With ample space and advanced safety features, the Blazer ensures every journey is as enjoyable as the destination.
Photo courtesy of the Detroit Zoo
As the year winds down and the holiday season starts approaching, Metro Detroit transforms into a wonderland of twinkling lights, local markets, and festive celebrations. From cherished annual traditions to exciting new experiences, this season’s lineup offers countless ways to make lasting memories with friends and family.
All Things Detroit
2934 Russell Street, Detroit
A Detroit tradition more than a decade in the making, All Things Detroit: Holiday Shopping Experience returns Sunday, November 9, at Eastern Market. Created by Ask Jennyfer founder Jennyfer Crawford-Williams, this shop-local day-long event has become a must-visit for shoppers looking to support Michigan makers and entrepreneurs. With more than 200 vendors filling Sheds 3, 4, and 5, shoppers will find everything from handmade gifts and home goods to local treats and art. Guests can grab a snack from vendors and food trucks and browse creations by businesses like Astouri and The Radiant Chemist, all while enjoying a set from DJ Nouveau. Beat the Crowd tickets grant early access from 10 a.m. to noon, including a limited-edition holiday tote and gift, and are sold online in advance. General admission tickets can be purchased at the door. For many, this event kicks off the holiday season in Detroit.
Ferndale Underground Market
221 West Troy Street, #200, Ferndale
Downtown Ferndale adds a creative twist to the holiday market scene with the Ferndale Underground Holiday Market, happening November 15 through 17 in the basement of the DOT parking structure. “Our goal is to encourage people to choose one-of-a-kind gifts for their loved ones,” shares Market Producer Mark Loeb. The event is part of Ferndale’s annual Jingle and Mingle celebration, which features a lively mix of art, handmade goods, and food vendors. Shoppers can explore unique gifts, enjoy make-and-take ornament crafts, and browse tasty offerings like pies, candies, and jams. The market also highlights young artists from the Mint Artists Guild, whose work can make perfect heartfelt gifts. Admission is free, but attendees are encouraged to bring donations for the Renaissance Vineyard Food Pantry and the FernCare Free Clinic.
Campus Martius Park
800 Woodward Avenue, Detroit
Downtown Detroit’s holiday season officially begins with the 22nd Annual Detroit Tree Lighting at Campus Martius Park on Friday, November 21, from 4 to 9 p.m. Visitors can look forward to an evening filled with music, skating, and over a million sparkling lights illuminating the city. The celebration features performances by local and national talent, figure skaters, and a special appearance by Santa himself. Guests can find a variety of food trucks for dining options, early holiday shopping, festive photo ops, and giveaways. It’s the perfect way to kick off Detroit’s most dazzling time of year.
Royal Oak Holidays
Downtown Royal Oak
This year, Royal Oak is taking festive fun to new heights with the expanded Royal Oak Holidays, a five-weekend celebration running from November 21 through December 21. After years as a standalone event, Winter Blast has officially merged into Royal Oak Holidays, bringing together all the excitement of its zip line rides, ice sculptures, and carnival attractions in one extended experience at no cost. “We’re taking everything people loved about Winter Blast and supercharging it for one amazing holiday season,” said festival producer Jon Witz. “By merging its favorite features into ‘Royal Oak Holidays’ and extending the event over multiple weekends, we’re creating a bigger, more accessible celebration that delivers more value, more festive fun, and more time for families to enjoy it all.” The festival begins with the Lighting of the Park and the opening of the Rink at Royal Oak on November 21. Each themed weekend offers something new, from cookie crawls and holiday markets to Grinch Weekend (December 19-21) and a free skating weekend from December 12 through 14. With carriage rides, marshmallow roasting, a toy drive benefiting The Bottomless Toy Chest, and Santa’s grand arrival on a fire truck, Royal Oak Holidays promises more time, more lights, and more magic than ever before.
Detroit Zoo
8450 West 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak
Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo returns for another season of holiday wonder. More than 500 illuminated animal and nature displays light up the night across themed zones like the Enchanted Rainforest and Field of Lights. This event offers a perfect mix of beauty and family fun, featuring seasonal eats and drinks, fire pits, pop-up performances, and visits with Santa through December 23. Guests can explore from November 22 through early January, making it an ideal outing for both holiday traditions and new memories amongst millions of lights. Whether it’s a date night or a family stroll, Wild Lights captures the magic of winter with every step.
From sparkling city lights and holiday markets to festive food, skating, and shopping, the holiday season across Metro Detroit offers something for everyone. Whether you’re hunting for handmade gifts, sharing cocoa beneath twinkling trees, or simply soaking in the joy of the season, these celebrations make it easy to embrace the spirit of togetherness that defines this time of year.
This article has been updated to include new information. The original article was published on November 14, 2023, and was authored by Carolyn Hall.
