Bundle up the kiddos and head downtown because the annual Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony at Campus Martius is Friday, November 16th @ 5pm.

The Christmas season kicks-off at Campus Martius on November 16th and downtown will be buzzing with activity from 5pm to midnight. Here’s what you need to know about the holiday celebration.

LIVE PERFORMANCES:

• Grammy award-winner CeCe Winans
• Olympic skating duo Alex and Maia Shibutani
• Local skating groups and choirs
• AND Santa!

Following the live performances, The Rink will open to the public! Bring some skates or rent them from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Admission for The Rink is as follows:

• Adults, $10
• Children (12 & under), $8
• Seniors (50 & older), $8
• *Skate rentals $5

MORE HOLIDAY FUN

Carriage Rides: See the city’s sights and sounds from a horse drawn carriage. $10 per person or $40 for private rides.

Cadillac Lodge & Holiday Markets: Find the perfect present at the glass hut pop-ups in Cadillac Square before grabbing a bite to eat at the cozy Cadillac Lodge.

Christmas Greens at Capitol Park: There’s fresh cut trees, wreaths and garland ready and waiting for you to take home for the holiday. 

Light Up Beacon Park: Campus Martius isn’t the only park turning on the lights Friday night. Take the FREE shuttle from Campus Martius to Beacon Park and find more holiday fun!

• Winter Lodge: Stay warm in the heated tent and enjoy live performances from Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seeker and Nadir Omowale.
• Selfies with Santa: Get a pic with Old St. Nick.
• PRISMATICA: Campus Martius isn’t the only place lit up for the season. Stop by Beacon Park and see the new hands on art installation. 

DINING GUIDE: There will be plenty of food trucks around town, but if you want to sit down and warm up, here are some restaurants everyone in the family will enjoy.

Find a burger

• Shake Shack // 660 Woodward Ave.
• Lover’s Only // 34 E Grand River Ave.
• Brome Burger // 607 Shelby St.
• Checker Bar // 124 Cadillac Square
• Townhouse // 500 Woodward Ave

Find pizza

• Pizza Papalis //  553 Monroe Ave.
• Pop + OffWorld // 128 Cadillac Square.
• Giordano’s // 1224 Randolph St.

More family-friendly options

• Get a coney at American or Lafayette // 114 W Lafayette Blvd.
• Find food and fun at Punch Bowl Social // 1331 Broadway St.
• Say Opa at Pegasus  Taverna //558 Monroe Ave
• Warm up with coffee or hot chocolate
  • Starbucks //  777 Woodward Ave
  • Roasting Plant // 660 Woodward Ave
  • Dessert Oasis // 1220 Griswold St

PARKING: There will be over 40,000 people downtown for the tree lighting ceremony. Prepare for street closings and find the best place to park here. Some of our go-to options are below:

• Z Lot: 231 Gratiot Ave.
• Detroit Opera House: 1426 Broadway St
• Beaubien Place Garage (Renaissance Center): 238 Beaubien St.
• Greektown: 555 E Lafayette St

Photo credit: Facebook

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