Christmas in Michigan: 15 Festive Ways To Celebrate

Looking for fun things to do for Christmas in Michigan? Then you are in for a treat.

There are many fun things to do in Michigan, especially at Christmas!

There are so many awesome events, festivals, and markets throughout this Midwest state to enjoy during December.

If you want to make some amazing family memories this holiday season, these Michigan Christmas events are where you need to be.

Whether you are looking for an interesting way to get your kids out of the house, want to spend quality time with visiting family, or need romantic winter date ideas, we have you covered!

Here are some of the best ways to celebrate Christmas in Michigan!

Christmas in Michigan: 15 Festive Ways To Celebrate

Canterbury Village, Lake Orion

The Olde World Canterbury Village is a historic landmark found in Lake Orion. This aesthetic shopping center becomes decked out in lights and wreaths in December to resemble a European Christmas market.

This is one of the best places to celebrate Christmas in Michigan because it feels like you have stepped into a fairytale.

Walk around and admire the festive displays. Get some of your shopping done at the many cute, local shops and boutiques.

Come at night to enjoy a holiday walk surrounded by beautiful lights. Make sure to stop by Yates Cider Mill Store to pick up some delicious cider and donuts.

This is one of the fun Michigan attractions not to miss!

Christmas Michigan: Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village, Dearborn

Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village is one of the best things to do in Dearborn during Christmastime. There are over eighty acres to explore!

All of your senses will be swept into the holiday spirit. You will be able to smell roasted chestnuts and warm yourself by the bonfires.

The treats and warm drinks will keep your taste buds happy. The carolers will add to the atmosphere.

Families will have fun walking the lit-up streets, taking tours of historic homes, and watching cooking and art demonstrations. Kids will love the chance to meet Santa and his reindeer.

You can ride the carousel, go ice skating, or see everything go by from a horse-drawn carriage. The night ends with an exciting fireworks display.

Michigan Christmas: Rosa Parks Circle, Grand Rapids

One of the fun things to do in Grand Rapids is visit Rosa Parks Circle downtown.

It becomes a winter wonderland during December. Come watch the annual Christmas tree lighting and become amazed by all the pretty lights.

A cool thing about this Michigan Christmas tradition is all the cultural booths that demonstrate how the holiday is celebrated around the world.

This will allow you to learn about Africa, Asia, and Europe while trying yummy treats.

There are also booths where you can make holiday crafts. Make sure to check out the ice skating performances and the hockey exhibition.

And of course, you have to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Christmas In Michigan: Crossroads Village, Flint

The Crossroads Village in Flint has been celebrating Christmas in Michigan for over thirty years. This is a great place to make family memories and one of the fun places to visit in Michigan

You can get some Christmas shopping done here and support local artisans at the same time. And you can walk through the thousands of lights and say hi to Santa.

Ride the Huckleberry Railroad, which dates back to 1857. Sit back and relax on the 90-minute train ride as you watch the light displays go by. This is a great activity for young kids who get tired of walking.

Frankenmuth Christmas Store: Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland

Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth claims to be the largest Christmas store in the world and is open all year.

The store opened in 1945 and has taken Christmas to a whole new level of awesomeness.

There are thousands of ornaments, trees, lights, and decorations to admire or add to your collection. You can even pick up some personalized and hand-painted ornaments to decorate your tree.

You will feel like a kid again as you walk aisle after aisle of fully decorated trees and giant ornament displays.

You can eat a snack from Season’s Eatings and soak in the holiday cheer.

Along with the famous Christmas store in Frankenmuth, you can also check out the light displays in Zehnder Park.

Christmas MI: Big, Bright Light Show, Rochester

If you plan to spend Christmas in the Midwest, visit Rochester to walk downtown among over a million individual lights.

The buildings are completely covered in strands of lights so that they seem to be entirely made of colorful lights.

This is a beautiful place to walk around, take pictures, and shop. If it is too cold to walk around, simply drive down Main Street while listening to Christmas music on the radio.

You don’t want to miss out on one of the best free Michigan Christmas events!

It starts at the end of November and goes until the beginning of January, so you have plenty of time to stop by and marvel at the lights.

Christmas In Michigan: Meadow Brook Hall’s Holiday Walk, Rochester

Another awesome Christmas event in Rochester is the Holiday Walk at Meadow Brook Hall. This Tudor-revival mansion was built in the late 1920s, and it still stands regally today.

During December, the home becomes completely decorated for Christmas and is one of the best things to do in Michigan.

There are over fifty Christmas trees, a ten-foot tree made of 150 live poinsettias, and a ton of lights.

Come tour the beautiful building, sip hot cocoa, and relax in front of a roaring fire. On certain nights, Santa and his reindeer visit for a cool photo op.

This is one of the best ways to celebrate Christmas in Michigan since it is like stepping back in time.

Places To Visit For Christmas: Lightfest at Hines Park, Westland

The Lightfest at Hines Park in Westland is a drive-through light display perfect for family fun this Christmas in Michigan.

Stay cozy in your car as you journey through two miles of animated and twinkling lights.

There is a small fee for this entertainment, but it is worth it for easy, stress-free fun.

