8 Detroit Festive Holiday Events to Light Up 2021

Detroit festive events cater to everyone’s favorite holiday experiences. You know, picking out meaningful gifts, spending close quality time with loved ones, participating in community holiday festivities in a welcoming city, and warming up by firelight or a brilliantly lit Christmas tree at Campus Martius to fuel the night. However, last year was undoubtedly a twist on traditional means of celebrating.

Let’s make this season light up with more smiles than the previous. After all, you can actually see people’s mouths in public now! Though we’re still taking safety measures seriously, this Christmas holiday 2021 calls for an uplifting list of festive events in Detroit already happening and through January.

DETROIT THANKSGIVING PARADE 2021

Thursday, November 25, 2021, at 8:45 a.m

News about what this year’s Thanksgiving Parade has in store is already a topic of discussion. Festive events are extra special when they reach the point of history. Woodward Avenue looks most alive during Thanksgiving with everyone in awe of building-sized floats gliding down Woodward Avenue. The finale with Santa’s grand entrance is always a favorite no matter the age. Whether you’re tuning in from Detroit or on T.V, keep the tradition alive on Thursday, November 25, 2021, at 8:45 a.m

DECKED OUT DETROIT

Let’s face it, some people are just pros at putting off holiday shopping. They always seem to pull it off, though. Why not support local businesses in Detroit by selecting original gifts for all the loved ones you’re still searching for? Female-owned businesses in Detroit are especially making moves during the holidays. 18 selected specialty shops are amped up at the Downtown Detroit Markets in Cadillac Square. Check out their events calendar detroitdeckout.com deckedoutdetroit for specific dates and times to participate in these next two gift-giving months.

DOWNTOWN DETROIT MARKETS

The holidays in Detroit are lit up with retail, craft, food, and other vendors located throughout the city. In the heart of all Cadillac Square and Campus Martius Park. Wander through Cadillac Square with a market of 20 vendors (heating booths in each). At the center of this market is the Cadillac Lodge, a toasty lounge area with fireplaces and games. Sip on their warm drinks and enjoy a tasty snack outdoors.

CAMPUS MARTIUS PARK ICE SKATING

Located on 800 Woodward Ave, the infamous Campus Martius centered in Downtown Detroit could pass as a Christmas movie set. Detroit festive events are the brightest at the heart of the city. Continous action invites shoppers to blissfully skate in full winter fashion under the lights of the 60-foot, Michigan-grown Norwegian spruce. Tickets can be purchased on-site or by phone at 313-963-9393.

CAMPUS MARTIUS PARK CARRIAGE RIDES

Are your feet a little worn out from your wistful skating experience on the rink at Campus Martius? Maybe you’re just not much of a skater or shopper at all. Explore the rest of the park while bundling up in a cozy horse-drawn carriage as the lights go down in 2021. Let the tree lights illuminate the magic of Downtown Detroit on December 31^st from 6 p.m-11 p.m. Rides per person are $10 and a private group is $40.

CAMPUS MARTIUS PARK TREE LIGHTING

This traditional Detroit Christmas event ignites on Friday, November 19^th, 2021 from 5-11 p.m. If you don’t participate in anything else, you’ve got to at least experience the Detroit tree lighting! The annual ceremony is back!  Hosted by the Downtown Detroit Partnership and DTE Foundation, join in the holiday spirit for the 18^th year of boldly spreading holiday cheer. The presentation only gets brighter every year.

BIRMINGHAM HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING 

Shain Park (S Bates St. and W Merrill St, Birmingham, MI, 48009)

Enjoy the night in Birmingham to jumpstart the Christmas season on December 2, 2021, at 6 p.m. Some people can’t make it out for the legendary Detroit tree lighting, but that’s okay. Discover the lighting of the winter season and the opening of Santa House. The energetic night includes Christmas caroling and the lighting of the 35-foot tree with more than 40,000 LED Christmas lights. This event is hosted by the Birmingham Principal Shopping District.

LIGHT UP BEACON PARK 

Festive events in Detroit extend well beyond Christmas day. Bring family and friends along to feel the Children’s Tree exude a radiant warmth throughout the city. Participate in this dazzling night of live music, hot chocolate, warming stations, crafts, and everything else winter in the city of Detroit does best. Totaling more than 125,000 twinkling LED lights, Beacon Park will put on a memorable show with both new and returning lighting features. Festivities begin on November 20^th through mid-January.

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