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The holiday season is just around the corner, and there is no better place to celebrate than in the Detroit Region. This area has something for everyone, from festive events and holiday markets to outdoor activities and delicious food. So grab your friends and family, and let’s explore some of the top things to do in Detroit this holiday season.

Experience winter fun at Winter Monroe Street Midway.

Stop by Monroe Street Midway with your friends and family for a day of winter fun this season. Take a ride down the Arctic Slide, go for a spin on the slick rink on bumper cars, try your hand at some arcade games, grab a hockey stick and try out puck-putt, and experience interactive art activations. The Midway will be open from Nov. 9 to Jan. 7, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Enjoy festive decor and seasonal drinks at Downtown Rochester’s Secret Bar Christmas Pop-Up.

Photo Credit: Royal Park Hotel

Enjoy a selection of Christmas cocktails and seasonal bites like smoked Gouda dip and hot honey garlic wings, as well as festive decorations like an upside-down Christmas tree and ceiling adorned in ornaments, lights, and garland at The Secret Bar Christmas Pop-Up. Located in Royal Park Hotel in Downtown Rochester, the event will be held every Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 16 to Dec. 31, from 5-11 p.m. on Thursdays and 5 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Visit Campus Martius Park for the 20th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Kick off the holiday season by attending “Merry & Bright: 20 Years of Holiday Lights” in Downtown Detroit, Friday, Nov. 17, 4-9 p.m. This free annual tree lighting ceremony, presented by Downtown Detroit Partnership and DTE Energy Foundation, will be hosted at Campus Martius Park and feature live music, ice skating, holiday shopping, giveaways, food trucks, and more.

Shop local at the Downtown Detroit Markets and enjoy board games and holiday drinks at Cadillac Lodge.

From Nov. 9, 2023, to Jan. 17, 2024, the Downtown Detroit Markets will showcase the best of Detroit’s small businesses and artisans. You’ll find unique gifts, holiday decorations, and delicious food and drinks from local vendors. The markets are located at Cadillac Square and Capitol Park, making exploring both during your visit easy and are open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

While you are there, make sure to stop by Cadillac Lodge, a family-friendly pop-up with a heated tent filled with warm beverages and snacks, including holiday cocktails, chili, and pretzels with beer cheese; board games; plush seating; blankets; and roaring fireplaces.

Enjoy the Holidays in Downtown Wyandotte.

Wyandotte has plenty to offer this holiday season, including a cookie walk, tree lighting, Christmas Parade, Winter Markets, and more.

Friday, Nov. 17

• Listen to holiday music and enjoy holiday lights as Downtown Wyandotte lights up its Christmas tree at dusk. Enjoy the lighting at the intersection of Sycamore Street and Biddle Avenue.
• Walk downtown Wyandotte after the city’s tree lighting and collect 18 freshly baked cookies from participating businesses during the 2023 Cookie Walk. General tickets cost $30, and VIP tickets cost $36 and include a couple of hot chocolates or coffees to enjoy on the stroll. Tickets can be bought at Sweet Arrangements in Wyandotte.
• Support local businesses and find unique holiday gifts at the Winter Market in Wyandotte. The market will run 3-9 p.m. in the Yack Arena Parking Lot.

Saturday, Nov. 18

• Start your morning at Wyandotte’s 80th Christmas Parade, which will begin at Northline near the police/court building and end at Eureka. The parade will start at 10 a.m. and run approximately one hour. During the event, you will enjoy local marching troupes, pipe, drum, and marching bands, and Santa Claus.
• Support local businesses and find unique holiday gifts at the Winter Market in Wyandotte. The market will run 3-9 p.m. in the Yack Arena Parking Lot.

Indulge in holiday treats at Eastern Market’s Holiday Market.

Photo Credit: Eastern Market

Eastern Market is hosting a special holiday edition of its popular market throughout November and December. This is the perfect place to find unique and locally made gifts, as well as delicious seasonal treats like hot cocoa, mulled wine, and freshly baked goods. The market is free to attend and open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Sunday, from Nov. 26 to Dec. 10, plus a special Tuesday Market on Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Tuesday market will focus on food vendors and will offer everything for your holiday meals. The Sunday markets will feature Michigan-made items perfect for gifts, ranging from clothing and art to jewelry, beauty products, and more. There will also be Christmas tree vendors daily starting around Thanksgiving.

Enjoy Seasonal Treats at the Plymouth Holiday Greens Market.

Stop by the Holiday Greens Market on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to shop for various holiday greens, crafts, baked goods, and seasonal treats. The event will be held at the Gathering, located directly across from Kellogg Park, next to the Penn Theatre in Downtown Plymouth. In addition to shopping, you can stroll through the park and experience the Walk of Trees display.

Photo Credit: Detroit Zoo

Explore the Detroit Zoo’s Wild Lights.

Experience the sights and sounds of the season at the Detroit Zoo during its annual holiday light show, Wild Lights. During the event, you will enjoy nearly 500 festive displays featuring millions of twinkling LED lights illuminating buildings, trees, sculptures, and a walk-through light tunnel. Wild Lights will be hosted Nov. 24-26, Dec. 1-3, Dec. 8-10, Dec. 13-23, Dec. 26-31, and Jan. 2-7. Buy tickets now.

Experience European open-air Christmas markets at the Downtown Rochester Kris Kringle Market.

Stop by the Kris Kringle Market in Downtown Rochester on Friday, Dec. 1, 4-10 p.m., or Saturday, Dec. 2, from noon to 10 p.m., to enjoy one-of-a-kind shopping, specialty foods, fresh greens and wreaths, and handcrafted gifts for the holiday. The event will feature over 35 local vendors, live musical performances and caroling, a warming tent with hot-spice wine, beer from Rochester Mills, and food by Rochester Corner Bar, Santa visits, a children’s Gingerbread Village, and s’mores station.

Experience Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village.

Photo Credit: Greenfield Village

Enjoy holiday lights and music, warm up by bonfires, dine on roasted chestnuts and other seasonal foods, and take a ride on a historic Model T, carousel, or horse-drawn wagon during Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village. Celebrated as one of the country’s premier holiday celebrations, this event is a must-visit in December. The event is held Dec. 1-3, Dec. 8-10, Dec. 14-17, Dec. 19-23, and Dec. 26-28, but as of this posting, tickets only remain for the last weekend. Buy tickets now.