Publication select ▼
C & G's Winter Wonderland family fun events page is sponsored by Moran Chevrolet, 35500 S. Gratiot Ave. in Clinton Township. Request your all-electric test drive with Moran Chevrolet today!
FEATURED STORIES:
Brightmoor Lights Holiday Festival presents giant nutcracker garden
DETROIT — The nonprofit Williams Park Alliance Inc. will host the second Brightmoor Lights Holiday Festival from Dec. 18 to Jan. 3, featuring life-sized illuminated holiday displays, including symbols of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas and more. (Read more)
Ice skating returns to Dodge Park
STERLING HEIGHTS – On Dec. 1, the Dodge Park Ice Rink returned to the Dodge Park Farmers Market Pavilion in Sterling Heights. (Read more)
Downtown events help spread holiday cheer this December
ROCHESTER — Downtown Rochester is making spirits bright with a number of holiday events to complement the city’s popular Big, Bright Light Show. (Read more)
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Dec. 31
Holly Dazzle: See Christmas scenes along three-quarter mile outdoor trail, 5-10 p.m., Michigan Renaissance Festival, 12600 Dixie Highway in Holly, hollydazzle.com
'‘Twas The Night Before…'
Cirque du Soleil Christmas show based on Clement Clarke Moore's poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas," noon, Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave. in Detroit, cirquedusoleil.com/twas-the-night-before
New Year’s Eve Skate: Dress as wizards or superheroes, also scavenger hunt, treat and prizes, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Riley Park Ice Rink, 33113 Grand River Ave. in Farmington, plus ball drop at 9 p.m. in Sundquist Pavilion (part of ticketed skating event) and midnight over ice rink (free), facebook.com/rileyparkicerink
Kids New Years Eve Bash: Pizza buffet and pop, laser tag, coloring contest and party favors, 12:30-2:30 p.m., balloon drop at 2 p.m., Paradise Park, 45799 Grand River Ave. in Novi, paradiseparknovi.com
Noon Year’s Eve Celebration: New Year’s Eve-themed science demonstrations and activities for all ages, Michigan Science Center, 5020 John R in Detroit, mi-sci.org/event/noon-years-eve-2025
New Year’s Eve in Mount Clemens: Children's activities, early ball drop, and music and fireworks display, 4-9 p.m., The Discovery Center of Macomb, 54 Cherry St., also fireworks, entertainment, karaoke and more along streets and in businesses, 10:30 p.m.-midnight, downtownmountclemens.org
Noon Year’s Eve Party: Free games, crafts, mini bounce houses, photo spot and more, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., plus balloon drop at noon, Berkley First, 2820 12 Mile Road, berkleyfirst.org/event/noonyearseve
New Year’s ball: Entertainment by DeeJay Gene and Mike Leslie Band, appetizers, main course buffet, pasta station, late night treats, dessert buffet, liquor and domestic beer, and party favors, for ages 21 and older, 9 p.m.-3 a.m., Blind Owl Restaurant & Bar, 511 S. Main St. in Royal Oak, text (248) 717-2995, call (248) 216-1112 or email blindowlpub@gmail.com
New Year's Eve party: Featuring music by The Crasherz, for ages 21 and older, 9 p.m. Dec. 31 (doors at 8 p.m.), The Showroom at Younger's, 120 S. Main St. in Romeo, youngersromeo.com
Jan. 17-18
Frost Festival: See nearly 40 ice sculptures from 5-9 p.m. Jan. 17 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 18 around downtown Rochester, also ice carving competition from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 18 on West Fourth Street, and marshmallow toasting and ice cornhole from 5-9 p.m. Jan. 17 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 18 on East Third Street, downtownrochestermi.com/frost-festival
Jan. 25
Fire & Ice Show: Featuring free hot cocoa and tea, ice carver, and fire dancers, 2-4 p.m., Franklin Public Library, 32455 Franklin Road, franklin.lib.mi.us
Jan. 26
Winterfest 2025: Featuring free horse-and-carriage rides, reindeer petting, ice carving, skating, crafts, face painting, and chili, hot cocoa and s’mores, 1-4 p.m., Oak Park Community Center, 14300 Oak Park Blvd., Facebook
Ongoing
The Big, Bright Light Show: See downtown Rochester buildings illuminated, 5 p.m.-midnight until Jan. 19, www.downtownrochestermi.com/the-big-bright-light-show
Wild Lights: Millions of lights, 500-plus displays, interactive wishing tree, seasonal drinks, food and treats, warming stations with live entertainment, and more, select dates and times until Jan. 5, Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. 10 Mile Road in Royal Oak, dzoo.org/wildlights
Ice skating: 10 a.m.-11 p.m. daily, special events include Game On Skate from 2-3:30 p.m. Jan. 17, Glow Skate from 7-9 p.m. Jan. 25 and Valentine Skate from 2-3:30 p.m. Feb. 8, Riley Park, 33113 Grand River Ave. in Farmington, free but donations encouraged, facebook.com/rileyparkicerink
Ice skating: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays, noon-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, noon-10 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays, special events include Superhero Day from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Jan. 11, Glow Stick Nights from 7-9 p.m. Jan. 11 (’80s theme), Jan. 18 (’90s) and Jan. 25 (2000s), Date Night from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 14 (couples get sweet treat), and Princess Day from from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Feb. 15, also sensory-friendly Sundays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 12 and Feb. 9, Dodge Park Farmers Market Pavilion, 40620 Utica Road in Sterling Heights, (586) 446-2711 (weather hotline), sterlingheights.gov/1650/dodge-park-ice-rink
Read more: Ice skating returns to Dodge Park
Ice skating: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays, noon-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, noon-11 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturdays until Dec. 31, then new hours in 2025, The Rink at Royal Oak in Centennial Commons, 221 E. Third St., therinkatroyaloak.com
Ice skating: 5-8 p.m. Fridays, noon-8 p.m. Saturdays and noon-7 p.m. Sundays, Warren City Square outside City Hall, 1 City Square, see holiday hours at facebook.com/warrenparks
Ice skating: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays, noon-8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, noon-9 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays until March 16 (noon-5 p.m. New Year's Eve and closed New Year's Day), The Rink at Stine Community Park, 241 Town Center Drive in Troy, rec.troymi.gov/therink
Ice skating: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 11 a.m.-midnight Fridays-Saturdays until Jan. 5, then noon-8 p.m. Sundays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays, and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays until March 2, also holiday hours 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Jan. 1, The Rink at Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave. in Detroit, downtowndetroit.org/experience-downtown/things-to-do/the-rink
Ice skating: Open skating Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and drop-in hockey Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8 a.m.-11 p.m., Mae Stecker Park, 8600 24 Mile Road in Shelby Township, (586) 731-0300
Tunnel of Lights: 5-9 p.m. until Jan. 26, Blossom Heath Park, 24800 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, facebook.com/st.clairshoresparksandrecreation
Winter Park: Glow tubing, bonfires, animal experiences and more, 4-10 p.m. Fridays, noon-10 p.m. Saturdays and noon-9 p.m. Sundays Jan. 4-Feb. 23, Bowers School Farm, 1219 E. Square Lake Road in Bloomfield Township, schoolfarm.org/winter-activities
