories with Santa - Saline Rec Center |
| Multiple Dates Starting Dec 5, 2024 | Supper With Santa - Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford |
| Dec 6, 2024 | Christmas Parade & Santa - Downtown Tecumseh |
| Dec 7, 2024 | Snacks with Santa- Lake Erie Metropark Golf Course |
| Dec 7, 2024 | Hometown Holiday Light Parade - Main Street Chelsea |
| Dec 7, 2024 | Breakfast with Santa - The Kingsley Bloomfield Hills |
| Dec 7, 8, 14, 15, 2024 | Holiday Fun & Santa Visits at the Farm - Maybury Farm |
| Dec 8, 2024 | Sunday with Santa - Oakwoods Metropark |
| Dec 8, 2024 | Breakfast with Santa - Longacre House - SOLD OUT |
| Dec 9 -10, 2024 | Cookies with Santa (REGISTER NOW) - Longacre House |
| Dec 14 & 15, 2024 | Christmas with the Claus - Toledo Zoo |
| Dec 14, 2024 | Storytime with Santa - Community House |
Old-Time Christmas
| Nov 30 - Dec 15, 2024 (select dates) | Holly Dickens Festival |
| Nov 30 - Dec 24, 2024 (select dates) | Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides - Downtown Birmingham Shain Park |
| December 5 - 28, 2024 (select dates) | Holiday Nights in Greenfield - The Henry Ford |
| Dec 7, 2024 | Victorian Christmas and a Dickens’ Christmas Carol Marathon Reading - The Cappon House |
| Dec 15, 2024 |
Christmas in the Village - Mill Race Village |
Light Displays
| Nov 8 & 9, 2024 | Holiday Open House & Streetscape Lighting Ceremony - Downtown Tecumseh |
| Nov 15, 2024 | Tree Lighting - Canterbury Village |
| Nov 22, 2024 - Jan 10, 2025 | Winter Gold at Beacon Park - Downtown Detroit |
| Nov 22, 2024 - Jan 4, 2025 | Magic of Lights - Pine Knob Music Theatre |
| Nov 22, 2024 | Annual Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony - Campus Martius Park |
| Nov 22, 2024 | Holiday Lighted Parade - Downtown Northville |
| Nov 22 - Dec 31, 2024 | Lights Before Christmas - Toledo Zoo |
| Nov 23, 2024 - Jan 5, 2025 | Wild Lights - Detroit Zoo |
| Nov 29, 2024 | Dickens Lighted Parade - Holly, MI |
| Nov 29 - Dec 30, 2024 | Winter Wonder Lights - Meadow Brook Hal |
| Nov 29, 2024 - Jan 5, 2025 | Walk of Trees 2024 - Kellogg Park |
| Nov 29 - Dec 23, 2024 (select dates) | Canterbury Holiday Stroll - Canterbury Village - Lake Orion |
| Nov 30, 2024 | Choose Marshall Chamber Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - Honolulu House |
| Dec 1 - 6, 2024 | The Big Reveal - Indian Springs Metropark |
| Dec 5 - 29, 2024 (Thursdays - Sundays) | Marshall's Merry Mile Light Display - Calhoun County Fairgrounds |
| Dec 3, 2024 | 32nd Annual Holiday Lights Celebration - City of Farminton Hills |
| Multiple Days Starting Dec 6, 2024 | Holiday Lights on the Farm - Wolcott Mill Metropark Farm Center |
| Dec 6, 2024 | Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony - Downtown Auburn Hills |
| Dec 6 - 22 (select dates) | Night of Lights - Greenmead Historical Village |
| Dec 7, 2024 | 2024 Festival of Trees - Mill Race Village |
| Dec 13, 2024 | Lights Trails and Seasonal Tales - Lake Erie Metropark |
| Dec 13, 2024 | Light up Marygrove - Marygrove Conservancy |
Living Nativities
| Dec 13 - 15, 2024 | Walk Through Bethlehem Drive Through Experience - Clare Assembly of God |
Holiday Theatre
| Nov 6 - 10, 2024 | Elf the Musical - Fox Theatre Detroit |
