2022 Best Holiday Experiences in Metro Detroit
Written By: Mark H. Stowers
Mistletoe, holiday lights, crisp winter air and a giving heart are all part of the annual holiday experience. But what are some of the Best Holiday Experiences in Metro Detroit? Here’s a quick look at some events to put on your wish list of Holiday experiences.
2022 Best Holiday Experiences in Metro Detroit
Good Company Realty in downtown Royal Oak will be hosting Letters to Santa on Saturday, December 10th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Kids can write a letter to Santa Claus with a return letter from the jolly elf himself. Photo ops with Santa will be available as well as a hot cocoa bar, a holiday scavenger hunt and goodie bags. To reserve your space in line with Santa, click here. Good Company Realty is located at 130 West 5th Street.
The annual Downtown Detroit Markets at Cadillac Square features vendors of all kinds including local artists and artisans to show off their work from November to January. Get out of the box store line and head to Cadillac Square for a unique gift for family and friends. And while downtown, check out Menorah in the D on 800 Woodward Avenue.
This Campus Martius event includes a giant menorah lighting, Chanukah games, foot, Chanukah gelt, a fire show and even educational info for those wanting to know more about the Jewish event. While in the area, check out the Detroit Christmas Tree that is lit annually. More than a half million lights bring holiday cheer and brighten the outdoor ice rink to this free event.
Looking for an indoor spot to warm up and take in the cinematic splendor of the holidays? Check out he Redford Theatre on Lahser Road in Detroit and watch classic movies that celebrate the Christmas spirit. White Christmas, The Grinch, Die Hard and It’s a Wonderful Life – all in their cinematic glory on the big screen. Click here for more info.
The Detroit Opera House also offers some indoor cheer with their production of “The Hard Nut” – a 70s interpretation of The Nutcracker. This holiday classic twist is a must see with dancing action figures, fairies with a unique view. Tickets and more info here.
The suburbs brighten up, especially in downtown Rochester. With more than a million lights highlighting downtown businesses, Rochester lights up your holiday shopping from November to January.
And if touring holiday lights is right in your wheelhouse, check out the BYOB Christmas Light Trolley Tour 2022. The seventh annual event takes you to some of the area’s best holiday light spots. Three different tours take three different routes including the Rochester Big Bright Light Show, Canterbury Village Holiday Stroll and Campus Martius. Grab your friends and your favorite adult beverage and your ugliest Christmas sweater and take part in all the fun and frivolity of the season. Complete details can be found here.
If you want to take in holiday lights and spirit on your own or with your family, check out the Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak. From November to January, the zoo comes to life at night with thousands of LED lights. New this year is the Enchanted Trail – an immersive forest of lights replete with holiday music. There’s also the Toyland and Wishing Tree with life-sized toy sculptures of light including a 40-foot long train. And take a minute to warm up inside and take in the Polar Express 4D Theater experience. A view of the Christmas classic like no other. But if you just need warming up with no movie, check out the Wild Lights Lodge filled with holiday décor, live entertainment, bar service, s’mores and more. Get your ticket here.
Winter might not be baseball season but the Royal Oak Leprechauns will be at The Lucky Corner – Memorial Park at 13 and Woodward with their Second Annual Lighting of the Field. The event takes place on Friday, December 16th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Members of the Leprechaun front office will be on hand with treats and music, Leprechaun swag and season tickets for a great Christmas gift for that fan of the baseball diamond. More info here.
For a bit of a romantic flair, head to Birmingham with your significant other and take a Carriage Ride. These horse-drawn carriage rides meaner through Birmingham in November and December and are free and open to the public. The downtown route gives a glimpse of local light displays and shopping.
Even though Greenfield Village is an all year round event, Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village are special. With sights, sounds and even smells of the holiday season, attendees are treated to chestnuts roasting on an actual open fire, carolers crooning seasonal favorites and plenty of lights that accent the season. Warm drinks, a Model T ride and more – even dining with Santa is available. For more detailed information, check here.
There’s plenty of holiday spirit, shopping, lights and fun in Metro Detroit.