Your kids will have so much fun staring out the window as all the cool lights go by. This is also a romantic thing to do for couples.

There are different events you can take part in as well, including an 8k fun run and a 16k lit-up bike ride.

Make sure to visit Santa’s Workshop, too, so kids can tell him what they want for Christmas.

Fun Places To Go At Christmas: Peacock Road Family Farm, Laingsburg

Christmas at the Peacock Road Family Farm in Laingsburg is a family tradition waiting to happen.

Bundle up and hop on board the Peacock Express to ride peacefully through the woods.

The train will bring you to Santa’s cabin where you can meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus. You’ll get hot cocoa and a chance to talk with Old St. Nick.

The cabin is decorated so you can take the best Christmas photos ever.

After meeting Santa, check out the Christmas Shoppe to find a custom-made wreath or kissing ball.

You can also pick up a fresh Christmas tree. Cut one down yourself or get a pre-cut tree. Picking out the perfect tree is a great way to get into the holiday spirit!

Places To Go On Christmas Vacation: The Singing Christmas Tree, Muskegon

Muskegon, Michigan, a small town in Michigan, is home to America’s tallest singing Christmas tree. This 67-foot tree has platforms that hold 240 singers.

High school choir members sing acapella Christmas songs to get the holiday season started festively.

While the tree holds 240 singers even more stand on the floor for a total of 275 people bringing classic Christmas songs to life.

Candles and over 25,000 lights add to the festive atmosphere.

This concert has been happening for over thirty-five years and locals and visitors look forward to it every year.

It takes place in the historic Frauenthal Center, which can hold an audience of five thousand.

Christmas Town In Michigan: Kerstmarkt, Holland

Holland, Michigan, is a town that is proud of its Dutch heritage. From late November to mid-December, you can come to the Kerstmarkt.

This Dutch Christmas market is one of the best things to do in Holland and will make you feel as if you have been transported to the Netherlands.

The Kerstmarkt has been happening for over twenty years and is a great place to shop for handmade and artisan gifts. Enjoy a hot drink, cookies, and other treats as you peruse the booths.

There is also a farmers’ market where you can get homegrown goods including honey, maple syrup, and more.

Holland is a cute Michigan town, and you will have fun exploring all the charming, Dutch features.

Best Places To Visit During Christmas: Winter Markt, Birmingham

The Winter Markt in Birmingham is another European-inspired Christmas market, this time based on Bavarian markets.

You can easily imagine you are walking in Germany with all of the traditional food, decorations, and art.

Kids will have fun taking a horse-drawn carriage, playing at the Kinderhaus, and visiting Santa and his reindeer.

Listen to the live choir and watch the Christmas tree lighting.

There are also ice carving demonstrations.

Shop at the market to find a one-of-a-kind, handmade gift for someone you love, or pick up some new holiday decor for yourself.

These are such fun things to do during winter in Michigan!

Christmas Destinations: KindleFest, Ann Arbor

One of the fun things to do in Ann Arbor is visit the holiday market in Michigan the Kindlefest

This stunning market is the place to be for Christmas cheer. There are so many artists and local shops to support.

Families will have a ton of fun here. Kids will be giddy over the chance to see Santa.

Adults won’t be able to wait to get their hands around a warm glass of mulled wine.

The Lantern Parade and S’more Roasting are two other features to keep you entertained.

Live music and the smell of cooking food help boost the happy atmosphere. You are sure to be wrapped up in holiday cheer!

Historical Society Heritage Village, Mackinaw

The Historical Society Heritage Village in Mackinaw is another of the best things to do during Christmas in Michigan.

This village will take you back to the late 1800s and early 1900s when Christmas was a simpler time.

Events start with tree lighting and a fun parade full of carolers and merrymakers. Enjoy a sleigh ride if there is snow or a hayride if there isn’t. Either way, you are in for a good time!

Meet Santa at the McGulpin Point Lighthouse which dates back to 1869. From the lighthouse, you will be able to see a snowy and scenic view of Lake Michigan and the Upper Penisula across the water.

Christmas Destinations: Merry Marketplace, Traverse City

Come to Traverse City to explore the Merry Marketplace.

This holiday art fair gives you the chance to shop small this year. From pottery to jewelry to teas, you can find all sorts of unique gifts here. Or maybe even a little something for yourself!

The event takes place for a week at the Crooked Tree Arts Center.

Even when the market ends, there is fun to be had since the Center has events all month long. There are craft workshops, a Santa Claus meet-and-greet, and a farmers’ market.

You can also watch the classic Christmas ballet “The Nutcracker” performed by the Crooked Tree Arts Center’s School of Ballet. This is a great activity for a romantic night out.

Packing List When Experiencing Christmas In Michigan

Here are my tips on how to pack lightly when heading to Michigan.

This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors.

These RFID sleeves are another solution to protect your identity..

This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.\

My daughter gifted me this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday. It is made of lightweight aluminum and is so easy to use.

These are the exact packing cubes I use to stay organized when I pack for a trip!

I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is perfect.

And the replaceable carbon filter ensures clean water when you want it.

Then this collapsible silicone foldable water bottle is another option.

This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great. And it comes in many different colors!

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