Take advantage of your weekends and plan something fun for the whole family to enjoy! Explore somewhere different, take a class or enjoy a local festival. Here’s our top picks for what to do and where to go this weekend!

FESTIVALS & SHOWS

FIRE & ICE WITH SPICE FESTIVAL
Saturday, February 24 / 11:00am – 4:00pm
@ Downtown Clawson
This annual event features fire breathers and jugglers, in addition to ice carvers creating custom designs and a kids craft tent! Don’t forget to stay for the chili cook-off!

DETROIT RESTAURANT WEEK
Friday, February 16 – Monday, February 26
@ 20+ Participating Restaurants
Detroit’s favorite dining event is happening now! An impressive array of exciting dining destinations will showcase locally-sourced, specially-crafted three-course meals for just $29-339 per person.

GREAT TRAIN SHOW
February 24 – 25
@ The Suburban Collection Showcase 
The Great Train Show is the nation’s only coast-to-coast model train show. The show is designed for the general public, modelers, hobbyists, families, and the just plain curious. Each show features hundreds of tables of trains and accessories for sale, huge operating exhibits, activities for kids, and more.

ROYAL OAK RESTAURANT WEEK (GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY)
Friday, February 23 – Sunday, March 4
@ 28 Participating Restaurants
Over 20 of downtown Royal Oak’s top restaurants and venues will feature 3-course lunch and dinner menus at $15, $25, and $35 a person. Enter to win your chance to dine on us!

SHEN YUN
February 16 – 25
@ Detroit Opera House
Come experience the classical Chinese dance and share in the beautifully diverse ethnic and folk traditions. Filled with an enchanting orchestral sound, this is a mesmerizing experience you won’t find anywhere else.

PARENTS NIGHT OUT

PARENTS NIGHT OUT
Friday, February 23 / 5:00pm – 9:00pm
@ Birmingham Family YMCA
Parents can enjoy some much-deserved time to themselves with the peace of mind that their children are in a safe, fun environment. Kids will enjoy arts & crafts, sports, and much more with an engaging and qualified staff.

PARENTS NIGHT OUT
Saturday, February 23 / 7:00pm – 10:00pm
@ Troy Gymnastics
Kids can tumble, jump & play while their parents are away! Shop, dine, or catch a movie while your child is supervised in a safe environment and meeting new friends! First time is FREE, $20 for the first child.

FRIDAY

UNDER THE AFRICAN SKY (PLAY)
Friday, February 23 / Show Times: 10am & 12:30pm
@ Wild Swan Theatre, Ann Arbor
A delightful collection of African tales performed through storytelling, acting, dancing, and drumming.  Colorful costumes, masks, and traditional music will delight and teach our littlest fans, with lots of opportunities for audience participation!

FAMILY MOVIE FRIDAYS: FROZEN SING-A-LONG
Friday, February 23 / 1:30pm – 3:30pm
@ Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham
Join in for an interactive sing-a-long screening of Frozen. Feel free to wear pajamas, bring blankets and pillows, and sit on the floor or in a chair.

GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL FAMILY NIGHT OUT
Friday, February 23 / 6:30pm – 8:00pm
@ Goldfish Swim School: Birmingham, Macomb, Clarkston, Farmington Hills, Canton & Rochester
Family Night Out is a fun-filled evening of swimming, games, prizes, and making new friends. It is free for families currently enrolled at Goldfish Swim School, or just $5 per swimmer.

SATURDAY

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY DAY
Saturday, February 24 / 10:00am – 4:00pm
@ Detroit Historical Museum
Learn more about Detroit’s African American History on Saturday, February 24 at our family friendly event. Learn about Detroit’s Underground Railroad history, enjoy drop-in tours, talk with representatives from area historical organizations and learn how to get involved.

THE HIP HOP ARCHITECTURE SERIES
Saturday, February 24 / 10:00am – 4:00pm
@ Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
This intensive experience is designed to introduce under represented youth to architecture, urban planning, creative place making and economic development through the lens of hip hop culture.

SUPERHEROE TRAINING CAMP
Saturday, February 24 / 10:00am – 12:00am
@ William Costick Activities Center, Farmington Hills
Perfect your superhero powers at this camp! We will practice leaping over obstacles, climbing walls, and moving like your favorite super hero! We will create super crafts, play games, and have a blast! Dress up as your favorite superhero or make up a super hero!

