Christmas in Michigan

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SEASON ATTRACTIONS IN MICHIGAN
includes SLEIGH RIDES, REAL REINDEER, and more

Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth (east lower peninsula, north of Flint).
YEAR-ROUND attraction for all ages. "World's Largest Christmas store. Every evening Bronner's ½-mile long Christmas Lane glistens with thousands of twinkling lights. Over two million people, including 2,000 group tours, visit Bronner's attraction annually."

Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World in Grand Rapids (west lower peninsula) at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. 300,000 lights, strolling carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides and more than 40 international trees and displays.

Olde World Canterbury Village in Lake Orion (northwest of Detroit). "One of the Largest Christmas Stores in the World".

The Santa Train in Coopersville (west of Grand Rapids in west lower peninsula). Train rides with Santa, Elves, presents, story-telling on the passenger cars of the Coopersville & Marne Railway.

Santa's Village in Chesaning (northwest of Flint, east-middle lower peninsula).
Visit with Santa, Holiday rides, Giant slide, Free entertainment, Huge model railroad display, more.

Sundays in Bay City (east-middle lower peninsula). Each Sunday includes Free Traditional Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides, Strolling Carolers & Sidewalk Musicians (weather permitting), drawings, more.

Carousel Acres in South Lyon (west of Detroit).
Has Real Live Reindeer! Plus sleigh rides and Santa Claus. phone 248-437-PONY.  facebook

Wild West Ranch in Allegan (Southwest MI), has sleigh rides, buggy rides, covered wagon rides, more. phone 269-673-3539.

Pinecrest Percherons and Carriages in Lapeer (northwest of Detroit), has a Winter Horse Drawn Sleigh Ride and Dinner package. phone 810-667-2721.

Karefree Ranch in Fairview, MI (Northeast Lower Michigan). We offer wagon & sleigh rides from mid-December thru end of February on Saturday afternoons by appointment (as well as other times for large groups). phone 989-848-5771.

Common & Gentry Carriage Company in Ann Arbor and Alma, has sleigh rides. call 616-204-3190.

For Mike's large list of Horse Drawn Carriages in Michigan → Horse Drawn Carriage Services

CHRISTMAS SEASON HOLIDAY EVENTS IN MICHIGAN

November 18-27, 2011 (fri): Christmas Wonderfest at Campus Martius Park in Downtown Detroit. Fest opens with the Annual Lighting of Detroit's Holiday Tree. Santa and the North Pole, Carousel, Ferris Wheel, 1600 feet of real Germen Octoberfest fun with uuthentic beers and treats, Motor City Marketplace and more.

November 19, 2011 (sat): Holiday Magic Parade and Santa Scamper – in Downtown Royal Oak (just north of Detroit), 11am-noon. Annual parade has over 80 parade units featuring floats, marching bands, circus acts and more. Visit Santa after the parade.

November 20-27, 2011 (except Thanksgiving Day): Annual Festival of Trees and Brunch with Santa – at Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, MI (west side of Detroit). Festival of Trees is a public display and sale featuring individually designed 7', 4', 3' trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses, Christmas stockings, a festive gift shop, and more. It is one of the largest annual special event fundraisers for medical research at Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation.  facebook

November 23, 2012 (fri): Annual Grosse Pointe Santa Claus Parade – in Downtown Grosse Pointe. starts at 10am, followed by The Pointe Singers Select Choir in concert, ending with The Village Aglow tree-lighting ceremony.

November 24, 2011 (thu): Detroit's Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade – Official name is America's Thanksgiving Parade and takes place on Woodward Ave in Downtown Detroit. One of the largest Thanksgiving Day Parades in the U.S. with award-winning floats, larger than life balloons, bands, celebrities, papier-maché heads and Santa. televised.

November 25 – December 31, 2011: Christmas Traditions at Edsel & Eleanor Ford House – in Grosse Pointe Shores. Estate will be festively decorated for the season. Enjoy Holiday tours or one of the special holiday events including Christmas Story Time, Candlelit Christmas Evening Tours, Nutcracker Teas. Reservations are required for special events. For more information, call 313-884-4222.

December 3, 2011 (sat): Annual Noel Night – in Midtown Detroit. 39th in 2011. Free, 5pm-9:30pm in Midtown Detroit's Cultural Center Area. Over 60 institutions, including the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Science Center, and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History open their doors to the public free of charge. Activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday shopping, family craft activities and performances by over 120 area music, theatre, and dance groups. The evening's festivities culminate with a community sing-along on Woodward Avenue led by the Salvation Army Band – a long-standing Noel Night tradition.

December 3, 2011 (sat): Orion Area Holiday Lighted Parade – in Lake Orion (north of Detroit). Nighttime parade, starts 6pm. "Floats and vehicles are brightly illuminated with an assortment of Christmas lights. Marching bands blare holiday music. Community groups from the Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, civic organizations, dance studios, local dignitaries and school groups proudly strut down the street and wave to the crowds of onlookers. The parade is capped off by a visit by Santa in his resplendant sleigh, waving to his fans of all ages." held annually on the first saturday in December.

