Michigan’s holiday magic: 18 events in November & December

Check out the best holiday events in Michigan, from festive markets and light shows to parades and concerts.

The holiday season is in full swing, and there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate in Michigan. From holiday markets and light shows to parades and concerts, there are tons of festive gatherings and events to check out across the Great Lakes State. Get out your calendars and keep reading to discover all the best holiday events taking place in Michigan this year. 

1. Wayne County Lightfest

Nov. 21-Dec. 24

Get in the holiday spirit with a magical drive through Hines Park. Wayne County Lightfest features almost 50 animated holiday displays and more than 100,000 lights. Previous displays have included nutcrackers, reindeer, a yeti, a castle, and the Grinch. 

Wayne County Lightfest is open Wednesday through Sunday from 6-10 p.m. beginning November 21. Opening night will feature fireworks, refreshments, music, and an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus. 

2. Wild Lights

Nov. 23-Jan. 5

The Detroit Zoo’s Wild Lights is another dazzling light show the entire family will enjoy. Millions of LED lights will illuminate the zoo, covering buildings, sculptures, and trees. There’s also a mesmerizing light tunnel and tons of illuminated animal-themed displays. In total, there are more than 500 displays to see, plus hot cocoa and holiday treats, warming stations with live music, a 4D theater playing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” an interactive wishing tree, and more.  

Santa Claus will also be available for photos beginning at 5 p.m. through December 23. 

3. The Big, Bright Light Show

Nov. 25-Jan. 19

If you haven’t noticed, light shows are a popular holiday activity in Michigan, and The Big, Bright Light Show is one you won’t want to miss. During this weeks-long event, businesses in downtown Rochester illuminate their storefronts with lights (more than one million in total), turning the area into a glimmering Disneyland-like destination.  

The businesses also create elaborate themed window displays. In 2023, The Home Bakery built a life-size Barbie out of cake for its window display. Downtown Rochester is full of boutique stores and unique small businesses, so you can get some of your holiday shopping done while you take in the light show. 

4. Holiday Market

Nov. 26-Dec. 22

Speaking of holiday shopping, Eastern Market’s Holiday Market is the perfect place to pick up unique gifts for everyone on your list. In addition to its Saturday market that operates year-round, Eastern Market kicks off the holiday season with a Tuesday market on November 26. This market features mostly food vendors and is the ideal spot to grab ingredients for Thanksgiving dinner or other upcoming holiday meals. 

Eastern Market also hosts four Sunday holiday markets in December, with vendors selling Michigan-made items perfect for gifting, including jewelry, artwork, clothing, and beauty products. There will also be Christmas tree vendors in the parking lot, so you can pick up a tree if you haven’t gotten yours already. 

Photo courtesy Eastern Market Partnership.

5. Canterbury Village Holiday Stroll

Nov. 29-Dec. 23

It doesn’t get more festive than Canterbury Village’s Holiday Stroll. For this event, the village is transformed into a winter wonderland complete with almost one million twinkling lights, a light show with classic holiday music, professional carolers, appearances from beloved characters including Buddy the Elf, Frosty the Snowman, “Frozen” stars Anna and Elsa, and many others. Warm up by the fire pits while you sip hot chocolate, beer, wine, or a cocktail. 

Santa will also be available for photos and will have a mailbox on site for children to drop off their letters. 

6. Holly Dickens Festival

Nov. 30-Dec. 15

Charles Dickens fans should head to Holly on weekends beginning November 30 for a festival celebrating the famed author of “A Christmas Carol.” The Holly Dickens Festival features tons of food, arts and crafts, games, music, dancing, and a theatrical production of one of Dickens’ iconic stories.

Attendees are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Dickens character. Festival organizers have even created a Victorian costuming guidelines document with outfit inspiration and tips for putting together the perfect Dickensian ensemble. 

7. Parade of Lights 

Dec. 3

Santa Claus is coming to town, and the city of Holland is throwing a parade to celebrate. 

During Holland’s Parade of Lights, Santa will participate in a procession of about 75 floats, antique cars, walkers, and marching bands, all sporting thousands of sparkling lights. 

The parade ends at the Holland Civic Center, which is home to Holland’s annual Kerstmarkt, a European-style holiday market where you can shop for gifts and food while enjoying entertainment by carolers and other musical guests.  

