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Tree Lighting Ceremonies In Metro Detroit

The holidays are a time to deck the halls and light the trees! All throughout Metro Detroit and downtown Detroit, tree lighting ceremonies are bringing together neighbors and friends alike for holiday festivities, caroling, crafts, and of course, spectacular displays of our finest and tallest trees!
Friday, November 15
@ Downtown Wyandotte
Visitors are welcomed to the Tree Lighting, at the intersection of Sycamore and Biddle Avenue, where they are given jingle bells to join in with the Roosevelt High School Choir. Festive decorations surround the guests along with live reindeer and other cheerful booths full of fun. The cookie walk will also be taking place that night as well!
DETROIT TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Friday, November 22
@ Campus Martius, Detroit
The tree lighting ceremony will feature a Michigan-grown, 60-foot Norwegian Spruce wrapped in more than 19,000 multi-colored lights and ornaments. The event begins at 5 p.m. and is free to the public. Enjoy a magical evening of stage and rink performances to kick off the holiday season in the city.
Friday, November 22
@ The Village of Rochester Hills
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the season, and the excitement of the City of Rochester Hills Holiday Lights Display! Join in as you begin the countdown for Santa’s arrival and children’s eyes will sparkle when they flip the magical switch to illuminate the Village’s 25-foot Christmas tree. Don’t forget to look to the sky for an extra special display of lights that are sure to delight both the young and the young at heart. It’s the perfect way to kick off the season, and it’s only at the Village of Rochester Hills!
HOLIDAY LIGHTED PARADE AND TREE LIGHTING
Friday, November 22
@ Downtown Northville
Join the thousands of parade goers as the holiday season officially kicks off with the Holiday Lighted Parade. Bands, dancers, floats and of course, Santa, make this annual favorite a great family tradition!
TREE LIGHTING & LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE
Friday, November 22
@ Downtown Allen Park
Tree lighting ceremony at the Historical House followed by lighted Christmas parade from the Historical House, down Park Avenue to Philomene, ending at the Allen Park Community Center.
Saturday, November 23
@ Downtown Brighton
Holiday Glow officially launches the holiday season in Livingston County with, horse drawn hay rides, the popular Jollie Choo-Choo train, a nativity petting farm, a visit from Emma the Elf, a station to write letters to Santa, pictures with the reindeer, arts and crafts, tasty holiday treats, a warming tent and of course, Santa!
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING & SING-A-LONG
Monday, November 25
@ Ford Community And Performing Arts Center, Dearborn
Join us as we mark the beginning of the end-of-the-year holidays at the Ford Community Performing Arts Center! Enjoy live music before the lighting of the tree, take part in the annual Sing-Along with the Mayor, and then have refreshments in the lobby with an opportunity to visit with Santa Claus.
Saturday, November 30
@ Heritage Park, Taylor
The City of Taylor will welcome in the holiday season during its annual Winterfest on Saturday, November 30. The celebration will include the Winterfest 5K, holiday parade, opening of Santa’s Magic Forest and official tree lighting celebration and fireworks display.
Sunday, December 1
@ Kerrytown Market, Ann Arbor
Join Santa to light our holiday tree in the Kerrytown courtyard. It’s a wonderful way to ring in the season with caroling and candle luminaries!
WALLED LAKE’S ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Monday, December 2
@ Walled Lake City Library
Take pictures with The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, festive crafts and fun. Then head outside to enjoy Walled Lake’s annual tree lighting ceremony, organized by Walled Lake Parks and Recreation. Finish the night at the firehouse for cookies & hot chocolate while you wait in line to tell Santa what you want for the holidays.
DOWNTOWN GARDEN CITY COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
Monday, December 2
@ Downtown Garden City
You do not want to miss this family fun Garden City tradition. Refreshments will be served and of course, Santa is expected to make an appearance. Ho Ho Ho!!!
