Southeast Michigan is full of Christmas cheer with so many attractions being so near. We’re taking you on a festive holiday trek which will make you want to sing the halls deck.
From “Christmas Vacation” worthy lit houses, to some of the area’s most historic homes to taking a trip back in time, here is the MLive definitive Christmas lights and attractions road trip for Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan to help make your 2020 a little more jolly.
1. Glenlore Trails: Aurora
Glenlore Trails: Aurora in Commerce Twp. (Photo by Brandon Obenour)
We start our journey in northwest Metro Detroit as we trek through a festive forest. Located at 3860 Newton Road in Commerce Twp. at Multi Lakes is this Christmas interactive sensory light show featuring more than a dozen installations along a half mile wooded trail. Tickets are limited and must be purchased here in advance. Masks are also required.
2. Bazillion Lights home in Livonia
We now head south on I-275 to this home even Clark Griswold would be proud of. Located at 29718 Robert Dr., this house boasts more than 50,000 lights. The family says they started decorating for Christmas when they moved here in 1996 and each year the lights and decorations became bigger and bigger.
3. Wayne County Lightfest in Westland
Wayne County Lightfest located in Westland. (Photo courtesy of Wayne County)
Next, we head 10 minutes northeast to this drive-thru light show. Located at 7651 N. Merriman Rd. between Ann Arbor Trail and Warren Ave., this four-mile stretch of Hines Park features around 50 animated themed displays and more than 100,000 lights.
Wayne Co. Lightfest is open Monday – Thursday; 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., Friday – Sunday; 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. through December 31. It’s closed on Christmas Day. There is a $5 cash only fee per vehicle.
4. Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village
Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village in Dearborn. (Photo courtesy of the Henry Ford)
Our journey continues east to Dearborn as we travel back in time to Christmas in the 1800s. You can explore Greenfield Village while enjoying the carolers and fiddlers and the smells of roasting chestnuts and bonfires. There’s also plenty of food and beverages. Due to COVID, ice skating, indoor caroling, horse-drawn carriage rides and Model T rides have been cancelled for 2020.
Tickets are $30 for non-member adults, $25.50 for members. Kids ages 5-11 are $22.50 and $19.25.
5. Campus Martius Park in Detroit
The Christmas Tree at Campus Martius Park in Downtown Detroit. (Photo by Tanya Moutzalias | MLive)
Our road trip continues about 15 minutes south to Downtown Detroit’s Campus Martius Park. See the 60-foot tall Michigan-grown Norway Spruce Christmas tree covered with 19,000 lights, go ice skating or do some holiday shopping. Due to COVID, the ice rink may be closed. You can check its status here.
6. Christmas Lights on Lake Shore Rd.
We now head northeast on I-75 to I-94 where we come to Grosse Pointe. Take the Vernier Rd. exit and head east where you’ll find one large decorated house after another along the road that runs across from Lake St. Clair. Many of these home owners go to the extreme when it comes to decorating.
7. The Edsel and Eleanor Ford House
The Edsel and Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores. (Photo by Tanya Moutzalias | MLive)
As you head north on Lake Shore Rd., you’ll come right to one of the most historic homes in Michigan. Located at 1100 Lake Shore Rd. in Grosse Pointe Shores and built in 1927, this 30,000 square foot Cotswold style mansion by Albert Kahn is always decked out for the holidays. Tours are offered in normal times, but due to COVID, the holiday tours are not taking place in 2020. Tours are set to return for Christmas 2021. You can also check out the new visitor center opening in April.
8. Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo
Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak. (Photo by Edward Pevos | MLive)
Next we head west to The Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak where its lit up for the holidays. We’re talking five million LED lights illuminating trees and buildings as well as nearly 300 sculptures. Wild Lights is located throughout the front half of the Zoo.
The event is held on select weeknights and Sundays from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Tickets are only sold in advance. They range from $15 to $20. There’s also a $8 parking fee per vehicle.