December 3, 10, 17, 2011 (saturdays): Breakfast with Santa at the Detroit Zoo – in Royal Oak, just north of Detroit. Join Old St. Nick as he takes a breather from his busy holiday schedule to enjoy a delicious buffet-style waffle breakfast at the Detroit Zoo. Seating is limited and advance reservations are necessary. call 248-541-5717 and press 3 for ticket information.

December 7, 2011 (wed): Judson Center Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony – in Royal Oak, just north of Detroit. Photos with Santa, enjoy cookies, caroling, and more! Free Admission and parking.

December 7, 2011 (wed): City of Troy Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony – Santa Claus, caroling, cookies, hot cocoa and fun.

December 9-11, 2011 (fri-sun): Annual Ferndale Holiday Ice & Winterfest Market – in Ferndale, just north of Detroit. "Bigger and better than ever, this weekend starts at 4 pm, Friday, Dec. 9 with the opening of the Winterfest Market on East Nine Mile featuring a 5-story ferris wheel, a choo choo train, a local green's market and tents filled with local artisans and their holiday decor. On Saturday, Dec. 10 Holiday Ice hits the streets with fantastic Michigan on Ice themed-sculptures by World Champion Carver Tajana Rakaur. The North Pole will be located at Planavon and West Nine Mile where kids can talk to Santa and pose for FREE photos. Also on hand, Santa's reindeer and free hayrides. Holiday Ice sculptures will be viewable Saturday and Sunday."

December 9-11, 2011 (fri-sun): Annual Dickens Festival – in Holly (northwest corner of Oakland County). Admission is FREE. Join in the fun as Charles Dickens' Merry Old England comes alive. Features a Parade of Lights, Children's Parade, pictures with Santa, Victorian Carolers, Festival Singers, cookie eating contest, more.

December 11, 2011 (sun): Brunch with Santa at Arnaldo's Banquet Center in Riverview, south of Detroit. Door Open at 11am. Included are Photos with Santa, interactive games for children. Advance Ticket Purchase Required, call 734-282-2198.

December 11, 2011 (sun): Photos with Santa – at Byers Homestead in Commerce Twp.

December 17, 2011 (sat): Detroit Santarchy – Annual Santa themed pub crawl visiting many bars in Detroit. Put on your Santa suits, Elf Suits, Naughty Miss Clause Suits and get ready for another mayhem filled night of Santarchy. Bus pass last year was $20, Santa Suits (or Santa's Helpers) are required.  myspace   facebook

CHRISTMAS LIGHTING DISPLAYS and HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOWS in Michigan

Wayne County, MI – Wayne County LightFest (just west of Detroit) November 17 to December 31, 2011 (Closed December 25), 7-10pm nightly. the Midwest's longest drive-through holiday light display. $5 per car. Viewers will enter an enchanted world of colorful rainbows, snowflakes, and candy canes. Display begins at Hines Drive and Merriman Road in Westland and proceeds one way and exits onto Warren Avenue near Telegraph Rd in Dearborn Heights. Food concessions, photos with Santa (November 23th – December 23rd) and restrooms are at the end of the Lightfest at Warrendale Picnic Area. For more information on Lightfest, call 734-261-1990.

Battle Creek, MI - International Festival of Lights

Flint, MI – Christmas at Crossroads Holiday Magic - The entire village is aglow with colored lights and more lights decorate the railroad's locomotive, coaches and trackside displays.

Garden City, MI – Krazy Christmas Lights - Display at our house has almost 50,000 lights which are controlled by 128 computer channels that sync with the music you listen too through your car radio on 90.1fm. No charge for the display but we do have a collection box for those who would like to give to Toys for Tots. New unwrapped gifts accepted through December 18th and on November 28th the US Marines will be at our house to help collect donations. Address: 490 Belton, Garden City, MI 48135 - 2 blocks west of Inkster Rd & 1 ½ blocks North of Cherry Hill Rd.

Livonia, MI – Livonia Lights - House display with over 25,000 lights synchronized to music on 88.5 FM. Address: 34836 Bridge St., Livonia, MI 48152.

Rochester, MI – The Big Bright Light Show - "over a million points of light" plus other large, lighted displays and a Snowflake Spectacular.

St. Clair Shores, MI – Holiday Lights on the Avenue - Nautical Mile Holiday Light Display on Jefferson between 9 and 10 Mile roads.

Lights Music Action – house – Naylor Family Christmas Lights display.

PLACES IN MICHIGAN WITH GREAT NAMES FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR

Christmas, Michigan – a town in the U.P. (Munising Area, middle of Upper Peninsula). more info

North Star Township – in Gratiot County (middle of Michigan's lower peninsula).

