Whether you are planning a family outing, a hangout with friends or a special date — holiday events across metro Detroit offer something for everyone to enjoy during this merry and magical season.
Here are several events you won’t want to miss before the holidays wrap up this year:
1100 Lake Shore Rd. in Grosse Pointe Shores, through Dec. 22: Home for the Holidays at Ford House is a whimsical one-mile walking tour that offers “a journey through history and elegance” and “a celebration of the season’s magic,” according to the event details.
The Ford House encourages visitors to explore the main residence during the self-paced walk and see how Eleanor Ford would have decorated for the holiday season. Santa is stationed outside the Playhouse each night of the event, and complimentary hot chocolate is available at the concessions tent.
Dates and times of operation: The holiday walk at the Ford House operates Friday through Sunday until Dec. 22. Entry times are 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., and 8:30 p.m.
Admission before fees: Tickets can be purchased at Ford House’s website and are:
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$14 for children up to 12 years old
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Free for children under 2
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$20 for Friends of Ford House adult members
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$10 for children who are members of Friends of Ford House
7651 North Merriman Rd, Westland, through Dec. 24: Hines Park lights up each holiday season for the Wayne County Lightfest, transforming a five-mile stretch into a dazzling wonderland that attendees can drive through, featuring 50 animated displays and more than 100,000 sparkling lights.
The iconic event has new attractions this year at Perrin Park, midway through the light show — including five food trucks, a walk-through gift box for photo opportunities, and visits from Santa on Dec. 11 and Dec. 18 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., according to Wayne County’s website. There is also a giant mailbox at Perrin Park forl letters to Saint Nick.
Dates and times of operation: The lightfest runs until Dec. 24, operating Wednesday through Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m. It will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, except for Dec. 23 and Dec. 24.
Admission: Tickets can be purchased in advance, but same-day ticket purchases are cash only:
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$20 for commercial vans, RVs and limos
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$25 for a minibus with 20 passengers
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$50 for busses with 40 passengers or more
One toy night remains on Dec. 11, which is an “initiative that allows visitors to donate a new, unwrapped toy in lieu of paying the entrance fee,” according to Wayne County.
Information on how to purchase tickets in advance is available on the Wayne County Lightfest page.
More: Glenlore Trails opens for 2024 holiday season with Winter Wanderland
350 Estate Dr. on Oakland University’s campus in Rochester, through Dec. 23: Meadow Brook Hall offers double the holiday fun with its festive Holiday Walk inside the 110-room estate and its radiant Winter Wonder Lights show outside.
The hour-long self-guided Holiday Walk has been operating for over 50 years, “transporting visitors through the historic mansion decked in shimmering splendor,” according to Meadow Brook’s website. The experience features about 50 Christmas trees, flickering fireplaces, and a plethora of holiday lights. On Saturdays, Santa himself will be on-site.
The Winter Wonder Lights show is also an hour-long self-guided event, but it features unique light displays across the grounds, music, bonfires, selfie stations, seasonal and specialty drinks, and more, according to the event’s website. The outdoor experience also includes the option to tour part of the festively decorated interior of Meadow Brook Hall.
Dates and times of operation:
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Holiday Walk: Entry times for the indoor event vary. Depending on the day, tickets are available starting at 10 or 11 a.m., with the latest entry times at 2 or 3 p.m. through Dec. 23. The event does not operate on Mondays except for the Monday before Christmas.
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Winter Wonder Lights: Dates and entry times for the outdoor event also vary. On select dates through Dec. 30, tickets are available for entry starting at 5:30 or 6 p.m., with the latest entry times at 7:30 or 8:30 p.m., depending on the day
Admission before fees:
Meadow Brook will be closed daily from 4-5:30 p.m. to reset the tour route in between the daytime Holiday Walk and nighttime Winter Wonder Lights show.
More: Meadow Brook Hall, Ford House named Best Holiday Home Tours by USA TODAY readers
8450 W. 10 Mile, Royal Oak, through Jan. 5: Presented by Corewell Health Children’s, Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo is one of metro Detroit’s most adored holiday attractions. The event features over 5 million festive LED lights, an interactive wishing tree, live entertainment, and much more.
This year, Santa Claus returns to Wild Lights for photo opportunities from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 5-9 p.m. on all other event dates until Dec. 23. Glow swings and glow teeter-totters were added to the glow play area, along with an enchanted trail featuring an interactive sound-and-light wall.
Casey Rosseau and her husband Griffin, son Lawson, 18 months, all of Birmingham, walk through the light installations during Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak on Dec. 3, 2020. The light installation includes more than 5 million LED lights.
Dates and times of operation: The remaining dates for Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo are Dec. 12-23, Dec. 26-31, and Jan. 2-5. General admission tickets are available for entry starting at 5 p.m., with the latest entry times between 8 and 9:30 p.m. depending on the day.
Admission before fees: Wild Lights ticket prices vary based on time, date, and demand, according to the event’s webpage. Package details can be found here.
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General admission to Wild Lights: Online prices range from $17 to $25, depending on the day and time; the gate price is $26.
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Zoo + Lights Package: $38
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Picnic Package (includes buffet, exclusive access to Table 28, and souvenir mug): $50 online; $55 at the gate.
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Total Experience Package (includes carousel ride, a ticket to a 4D holiday film screening, picnic access, and souvenir mug): $70
More: Detroit Zoo’s Wild Lights holiday display ranked in USA Today’s 10 Best Zoo Lights
1901 Grand River, Detroit, through Jan 10: Beacon Park in Detroit is lit with 125,000 twinkling LED lights this time of year. The 2024 Winter Gold theme is for”a new take on the holiday season downtown,” according to the DTE Energy Beacon Park Foundation, which partners with Downtown Detroit Partnership for entertainment at the park. “It’s the perfect place to capture magical holiday moments.”
Visitors can enjoy photo-ready holiday backdrops, lit-up reindeer, snowflakes, ornaments, and the sparkling LED lights that illuminate the entire park, Joelle Kruczek of DTE Energy, who leads communications for Beacon Park, told the Free Press.
The “Winter Gold” theme at Beacon Park in Detroit features 125,000 twinkling LED lights, lit-up reindeer, snowflakes and more. The park will remain lit up through Jan.10, 2025.
“Guests can also make a full, cheerful night of their visit by dining at Beacon Park’s flagship restaurant, Lumen Detroit,” Kruczek said. “It offers a cozy ambiance, seasonal drinks, and house-made food. Lumen’s outdoor chalet dining is open, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful, holiday-themed dinner surrounded by Beacon Park’s Winter Gold décor.”
Reservations for Lumen can be made here.
Admission: Free
Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: nrahal@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 6 metro Detroit events to celebrate the 2024 holiday season