Warren, MI, becomes a festive wonderland during the holiday season, offering a range of experiences for everyone. Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village brings history to life with lantern-lit streets and vintage charm, while Detroit Zoo Wild Lights bathes the zoo in millions of enchanting LED lights. Don't miss the festive spirit of Noel Night, where art, music, and community come together in Detroit's Cultural Center.
Whether you're a local or a visitor, Warren's holiday events promise to create magical memories. From nostalgic Christmas traditions to dazzling light displays, there's something for everyone to enjoy in this vibrant city.
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The Top Christmas Events in Warren
See these and even more events listed below!Warren Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Warren Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert
What to Expect:
Community orchestra performs with local choirs
Description:
The Warren Symphony Orchestra's Holiday Concert unites professional musicians with community choirs for a heartwarming performance. The program blends classical holiday pieces with contemporary favorites, showcasing the talents of local vocalists and instrumentalists. Listen for the haunting sound of handbells accompanying certain selections. The WSO, founded in 1973, embodies Warren's commitment to accessible cultural experiences, bringing high-quality orchestral music to the community.
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Warren Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert
Warren Other Holiday Activities
Christmas at the Princess
What to Expect:
Elegant holiday celebration at historic hotel
Description:
The Dearborn Inn, built by Henry Ford in 1931, hosts a refined Christmas celebration fit for royalty. Lavish decorations adorn the colonial-style hotel, while the aroma of gingerbread fills the air. Guests can indulge in a traditional afternoon tea service, complete with holiday-inspired treats. The inn's grounds feature twinkling light displays and cozy fire pits. This event pays homage to the hotel's storied past as America's first airport hotel.
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Nearby Events
Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village (Dearborn)
What to Expect:
Immersive historical Christmas experience
Description:
Step back in time at Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village. This living history celebration transports visitors to Christmases past, with costumed presenters and period-accurate decorations. Stroll through lantern-lit streets and warm yourself by crackling bonfires. You can ride in a Model T or horse-drawn carriage, experiencing holiday traditions from the 18th to the 20th centuries. The village, founded by Henry Ford in 1929, showcases over 80 historic structures moved from their original locations.
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Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village
Detroit Zoo Wild Lights (Royal Oak)
What to Expect:
Animal-themed light displays
Description:
Detroit Zoo transforms into a luminous wildlife wonderland during Wild Lights. Millions of LED lights illuminate animal-shaped sculptures and towering trees, creating a nocturnal safari experience. Traverse the zoo's paths to discover glowing habitats and animated displays. Visitors can warm up in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, showcasing stunning nature photography. The Detroit Zoo, founded in 1928, was one of the first in America to use barless exhibits, prioritizing animal welfare.
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Noel Night (Detroit)
What to Expect:
Cultural district-wide open house
Description:
Noel Night ignites Detroit's Cultural Center with a vibrant celebration of art, music, and community. Over 70 institutions, including museums, galleries, and churches, open their doors for free. The streets come alive with performances, from choirs to dance troupes. Explore hands-on workshops or join a scavenger hunt through participating venues. This beloved tradition began in 1973 as a way to unite the community and showcase Detroit's cultural treasures.
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The Big Bright Light Show (Rochester)
What to Expect:
Entire downtown covered in colorful lights
Description:
Rochester's downtown transforms into a kaleidoscope of color during The Big Bright Light Show. Buildings along Main Street are blanketed in over 1.5 million points of light, creating a dazzling canopy overhead. Each structure glows with its own unique hue, painting the town in a rainbow of festivity. Stroll through the illuminated streets and admire the intricate designs. This radiant tradition began in 2006 to attract visitors to local businesses during the holiday season.
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Holiday Stroll at Canterbury Village (Lake Orion)
What to Expect:
Old-world Christmas market atmosphere
Description:
Canterbury Village recreates the charm of a European Christmas market during its Holiday Stroll. Timber-framed shops and cobblestone paths transport visitors to a quaint old-world setting. Artisans demonstrate traditional crafts, while carolers in period costumes serenade shoppers. Sample mulled wine and roasted chestnuts as you browse unique gifts. The village, built on the site of a 1920s dairy farm, preserves the area's rural heritage while celebrating holiday traditions.