FREEDOM SCHOOL
Saturday, February 24 / 10:00am – 12:00pm
@ Charles H Wright Museum
Boost your child’s competence in basic subjects and watch them grow strong in self-esteem as they learn African American history and cultural heritage.

SENSORY PLAY SATURDAYS: BIRTH – 3YRS
Saturday, February 24 / 10:15am – 12:00pm
@ Royal Oak Public Library
Children from birth to three years are invited to play and explore with various sensory activities, toys, and textures in and around the room. It is a great opportunity for children and parents to interact, as well. Drop in and play!

ENGLISH-ARABIC STORYTIME
Saturday, February 24 / 10:30am – 11:30am
@ Arab American National Museum
Children ages 2-6 and their parents are invited to attend story time in the Library at AANM. A storyteller will read picture books in both English and Arabic, teaching a few Arabic words and phrases. Following the story, there will be time for free play, crafts or games in the Library.

INTERNATIONAL POLAR BEAR DAY
Saturday, February 24 / 11:00am – 3:00pm
@ Detroit Zoo
International Polar Bear Day festivities are planned at the award-winning Arctic Ring of Life. This event will include zookeeper talks, hands-on learning activities and photo opportunities with the Zoo’s polar bear mascot.

FAMILY MOVIE SATURDAYS – THE LEGO NINJAGO
Saturday, February 24 / 12:00pm – 1:30pm
@ Madison Heights Public Library
Join at the library on various Saturdays to watch family-friendly films. This week’s movie: The Lego Ninjago (PG) – 90 minutes

TEEN STARS LIVE
Saturday, February 24 / 1:00pm – 3:00pm
@ Royal Oak Music Theatre
Teen Stars Live is a star-studded, interactive entertainment show featuring today’s hottest TV stars from Disney! This fun-packed performance is perfect for the entire family.

MUTTS GONE NUTS
Saturday, February 24 / 3:00pm – 5:00pm
@ Macomb Center for the Performing Arts
Expect the unexpected, as canines and comedy collide in a smash hit performance, that’s leaving audiences everywhere howling for more.

FEBRUARY FLICKS – DESPICABLE ME 3
Saturday, February 24 / 4:00pm – 6:00pm
@ Beacon Park, Detroit
Enjoy a free movie experience on the big screen inside the heated tent in the middle of Beacon Park! Bring your own chair or blanket and cozy up with family and friends. Popcorn, food, and drinks available for purchase. Watch the Despicable Me 3 Movie.

FAMILY NIGHT OUT
Saturday, February 24 / 5:00pm – 7:45pm
@ Troy Community Center
An inexpensive and fun night out for families! Spend quality time together and enjoy basketball, swimming, parachutes, inflatable castle and more.

SUNDAY

NATURE STORYTIME: AGES 1-5
Sunday, February 25 / 10:00am – 11:00am
@ Leslie Science & Nature Center, Ann Arbor
Nature Storytime has many opportunities for you and your little one to explore and appreciate the outdoors, such as live animal visits, hikes, stories, and hands-on activities.

POP-UP MAKERSPACE
Sunday, February 25 / 12:00pm – 4:00pm
@ Ann Arbor Hands On Museum
Design – Build – Test! Discover your inner engineer in our Pop-Up Makerspace. Today’s Challenge: Paper Engineering

MAPLE’S SWEET STORY
Sunday, February 25 / 12:00pm – 3:00pm
@ Kensington Metro Park Farm Center
Take a guided walk through the farm’s sugar bush. Learn how to pick the right tree, then watch how maple trees are tapped and sap is collected. Taste a sample of maple syrup at the end of the tour.

EXPLORING ARCHERY CLASS
Sunday, February 25 / 1:00pm – 3:30pm
@ Outdoor Adventure Center, Detroit
Think your kids might be interested in learning archery? This is your opportunity to learn more and put your skills to test. Must be 8 years old or older.

PUPPET ART: OH, ANANSE!
Sunday, February 25 / 2:00pm – 3:30pm
@ Music Hall, Detroit
Based on West African folklore, this is the story of Ananse, father of narrators, and how he won the right to tell stories to the world.

For MORE EVENTS happening this weekend, please check out our full EVENT CALENDAR!

Photo Credit: Detroit Zoo

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