| Nov 27 - Dec 1, 2024 | Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical- Fox Theatre Detroit |
| Nov 22 - Dec 22, 2024 (multiple dates) | A Christmas Carol - Meadow Brook Theatre |
| Nov 22 & 23, 2024 | The Nutcracker- Village Theatre at Cherry Hill |
| Nov 29, 2024 | White Christmas Sing-Along - Michigan Theater |
| Dec 1, 2024 | Elf - Michigan Theater |
| Dec 8, 2024 | Dr. Seuss' The Grinch - Michigan Theater |
| Dec 8, 2024 | Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet - Fox Theatre Detroit |
| Dec 13, 2024 | Disney, Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas - Village Theatre at Cherry Hill |
| Dec 15, 2024 | Miracle on 34th Street - Michigan Theater |
| Dec 18, 2024 | The 20th Anniversary Edition of the Christmas Broadway Spectacular - Village Theatre at Cherry Hill |
| Dec 20 - 31, 2024 | “‘Twas The Night Before…” by Cirque du Soleil - Fox Theatre Detroit |
| Dec 22, 2024 | A Christmas Story - Michigan Theater |
| Dec 23, 2024 | Aaron Radatz 2024 Holiday Magic Show |
Holiday Concerts
| Nov 10, 2024 | CYE Family Experience - Detriot Symphony Orchestra |
| Dec 4, 2024 | Sensory-Friendly Holiday Concert - The Community House |
| Dec 6, 2024 | A Charlie Brown Christmas: Cyrus Chestnut and Friends - Detroit Symphony Orchestra |
| Dec 6 - 8, 2024 | Ellington & The Nutcracker - Detroit Symphony Orchestra |
| Dec 7, 2024 | Let it Snow! - Detroit Symphony Orchestra |
| Dec 8, 2024 | The Empty Pockets Holiday Show - The Ark Ann Arbor |
| Dec 11, 2024 | Home Alone in Concert - Detroit Symphony Orchestra |
| Dec 12 - 14, 2024 | Ebird & Friends Holiday Show - The Ark Ann Arbor |
| Dec 13, 2024 | Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis - Fox Theatre Detroit |
| Dec 13 - 15, 2024 | Home for the Holidays - Detroit Symphony Orchestra |
| Dec 20 - 21, 2024 | The Muppet Christmas Carol - Detroit Symphony Orchestra |
| Dec 21, 2024 | Holiday Pops - Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra |
| Dec 22, 2024 | Leslie Odom, Jr.: The Christmas Tour - Detroit Symphony Orchestra |
| Dec 28, 2024 | Trans-Siberian Orchestra The Lost Christmas Eve Tour - Little Caesars Arena |
Christmas Tree Experience
| Open Nov, 2024 | Addison-Oaks Christmas Tree Farm |
| Open Nov 22, 2024 | Paul LaTorre's Christmas Trees |
| Open Nov 22, 2024 | Blake's Orchard & Cider Mill |
| Open Nov 23, 2024 | Hillside Christmas Tree Farm |
| Open Nov 23, 2024 | Candycane Christmas Tree Farm |
| Open Nov 23, 2024 | Westman's Christmas Tree Farm |
| Open Nov 23, 2024 | Broadview Christmas Tree Farm |
| Open Nov 23, 2024 | Huron Christmas Tree Farm |
| Open Nov 23, 2024 | Middle Road Tree Farm |
| Open Nov 29, 2024 | Urquart's Christmas Tree Farm |
| Open Nov 29, 2024 | Holiday Greens & Tree Lot - The Henry Ford |
| Open Nov 29, 2024 | Runyan's Tree Farm |
| Open Nov 29, 2024 | Huron View Tree & Berry Farms |
| Open Nov 29, 2024 | Arend's Tree Farm |
| Open Nov 29, 2024 | Top Hill's Farm |
Ice Skating
| Open Nov 2024 - Mar 2025 | Outdoor Ice Skating at The Rink - Campus Martius |
| Now Open 2024 | Arctic Colliseum Public Skate |
| Now Open 2024 | Ann Arbor Ice Cube |
| Open mid Dec 2024 - Jan 2025 | Riley Park Ice Rink |
