✨ Detroit’s Most Magical Holiday Events of 2025
Celebrate the season with twinkling lights, live music, and timeless Detroit traditions. From downtown parades to historic villages aglow with nostalgia, here’s your curated guide to the city’s most magical holiday happenings — listed in chronological order.
🎄 Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony at Campus Martius Park
📅 Friday, November 21, 2025
📍 Campus Martius Park, Downtown Detroit
🔗 Event Details →
Downtown Detroit’s holiday season officially begins on November 21 with the lighting of a majestic, Michigan-grown Norway spruce in the heart of the city. Enjoy live entertainment, skating at The Rink, horse-drawn carriage rides, and plenty of festive food and drink options. It’s the perfect way to kick off the holidays in true Detroit style.
🦃 America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
📅 Thursday, November 27, 2025
📍 Downtown Detroit – Woodward Avenue Parade Route
🔗 Visit Website →
One of Detroit’s most cherished traditions, this spectacular parade features giant balloons, colorful floats, and marching bands from across the country. Grab a warm drink, find your viewing spot early, and watch Woodward Avenue come alive with the spirit of the season.
🌟 Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo
📅 Select Nights | November 23, 2025 – January 4, 2026
📍 Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak
🔗 Buy Tickets →
Wander through a wonderland of more than five million LED lights illuminating trees, buildings, and animal sculptures throughout the zoo. Featuring light tunnels, glowing pathways, and cozy fire-pit zones for sipping hot chocolate, Wild Lights is a dazzling experience for guests of all ages.
🕯 Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village
📅 December 4–7, 12–14, 16–23 & 26–28 | 6:30 – 10 PM
📍 Greenfield Village, Dearborn
🔗 Explore the Event →
Step into a bygone era as you stroll through lantern-lit streets filled with the sights, sounds, and smells of an old-fashioned Christmas. Enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers, skating, and fireworks in one of Metro Detroit’s most enchanting holiday experiences.
🏡 Home for the Holidays at Ford House
📅 Thursdays – Sundays | November 29 – December 21, 2025
📍 Ford House, Grosse Pointe Shores
🔗 Plan Your Visit →
Experience the magic of the holidays at the historic Ford estate, where twinkling lights line the lakeside paths and the stately home sparkles with festive décor. Explore the beautifully decorated rooms, enjoy live music, and make lasting family memories.
🛍 Holiday Market at Eastern Market
📅 Sunday, December 7, 2025
📍 Eastern Market, 2934 Russell St., Detroit
🔗 See Details →
Shop local and discover one-of-a-kind gifts from Michigan artisans. From handmade goods and greenery to baked treats and holiday décor, the Eastern Market Holiday Market is the perfect place to find unique, locally made presents while soaking in Detroit’s festive energy.
🎶 Holiday Performances at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
📅 Throughout December 2025
📍 Orchestra Hall, Detroit
🔗 View Schedule →
Celebrate the season in symphonic style with the DSO’s holiday lineup, including Home for the Holidays, The Snowman, and Home Alone in Concert. Perfect for both longtime patrons and families introducing little ones to the magic of live music.
❄️ Plan Your Detroit Holiday Season
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🗓 Reserve early for popular timed-entry events like Wild Lights and Holiday Nights.
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🚗 Arrive early for downtown events — parking and road closures start well before showtime.
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🧣 Bundle up! Many events are outdoors and best enjoyed with layers, scarves, and hot drinks.
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📸 Capture the moment and share your favorite photos using #CityLivingDetroit.
❤️ From Our City to Yours
Detroit shines brightest during the holidays — from the twinkle of Campus Martius to the charm of Greenfield Village. Whether you’re shopping local, skating under the skyline, or exploring the zoo after dark, these experiences make the season truly special.
Happy Holidays from City Living Detroit! 🎁
