Dec. 16
‘Christmas on Lakeshore’ concert
Hear a capella music from Noteworthy and The Grunyons, 7:30-9 p.m., Grosse Pointe United Methodist Church, 211 Moross Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, bookus@thegrunyons.com, christmasonlakeshore.com

Dec. 17
Holiday craft
Teens can make hot glue gun icicle ornaments, 6 p.m., Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse St. (Suite A), registration required, (586) 329-1261, htlibrary.org/events

Dec. 18
Merry & Bright Holiday Dinner
New event includes three-course meal and live music by singer Ben Sharkey, for ages 21 and older, 6:30-9:30 p.m. (8 p.m. for concert only), The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe Farms, see menu at warmemorial.org/events/merry-bright

 



Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Village Walk
Also doughnuts and hot cocoa, fresh latkes, fire show, grand gelt drop, Chanukah train, and giant Judah Maccabee, hosted by Royal Oak Chabad Jewish Center, 4-5:30 p.m., Eagle Plaza, 163 Sixth St. in Royal Oak, jewishroyaloak.com

Read more: Menorah lighting, Chanukah Village come to Royal Oak


Chanukah celebration
Features Menorah lighting, live music by The Klezmer Academy and treats, 5-6 p.m., Shain Park, corner of Henrietta and Martin streets in downtown Birmingham, presented by Chabad Jewish Center of Bloomfield Hills, free but registration required, bhchabad.org/chanukah

Dec. 18-20
‘A Very Farmington Christmas’
Play spoofs Hallmark Christmas movies with dozens of local references and cameos from community members, presented by The Farmington Players, 8 p.m., The Farmington Players Barn Theater, 32332 W. 12 Mile Road in Farmington Hills, (248) 553-2955, farmingtonplayers.org

Dec. 19-20
‘Christmas Through Your Eyes’ concerts
Performed by The Farmington Chorus, 8 p.m. Dec. 19 and 4 p.m. Dec. 20, Orchard United Methodist Church Sanctuary, 30450 Farmington Road in Farmington Hills, (248) 302-4740, farmingtonchorus.com


'Merry Cringemas'
Original holiday sketch show, 7:30 p.m., Go Comedy! Improv Theatre, 261 E. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale, gocomedy.net

Dec. 19-21
‘Scrooge in Rouge’
Musical-comedy about actors who get sick and chaos that ensues when fill-ins must perform “A Christmas Carol,” 8 p.m. Dec. 19, 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 20, and 2 p.m. Dec. 21, The Inspired Acting Company, 1124 E. West Maple Road in Walled Lake, (248) 863-9953, info@inspiredacting.org, inspiredacting.org

 

‘The Nutcracker’
Performance by Macomb Ballet Company, 7 p.m. Dec. 19, 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20, and noon and 5 p.m. Dec. 21, also sensory-friendly performance at 1 p.m. Dec. 19, Macomb Center for the Performing Arts on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (586) 286-2222, plus holiday lunch and sweets, story time with Clara, themed craft, meet-and-greet and photos with characters, and keepsake or party favor during “The Nutcracker Tea,” 11 a.m. Dec. 20, Lorenzo Cultural Center on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (586) 445-7348, macombcenter.com

Read more: Macomb Ballet Company expands holiday magic with ‘The Nutcracker’


‘Mackers the Elf’
Mystic Heroes Theatre and Planet Ant Theatre present dark Christmas comedy that parodies Shakespeare’s "Macbeth,” 8 p.m. Dec. 19-20 and 2 p.m. Dec. 21, Planet Ant - Ant Hall Stage, 2320 Caniff St. in Hamtramck, planetant.com

 

‘It’s A Wonderful Life’
Radio play version of classic Christmas movie, 8 p.m. Dec. 19-20 and 2 p.m. Dec. 21, Ridgedale Players, 205 W. Long Lake Road in Troy, ridgedaleplayers.com

Read more: Ridgedale Players present ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ radio play

 



‘Steel Poinsettias’
Holiday parody sequel to “Steel Magnolias,” 7 p.m. Dec. 19-20 and 3 p.m. Dec. 21, Ringwald Theatre at Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center, 290 W. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale, theringwald.com

Read more: Ringwald Theatre celebrates holidays with ‘Steel Magnolias’ parody

 