8. KindleFest

Dec. 6

KindleFest, modeled after Germany’s Christkindlmarkt, or Christmas market, is another excellent event for holiday shopping. At this outdoor market, artisans sell holiday wares and crafts of all sorts. There will also be food trucks and vendors, beer and mulled wine, fire pits where you can make s’mores, live music, and activities for the kids. 

Photo courtesy of Kerrytown District Association.

9. Grand Rapids Santa Parade

Dec. 7

This year’s Grand Rapids Santa Parade will feature more than 50 participants and end at Rosa Park Circle—where even more holiday fun awaits. The annual tree lighting ceremony will take place shortly after the parade, and after the ceremony, kids are invited to write letters to Santa and enjoy free cookies and hot chocolate. The Rosa Park Circle Ice Rink will also be open after the ceremony for those looking to show off their skating skills. 

10. Noel Night

Dec. 7

Noel Night is an annual celebration—now in its 50th year—that takes place in Detroit’s Midtown and Cultural Center districts, which are home to some of Michigan’s top art institutions and galleries, historic churches, and a plethora of unique small businesses. During Noel Night, you can shop at local stores, grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants in the area or food trucks set up for the event, listen to live music, participate in interactive holiday-themed experiences and family-friendly activities, and visit with Santa. 

11. Old Town Krampusnacht

Dec. 7

Old Town Krampusnacht is a one-day festival celebrating Krampus, the half-goat, half-demon character who punishes misbehaving children during Christmas time. This free event in Lansing will include a parade, market, costume contest, food and drink vendors, games, activities for children, an art exhibition, and a silent auction. 

12. Trans-Siberian Orchestra Concert

Dec. 8

Trans-Siberian Orchestra, known for its electrifying fusion of rock music and holiday classics, is coming to Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids this holiday season as part of its 2024 Winter Tour: The Lost Christmas Eve. The band will also stop in Detroit to perform at Little Caesars Arena on December 28. 

13. Jingle Ball

Dec. 10

If you can’t catch either of Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s shows, treat yourself to tickets to Jingle Ball instead. This annual holiday concert features performances from some of the biggest names in music, and it’s making a stop in Detroit at Little Caesars Arena. Performances vary from city to city, but Jingle Ball Detroit attendees can expect to see Jack Harlow, Jason Derulo, Teddy Swims, Saweetie, Madison Beer, Isabel LaRosa, NCT Dream, and Wonho.

14. Canterbury Cookie Crawl 

Dec. 14-15

The Holiday Stroll isn’t the only festive event Canterbury Village is hosting this year. On December 14 and 15, bring your appetite to the village for the Canterbury Cookie Crawl. Your $2 entry ticket will get you a homemade cookie at every shop in the village. You can sample them all while you shop for last-minute holiday gifts and vote for your favorite at the end, or bring a container to take some home to enjoy later. 

Photo courtesy of Canterbury Village.

15. TCTC Jingle Bell Run

Dec. 22

A 5K—but make it festive. That’s exactly what the Traverse City Track Club aims to do with its Jingle Bell Run. The TCTC Jingle Bell Run is a nighttime run that takes participants through neighborhood streets decked out with holiday lights and decorations. Participants are encouraged to dress in holiday attire and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and cookies after the run. There will also be a cash bar at the nearby Park Place Hotel for those who want to celebrate with adult beverages. 

16. Menorah in the D

Dec. 25

Menorah in the D is back for an evening of festive fun at Campus Martius in Detroit. The annual event will take place on the first night of Chanukah and feature a menorah lighting, a fire show, crafts and activities for children, soup, snacks, and cider, and photo opportunities with Dreidel Man & the Dancing Dreidels. 

17. New Year’s Eve Ball Drop

Dec. 31

Downtown Ludington invites you to ring in the new year at its New Year’s Eve Ball Drop event. The night begins with a street party at Legacy Plaza featuring music by DJ Chris Bosse and beer, wine, and seltzer. The ball drop—West Michigan’s largest—takes place promptly at midnight, followed by a fireworks display.

18. New Year’s Eve Celebration

Dec. 31

Downtown Allegan’s New Year’s Eve Celebration also features a ball drop, which organizers say is the largest in Michigan with more than 30,000 synchronized LED lights covering a globe measuring more than 10 feet in diameter. There will also be large fire pits to keep attendees warm, plus food trucks, hot drinks, live music, and a silent disco. 

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.