10 magical holiday light displays near Detroit

From holiday trails and historic villages to festive drive-through light displays, here are the best places in the Detroit area to get in the holiday spirit.

With the literal town of Christmas located in our humble state, you could say Michigan is the go-to destination for holiday cheer. Michigan during the holidays is a special place to be, from snowy outdoor fun to festive indoor attractions and events.

One of the best ways to get in the holiday spirit is to take in the sights and sounds of a magical holiday light display—and luckily, festive lights abound in Michigan. We rounded up some of the best places you and your family can enjoy magical holiday light displays near and around the Detroit area. From free light shows to indoor festive fun to drive-through and holiday trails to stroll, there’s holiday fun for everyone. Here are our favorite holiday light displays near Detroit. 

In this article: 

• Holiday Forest: Clarkston, MI
• Magic of Lights Pine Knob Music Theatre: Clarkston, MI
• Meadow Brook Hall: Rochester, MI
• Canterbury Village: Lake Orion, MI
• Crossroads Village: Flint, MI
• Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo: Detroit, MI
• Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan: Detroit, MI
• The Big, Bright Light Show: Rochester, MI
• SEA Life Aquarium Twinkling Tides Holiday Event: Auburn Hills, MI
• Downtown Detroit: Detroit, MI

1. Holiday Forest

Clarkston, MI

Located in a northern suburb of Detroit, you’ll find a magical festive forest all decked out for the holidays with Christmas lights and decorations. The half-mile trail is a full-on holiday experience that starts with a warming tent bursting with holiday gifts, hot chocolate, and snacks. Next, your group will meet Barkley the Talking Tree, who instructs guests to start their trek through Candy Cane Court, Gingerbread Village, Snowman Village, Penguin Paradise, and Whoville. Many of the stops are also interactive to keep little ones entertained—they can even dance with Buddy the Elf and, of course, visit Santa at the end of the trail. (Complimentary pictures are included!) 

Photo courtesy of Holiday Forest.

Our family had the chance to visit the Holiday Forest this weekend, and my kids absolutely loved it. My 5-year-old especially enjoyed meeting Elsa, and a true highlight was the interactive giant video game on a large projector in the woods and the “snowball” fight we had together, complete with none other than Frosty the Snowman. 

Entrance to the Holiday Forest also includes a free holiday light show and access to view the Midwest’s tallest Smart Tree, which stands 70 feet tall. You can purchase advance tickets online—adults are $20, kids ages 3-15 are $15, and children two and under are free. Pets on a leash are welcome.

Photo courtesy of Chaunie Brusie.

2. Magic of Lights Pine Knob Music Theatre

Clarkston, MI

Also located in Clarkston, you can find a drive-through-only holiday light display at the Pine Knob Music Theatre. The drive-through experience is ideal for any families or groups who may have little kids or family members who need to stay warm, have mobility issues, or just want to stay cozy and comfortable in the car. The display is open Monday through Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and is even open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day through 9 p.m. Tickets start at $22.50 per car for weekdays, and advance reservations online are recommended. 

Photo courtesy of Magic of Lights.

3. Meadow Brook Hall

Rochester, MI

Built in 1929 by Oakland University founder Matilda Dodge Wilson, Meadow Brook Hall is a national historical landmark and stands as one of the finest examples of Tudor-revival style architecture in America. The  88,000-square foot, 110-room mansion serves as a cultural center as well as an event venue, and during the holidays, the Hall shines with festive cheer. Guests can stroll the grounds to enjoy the holiday lights, peek inside the Hall to see the authentic 20th-century decor details adorned for the holidays, and warm up by the outdoor firepit with an adult beverage. There’s also a daily nighttime holiday light show and an indoor holiday walk for those blustery winter days. 

4. Canterbury Village

Lake Orion, MI

During the rest of the year, Canterbury Village is a historic shopping village where visitors can see and experience the past, but during the holidays, the village transforms into a magical winter wonderland. The village lets guests wander through the town to meet various live characters, including Santa, Buddy the Elf, Elsa (the way my five-year-old gasped when she saw her favorite “Frozen” princess!), and the Grinch. Plus, there are beautifully decorated Christmas trees, musical light shows, a nativity scene, and snowmen to marvel at. If you get hungry, drinks and food are available, as well as boutique shopping. Tickets for Friday and Sunday entrance start at $18, and you can purchase tickets online.

