There are only a couple weeks left to the decade and we want to make the most of them! Here are the top things to do with kids in Metro Detroit in December.

TREE LIGHTING CEREMONIES + HOLIDAY EVENTS IN METRO DETROIT

• Fish-Mas At The Aquarium @Sea Life Michigan Aquarium, Auburn Hills: Weekends In December
• Holiday Bricktacular @Legoland, Auburn Hills: Weekends In December
• Holiday Magic @ Crossroads Village And Huckleberry Railroad, Flint: Weekends In December
• Kerrytown Tree Lighting @Kerrytown Market, Ann Arbor: December 1
• Holly Dickens Festival @Holly Dickens Festival Grounds: December 1, 7 & 8, 14 & 15
• Tree Lighting Ceremony @ Walled Lake City Library: December 2
• Christmas Tree Lighting @Downtown Garden City, December 2
• Tree Lighting @Waterford Township Hall, Waterford: December 3
• Holiday Tree Lighting @Northfield Township Area Library, Whitmore Lake: December 3
• Holiday Tree Lighting & After Glow @Macomb Township Parks & Rec: December 3
• Tree Lighting & Visits With Santa @ Burgh Historical Park, Southfield: December 3
• Holiday Lights Celebration @Farmington Hills City Fire Department: December 3
• Tree Lighting @Summit, Canton: December 4
• Christmas Tree Lighting @Blair Memorial Park, Clawson: December 4
• Holiday Nights @Greenfield Village, Dearborn: Weekends In December
• Christmas Open House @Downtown Milford: December 5
• Tree Lighting @ Downtown Royal Oak: December 5
• Christmas Aglow @Shelby Township Municipal Grounds: December 5
• Winterfest @Downtown Belleville: December 5-8
• Santa’s Magic Forest @Heritage Park, Taylor: Weekends In December
• Tree Lighting Festival @Wixom Community Center: December 6
• Winter Wonderland @Kiwanis Park, Southgate: December 6 & 7
• Downtown Tree Lighting @Ypsilanti District Library: December 6
• Heritage Holidays @Wolcott Mill Metropark, Ray: Weekends In December
• Tree Lighting @Shain Park, Birmingham: December 6
• Hometown Holiday Tree Lighting & Santa Arrives @Pierce Park, Chelsea: December 6
• Light Up The Night @Novi Civic Center: December 6
• Tree Lighting Ceremony @Downtown Auburn Hills: December 6
• Winter Wonderland @Troy Civic Center: December 6
• Tree Lighting Ceremony @ Chesterfield Township Parks & Recreation: December 6
• Holiday Extravaganza @Pontiac City Library: December 7
• Breakfast With Santa @ Brighton Community Education Center: December 7
• Santa Comes To WHVP @Westland Historic Village: December 7
• Visit With Santa & Mrs. Claus @Lake St. Clair Metropark, Harrison Township: December 7
• Noel Night @Midtown, Detroit: December 7
• Christmas In Fraser @Fraser City Hall: December 7
• Holiday Lights Parade @Downtown Berkley: December 7
• Cool Yule Lighted Parade & Holiday Celebration @Downtown South Lyon: December 7
• A Sterling Christmas @Dodge Park, Sterling Heights: December 7
• Holiday Night At The Museum @Downtown Wayne: December 7
• Christmas Parade @ Downtown Trenton: December 7
• Holiday Lighted Parade @Downtown Lake Orion: December 7
• Tree Lighting & Holiday Open House @Governor Warner Mansion, Farmington: December 7
• Christmas Aglow @Clinton Township Civic Center: December 7
• Merry & Bright Parade & Tree Lighting @Livonia Civic Center Library: December 8
• Santa’s STEAM Workshop @Paul Bennett Recreation Center, Howell: December 13
• Pancake Breakfast With LEGO Santa @Legoland, Auburn Hills: December 14 & 15
• Royal Oak Jingle @Downtown Royal Oak: December 14 & 15
• Caroling In The City @Downtown Rochester: December 15
• Dinner With Santa @Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak: December 13-15
• Holiday Walk Final Weekend @Meadowbrook Hall, Rochester: December 21 – 23
• Menorah In The D @Campus Martius Park, Detroit: December 21
• Kwanzaa @Charles H. Wright Museum, Detroit: December 26