Royal Oak Holidays
Final weekend of outdoor activities includes 40-plus ice sculptures on display, appearances by The Grinch, visits with Santa, and horse and wagon rides, downtown Royal Oak and Centennial Commons, see schedule at royaloakholidays.com

Read more: Winter Blast merges with Royal Oak Holidays

Dec. 20
‘An Irish Nutcracker’
Presented by Shannon Irish Dance Academy, performance follows classic storyline but swaps out ballet and classical music with Irish dancing and music, cast includes several students from Utica Community Schools, 5-7 p.m., McMorran Place Theater, 701 McMorran Blvd. in Port Huron, mcmorran.com/events/an-irish-nutcracker-4

Read more: Utica Community Schools students will be participating in ‘An Irish Nutcracker’


Christmas cookie walk/bake sale
Free with donation, also Christmas decor for sale, 10 a.m.-noon, Utica United Methodist Church, 8650 Canal Road in Sterling Heights, uticaumc.org


Christmas Bird Count
Presented by Macomb County Audubon Society, get basic information on bird identification and ways to attract and observe winter birds, also hike around park, plus coffee, hot cocoa and doughnuts during free event, bring binoculars, 10 a.m.-noon, Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, 4101 River Bends Drive in Shelby Township, shelbytwp.org/our-township/christmas


Winter Solstice Hike & Bonfire
Celebrate longest/darkest night of year by learning about cultural history, making mini yule wreath and taking luminary lit night hike, also hot cocoa by fire, for ages 12 and older, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, 4101 River Bends Drive in Shelby Township, registration required, shelbytwp.org/our-township/christmas


Winter Solstice Celebration
Make projects focused on longest/darkest night of year, also music, art and more, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., one tickets allows entry into Cranbrook Art Museum and Cranbrook Institute of Science, 39221 Woodward Ave. in Bloomfield Hills, cranbrookartmuseum.org/events/winter-solstice


Old Fashioned Christmas
Roast chestnuts over open fire, learn about mammals and natural resources of Stony Creek, hear live music by Oakland Youth Orchestra, work on craft, take winter photos, and more, noon-4 p.m., Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, (248) 656-4663, rochesterhills.org/musprograms


Winter concert
Performance by children’s entertainer Kevin Devine, 11 a.m.-noon, West Bloomfield Township Public Library - Main Branch, 4600 Walnut Lake Road, (248) 682-2120, wblib.org


Visit Santa
Also see his workshop, 9 a.m.-noon, lower level of Apple Blossom Baby & Kids, 17110 Kercheval Ave. in Grosse Pointe City

Dec. 21
Santa Brunch
Also crafts and photos, 2-3:30 p.m., The Village Club, 190 E. Long Lake Road in Bloomfield Hills, RSVP at thevillageclub.org/events/santa-brunch


Christmas concerts
• Performance by Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass, 3-4:30 p.m., Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 1800 W. Maple Road in Birmingham, lcr.church/kings-brass


• Performance titled “Hear the Angels Sing,” 4 p.m., Kirk in the Hills, 1340 W. Long Lake Road in Bloomfield Hills, (248) 626-2515, kirkinthehills.org

Dec. 23
Skate for a Cause
Free admission and skate rental with donation of nonperishable food item, supports local families in need, 5-6:50 p.m., Southfield Sports Arena, 26000 Evergreen Road, presented by Southfield Parks & Recreation, (248) 796-4620, cityofsouthfield.com/departments/parks-recreation

Dec. 27
Watch ‘Home Alone’
11 a.m., Blair Memorial Library, 416 N. Main St. in Clawson, registration required, (248) 588-5500, clawsonlibrary@gmail.com, clawson.lib.mi.us

Dec. 31
Kids New Year’s Eve Event
Includes activities, early ball drop and mini fireworks display, 4-9 p.m., Discovery Center of Macomb, 54 Cherry St. in Mount Clemens, downtownmountclemens.org/events


Macomb County New Year’s Eve Gala
Includes fireworks and entertainment, 9:30 p.m., Main Street in Downtown Mount Clemens, downtownmountclemens.org/events

Ongoing
Ice skating
• 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays, 3-9 p.m. Mondays, noon-9 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, noon-11 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturdays, The Rink at Royal Oak in Centennial Commons, 221 E. Third St., therinkatroyaloak.com


