Home for the Holidays at Ford House
Guests embark on a self-paced evening walk across softly lit estate grounds featuring glowing garden displays, Jingle Junction at Josephine's Playhouse, and a holiday train at the Recreation Building. The route leads inside both floors of the Main Residence, decorated in Eleanor Ford's understated seasonal elegance, where visitors can also take an optional photo with Santa. The evening concludes along Maple Lane at the Mistletoe Market with warm drinks, snacks, and holiday shopping.
What to Expect
Illuminated estate walk and holiday tour inside the decorated Main Residence.
Event Details
Duration
Plan for about one hour to 90 minutes total.
Food & Drink
A concessions tent along the walk offers warm drinks, snacks, and seasonal goodies; outside food and drinks are not permitted.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and holiday-lights fans who enjoy historic homes
Vibe
Festive and atmospheric
Energy Level
Moderate
Budget
$$
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
High
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: Friend Adult: $18; Friend Child (age 3-17): $10; Public Adult: $24; Public Child (age 3-17): $12; Child (age 0-2): Free. – Get tickets
- Hours: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm; last entry: 7:30 pm.
- Parking: All parking is in the Visitor Center lot, with ADA accessible spaces near the Visitor Center. There is no shuttle service; the roads are part of the walking route. Enter through the Main Gate, park in the Visitor Center lot, and exit through the North Gate.
- Accessibility: The one-mile outdoor route covers uneven pavement, gravel, wood chips, and grass with no shuttle service, which may challenge wheelchairs and walkers.
- Pets: Dogs are not permitted on the grounds during Home for the Holidays. Properly trained service animals as defined by the ADA are welcome.
Tips & Advice
- Arrive no more than 15 minutes before your scheduled entry time and have your tickets ready to scan at the check-in area.
- Dress warmly and wear sturdy shoes, since the event goes on rain, snow or shine and covers about a mile of uneven terrain.
- Friends of Ford House members can buy tickets starting October 20, three days before public sales open, and they pay lower prices.
- Leave outside snacks at home, because no outside food or drink is allowed and the concessions tent sells warm drinks and seasonal goodies.
- Save time for the Mistletoe Market on the walk back, where you can warm up with a drink and browse themed gifts from The Shop.
Special Events & Promotions
- Friends of Ford House can buy tickets starting October 20, three days before public sales open, and they pay lower ticket prices.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should we allow?
Plan for about one hour to 90 minutes in total. The walk in, the visit inside the Main Residence and the walk back each take about 20 to 30 minutes.
Is the route OK for strollers and wheelchairs?
It's about a mile of walking on pavement, wood chips, gravel and grass, and some sections are challenging for wheelchairs, strollers and walkers. There's no shuttle. For access questions before booking, contact info@fordhouse.org or 313-884-4222.
Is there food and drink?
A concessions tent along the walk sells warm drinks, snacks and seasonal goodies. The Mistletoe Market on the walk back also has warm concessions. No outside food or drink is allowed.
Can we see Santa?
Yes. There's an optional Santa photo on your way out of the Main Residence.
Can we bring the dog?
No. Dogs aren't allowed on the grounds during Home for the Holidays, but properly trained ADA service animals are welcome.
More Christmas Events near Saint Clair Shores
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