a reindeer in the snow pulling a sled in Michigan

5 BEST Michigan Reindeer Farms – Where to See Rudolph in Michigan

Live reindeer farms in Michigan offer the best holiday experience for anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa’s beloved animals. For some pure Michigan farm fun during the holidays, grab a thermos of hot cocoa and a candy cane and make your way a reindeer barn. 

Spend your day with friends and family as you feed these powerful animals snacks and learn about their interesting backgrounds.

christmas tree in michigan

Michigan Christmas Events 2025: 100+ Things to Do This Year

Ready for the full Michigan Christmas experience and looking for some fun things to do to get in the holiday spirit?

We’ve got you covered: here are 23 Top Things to Do and fun events to experience the holidays in Michigan, arranged by location throughout Michigan.

Read on for fun events and places to visit, beautiful light displays, where to visit with reindeer, Christmas Tree farms, holiday tree lightings, Christmas parades, bustling markets, and more.

car driving through michigan christmas lights display

Michigan Christmas Lights Shows: 2025 Guide Mapped

Nothing does a better job of getting us in the Christmas spirit than a magnificent display of holiday lights. With the sun setting earlier, the bright lights emit a rainbow of colors that makes up for shorter days by brightening the night. Whether you’re looking for a walkable outdoor experience immersed in glimmering decorations or want to cruise through a show from the comfort of your car, there is a show that will be sure to delight you. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best Christmas light shows in Michigan, from the southernmost corners to the Upper Peninsula.

Bronner's Frankenmuth Christmas store

Christmas in Frankenmuth, Michigan: Your Ultimate Holiday Guide

It’s the holiday season, and there’s no better place to celebrate Christmas in Michigan than Frankenmuth. From the elaborate Christmas light displays to the fairytale-like Glockenspiel Tower, a Frankenmuth Christmas is a Hallmark movie come to life.

What better way to celebrate the season than with a quick family vacation or romantic getaway to Frankenmuth, MI?

Whether you’re looking for a brief respite with your kids during the holiday sc

sign for the town of christmas michigan

Christmas, Michigan: Ultimate Guide to the U.P.’s Year-Round Holiday Town

Looking for a place in the United States where you can celebrate the holiday season all year long?

Head to Christmas, Michigan, located on the shores of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula, where a 35-foot Santa Claus will greet you and make it official: this IS Christmas town. With a population of just 400, it isn’t very big, but Christmas, Mi has enough natural beauty to put you in the holiday spirit all year long.

gingerbread ornaments hanging at a michigan christmas market

20 Best Michigan Christmas Markets

Visiting Michigan Christmas markets is a great way to get into the holiday spirit and start your holiday shopping. If you’re a fan of Michigan-themed gifts and/or artisan-made items, these markets are a great place to find special goods.
Whether you’re bundled up and enjoying a bustling outdoor holiday market or browsing an indoor market, visiting an amazing Michigan Christmas is one of my favorite ways to get in the holiday spirit.
Read on for 20 Amazing Top Michigan Christmas Markets.

main street at Greenfield Village's Holiday nights Christmas event

Holiday Nights Greenfield Village Guide

A visit to Greenfield Village Holiday Nights is one of the favorite family traditions and a perfect yuletide activity at holiday time. In fact, a pure Michigan Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a stroll down Main Street at Henry Ford’s Greenfield Village, the smell of roasting chestnuts filling the air.
One of the premier holiday celebrations, Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village is annual holiday tradition for countless visitors who flock to the Henry Ford Museum in Wayne County for this annual Christmas event.

michigan christmas parades

22 Best Michigan Christmas Parades: Holiday Parades and Christmas Fun (MAP)

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 18 BEST Christmas and holiday parades in Michigan.

Discover where and when to celebrate the magic of the holiday with these fun parades, we’ve also included some information on don’t-miss things to do with each event.

If you’re looking for a Christmas parade near me, scroll to the bottom for an interactive map of the best Michigan holiday parades. 

A christmas tree lighting on a dark night

30 Michigan Christmas Tree Lightings to See in 2025

‘Tis the season to light up the Michigan mitten, and there’s nothing like Michigan holiday tree lightings 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.

There’s really no better way to kick off the holiday season, so read on to discover the very best Michigan Tree Lightings.

If you’re looking for “ Christmas Tree Lightings near me “ or “ holiday displays near me “ be sure to read through for our map of the best tree lightings in Michigan.

michigan polar express trains rides

Michigan Christmas Trains: Polar Express & More

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. Maybe you’ve seen The Polar Express movie, the story of a young boy beckoned on Christmas Eve to ride a secret express train to the north pole? Based on a book by Grand Rapids native Chris Van Allsburg, the story of a polar express train that has captivated both children and adults is more than make-believe. It’s true: the steam engine featured in the book is real, and you can take a ride on this North Pole Express and other steam locomotives in Michigan to visit with Santa Claus this holiday season .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? So, get in your best holiday garb, strap on your Santa hats, and book your ticket now for the ride of your life.

a gaezbo lit by christmas lights in michigan

7 Best Michigan Beach Towns for Christmas (Magical Holiday Getaways!)

You don’t have to look far for the best Christmas towns in Michigan, especially during the holiday season. The entire state is practically a Hallmark Christmas movie come to life, especially once the Christmas lights go up and that first snow sticks to the ground.

All around the state, communities large and small celebrate the season in their own unique and charming ways, from one-of-a-kind train rides, to year-round Christmas cheer, and everything in between. With twinkling Christmas light displays, Christmas markets and holiday cheer all around, these Christmas towns in Michigan become a Christmas wonderland.

detroit christmas events

30 Best Detroit Holiday Events to RIng in 2025

Best Detroit and Metro Detroit Christmas Events 2022

Looking for the best Detroit Christmas events and some in metro Detroit, too?

You’re in the right spot! It’s the holiday season, and as a lifelong resident of metro Detroit married to a dedicated Detroiter, I’ve spent a lot of time celebrating and finding holiday magic in Detroit!

Whether you’re looking for some great ideas for holiday shopping, a Christmas parade, or other holiday events in Detroit MI and the surrounding area, I’ve put together a list sure to help you find a fun holiday event or activity.
From South Lyon to Grosse Pointe, from Rochester Hills to Ann Arbor, there are fun holiday events happening all season long.

people on a sleigh ride in Michigan

15 AMAZING Michigan Sleigh Rides (Winter Horse Drawn Carriages & Elk Viewing)

Looking to hear those sleigh bells jingling this winter? And maybe hear them ring tingle tingling, too?

You’re not alone: Michigan is one of the top spots in the country to take a fairytale-like ride through a wintery wonderland.

There’s nothing quite like dashing through the snow on a glee-filled joy ride with that special someone, and Michigan offers countless places to enjoy an exhilarating winter Sleigh Ride.

Whether you’re looking for trip ideas, a special Michigan holiday activity, quick winter getaway, or simply a winter activity road trip, check out these fabulous sleigh rides in Michigan.

From the Upper Peninsula to northern and west Michigan, these affordable Michigan sleigh rides will be a highlight of your Michigan winter.