Top Michigan Holiday Attractions and Christmas Things to Do 2023 (Christmas Tree Light Shows, Zoo Lights, Christmas Tree Lighting, Holiday Parades, Christmas Tree Farms and More!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Michigan: the winter holidays. The whole state is alive with silver bells, holiday music, Christmas carols, Christmas decor, and other winter wonders.
There are so many exciting holiday attractions in Michigan from Traverse City to downtown Detroit; from Marquette to southwest Michigan, Michigan is alive with holiday fun! From outdoor play and activity areas to bustling Christmas markets for holiday shopping, you’ll find something for everyone.
If you’re looking for the coolest Christmas things to do in Michigan, here’s a guide to help you find everything you need to have your merriest Christmas in Michigan. Happy Holidays!
Best Michigan Holiday Activities : See Michigan Christmas Lights (A Guide to the BEST Michigan Christmas Light Displays)
Drawn to the bright light of the Christmas in Michigan? During the holiday season, nothing does a better job of getting us in the Christmas spirit than a magnificent display of glimmering wonderland of lights: it’s simply the magic of lights. Gathering with family and friends to see the lights before Christmas, or taking a holiday stroll unser twinkling lights is a favorite Christmas activity!
Whether you’re looking for a walkable outdoor experience immersed in glimmering decorations or drive-thru Christmas light display to view sparkling displays of light from the comfort of your car, there is a light display in Michigan that will be sure to delight you.
Here are a few of our favorites:
Nite Lites at the Michigan International Speedway
Where: 12626 US-12, Brooklyn, MI 49230
Nite Lites at the Michigan International Speedway is one of the prettiest light displays in Michigan. Nite Lites is another fantastic drive-thru Christmas light show option for those in South-Central Michigan. It is located at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn.
Winter Wonder Lights at Meadowbrook Hall
Where: 350 Estate Drive, Rochester, Michigan 48309-4481
Spark your holiday season at Meadow Brook Hall’s Winter Wonder Lights. Michigan’s most dazzling outdoor event and holiday light show is perfect for the young, the old and everyone in between. It’s where you can explore a world of lights and magic.
Wayne County Lightfest
Where: 7651 N Merriman Rd, Westland, MI 48185
The drive-thru style is a great way to experience a Christmas light show. Driving through a light show means you can cover more area, which means more lights! Wayne County Lightfest is the perfect example of this; after all it is the longest light show in Michigan
Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village
Where: 20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI 48124
Dearborn’s Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village is one of Michigan’s top museums and its Christmas celebration lives up to its reputation, with Christmas trees decorated in a fabulous festival of lights. Lights are strung across the historic buildings in such a picturesque way that each sight could be on the front of a different Christmas card.
You can find more than 50 amazing light shows, along with a handy, interactive map to help you plan your visit, in our Ultimate Guide to Michigan Light Displays.
Have Breakfast with Santa
Olde World Canterbury Village
Where: Canterbury Village, 2359 Joslyn Court, Lake Orion, MI 48360
What better opportunity for visiting with Santa than over a delicious warm breakfast? This Olde World Canterbury Village Santa experience in a cozy, old-world pub includes a breakfast buffet and a visit with the old man himself.
Visit a Michigan Christmas Tree Family Farm for a U Cut Christmas Tree
From choose and cut farms to fun-filled retail lots, there are so many ways to celebrate the season at tree farm. Take a holiday walk and find special amenities like firepits and hot chocolate concessions, horse-drawn wagon rides and tractor rides or even visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Even if you’re an artificial tree fan, you’ll find tons of Michigan holiday fun at one of these amazing Christmas tree farms.
Here is one of our favorite spots to for a pure Michigan Christmas tree.
Peacock Road Family Farm
11854 Peacock Road, Laingsburg, MI 48848
Sure you can cut down your tree at Peacock Road family farm, but there’s a lot more to do here at this fun holiday farm. For true Santa experience, take a ride on the Peacko Express train to Santa’s workshop, where you can enjoy hot cocoa with Santa and Mrs. Claus and find some beautifu holiday decorations, too.