Tuesday, December 3
@ Waterford Township Hall
Celebrate the season with a variety of activities including: crafts, cookie decorating, Pontiac-Waterford Big Chief Chorus, performance by the Waterford Mott Jazz Band, a opportunity to write a soldier a letter, a photo opportunity with Santa Claus and your chance to see a reindeer up close.
Tuesday, December 3
@ Farmington Hills City Fire Department
The beautiful trees at City Hall will be illuminated as well as a 20-foot candle that represents our commitment to peace and unity in Farmington Hills. Throughout history, lights have been a universal symbol of hope, wisdom and perseverance; regardless of background, tradition, culture, or belief. Lights represent that we as a people have hope for the present and the future. Please join us for this traditional community event! Santa will make a visit and refreshments will be served after the ceremony.
ANNUAL HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING & AFTER GLOW
Tuesday, December 3
@ Macomb Township Parks & Rec
This FREE EVENT begins outside with caroling, a greeting from township officials, the arrival and greeting of SANTA and concludes with the lighting of the tree. After the ceremony join us inside the recreation center for a warm festive celebration that includes visits with Santa, refreshment stations, children crafts & activities and “carol-o-ke” entertainment.
TREE LIGHTING & VISITS WITH SANTA
Tuesday, December 3
@ Burgh Historical Park, Southfield
Head to Burgh Historical Park in Southfield for the annual tree lighting & visits with Santa.
HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING & AFTERGLOW
Tuesday, December 3
@ Macomb Township Parks & Rec, Macomb
This FREE event begins outside with caroling, a greeting from township officials, the arrival and greeting of Santa and concludes with the lighting of the tree, with refreshment stations, crafts, and other children’s activities.
Wednesday, December 4
@ Summit Canton
Annual Tree Lighting Celebration Kick off the holiday season with the annual Township Tree Lighting Event. The ‘official’ tree will be lit in front of the Summit on the Park at 6:30pm and special festivities will take place both indoors and outdoors. Join us for seasonal entertainment, crafts, activities, refreshments, and visits with Santa!
Wednesday, December 4
@ Blair Memorial Park, Clawson
The evening includes caroling and the arrival of Santa Claus by fire truck! Refreshments to follow at City Hall. Don’t forget to visit the library first to make a natural ornament to hang on the tree that the birds can enjoy!
Thursday, December 5
@ Downtown Royal Oak
Come gather in Downtown Royal Oak to celebrate the open of the Holiday Season at Washington Ave & Fifth Street. The Mayor will be on site to turn on the holiday lights and the city tree. Enjoy the Handbell Choir, Salvation Army Band, refreshments and Holiday Magic at the Farmers Market.
Thursday, December 5
@ Shelby Township Municipal Grounds
Welcome Santa, sing carols and join us to share in the spirit of Christmas as we light the big township tree. Visit with St. Nick afterwards to deliver your wish list, enjoy kids’ crafts and partake in delicious cookies, hot chocolate and a marshmallow roast. We’ve even got horse-drawn wagon rides and food trucks like Crepe-Day Twah and Mac Shack for feasting. This year’s theme is “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” so expect a fun guest.
Friday, December 6
@ Shain Park, Birmingham
The community will come together with Santa and Birmingham’s Mayor for live caroling and the lighting of a 35-foot holiday tree with more than 40,000 LED lights!
HOMETOWN HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY & SANTA ARRIVES
Friday, December 6
@ Pierce Park, Chelsea
The 32nd Annual Chelsea Hometown Holiday is a festive community celebration that kicks off the holiday season. The activities start with the ceremonial lighting of the giant Christmas tree at Pierce Park on Friday, December 6th.
Friday, December 6
@ Novi Civic Center
Celebrate the season with a tree lighting, fireworks, Santa visits, kids crafts, a craft show, petting farm, reindeer, S’Mores, Train Rides, and more!
Friday, December 6
@ Wixom Community Center
Join us for a fun-filled night as we welcome the holiday season to Wixom! Our giant tree will come alive when Santa and his reindeer arrive! There will be crafts and snacks to follow the tree lighting.