NEW YEAR’S EVE FESTIVITIES – TUESDAY, DEC. 31

• New Year’s Eve Party @ Escape, Troy
• Belle Isle New Year’s Eve Family Fun Run/Walk @ Belle Isle Casino, Detroit
• New Year’s Eve Kids Countdown @Beacon Park, Detroit
• New Year’s Eve Matinee: Looney Tunes Classics @Detroit Film Theatre, Detroit
• Itty Bitty New Year @ Troy Community Center, Troy
• Noon Year’s Eve @Clarkston Independence District Library, Clarkston
• New Year’s Eve Family Night Out @Troy Community Center, Troy
• Noon Year’s Eve Party @Ann Arbor District Library, Ann Arbor
• Noon Year’s Eve Party @Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor
• Noon Year’s Eve @ Detroit Historical Museum

SEE A HOLIDAY SHOW IN METRO DETROIT

• A Christmas Carol @Meadowbrook Theater, Rochester: December 1-22
• Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical @Fox Theatre, Detroit: December 1
• The Nutcracker @The Detroit Opera House, Detroit: December 1
• A Christmas Carol @Bonstelle Theater, Detroit: December 4-15
• The Nutcracker Ballet With Detroit Symphony Youth Orchestra @Ford Center, Dearborn: December 6 & 7
• Tiny Tots: Uncle Gerry And Friends @ Detroit Symphony Orchestra: December 7
• Family Concert: Winter Wonderland @ Detroit Symphony Orchestra: December 7
• Winter Wonderland @ Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit: December 7
• Christmas Wonderland @Macomb Center For The Performing Arts, Clinton Township: December 7
• December Dance Concert @Music Hall Center, Detroit: December 7 & 8
• Cirque Dreams Holidaze @Fox Theatre, Detroit: December 13-15
• Elf, The Musical Jr. @Ridgedale Players, Troy: December 14 & 15
• A Very Electric Christmas @Music Hall Center, Detroit: December 15
• Home Alone In Concert @Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit: December 18
• Home For The Holidays @Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit: December 20-22
• The Nutcracker @Macomb Center For The Performing Arts, Clinton Township: December 20-22
• Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker @ Fox Theatre, Detroit: December 22
• Hip Hop Nutcracker @Masonic Temple, Detroit: December 23
• Spongebob Musical @Fox Theatre, Detroit: December 26 – January 5

SPEND TIME OUTSIDE

• Mommy & Me Hikes @Marshbank Park, West Bloomfield: December 5
• Jingle Bell Run Detroit @The Corner Ballpark, Detroit: December 7
• Winterful Festival @Downtown Pontiac: December 7
• Reindeer Days @ Heritage Park Petting Farm, Taylor: December 7 & 8
• Chow Time At The Farm @Kensington Metropark Farm Center, Milford: December 7 & 21
• Detroit Lions Watch Party @Beacon Park, Detroit: December 8
• All Creatures Great And Small @ Trenton Cultural Center, Trenton: December 8
• Whoville 5K @Northville High School, Northville: December 8
• Christmas On The Farm-Santa Visit @Westview Orchards & Adventure Farm, Washington: December 8
• Trail Of Lights @Robert Williams Nature & Historical Learning Center, Davison: December 8, 13, 14, 20, & 21
• Belle Isle Holiday Stroll @Belle Isle Aquarium, Detroit: December 13
• Candy Cane Lane @AMP Brighton’s Amphitheater At Mill Pond: December 13
• Holiday Ice Festival @Downtown Ferndale: December 14
• S’Mores With Santa @Kensington Metropark Nature Center, Milford: December 14
• Nature At Night @Belle Isle Nature Center, Detroit: December 19
• Tracking For Beginners @Indian Springs Environmental Discovery Center, White Lake: December 28
• Winter Walk In The Woods @Lake Erie Marshlands Museum, Brownstown: December 28
• Chickadee Chowdown @Kensington Metropark Nature Center, Milford: December 28 & 29