| Now Open 2024 | Garden City Ice Arena |
Hanukkah
| Dec 8, 2024 |
9th Annual Chanu-Con - Congregation Beth Shalom |
| Dec 10, 2024 |
One Light for Tzedakah: Light a Diya and a Candle for Justice: A Chanukah and Diwali Event |
| Dec 15, 2024 |
DIY With Dad – Chanukah - Adat Shalom Synagogue |
| Dec 15, 2024 |
Countdown to Chanukah - Congregation Beth Ahm |
| Dec 25, 2024 - Jan 2, 2025 | |
| Dec 25, 2024 |
Menorah in the D - Campus Martius |
| Dec 26, 2024 |
Chanukah on Ice - A2 Ice3 |
Shopping & Craft Fairs
| Nov 9, 2024 | Santa's Bag Arts & Craft Show - Marshall High School |
| Starting Nov 22, 2024 | The Downtown Detroit Markets and Cadillac Lodge - Cadillac Square |
| Nov 16, 2024 | Eastend Holiday Emporium - Eastend Studio & Gallery, Marshall |
| Nov 20-23, 2024 | Holiday Greens & Winter Market - Northville |
| Nov 21 - 22, 2024 | Royal Oak Market: Art Fair Edition - Royal Oak Farmers Market |
| Nov 23, 2024 | Annual Holiday Market at The Brady Lodge - Independence Township |
| Nov 23 & 24, 2024 | Holiday Extravaganza - Blake's Orchard & Cider Mill |
| Nov 30, 2024 | Holiday Bazaar - Downey Brewing Company |
| Dec 4, 2024 | Holiday Market - Oakland County Farmers Market |
| Dec 7. 2024 | Holiday Bazaar - Parcells Middle School |
| Dec 7 & 8, 2024 | Detroit Urban Craft Fair - Masonic Temple Detroit |
| Dec 13, 2024 | Tinsel & Treasures - Embassy Suites Livonia |
| Dec 20, 2024 | Moonlight Holiday Shopping - Downtown Tecumseh |
New Year's Eve
| Dec 31, 2024 | The Detroit Circus - Village Theatre at Cherry Hill |
| Dec 31, 2024 | New Year's Eve Day Out (Youth/Adult) - Troy Recreation Center |
| Dec 31, 2024 | New Year's Eve Day Out - Troy Community Center |
| Dec 31, 2024 | NYE Kids Bash - The Discovery Center |
Miscellaneous
| Nov 5 - Dec 12, 2024 | Hometown Holidays Toys For Tots - Chelsea, Michigan |
| Nov 9, 2024 | Turkey Fest - Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center |
| Nov 16- 17, 2024 | Cocoa Crawl - Canterbury Village |
| Nov 17, 2024 | Stuff-A-Pet: GObble Gobble - Kirksey Recreation Center |
| Nov 22, 2024 | Taylor Swift Holiday Dance Party - Canterbury Village |
| Nov 23, 2024 | Holiday Hustle 5K - Blake's Orchard & Cider Mill |
| Nov 29 - Dec 1 & Dec 21 - 22, 2024 | Grinch Weekend - Canterbury Village |
| Nov 29 - Dec 28, 2024 (multiple dates) | Holiday Carriage Rides - Downtown Detroit |
| Dec 2, 2024 | 60th Annual Marshall Christmas Parade- Marshall |
| Dec 3, 2024 - Jan 12, 2025 | Hometown Holiday Gingerbread House Display - Historic Downtown Chelsea |
| Dec 4, 2024 | Merry Mile Eggnog Jog - Calhoun County Fairgrounds |
| Dec 7, 2024 | Kids Holiday Craft Club - Saline Rec Center |
| Dec 7, 2024 | Holiday Nature Ornaments - Stonycreek Metropark |
| Dec 7 - 8, 2024 | Grinch Ornament Make & Take Workshop - Blake's Orchard & Cider Mill |
| Dec 7 - 8, 2024 | Elf Weekend - Canterbury Village |
| Dec 8, 2024 | Polar Paws & Santa Claws 5K - Teledo Zoo |
| Dec 13, 2024 | Grinchmas Swim Night - Saline Rec Center |
| Dec 14, 2024 | Frozen Princesses - Blake's Orchard & Cider Mill |
| Dec 14 - 15, 2024 | Cookie Crawl - Canterbury Village |
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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