Nazareth, Michigan – in Kalamazoo County, Southwest Michigan.

Holly (Village of Holly) – in Oakland County, Southeast Michigan.

Good Hart, Michigan – town in the northern tip of the lower peninsula.

Coldwater – City in lower Michigan (a little north of the Ohio border).

St. Joseph County – in Southwest Michigan.

Gladwin – City in northern half of Michigan's lower peninsula.

Paradise, Michigan – a small town in the U.P. (north-eastern tip of Upper Peninsula).

Rich Township – in Southeast Michigan (Lapeer County, north of Detroit).

HIRE A MICHIGAN SANTA CLAUS – MICHIGAN SANTAS – SANTA SERVICES

SantaDotCom - Year-round Professional Santa Services, 25 years experience, based in Macomb MI. 586-263-8230.

Santa Jim – Have Santa make a special visit to your home, party, business, wedding or special event you're having in Michigan. based in Wolverine Lake, 248 area code.

Michigan Santa Claus – a real bearded Santa Claus based in Oak Park, serving the Detroit metro area and lower Michigan. holiday events and parties.

Michigan Santas – listed at SantaForHire.com. 6 Santas for hire, use request form on their site.

MICHIGAN CHRISTMAS VENDORS – HOLIDAY VENDOR SERVICES

Michigan Christmas Tree Association (MCTA) – helps you find a Choose and Cut farm to select your tree or the nearest retail lot to pick up a pre-cut tree. Real Trees, farm-grown, fresh Christmas trees in Michigan.

Justin Carriage Works – get a real sleigh (horse drawn type!). Company is based in Nashville, MI, which is located southwest of Lansing. phone 517-852-9743. This is also a great place to get many types of horse-drawn style carriages, buggies, wagons, hearses and pull-carts.

DO A GOOD DEED IN MICHIGAN DURING THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Michigan – "grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy."

Old Newsboys' Goodfellow Fund of Detroit – "sole mission is to ensure that there is No Kiddie Without a Christmas". Each holiday season the Detroit Goodfellows distribute holiday gift boxes to children ages five through 13 living in Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck. Each child receives warm clothing, toys, books, games and candy. They also have Shoe, Dental, Campership programs.

Toys for Tots South East Michigan | Bay County | Toys for Tots Michigan contacts
Objective of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is to help needy children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas, to play an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable natural resources – our children, to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign, and to contribute to improving communities in the future.

Santa Claus Girls of Grand Rapids – a 501 (C) 3 nonprofit corporation, goal is to see that no child in Kent County is without a gift on Christmas morning.

Operation Quiet Comfort (OQC) - "Your donations help us to provide meaningful support to our wounded warriors and the amazing medical professionals who care for them. OQC is positioned at U.S. Combat Support Hospitals, Troop Medical Clinics, and with medic teams on the front lines." This is a 100% volunteer nonprofit organization based in LaSalle, MI.

Forgotten Harvest – Donated food is delivered free of charge to emergency food providers in the metro Detroit area. It rescues nearly 8 million pounds of food per year by collecting surplus prepared and perishable food from a variety of sources such as grocery stores, restaurants, caterers, dairies, farmers, wholesale food distributors, and other Health Department-approved sources.

Capuchin Soup Kitchen (Detroit) – "serves the poor who suffer from the lack of basic human needs: material needs, such as food, clothing, and household necessities; psychological needs, such as motivation, self-esteem, and rehabilitation; and social needs, such as support systems and meaningful relationships."

Detroit Rescue Mission – "founded in Detroit in 1909 and February 14, 2007 will mark its 98th year of service to Detroit's needy and homeless. The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries is a Christian faith-based charitable organization, accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). DRMM is dedicated to meeting the basic needs of humanity, while motivating individuals to rebuild their lives, one life at a time."

COTS Detroit – Coalition on Temporary Shelter – helping the homeless in Detroit.

Lighthouse of Oakland County - helping the homeless in Oakland County.

ChristNet – "a seasonal rotating emergency shelter (open October through May) for men, women, and children when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. As a shared ministry of more than fifty Protestant and Catholic churches in the Downriver and western Wayne County suburbs, the goal of ChristNet is to insure that no one has to be left out in the cold."

Penrickton Center for Blind Children – Based in Taylor, MI. "a private non-profit agency, providing five-day residential, day care, and consultation/evaluation services to blind, multi-disabled children ages one through twelve. Each program is individually designed to promote independence in all aspects of daily living. There is no charge to families for our services provided to their children! Penrickton Center for Blind Children relies solely on private donations for all programs and services. Penrickton Center does not receive any State, Federal, Insurance or United Way funding. All donations to Penrickton Center are tax deductible."

The Salvation Army in Eastern Michigan and in Western Michigan

Many others also desperately need a helping hand, consider offering yours.

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