Friday, December 6
@ Downtown Auburn Hills
A free family fun event featuring the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the Mayor lighting our enormous Christmas tree on the corner of Squirrel and Auburn Roads. Fabulous activities for the family including photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, s’mores at the bonfire pit, holiday crafts and horse-drawn wagon rides!
Friday, December 6
@ Chesterfield Township Municipal Offices
We’re kicking off the Holiday season with some festive fun including: a small craft project, coloring contest, visits with Santa, cookies, sleigh rides, and more. Be there when we present Santa with the key to the city!
SOUTHGATE’S WINTER WONDERLAND & TREE LIGHTING
Friday, December 6
@ Kiwanis Park, Southgate
Join us for Southgate’s 10th Annual Tree Lighting and Santa’s Christmas Express Train Rides! The park will be lit up with beautiful decorations and light displays sponsored by local businesses. The Great Lakes Live Steamers welcome families to come ride the train through the park to Southgate’s North Pole to visit with Santa and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate!
Friday, December 6
@ Ypsilanti District Library
Join us at 5:30pm for cookie decorating and hot chocolate. At 6pm the Ypsilanti Community Choir will lead caroling followed by a visit from Santa and photo-ops! Sponsored by the Downtown Association of Ypsilanti.
Saturday, December 7
@ Fraser City Hall
Join us as we ring in the Holidays at City Hall! We will sing Christmas carols, enjoy refreshments and welcome Santa to Fraser! S’mores, Music, Performances and more!
Saturday, December 7
@ Downtown Lake Orion
Lake Orion is the home of one of the only nighttime holiday lighted parades in Michigan. In fact, it’s the second largest lighted holiday parade in the nation!
FARMINGTON TREE LIGHTING & HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, December 7
@ Governor Warner Mansion, Farmington
Visit with Santa Claus, enjoy live music and tasty refreshments. Take a tour of the decorated mansion, and visit the holiday boutique.
COOL YULE LIGHTED PARADE & HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
Saturday, December 7
@ Downtown South Lyon
The event kicks off with a lighted parade making its way through downtown to the Witch’s Hat Depot and Historic Village. There will be a tree lighting ceremony after the parade and a chance to get your picture taken with Father Christmas, enjoy a holiday story read aloud in the school house and enjoy some holiday-themed entertainment.
Saturday, December 7
@ Dodge Park, Sterling Heights
Everyone is invited to ring in the holiday season with a variety of family fun activities including tree lighting, holiday music and caroling, visits with Santa, horse-drawn wagon rides, petting farm, refreshments, pony rides, carousel, train rides, ice skating, warming fires and more!
Saturday, December 7
@ Downtown Wayne
Join us for our annual Tree Lighting. There will be free cookies and hot chocolate, Santa in the museum for the kids, firepit warming stations, a Petting zoo, Carriage Rides and more.
MERRY & BRIGHT: LIVONIA’S HOLIDAY PARADE AND TREE LIGHTING
Sunday, December 8
@ Livonia Civic Center
The parade will begin at Frost Middle School, continue north on Stark, east on Lyndon, north on Farmington, and east on Civic Center Drive ending in front of City Hall. Once at City Hall, Mayor Wright will be joined by Santa and Mrs. Claus for the tree lighting festivities. Afterward, youngsters are invited to visit Santa at the Robert and Janet Bennett Civic Center Library where they can also enjoy crafts, entertainment and refreshments.
Saturday, December 14
@ Corktown, Detroit
Stop by Corktown all day on Saturday, December 8th for heaps of holiday fun and family friendly festivities throughout the neighborhood including time with Santa and a tree lighting ceremony.
Photo credit: Facebook
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About Mary Furgason
Mary Furgason is a fitness instructor and writer on LittleGuide Detroit. She lives in western Oakland County with her husband and four kids. Mom of kids in pre-school through high school she knows the ins and outs of motherhood and the best things to do with kids of all ages.
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