These family-friendly holiday brunches allow children opportunities to decorate cookies, make stockings, craft ornaments, and visit with Kris Kringle himself.
MICHIGAN—Santa Claus might be busy this time of year, but he makes time for Michigan children to join him for a morning meal.
There are few better things than a weekend brunch. You get a few extra hours of sleep, breakfast food is always amazing, and you start your day enjoying quality time with the people who matter to you. And when you add snowy windows, a warm fireplace, and Christmas songs, it’s bound to be extra special.
Here are some of our favorite Michigan holiday breakfasts and brunches to enjoy with your family for the end of 2021.
Northern Michigan
Breakfast with Santa at Delamar (Grand Traverse County)
Delamar Traverse City, 615 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686
Phone Number: (231) 947-3700
Time: Dec. 18, 2021, 10 a.m. to noon.
Admission Price: General admission is $35. Children are $25. Children 12 months of age and under are free.
One of Traverse City’s premier hotels on Grand Traverse Bay will be offering a family-friendly Santa experience. Breakfast includes a variety of baked goods, such as bagels, croissants, muffins, and danishes. Breakfast favorites are also offered, like scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and home fries. Kids will love decorating holiday cookies with Delamar’s Chef Patsy. Family activities include holiday crafts, marshmallow toasting, and s’more making. A cash bar is also available for adult beverages.
Visit the Delamar website or Facebook event page for more information.
Breakfast with Santa at Shanty Creek (Antrim County)
The Lakeview Restaurant, 5780 Shanty Creek Rd, Bellaire, MI 49615
Phone Number: (231) 533-3070
Time: Dec. 18, 2021, 9-11. a.m.
Admission Price: General admission is $15. Children (ages 5-9) are $12, and children under 5 are free with an adult breakfast.
Enjoy a holiday breakfast at the Shanty Creek resort in their Lakeview Restaurant, offering scenic views of Lake Bellaire. The breakfast buffet includes offerings both sweet and savory, including eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, waffles, fresh fruit compote, and more. Children can also enjoy the donut decorating station, where they may accessorize plain cake donuts with all the frosting and sprinkles their hearts desire.
Families may also bring a non-perishable food item for charity to receive $1 off per item and meal.
Visit the Shanty Creek website for more information.
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Southeastern Michigan
Breakfast with Santa at Riverfront Grille (Saginaw County)
128 N Front St, Chesaning, MI 48616
Phone Number: (989) 845-1622
Time: Dec. 12, 2021, 9 a.m. to noon
Sponsored by the Chesaning High School Key Club, this free event features a breakfast with Santa, as well as games and prizes. The Riverfront Grille is located in downtown Chesaning on the Shiawassee River.
Visit the Facebook event page or Riverfront Grille website for more information.
Breakfast with Santa at Detroit Zoo (Oakland County)
Wildlife Interpretive Gallery, 8450 W. 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067
Phone Number: 248-541-5717
Time: Dec. 14 and 15, 2021, 8:30-10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to noon
Admission Price: General admission $45 (non-members) or $40 (members). Children ages 14 and under are $40 (non-members) or $35 (members).
At the Detroit Zoo, your holiday breakfast is held in the Butterfly Garden, where hundreds of butterflies flutter about in the open space. The breakfast is a buffet-style waffle breakfast that includes a visit from Santa. Each child will receive a special gift. Also enjoy arts and crafts and photo opportunities.
Visit the Detroit Zoo website for more information.
Santa’s Skate Party at United Skates (Wayne County)
United Skates of America, 1419 Southfield Rd, Lincoln Park, MI 48146
Phone Number: (313) 381-7465
Time: Dec. 18, 2021, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Admission Price: Children’s admission is $15 and includes skate rental. General admission is $6, with skate rental optional for an additional $4.50. Children ages 2 and under are free.
A roller rink and holiday fun come together for the perfect family-friendly activity. Enjoy a full brunch with Santa and get holiday photos for the whole family. A children’s ticket also includes a free glow stick.
Visit the United Skates website for more information.