9. Algonac – Log cabin Christmas home walk
The Christmas Tree Walk home in Algonac, Michigan. (Photo by Lori Chapman | MLive)
Next, head northeast to Algonac where you’ll find this giant log home decked out for the holidays. Known as the Christmas Tree Walk, this place is someone’s actual residence. Located at 8061 Marsh Rd., nearly every inch of this mansion is filled with Christmas decorations, including 220 Christmas trees and 60,000 ornaments. Tours are taking place in December 2020 with some changes due to Covid. Tickets can be purchased here.
10. Meadow Brook Hall
Meadow Brook Hall lit up for Christmas 2020 in Rochester Hills. (Photo courtesy of Meadow Brook Hall via Katie Higgins)
Next, head west to see this 110-room Tudor style mansion located on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester. Located at 480 S. Adams Rd., Meadow Brook Hall’s “Winter Wonder Lights” is an interactive outdoor light show featuring bonfires, photo ops, live organ music and seasonally-inspired drinks. Due to Covid, the indoor Holiday Walk will return in 2021.
“Winter Wonder Lights” is open daily from Fri., Dec. 11 through Wed., Dec. 30. It’s closed on Dec. 24 and 25. Hours are 5:30-10 p.m. with last admittance at 9 p.m. All tickets must be purchased online here for a specific date and time. Tickets are $22 each for adults aged 13 and up, $12 for youth aged 3-12 and free for children 2 and under.
11. Big, Bright Light Show in Downtown Rochester
Not far from the OU campus we find our next holiday spot, the Big, Bright Light Show in Downtown Rochester. Literally all of the buildings on Main Street are covered from ground to roof with colorful lights. The displays are free to see and are lit every evening from 5 p.m. to Midnight through Jan. 17. Most stores are open until 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, but hours may vary due to Covid.
12. Olde World Canterbury Village in Lake Orion
Head north to ye olde Canterbury Village where you can find gifts for even the person that has everything. Located at 2359 Joslyn Ct., this place really does it up for Christmas. There’s a holiday stroll every weekend running Fridays through Sundays through the 20th. There’s also an open air market on the 12th and 13th, this, on top of its many specialty shops.
Canterbury Village is open Tuesdays – Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays – Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It’s closed on Mondays. Pictures with Santa take place every Saturday and Sunday from 2 – 5 p.m. through Dec. 20.
13. Magic of Lights at DTE
Magic of Lights drive-thru at DTE Energy Music Theatre. (Photo courtesy of Live Nation)
Our holiday journey continues west to Clarkson where the large parking lot of DTE Energy Music Theatre has been turned into a drive-thru light experience. “Magic of Lights” is a 1.5 mile trail featuring various holiday-themed light displays using LED technology and digital animations, including the drive-thru Blizzard Tunnel. Other displays you’ll see are the 12 Days of Christmas, Winter Wonderland and The Night Before Christmas.
“Magic of Lights” runs through Saturday, January 2, 2021. Hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Only tickets purchased in advance will be accepted on Fridays and Saturdays.
14. Holly Dickens Festival
The Holly Dickens Festival. (Photo by Danny Miller | MLive)
In a normal year, we’d head north to experience the oldest Dickens Festival in the nation. Due to Covid, it has been canceled for 2020 with plans to return in 2021. This free Holly holiday tradition typically runs three weekends in late November and early December.
15. Hollydazzle at the Michigan Renaissance Festival
“Hollydazzle” at the Michigan Renaissance Festival. (Photo courtesy of the MI Ren Fest via Stephanie Whipps)
This 16th century village has been transformed into a Christmas wonderland of lights, sights and sounds. Located at 12600 Dixie Hwy. in Holly, “Hollydazzle: A Renaissance Christmas” is a three-quarter mile outdoor trail featuring more than a dozen lighted Christmas scenes including Santa, snowmen and Candy Land. You’ll also find plenty of treats for sale at Santa’s Sweet Shoppe including fudge, sweet fruit bread, cookies and kettle corn.
This event is open Thursdays through Sundays from 5:30 – 10:30 p.m. It’s closed on Christmas Day. Tickets can be purchased here.
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