3 metro Detroit destinations made for a festive holiday shopping trip

Looking to make holiday shopping feel a little more magical this year?

Several downtowns and markets just outside Detroit transform into festive shopping destinations with lights, window displays and plentiful opportunities to shop from local makers for holiday gifts.

All are within a 45-minute drive of Detroit and can make for either a quick visit or be turned into a longer outing with a cocktail, meal or even a carriage ride.

Downtown Rochester

For nearly 20 years, buildings in downtown Rochester are covered with more than 1 million lights during the holiday season. The display, called the “Big, Bright Light Show,” is lit every evening from 5 p.m. to midnight through Jan. 18.

Where to shop:

This year, Jenna O’Dell, an events coordinator with the Rochester Downtown Development Authority, suggested visitors check out the 18 businesses participating in the community’s holiday window contest. Some of those businesses include the consignment shop ReSale Connection, Tri-County Gift Basket and South Street Skateshop.

O’Dell also suggested visitors stop by the jewelry store by Haig’s Of Rochester, which has Santa’s sleigh on top of its roof.

Where to eat and drink:

O’Dell said there are restaurants and bars in town that are decorated for the holidays including the holiday pop-up bar at the Royal Park Hotel, Rochester Corner Bar, The Hemmingway Room, and Rochester Mills Beer Co.

How to get here:

Rochester is about 26 miles north of Detroit. Take exit 67 from I-75 North and then follow Rochester Road for about eight miles to downtown Rochester.

For more information:

Visit the Rochester Downtown Development Authority’s website at www.downtownrochestermi.com/dda.

Rust Belt Market in Ferndale

Holiday shopping has kicked off at the Rust Belt Market in Ferndale on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. Shoppers check out the store Forested. (USA Today Network)

The Rust Belt Market is an event venue and weekend marketplace featuring 30 independent shops. In the nine days leading up to Christmas, though, the market is open for extended hours (11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and on Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

Where to shop:

For the 14th year during the holidays, Rust Belt Market hosts additional vendors in its event space. This year, the market has 19 vendors joining its mainstay shops from Dec. 16-24 selling chocolate and gourmet treats, drinking vinegars and cocktail mixers, locally made ceramics, hand-blown glassware and ornaments, small antiques including jewelry, handmade jewelry, apparel and art prints.

Where to eat and drink:

HoneyDirt Coffee will be offering locally roasted coffee and lattes. Rust Belt Market also has a bar so visitors can sip on a cocktail while they shop.

How to get here:

Rust Belt Market is located at 22801 Woodward Ave. at the corner of 9 Mile Road in downtown Ferndale, which is a mile north of Detroit.

For more information: Visit Rust Belt Market’s website at www.rustbeltmarket.com.

Plymouth

Plymouth is a festive town to shop during the holidays but for one weekend (Dec. 12-14), it goes all out with a special holiday market, horse drawn carriage rides and a town train.

Where to shop:

Sam Plymale, director of Plymouth’s Downtown Development Authority, said there are some great places to shop during the entire holiday season and highlighted:

• The gift shop Kreations
• The antique store Home Sweet Home
• The gift shop Sideways
• The chocolate store Alpine Chocolat Haus
• Frameworks, an art gallery and custom frame store
• The gift shop Bohemian Home
• The antique store Opndohr
• The boutique Vitrine
• The furniture store Home Interior Warehouse
• The jewelry store Radiant Fine Jewelry

Where to eat and drink:

Plymale said many of Plymouth’s restaurants are extra festive this time of year, including The Ledger, E.G. Nick’s and Compari’s on the Park.

How to get here: Plymouth is about 27 miles west of Detroit. Take the Lodge to I-96 W and stay left to continue onto M-14 W. Take exit 20 for Sheldon Rd.

For more information:

Plymouth has a website with information on its “Christmas in Plymouth” event at https://christmasinplymouth.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 3 metro Detroit destinations made for a festive holiday shopping trip

Reporting by Adrienne Roberts, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press

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