Photo courtesy of Canterbury Village.

5. Crossroads Village

Flint, MI

Although Crossroads Village is definitely north of Detroit by a good two hours, if you’re in the SE Michigan area or in town visiting loved ones, it’s one of our family’s favorite holiday traditions. The historic 1800s village is an experience all on its own, but near the holidays, it’s downright magical. Your family can ride an authentic steam-powered train, stroll through the festively-lit village, and visit and learn at shops that include an authentic blacksmith shop and printing press (my kids absolutely loved learning about how printing presses work—and fun fact: The press uses all original blocks!). 

There are also snacks and drinks for sale and if your family prefers a more hands-off festive experience, you can also visit the village during one of its drive-through-only nights. We purchased the drive-through tickets when our family had an illness, and it was a wonderful way (and affordable at only $10/vehicle) to instill some holiday cheer into the season. I also love that Crossroads Village is one of the few light displays that stays open past Christmas until December 29, making it an ideal way to extend the holiday fun. 

Photo courtesy of Genesee County Parks.

6. Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo

Detroit, MI

I have it on good authority that Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo is hands-down an incredible experience and value for the price, especially for families. Tim Strunk, owner of Strunk’s Junk Removal and Moving LLC. in the thumb area, takes his three young children to the display every year and says there is so much to see and do. For instance, kids will delight in the Enchanted Trail, a magical pathway illuminated by glowing trees and animals and complete with a fairy flying overhead, a magical Toyland playground, and the Field of Light synchronized musical light display. 

There’s also a warm-up lodge where adults can grab a beverage and the family can enjoy making s’mores. The regular animal exhibits are open during the Wild Lights, but the zookeepers caution that some animals may choose to retreat from the lights, so there are no guarantees visitors will see animals during their visit. 

7. Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan 

Detroit, MI

Fans of Coca-Cola will want to mark their calendars for the magical Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan that’s rolling across the country. The festive holiday truck and display will make two stops in Detroit: Kroger on 1905 N Canton Center Rd from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Emagine Canton on 39535 Ford Rd from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Guests can visit and take pictures with Santa, sample some ice-cold Coca-Cola, and enter to win a trip to Santa’s Village in Finland. 

8. The Big, Bright Light Show

Rochester, MI

Just under an hour north of Detroit, downtown Rochester hosts the annual Big, Bright Light Show, where all of the downtown businesses and buildings are alight with festive cheer. The entire downtown alights with over one million holiday lights, creating a holiday spirit in even the biggest Scrooge. And the best part about the Big, Bright Light Show? It can be enjoyed every night from November 25 through January 19 for free! 

You can drive or walk through the town to enjoy the light show, but know that if you decide to walk, it can get pretty busy downtown.  I promise it’s worth it! (My only tip would be that if you visit on a weekend night and want to have dinner while you’re there, it may be helpful to make a reservation.)

9. SEA Life Aquarium Twinkling Tides Holiday Event

Auburn Hills, MI

If indoor holiday fun is more your jam and you have kids in the midst that you want to keep entertained, consider checking out the Twinkling Tides Holiday Event happening at Sea Life Aquarium inside the Great Lakes Mall. The event is just the aquarium running, but all dressed up for the holidays. Kids can enjoy all the normal attractions of the aquarium, like seeing seahorses, sharks, and fish—and touching starfish in the plunge pool—along with holiday lights and displays. Plus, kids can keep an eye out for Santa and his underwater elves in some of the tanks!

Photo courtesy of SEA LIFE Michigan.

10. Downtown Detroit

Detroit, MI

Of course, no list of holiday lights near Detroit would be complete without mentioning the GOAT of downtown Detroit itself. Featuring one million lights to enjoy in the downtown area, families can also check out classic Detroit holiday festivities such as the Ice Rink at Campus Martius Park, Chalet 313, the nearby two-story heated lounge for refreshments and cozy views, and, of course, the magical Detroit Christmas Tree. 

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