Detroit in December can certainly be cold and dark, but that certainly doesn’t stop Detroiters from having a good time or from celebrating the holiday season throughout the entire month!
So from romantic candlelit concerts to holiday carriage rides in Downtown Detroit, here are some of the things to do in Detroit this December that we highly recommend you don’t skip!
1. Attend a Candlelight Concert
With multiple options for shows ranging from the classics of Tchaikovsky and Hans Zimmer to tribute performances to your favorite iconic bands like Queen , Adele, or Pink Floyd! Candlelight is offering tributes to both popular stars you love, and concerts dedicated fully to Christmas–the choice is yours as to what way you get in the festive spirit this year.
2. Go shopping at Detroit’s Downtown Holiday Market
The Downtown Holiday Market near Campus Martius Park is one of the most festive and picturesque spots in Detroit and it is 100% something every Detroiter should check out before they close! The festive seasonal experience provides a much-needed opportunity for local small businesses to share their crafts and items with the people of Detroit, which means that this is a perfect place to do some of your holiday shopping because you’re guaranteed to find some unique gifts!
3. Buy your U-Cut Christmas tree at a local tree farm
Michigan has some of the most spectacular forests in the United States, so naturally, you can find some of the most beautiful and picture-perfect Christmas trees in the Detroit area! We put together our list of five of the best spots around Detroit to buy your U-Cut Christmas tree, but in case you haven’t seen our full list here are a few of our favorites:
4. Go ice skating at one of the Detroit area’s outdoor rinks
One of the easiest outdoor activities to get into the spirit of the holidays and embrace Winter is to go ice skating outdoors! While there are a coupleoutdoor ice skating rinks around Detroit that you can visit this winter, few outdoor ice skating places can match the ambiance of the Campus Martius Ice Rink, which gives you an incredible scenic view of Detroit’s downtown skyline and the Detroit Holiday Tree.
5. Sip on drinks and play a board game at Cadillac Lodge
Every year now Detroiters await the return of Cadillac Lodge during the holidays, its incredible atmosphere and welcoming setup make for a perfect plan with family or friends!
Located right next to the Downtown Holiday Markets, Cadillac Lodge provides a festive oasis that can help you get into the holiday spirit at your own pace while you sit and recover from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Detroit in December.
6. Take photos in front of Detroit’s downtown holiday tree
If you missed the tree-lighting ceremony that was held in Downtown Detroit back in November, sorry to say it but you missed out, that being said, Downton Detroit’s Holiday Tree is as beautiful as ever.
The incredible backdrop of Detroit’s skyline against the beautiful color of this year’s 62-foot Norway Spruce which is decorated with over 20,000 lights makes for one of the most iconic holiday photos you can take in the entire state of Michigan, let alone in Detroit!
7. See the Detroit Symphony Orchestra perform holiday classics
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra provides an incredible touching rendition of some of your favorite holiday stories being told through the instruments of the most incredible orchestra group in Michigan! This December, not only can you see their performance of incredible holiday classics like The Snowman or The Nutcracker, but you can also see concert renditions of modern seasonal favorites like Love Actually or Home Alone!
These are shows you do not want to miss and are perfect for the whole family to enjoy!
8. Grab some festive drinks at one of Detroit’s Christmas pop-up bars
Detroit has no shortage of festive fun, even for something as simple as grabbing drinks with friends! We already gave you our list of 9 Christmas pop-up bars around Detroit that you should visit, but if case you haven’t seen it here’s a sneak preview:
9. Attend one of the several live sporting events going on around Detroit
The Detroit Lions are competing for a playoff spot, the Redwings are off to a decent start of the season, and the Pistons are actually leading the Eastern Conference!
Now is a great time to get out and support our teams as this may be one of the best sports months that Detroit has had in a long time.
10. Go snow tubing at Hawk Island in Lansing
This incredibly fun Winter event is one of our favorite things to do with friends and family, no matter what age you are it’s hard not to have fun when you speed down a 600-foot snowy slide built specifically for snow-tubing!
Additionally, when you’re done playing in the snow or just want to take a break, you can get a hot chocolate or s’mores from their snack bar and warm up sitting by one of the outdoor fires set up nearby.
Location: Hawk Island Park, 1601 E. Cavanaugh Rd., Lansing, MI 48910
11. Take a walk through the Canterbury Village’s Holiday Stroll
Filled with holiday spirit and Christmas Cheer, the Canterbury Village Holiday Stroll is a must-visit for anyone in the Detroit area who has not been before!
This winter wonderland offers the full holiday package from a private mailbox for letters heading to the North Pole to seasonal light shows and even meet-and-greets with some of the season’s most iconic characters.
You’ll have until December 23rd to check it out!
Location: 2325 Joslyn Ct. in Lake Orion.
12. Visit Santa Claus at one of these picture-perfect locations!
The leadup to the holidays are a crucial time for families and part of that experience for children is to meet Santa Claus and tell him what you want for Christmas! Making sure that your children have a positive memorable experience is an important consideration when you decide where you plan to go to visit Santa as a family, which is exactly why we’ve listed three perfect spots for you to visit Santa around Detroit!
- On select dates, Blake’s Farm hosts one of the most iconic Santa meet-and-greets in the Detroit area, plus one ticket to meet Santa includes one donut and a cup of hot chocolate.
- With the purchase of tickets to the Canterbury Village Holiday Stroll customers also get a chance to visit and speak to Santa Claus and get their picture taken by a real professional photographer!
- If you’re looking to avoid spending and want to have a quality keepsake from visiting Santa, then going to Santa’s Wonderland at any Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shop location is perfect. All you have to do is reserve your time to visit and you can meet Santa and have a free 4×6 photo of the experience to take home with you.
13. Head to Candyland at Beacon Park
All December long, you can experience the wonder of Candyland!
From 6 am until 10 pm every day, you can experience massive light displays, huhe holiday-themed art installations, and so much more.