Breakfast with Santa at Ford House (Wayne County)
Ford House Visitor Center, 1100 Lake Shore Rd, Grosse Pointe Shores, MI 48236
Phone Number: 313-884-4222
Time: Dec. 12 and 19, 2021
Admission Price: General admission is $50 (non-members) and $45 (members). Children are $25 (non-members) and $22.50 (members).
Enjoy breakfast in the Ford House’s just-built-this-year Visitor Center. Enjoy picturesque views of Lake St. Clair and Ford Cove while feasting on your breakfast selection from multiple stations. Santa will visit with guests to hear Christmas wishes.
Visit the Ford House website for more information.
Breakfast with Santa at Rainforest Cafe (Oakland County)
Rainforest Cafe, Great Lakes Crossing, 4310 Baldwin Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Phone Number: (248) 333-0280
Time: Dec. 11 and 18, 2021, 8-10 a.m.
Admission Price: General admission is $18.99.
For the families that love to go wild at this rainforest safari-themed chain restaurant, you can enjoy a plated breakfast with Santa and Cha! Cha! the tree frog. Take photos with Santa, send letters to the North Pole, and enjoy other holiday activities. Tickets include goodie bags, prizes, and an exclusive retail discount.
Visit the Rainforest Cafe website for more information.
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Southwestern Michigan
Breakfast with Santa at Zeeland Historical Society (Ottawa County)
New Groningen Schoolhouse, 10537 Paw Paw Dr, Zeeland, MI 49464
Phone Number: (616) 796-4079
Time: Dec. 11, 2021, 9-11 a.m.
Admission Price: General admission is $10. Children ages 2 and up are $8.
A special part of the Festival of Community Christmas Trees, the Breakfast with Santa event takes place at the New Groningen Schoolhouse, a historic rural schoolhouse from 1881. The breakfast event includes Christmas crafts like ornaments and stockings, and plenty of Christmas music. Afterward, families can learn more about Zeeland’s non-profits through the Festival of Community Christmas Trees.
Visit Holland’s official website or Facebook event page for more information.
Brunch with Santa at Plank’s Tavern (Berrien County)
The Inn at Harbor Shores, 800 Whitwam Dr, St Joseph, MI 49085
Phone Number: 269-408-9108
Time: Dec. 5 and 19, 2021, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Enjoy a holiday twist on Plank’s traditional brunch offerings like smoked salmon eggs benedict, banana bread french toast, and gourmet omelets. Santa and his reindeer will be available along with beautiful waterfront views of one of the oldest harbors on the Great Lakes.
Visit the Harbor Shores Resort website for more information.
Brunch with Santa at FireRock Grille (Kent County)
FireRock Grille, 7177 Kalamazoo Ave, Caledonia, MI 49316
Phone Number: (616) 656-9898
Time: Dec. 19, 2021, 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Admission Price: General admission is $32. Children ages 5 to 12 are $16. Children ages 4 and under are free with an adult purchase.
One of multiple events from RedWater Restaurants. This experience at an upscale bar and grill just south of Grand Rapids features a family-friendly brunch and cookie decorating. Enjoy a brunch buffet with carved sirloin, carved honey ham, and roasted turkey, as well as traditional breakfast offerings, appetizers, sides, desserts, and a salad bar. Complimentary drinks are available at the hot chocolate bar.
Santa Brunch at RedRock Grille (Ottawa County)
RedRock Grille, 4600 Macatawa Legends Blvd, Holland, MI 49424
Phone Number: (616) 212-2600
Time: Dec. 19, 2021, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Admission Price: General admission is $32. Children ages 5 to 12 are $16. Children ages 4 and under are free with adult purchase.
One of multiple events from RedWater Restaurants. The family-friendly brunch at the Macatawa Golf Club includes cookie decorating and photo opportunities with Santa. The brunch buffet includes carved sirloin, carved honey ham, and roasted turkey. Traditional breakfast fare is also offered, including scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, and waffles. Multiple appetizers, side dishes, and deserts will also be available. A salad bar and hot chocolate bar will also be featured.
Visit the RedRock Grille website for more information.
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Lisa Green Lisa Green is a freelance writer dedicated to researching and documenting the culture of Michiganders. She is currently a graduate student majoring in Writing Studies at Eastern Michigan University, where she also teaches multimodal composition.
