Bring the kids to downtown Detroit for holiday fun and FREE activities for everyone to enjoy.
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 12th from 1pm to 3pm.
Candyland @ Beacon Park
Step into a sweet holiday wonderland filled with larger-than-life candy displays and colorful light installations that will delight kids and parents alike. The free light installation is open now through January 20th.
Nick Gilbert Way @ Hudson’s Detroit
Experience the magic of the season at Hudson’s Detroit this holiday. Bedrock is bringing back the nostalgic charm of the city’s most beloved holiday traditions with festive shopping, live entertainment, sweet treats, and interactive fun at Nick Gilbert Way, the new public plaza connecting Woodward Avenue to Farmer Street. From November 6, 2025, through January 4, 2026, visitors can stroll through holiday pop-ups, and explore creative installations.
Campus Martius
Ice skate at the rink and cozy up at the 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. 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.
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 Saturdays this holiday season. Get details
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 Love Actually 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.
- A Magical Cirque Christmas @ Fox Theatre (December 5th)
- NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet @ Fox Theatre (December 7th)
- Cirque Dreams Holidaze @ Fox Theatre (December 9th – 14th)
- A Meredith Willson’s Miracle On 34th Street The Musical @ Fox Theatre (December 16th – 18th)
- Snow White @ Music Hall Detroit (December 30th)
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 from November 25th to December 21st.
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 Leonardo DaVinci exhibit) at the Michigan Science Center and learn history at the Detroit Historical Museum (they have FREE admission on Sundays in December). BONUS: Admission to the Detroit Institute of Arts is FREE for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
Photo credit: Downtown Detroit Partnership
