clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
A carriage rides around Campus Martius.
Michelle Gerard

Where to catch the holiday lights in metro Detroit

By Aaron Mondry and Robin Runyan
View as Map
A carriage rides around Campus Martius.
| Michelle Gerard
By Aaron Mondry and Robin Runyan

It’s that time of year again. Snow is falling, the sun is setting, and the holiday lights are shining.

Metro Detroit has some pretty impressive light displays that make for a great weekend stroll or drive. At most of these stops, there’s also more to do than just gaze at the multi-colored displays. Be it downtown or all the way in Rochester, you’ll often find shops or restaurants (or animals) that you can visit as well.

There’s also some special holiday markets, including ones downtown, that you may want to check out.

Happy Holidays!

Read More

Campus Martius

Copy Link

If you’re heading to Campus Martius, the tree is center stage. But there’s lights and festivities all around: The rink is set up for ice skating, the downtown markets in Cadillac Square are open with local vendors, and the Cadillac Lodge has food and drinks. The esplanade on Woodward has a tunnel of pine, and lights leading the way to Spirit Plaza. At night, make sure to look up at the Detroit Skybridge.

800 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 566-8250
(313) 566-8250

Also featured in:

Beacon Park

Copy Link

Right around the corner, the newer Beacon Park is trying to establish its own holiday lights tradition. In its third year, the park typically has interactive and sculptural displays you won’t see at other places. Run by DTE, there will be 125,000 LED lights installed.

1901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 566-8250
(313) 566-8250

Also featured in:

Greenfield Village

Copy Link

An immersive holiday experience—like everything else at Greenfield Village—awaits during “Holiday Nights.” Lantern-lit paths lead visitors to a number of different attractions, including roasting chestnuts, horse-drawn rides, fireworks, and an ice rink.

This nightly event takes place every Thursday through Sunday starting December 5. Tickets are $25.50 for adults, $19.25 for youth aged 5-11, and free for kids under 5 years old.

Greenfield Village, Dearborn, MI 48124

Detroit Zoo

Copy Link

Gather up the kids for the annual Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo. During this nightly event, zoo is filled with over 5 million LED lights on a variety of sculptures and buildings. The zoo also has a Polar Express “4-D” experience. A winter rink is also open for skaters at the zoo.

Tickets should be purchased in advance here.

8450 W 10 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 541-5717
(248) 541-5717

Lake Shore Road

Copy Link

Every year, the homeowners along Lake Shore Road deck out their residences in glorious light displays that make for a spectacular drive along the coast.

While you’re there, take a holiday tour at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House.

Lake Shore Rd, St Clair Shores, MI 48236

Wayne County Lightfest

Copy Link

If it’s too cold to venture outside, stay in the car and head to Westland for the spectacular Wayne County Lightfest. This trip down Hines Drive showcases dozens of fun displays for the holidays (our favorite is the abominable snowman). For the kids, the Santa Shelter is located at the end of the drive.

The cost for the light fest is $5 per car.

Westland, MI 48185

Livonia Lights

Copy Link

The highlight of this display is music synchronized to a light show for hours every day. Typically taking place outside a home in Livnoia, the venue has moved this year.

41355 Six Mile Rd, Northville, MI 48168
(248) 348-9031
(248) 348-9031

Meadow Brook Hall

Copy Link

Every year, this huge Tudor mansion on the campus of Oakland University gets filled with 50 Christmas trees lit up, both inside and out, for a self-guided walking tour.

It’s open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for kids under 17.

350 Estate Dr, Rochester, MI 48309
(248) 364-6200
(248) 364-6200

Rochester

Copy Link

Check out the lights and get some shopping done while you’re there! The storefronts in Rochester are decked out with walls of color. The big, bright light show runs through January 5—with more dates later in January. The lights are on from 5-12 p.m., while most stores are open until 9 p.m.

Rochester, MI
© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Campus Martius

800 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

If you’re heading to Campus Martius, the tree is center stage. But there’s lights and festivities all around: The rink is set up for ice skating, the downtown markets in Cadillac Square are open with local vendors, and the Cadillac Lodge has food and drinks. The esplanade on Woodward has a tunnel of pine, and lights leading the way to Spirit Plaza. At night, make sure to look up at the Detroit Skybridge.

800 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 566-8250
(313) 566-8250

Beacon Park

1901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Right around the corner, the newer Beacon Park is trying to establish its own holiday lights tradition. In its third year, the park typically has interactive and sculptural displays you won’t see at other places. Run by DTE, there will be 125,000 LED lights installed.

1901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 566-8250
(313) 566-8250

Greenfield Village

Greenfield Village, Dearborn, MI 48124

An immersive holiday experience—like everything else at Greenfield Village—awaits during “Holiday Nights.” Lantern-lit paths lead visitors to a number of different attractions, including roasting chestnuts, horse-drawn rides, fireworks, and an ice rink.

This nightly event takes place every Thursday through Sunday starting December 5. Tickets are $25.50 for adults, $19.25 for youth aged 5-11, and free for kids under 5 years old.

Greenfield Village, Dearborn, MI 48124

Detroit Zoo

8450 W 10 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067

Gather up the kids for the annual Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo. During this nightly event, zoo is filled with over 5 million LED lights on a variety of sculptures and buildings. The zoo also has a Polar Express “4-D” experience. A winter rink is also open for skaters at the zoo.

Tickets should be purchased in advance here.

8450 W 10 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 541-5717
(248) 541-5717

Lake Shore Road

Lake Shore Rd, St Clair Shores, MI 48236

Every year, the homeowners along Lake Shore Road deck out their residences in glorious light displays that make for a spectacular drive along the coast.

While you’re there, take a holiday tour at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House.

Lake Shore Rd, St Clair Shores, MI 48236

Wayne County Lightfest

Westland, MI 48185

If it’s too cold to venture outside, stay in the car and head to Westland for the spectacular Wayne County Lightfest. This trip down Hines Drive showcases dozens of fun displays for the holidays (our favorite is the abominable snowman). For the kids, the Santa Shelter is located at the end of the drive.

The cost for the light fest is $5 per car.

Westland, MI 48185

Livonia Lights

41355 Six Mile Rd, Northville, MI 48168

The highlight of this display is music synchronized to a light show for hours every day. Typically taking place outside a home in Livnoia, the venue has moved this year.

41355 Six Mile Rd, Northville, MI 48168
(248) 348-9031
(248) 348-9031

Meadow Brook Hall

350 Estate Dr, Rochester, MI 48309

Every year, this huge Tudor mansion on the campus of Oakland University gets filled with 50 Christmas trees lit up, both inside and out, for a self-guided walking tour.

It’s open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for kids under 17.

350 Estate Dr, Rochester, MI 48309
(248) 364-6200
(248) 364-6200

Rochester

Rochester, MI

Check out the lights and get some shopping done while you’re there! The storefronts in Rochester are decked out with walls of color. The big, bright light show runs through January 5—with more dates later in January. The lights are on from 5-12 p.m., while most stores are open until 9 p.m.

Rochester, MI