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Holiday Stroll at Canterbury Village
Holiday Pops Concert (Detroit)
What to Expect:
Symphony orchestra performs holiday favorites
Description:
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra dazzles audiences with its annual Holiday Pops Concert. World-class musicians breathe new life into beloved carols and seasonal classics. The concert features surprise guest performers and audience sing-alongs. Witness the conductor don a Santa hat for a playful rendition of "Sleigh Ride." The DSO, founded in 1887, has a rich history of bringing exceptional music to Detroit, including premiering works by prominent composers.
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Festival of Trees (Dearborn)
What to Expect:
Fundraising event showcasing designer-decorated trees
Description:
The Festival of Trees transforms a venue into a forest of creativity, with dozens of professionally decorated Christmas trees on display. Each tree tells a unique story through its theme and ornaments. Visitors can bid on their favorite trees in a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting children's health initiatives. Admire intricate gingerbread houses and participate in holiday craft workshops. This cherished event has raised millions for pediatric research since its inception in 1985.
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Wayne County Lightfest (Westland)
What to Expect:
Drive-through light display along Hines Drive
Description:
Wayne County Lightfest illuminates a 4.5-mile stretch of Hines Drive with over 100,000 lights. Cruise through this twinkling wonderland from the comfort of your car, encountering larger-than-life animated displays. The route winds through Hines Park, following the meandering Rouge River. Tune your radio to a special station for synchronized holiday music. This beloved tradition, started in 1993, has become the Midwest's largest drive-through light show.
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Santa Claus Parade (Mount Clemens)
What to Expect:
One of America's oldest Santa Claus parades
Description:
Detroit's Santa Claus Parade marches down Woodward Avenue, continuing a tradition that began in 1924. Elaborate floats, towering balloons, and marching bands fill the streets with holiday cheer. Keep an eye out for the parade's signature "Big Head Corps," featuring oversized papier-mâché heads of local celebrities. The grand finale welcomes Santa to town in his sleigh. This historic parade predates even the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.
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Holly Dickens Festival (Holly)
What to Expect:
Longest-running Dickens festival in the United States
Description:
The village of Holly transforms into a Victorian-era Christmas celebration during the Holly Dickens Festival. Costumed characters from Charles Dickens' novels roam the streets, bringing literary classics to life. Witness reenactments of scenes from "A Christmas Carol" and join in traditional parlor games. The aroma of roasted chestnuts fills the air as you explore the quaint shops. This festival, running since 1973, honors Holly's connection to the author through its shared name.
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Meadow Brook Hall Holiday Walk (Rochester)
What to Expect:
Tour of a lavishly decorated historic mansion
Description:
Meadow Brook Hall, the opulent Tudor-revival mansion built by auto heiress Matilda Dodge Wilson, opens its doors for a spectacular holiday tour. Each room of the 110-room estate is adorned with elaborate decorations and towering Christmas trees. Discover hidden Elf on the Shelf figures throughout the mansion as you admire the period furnishings. The Holiday Walk tradition began in 1971, just a few years after the hall was donated to Oakland University.
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Meadow Brook Hall Holiday Walk
Royal Oak Jingle (Royal Oak)
What to Expect:
Downtown-wide holiday celebration with ice sculptures
Description:
Royal Oak Jingle enlivens the city's downtown with a weekend of winter festivities. Marvel at intricate ice sculptures lining the streets, with live carving demonstrations throughout the event. A holiday market showcases local artisans, while pop-up performances surprise visitors around every corner. Warm up with s'mores at community bonfires. This event, which began in 2016, has quickly become a beloved tradition in Royal Oak's vibrant downtown district.
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Christmas in Plymouth (Plymouth)
What to Expect:
Small-town holiday celebration with tree lighting
Description:
Plymouth's charming downtown sparkles during Christmas in Plymouth. The event kicks off with the illumination of a towering Christmas tree in Kellogg Park, accompanied by carolers and hot cocoa. Shops extend their hours, offering special promotions and festive window displays. Children can drop off letters to Santa at a special North Pole mailbox. This celebration honors Plymouth's history as one of Michigan's earliest settlements, founded in 1825.
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Troy Winter Wonderland (Troy)
What to Expect:
Indoor winter carnival with synthetic ice rink
Description:
Troy Winter Wonderland brings frosty fun indoors at the Troy Community Center. Glide across a synthetic ice rink, no cold weather required. Challenge your friends to snowball target practice or create a masterpiece at the snow painting station. The event features a mini-midway with carnival games and prizes. Troy's Winter Wonderland began as a way to provide winter activities regardless of unpredictable Michigan weather, embodying the city's innovative approach to community events.