Ride a Michigan Santa Train on the North Pole Express
It’s one of the most popular kid-friendly holiday events in Michigan: a special ride on a Christmas train to ring in the holidays. If you haven’t seen the Polar Express yet, why not experience it first hand with these four Christmas train rides in Michigan and make it part of your holiday tradition?
Ride North Pole Express to the Village of Ashey Country Christmas and step into your own Hallmark Christmas town come to life. You’ll visit with Santa, walk the street lined with cute boutiques and cafes and take in the amazing holiday decor, too.
Visit Frankenmuth MI and shop Bronners Christmas Wonderland
If you’re ready to get in the holiday spirit and do some serious Christmas shopping, look no farther than Frankenmuth. This Christmas wonderland is one of the top Christmas attractions in Michigan, and the biggest Christmas store in the world. It’s a Michigan favorite holiday tradition: a trip to Bronners Christmas shop, and horse drawn carriage ride around festive town.
If you’re looking for more Christmas events and things to do after your visit, take a shore ride to Christmas at Crossroads Village in Flint or Canterbury Village in Lake Orion for some old-fashioned Christmas fun.
Watch a Michigan Christmas Parade
Nothing can get you into the holiday spirit like a Christmas parade: there’s a certain magic in the procession and a captivation of the imagination as colorfully decorated floats go by. From Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to the far corners of southeast Michigan and everything in between, we’ve rounded up the 23 BEST Christmas and holiday parades in Michigan.
- Winter Snow Fun Holiday Parade in Marquette MI – Thursday, December 2 at 6:00 p.m.
- Royal Oak Jingle and Lighted Parade – Saturday, December 10
Get Wild at the Detroit Zoo’s Wild Lights Exhibit
For 40 magical nights Wild Lights, the Detroit Zoo’s annual holiday light display will become one of the most beautiful and popular holiday events in metro Detroit. Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo is the perfect place to find that holiday magic while you’re waiting for Santa Claus to make his appearance.
Celebrate the Season with a Michigan Christmas Tree Lighting
‘Tis the season to light up the Michigan mitten, and there’s nothing like Michigan holiday tree lighting ceremony give the night sky a cozy glow. It’s a festive time: all across the state, communities gather together to celebrate the holidays with parades, festivals and fairs, and of course. the annual lighting of the Christmas tree.
These are special ways for communities to come together during the holidays and the best part is that tey are happening everywhere across the state! be sure and check out our guide to Michigan tree lighting ceremonies.
Watch the Detroit Thanksgiving Parade
It’s the Michigan event that officially kicks off the start of the holiday season: America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It’s one of the highlights of Thanksgiving morning, and one of the top events in Michigan: eager parade-goers line the streets of Detroit’s historic Woodward Avenue to watch giant floats, colorful high-flying balloons thunderous marching bands, and unique performance acts.
More Fun Things to Do in Michigan During the Holidays with Kids
Michigan is a holiday winter wonderland, with enough fun attractions and Christmas events to keep to busy all season long. Find even more tings to do below:
Take Some Sleigh Rides in Michigan
Plan a Visit to a Michigan Ski Resort
Take A Michigan Winter Family Vacation
Go Snow Tubing or Sledding
Visit an Indoor Waterpark
Go Ice Skating at Campus Martius Park in Downtown Detroit
Visit Michigan Holiday Markets
See the Christmas Lights in Downtown Rochester
Michigan Christmas F.A.Q.
There are many festive things to do in Michigan during the Christmas holidays including Seeing Christmas Light Displays, Visiting Santa and his reindeer at a reindeer farm, Riding a Santa train to the North Pole, Watching a Christmas Tree Lighting, Going to a Winter Holiday Parade, Visiting Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland and Frankenmuth, Michigan’s own Christmas town. and so many mor
Michigan Holiday Events