• 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, Dodge Park Farmers Market Pavilion, 40620 Utica Road in Sterling Heights, (586) 446-2711 (weather hotline), see holiday hours and special events in 2026 at sterlingheights.gov/1650/dodge-park-ice-rink


• 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 11 a.m.-midnight Fridays-Saturdays, The Rink at Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave. in Detroit, see holiday hours and 2026 dates at downtowndetroit.org/experience-downtown/things-to-do/the-rink


• Noon-7 p.m. Sundays, 5-8 p.m. Fridays and noon-8 p.m. Saturdays, plus holiday hours added/extended from noon-8 p.m. Dec. 22, 23, 26, 29 and 30 and Jan. 2, Warren City Square outside City Hall, 1 City Square, facebook.com/warrenparks

 

Holiday art markets
• Find handmade gifts and seasonal decor (including some by young entrepreneurs), 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, Anton Art Center, 125 Macomb Place in Mount Clemens, theartcenter.org

Read more: Art Center closes out 2025 with traditions


• Open noon-5:30 p.m. until Dec. 28, Articipate, 3833 12 Mile Road in Berkley, (248) 812-9022, welcome@articipate.us


• Nearly 2,000 handmade and original items from around 50 artists expected, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays until Dec. 20, Paint Creek Center for the Arts, 407 Pine St. in Rochester, pccart.org/artmarket/holiday-art-market

 

Holiday Shop
More than 200 juried artists expected, noon-4 p.m. Sundays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays until Dec. 19, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, 1516 S. Cranbrook Road in Birmingham, bbartcenter.org

Read more: Baby knitwear, ceramics and more at BBAC’s annual Holiday Shop


Visit Santa
• Select times and dates until Dec. 24, The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Road in Clinton Township, shoppartridgecreek.com/events


• Walk-up visits on select dates until Dec. 24, also horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa House in Shain Park, corner of Henrietta and Martin streets in downtown Birmingham, free but some reservations required, downtownbirmingham.com/do/santa-house


• Bring own camera to free event, select times and dates until Dec. 24, also see reindeer on select weekends until Dec. 21, Festival Park, north of Walton Boulevard and east of Adams Road in Rochester Hills, thevorh.com/events


• Select times until Dec. 24, South Court near Diamond Gallery at Macomb Mall, 32233 Gratiot Ave. in Roseville, shopmacombmall.com/event/32841-santa-hours


• Noon-5:55 p.m. Sundays and 10 a.m.-7:55 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays until Dec. 23, Somerset Collection, corner of Big Beaver Road and Coolidge Highway in Troy, somersetevents.as.me/santaphotos

 



Wild Lights
Nighttime strolls include 500-plus displays and millions of LEDs, also pop-up performances and music, Santa photos, seasonal drinks, eats and sweet treats, and more, select times and dates until Jan. 4, Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. 10 Mile Road in Royal Oak, detroitzoo.org/events/wild-lights

Read more: Detroit Zoo Wild Lights begins this month


The Big, Bright Light Show
See downtown Rochester storefronts illuminated from 5 p.m.-midnight until Jan. 18, (248) 656-0060, downtownrochestermi.com/the-big-bright-light-show


Aurora Winter Wizards
Milelong forest walk filled with lights and holiday sounds, also use wand to unlock hidden magic, open nightly Thursdays-Sundays until Dec. 28, Glenlore Trails, 3860 Newtown Road in Commerce Township, glenloretrails.com


Tunnel of Lights
Also entertainment, Santa visits, food trucks and more on select dates, 5-9 p.m. until Jan. 24, Blossom Heath Park, 24800 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, (586) 445-5350, facebook.com/st.clairshoresparksandrecreation


Innovation Hills Holiday Lights
See park lit up from 5-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 5-8 p.m. Fridays-Sundays until Jan. 11, 2800 W. Hamlin Road, facebook.com/cityofrochesterhills


Home for the Holidays at Ford House
Milelong walk through lighted gardens and decorated main residence, 5:30-8 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays until Dec. 21, also carolers on select dates, 1100 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Shores, fordhouse.org/events/home-for-the-holidays-at-ford-house

Read more: Ford House holiday tours filled with magic of the season


‘A Christmas Carol’
Select times and dates until Dec. 24, Meadow Brook Theatre (room 207 in Wilson Hall on campus of Oakland University), 378 Meadow Brook Road in Rochester, (248) 377-3300, mbtheatre.com