Bring the kids to downtown Detroit for holiday fun and FREE activities for everyone to enjoy.

Exploring downtown is as easy as ever on weekend. Hop aboard the Holly Trolley for FREE rides to popular parts of downtown on Fridays (4pm to 8pm), Saturday (12pm to 8pm) and Sunday (12pm to 6pm) thru January 5th.

Winter Wonders Santa Visit

Let the kids write out their holiday wish list and bring them downtown to deliver it to the big man himself! Santa will be stationed at 1001 Woodward this holiday for FREE Santa visits in a whimsical, wheelchair-accessible space. Families interested in a sensory-friendly experience can pre-register for special events on December 21st from 5pm to 8pm and

Campus Martius

Ice skate at the rink and cozy up at the NEW 2-story glass 313 Chalet – you won’t find better views of the city. Bring your letters for Santa and put them in the illuminated Santa Mailbox and get family photos at cool lite up backdrops. Note that the Rink is open daily for ice skating.

Cadillac Lodge + Holiday Markets

Cadillac Lodge is back for cozy family time. The open-air gathering space will be serve up family-friendly fun and seasonal treats. New this year is a special Santa brunch offered on Saturday, December 14th and 21st at 9:30am and Sunday, December 8th, 15th and 22nd at 9:30am – tickets are $5 for kids and $10 for adults! Next to the Lodge is the Holiday Market featuring 18 local businesses in picturesque, pop-up shops that make checking names off your gift list a lot easier.

Fun & Games

Make holiday music at ReMix Detroit (open Thursday – Sundays with holiday takeover beginning November 21st) and game with the Grinch at Next Level (every Sunday between 1PM and 2PM starting Nov 17th). Find Frozen favorites at Stemville for crafting fun with Ana, Elsa and Olaf on select dates in November and December!

Noel Night

Mark your calendar for Saturday, December 7th. Noel Night brings together over 100 venues (including the DIA, Michigan Science Center and more) for a walkable holiday event that offers festive celebrations inside and out. Shop local, see stunning art installations, indulge in seasonal treats, take in live music and art demonstrations and create memorable family crafts. Best of all it’s all FREE!

Winter @ The Station

Make new memories at Michigan Central Station this holiday season. Enjoy shopping, live entertainment, interactive art displays and more on Fridays and Satrudays this holiday season. Get details and reserve your tickets (Saturday tickets are FREE).

Christmas @ the DSO

Listen to your holiday favorites performed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. There are shows for every age and interest – from Tiny Tots and Young People’s Family concerts to Home Alone and The Muppet’s Christmas Carol projected on screen with live music accompaniment, give the gift of an experience this Christmas. Our favorite family tradition is the annual Home for the Holidays concert.

Get Tickets To A Holiday Show

Enjoy an afternoon of theatre and get tickets to a show.

Holiday Markets @ Eastern Market

In addition to weekly Saturday market day, Eastern Market is open on Sundays from 10am to 4pm for all your holiday shopping needs and extra fun in the city.

Christmas Break In Midtown

School’s out but you can still have fun learning. From art at the DIA to S.T.E.M. (including the new Tyrannosaurs exhibit) at the Michigan Science Center and learn history at the Detroit Historical Museum and celebrating Kwanza at the Wright Museum, there are plenty of places to explore. BONUS: Admission to the Detroit Institute of Arts is FREE for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

Photo credit:  Downtown Detroit Partnership