KIDS ACTIVITIES IN DETROIT

• Detroit City Chess Club Open Play @ Detroit Institute Of Arts, Detroit: Fridays In December
• Santa At The GmRenCen @Renaissance Center, Detroit: December 2-23
• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation @Redford Theater, Detroit: December 6
• Kid’s Fall Cooking Classes @Eastern Market Shed 5, Detroit: December 7 & 14
• Free Admission @ Michigan Science Center, Detroit: December 7
• Winterfest: Multi-Cultural Holiday Celebration In The Log Cabin @Palmer Park, Detroit: December 8
• Supper With Santa @The Whitney, Detroit: December 9 & 16
• Young Explorers @Michigan Science Center, Detroit: December 11 & 21
• White Christmas @Redford Theatre, Detroit: December 13 & 14
• Corktown Aglow @Corktown, Detroit: December 14
• Detroit Roller Derby Home Game @Masonic Temple, Detroit: December 14
• Visit With Santa And Family Fun Day @Beacon Park, Detroit: December 15
• Winter Wildlife @DNR Outdoor Adventure Center, Detroit: December 15
• Christmas Party @Farwell Recreation Center, Detroit: December 17
• It’s A Wonderful Life @Redford Theatre, Detroit: December 20 & 21
• Nature Holiday Crafts @DNR Outdoor Adventure Center, Detroit: December 21
• Drop-In Workshop: Winter Village @Detroit Institute Of Arts: December 26-31
• Tea-Time Theatre + GIVEAWAY @ Detroit Institute of Arts: December 26
• PuppetArt Presents: Sleeping Beauty @Music Hall Center, Detroit: December 29

FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENTS IN WAYNE COUNTY

• Glow Skate @Garden City Ice Arena, Garden City: Saturdays In December
• Wayne County Lightfest @Merriman Hollow Park, Westland: Daily In December
• Cookies With Santa @ Edsel & Eleanor Ford House, Grosse Pointe Shores: December 1-17
• Visit With Santa @Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn: December 1-24
• Holiday Walk @Meadowbrook Hall & Gardens, Rochester: December 1-23
• Donuts With Santa @Embassy Suites, Livonia: December 1
• Maker Tuedays-STEAM Artists @Plymouth Arts & Recreation Complex: December 3
• Santa Breakfast @Summit, Canton: December 7
• Snacks With Santa @Lake Erie Marshlands Museum, Brownstown: December 7
• Beginning Theater For All Abilities @Grosse Pointe War Memorial, Grosse Pointe Farms: December 7
• USA Hockey-Teddy Bear Toss Night @USA Hockey Arena, Plymouth: December 7
• Santa Claus Is Coming To Town @ Trenton Cultural Center, Trenton: December 7, 14, & 21
• The Muppet Christmas Carol @Redford Theater, Detroit: December 7
• Santa Cares-A Holiday Sensory Event @ Laurel Park Place Mall, Livonia: December 8
• Breakfast With Santa @ Dearborn Hills Golf Course: December 8
• Countdown To Christmas Family Party @ Arab American National Museum, Dearborn: December 8
• Breakfast With Santa @Grosse Pointe War Memorial: December 8
• PNC Tinkering For Tots @Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn: December 8
• USA Hockey Home Game-Kid’s Day Game @USA Hockey Arena, Plymouth: December 11
• Sensory Friendly Play @Detroit Kid City, Dearborn: December 11 & 18
• Santa Claus Visits @John F. Kennedy Jr. Library, Dearborn Heights: December 11 & 16
• Kids Cooking Series (ages 6-12) Christmas Cutout Sugar Cookies @Grosse Pointe War Memorial: December 14
• Lunch With Santa @Jack E. Kirksey Recreation Center, Livonia: December 14
• Lunch With The Clauses @ Heritage Petting Farm, Taylor: December 14
• Snacks With Santa @Oakwoods Metropark Nature Center, New Boston: December 15
• Santa At The Fire Station @Trenton Fire Department Station 1, Trenton: December 15
• Christmas Sweets & Treats @Trenton Cultural Center, Trenton: December 19
• Kids Night Out Ages 5-12 @Jack E. Kirksey Recreation Center, Livonia: December 20
• Children’s Christmas Party @ Belleville Moose Lodge No. 934, Belleville: December 21
• Santa Skate & Skating Exhibition @ Kennedy Recreation Center, Trenton: December 22
• USA Hockey Home Game-Stay & Skate Team U18 @USA Hockey Arena, Plymouth: December 28

FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENTS IN OAKLAND COUNTY

• Birmingham Santa House @Shain Park, Birmingham: Weekends In December
• Santa Cares: A Sensory-Friendly Santa Photo Experience @Oakland Mall, Troy: December 1
• Masco Free First Friday@ Cranbrook Institute of Science: December 6
• Fairytale Christmas Ball @II Gather, Auburn Hills: December 1
• Santa’s Rock N Lights @Red Oaks Waterpark, Madison Heights: Daily In December
• Wild Lights @Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak: Daily In December
• Children’s Holiday Party @Clarkston Independence District Library: December 2
• Cheddar’s Preschool Story Hour @ Troy Historic Village, Troy: December 4
• Kid’s Holiday Ornament Decorating @ Centennial Middle School, South Lyon: December 4
• Cookies With Santa @Longacre House, Farmington Hills: December 4
• Rock N’ Rhyme @Auburn Hills Public Library: December 5 & 12
• Holiday Splendor @Cranbrook House And Gardens, Bloomfield Hills: December 6-8
• Morning Munchkins @Red Oaks Nature Center, Madison Heights: December 6
• Sensory Santa @Apollo Early Childhood Center, Highland: December 6
• Kid’s Night Out @ The Robot Garage, Birmingham & Rochester Hills: December 6
• Walk With Santa @Oakland Mall, Troy: December 6
• Airtime Teen Night @Airtime Trampoline, Troy: December 6
• Holly Days @Riley Park, Farmington: December 7
• Pancakes And Pajamas @Northville Community Center, Northville: December 7
• Breakfast With Santa Around The World @ Gerry Kulick Comunity Center, Ferndale: December 7
• Santa Sighting @Cranbrook House And Gardens, Bloomfield: December 7 & 8
• Santa Breakfast @Longacre House, Farmington Hills: December 7 & 8
• Children’s Christmas Workshop @Mill Race Village, Northille: December 7
• Santa Visits Maybury @ Maybury Farm, Northville: December 7 & 8, 14 & 15
• Picture With Santa @Mystic Creek Gold Course And Banquet Center, Milford: December 7
• The Polar Express -Free! @ Civic Theater, Farmington: December 7
• Family Discovery Days: Sustainable Holiday Ornaments @Indian Springs Environmental Discovery Center, White Lake: December 7
• Cocoa & Crafts With Santa @Troy Historic Village: December 7
• Candy Cane Hunt @McHattie Park, South Lyon: December 6
• Bowl With Santa @Wonderland Lanes, Walled Lake: December 7
• Storytime With Santa @Red Oaks Nature Center, Madison Heights: December 7
• Gamebots @Troy Community Center, Troy: December 7 & 14
• Sugar Plum Tea Party @Community House, Birmingham: December 8
• WHS Wassail Open House @Gibson House, Wixom: December 8
• Cultural Excursion-Meadowbrook Hall Holiday Tour @Meadowbrook Hall, Rochester: December 9 & 10
• Snacks With Santa @Kensington Metropark Farm Center, Milford: December 8, 14, & 15
• Junior Engineers @Troy Community Center: December 9 & 12
• Sensory Dinner With Santa @Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak: December 12
• Parent’s Night Out:Angry Birds @ Troy Recreation Center, Troy: December 13
• Holiday Cookie Decorating Party @South Lyon Are Recreation, South Lyon: December 13
• Firefighters Breakfast With Santa @Wixom Community Center: December 14
• Breakfast With Santa @Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak: December 14 & 15
• PJ & Pancake With Santa @Franklin Athletic Club, Southfield: December 14
• Snacks With Santa @Indian Springs Environmental Discovery Center, White Lake: December 14
• Storytime With Santa @Community House, Birmingham: December 14
• The Great Lakes Comic Holiday Show @ Madison Place, Madison Heights: December 14
• Breakfast With Santa @Novi Town Center, Novi: December 14
• Lunch With Santa @Hunter Community Center, Clawson; December 14
• Holiday Drop-N-Shop @ Community House, Birmingham: December 14 & 20
• Holiday Party @ Auburn Hills Public Library, Auburn Hills: Decembe 14
• Reindeer Games Kids Night Out @Stars & Stripes Kids Activity Center, Clarkston: December 14
• Gymnastics & Strong Ninja Drop-In @Franklin Athletic Club, Southfield: December 15
• Snacks With Elsa & Anna @Townsend Hotel, Birmingham: December 15
• Supper With Santa @Meadowbrook Hall, Rochester: December 15
• Parent’s Night Out @Walled Lake City Library: December 17
• Cookies With The Clauses @Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak: December 19
• Funtastic Night @Northville Community Center: December 20
• Saturday Storytime: It’s Grinch Day! @Waterford Township Library: December 21
• Holiday Movie Night @Stars & Stripes Activity Center, Clarkston: December 21
• TriceraTots Puppet Theatre-Story Of Presents @Dinosaur Nature Preserve, Rochester Hills: December 22
• Merry Mechanical Marvels @ Cranbrook Institute Of Science, Bloomfield Hills: December 26
• Princess Ball Inspired Tea @Townsend Hotel, Birmingham: December 29

FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENTS IN MACOMB COUNTY

• Blake’s Family Holiday: U-Pick Trees @Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill, Armada: December 1-23
• Photos With Santa @Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill, Armamda: Weekends In December
• Soothing Santa @The Mall At Partridge Creek, Clinton Township: December 1 & 8
• Gingerbread Decorating Contest @Chesterfield Township Municipal Offices: December 4
• Santa’s Jingle Bell Brunch @Macomb Township Parks & Rec: December 7
• Breakfast With Santa @ Cherry Creek Golf Club, Shelby Township: December 7
• Santa, Kid’s Crafts, and Live Reindeer @Hessell’s Greenhouse, Shelby Township: December 7 & 8
• A Pioneer Christmas @Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, Shelby Township: December 7 & 8
• Santa Cares: A Sensory-Friendly Holiday Photo Experience @ Macomb Mall, Roseville: December 8
• A Frozen Wonderland @Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill, Armada: December 8
• Storytime With Santa @The Mall At Partridge Creek, Clinton Township: December 13
• Family Movie Night Polar Express @Chesterfield Township Municipal Offices: December 13
• Daddy/Daughter Dance @ Recreational Authority Of Roseville & Eastpointe: December 13
• Grinch Ornament Making @Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill, Armada: December 14 & 15
• Holiday Express @Joy Park, Clinton Township: December 14 & 21
• Santa Is Visiting The Nature Center @Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, Shelby Township: December 15
• The Nutcracker Sweet Tea @ Lorenzo Cultural Center, Clinton Township: December 21
• Christmas Extravaganza @Sterling Inn & Banquet Center: December 22

FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENTS IN WASHTENAW COUNTY

• Pumpkin Chunkin @Ann Arbor Hands On Museum, Ann Arbor: December 1
• Caring Santa @Briarwood Mall, Ann Arbor: December 1
• Winter Birding @Hudson Mills Activity Center, Dexter: December 1
• Kerry Tales With Mother Goose @Hollander’s Book And Paper Store, Ann Arbor: December 1
• Santa Storytime @Northfeild Township Area Libary, Whitmore Lake: December 4
• Santa Visits The Library @Northfield Township Area Library, Whitmore Lake: December 4, 5, & 7
• A Christmas Carol @Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor: December 5-8
• A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol @Fifth Corner, Saline: December 5-8
• Kindlfest @ Kerrytown Market, Ann Arbor: December 6
• Daddy Daughter Luau @ Pittsfield Township Community Center, Ann Arbor: December 6
• Pancakes With Santa @ Pierce Golf Course, Chelsea: December 7
• Okee Dokee Brothers @Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor: December 8
• PJs And Stories With Santa @Saline Recreation, Saline: December 12
• Kid’s Night Out @Saline Recreation, Saline: December 13
• Santa’s Workshop & Storytime @Pittsfield Township Community Center, Ann Arbor: December 14
• Pancake Breakfast With Santa @Rolling Hills Park, Ypsilanti:December 14
• Father Christmas @Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor: December 14
• Holiday Hustle 1M & 5K @Monument Park, Dexter: December 14
• Dexter Daze Light Parade @Main Street, Dexter: December 14
• Breakfast With Santa @Sidetrack & Enchanted Forest, Ypsilanti: December 14
• Nutcracker @Ellen A. Ewing Performing Arts Center, Saline: December 14 & 15
• Santa Central @Hudson Mills Activity Center, Dexter: December 15
• An ELF Christmas @Hudson Mills Activity Center, Dexter: December 15

DETROIT SPORTS

• Detroit Lions Football Home Games @Ford Field, Detroit : December Game Schedule
• Detroit Red Wings Home Games @Little Caesars Arena: December Game Schedule 
• Detroit Pistons Home Games @Little Caesars Arena, Detroit: December Games

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