Top 2022 Michigan Christmas Events, Markets, Christmas Trains and Lights, See Santa, Holiday Walks, Best Things To Do (+Kids Activities)


Top Michigan Christmas Events | By: Sherry Trautman of Travel-Mi.com | Updated: December 24, 2022

Each December, Chris and I love to attend as many Michigan Christmas events as we can jam into our calendars! Train rides, holiday markets, Christmas concerts, Christmas lighted walks, home tours, and Santa visits are all on our list!  


Top 17 Michigan Christmas Activities and Things To Do

Sherry and Chris show you our Top 17 Christmas events in all the land! Well, Michigan that is!

OHH and Check Out Our ---> HUGE list of December Michigan Events, Festivals and FUN Things to Do! 


1. Get into the Holiday Spirit by Riding Magical Christmas Trains!


Did you know there are 7 Magical Michigan Christmas Trains? So many different ones to choose that we made a guide just for Christmas trains! 



Where: Address: 405 S Washington St, Owosso, MI 48867

When: December

Chris and I love love love the Michigan North Pole Express train that leaves from Owosso, Michigan each December. The atmosphere is incredible...what a great way to make holiday memories with your family!

Tickets go on sale in October and sell out quickly so be sure to sign up for the Steam Railroading Institute's newsletter to stay updated!

What we love:  The steam train is historic and an amazing experience! 


2. Detroit Christmas Tree Lighting and Events - Celebrate the Joy of the Season!

Where: Campus Martius Park in Detroit

When: 5 p.m. to midnight on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022

The Detroit Christmas tree lighting is a HUGE event!  Come on out to the Campus Martius Park in Detroit from 5 p.m. to midnight on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022.  There is a full schedule of free festivities and entertainment!


3. See Rochester Hills Christmas Lights

Where: South Main Street, Rochester Hills, Mi 

When: November 21, 2022 through January 15, 2023

On our list of favorite Michigan Christmas Events is definitely the Rochester Hills Big Bright Light Show that illuminates the downtown area with over 1 million lights!

What we love:  The lights are bright fun and happy, feels like Vegas!



You can park and walk around or simply drive through the downtown area to enjoy the show.  The lights will be aglow nightly, 5 pm to midnight, November 21, 2022 - January 15, 2023.


4. Where to See the Best Michigan Christmas Lights!


Grab our Best Michigan Christmas Lights Guide + Best Drive Thru Lights!

Our guide includes an interactive map showing the best lights closest to you.  Includes Grand Rapids, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Detroit, and all across the state!




5. Shop the Kerstmarkt in Holland - Ottawa!

Where: Address: 8th Street Marketplace and Pine Avenue, Holland - Ottawa, MI

When: December 3, 2022, December 4, December 9, December 10, 2022

This lovely Kerstmarkt is held December 3, December 4, December 9, December 10, 2022. Experience an outdoor European-style market with holiday gift items, delicious food, and artisan demonstrations in Holland, Michigan.

Dogsled Demos Saturday, December 4, 2022 at 12 pm & 2:30 pm and also on Saturday, December 9, 2022, 12 pm & 2:30 pm. 



Love Christmas Markets?  Us too!


6. Meadow Brook Hall's Holiday Walk

    Where: Address: 350 Estate Drive, Rochester, Michigan

    When: November 25, 2022 – Wednesday, December 23, 2022

Meadow Brook Hall's Holiday Walk, November 25 – Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2022. This lovely self-guided Holiday Walk features holiday sights and decorations inside Meadow Brook Hall, the historic mansion and National Historic Landmark located in Rochester on the campus of Oakland University. See more than 50 magnificent trees, flickering fireplaces, and lights galore!

Meadow Brook Hall's Holiday Walk invites you to explore the 110 room estate from the Grand Ballroom to Candy Cane Cottage and visit Santa and his reindeer on Santa Saturdays! Perfect for a special date night or family outing.


6. Holiday Pops - The Grand Rapids Symphony Pops

    Where: Address: DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI.

    When: December 1, 2022 - December 4, 2022

Holiday Pops - The Grand Rapids Symphony Pops Presents University of Michigan Health-West Holiday Pops at DeVos Performance Hall on December 1 - December 4, 2022 as part of the 2022-2023 season.  Awesome Grand Rapids December Michigan Events 2022. What is there to do in Grand Rapids in December? Well, this!


7. Visit Downtown Frankenmuth and ChristKindlMarkt Christmas Market

    Where: Frankenmuth, MI

    When: December

    What we love: Everything Christmas in one area!

December (or Christmas) is a fantastic month to visit Frankenmuth! Things to do include:

  • Visit downtown shops decorated for Christmas!
  • Embark on horse-drawn Christmas carriage tours
  • Find incredible Christmas décor, gifts and Christmas tree ornaments at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland
  • Take a driving tour of Frankenmuth's Christmas lights
  • Lace up some ice skates (you can rent them) at the Frankenmuth Ice Rink near Zehnder's. 
  • Shop the Frankenmuth ChristKindlMarkt (Christmas Market) located at the Farmers Market

Grab our Frankenmuth Christmas guide that includes an interactive map!


8. Downtown Rochester Kris Kringle Market

    Where: Location: West Fourth St. between Main & Walnut in downtown Rochester Michigan

    When: Friday, December 2, 2022 from 4 – 10 p.m. and Saturday, December 3, 2022 from Noon – 10 p.m. 

The Downtown Rochester Kris Kringle Market is a great way to get into the holiday spirit! 

2022 dates for the Rochester Kris Kringle Market is Friday, December 2, 2022 from 4 – 10 p.m. and Saturday, December 3, 2022 from Noon – 10 p.m. This Michigan Christmas market was inspired by the 700-year old tradition of the open-air Christmas markets throughout Europe.  Rochester is a great Michigan town for one-of-a-kind shopping, fresh greens & wreaths and handcrafted gifts for the holiday.  Incredible Michigan Christmas markets!


9. Enjoy a Nostalgic Christmas at Crossroads Holiday Magic 2022


Where: Address: 6140 Bray Road, Flint, MI

When: November 25, 2022, November 27, 2022, December 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 21-23, and 28-30, 2022. Hours: 4:00 pm-9:00 pm

What we love: We love the train and the village is amazing!

Shop, explore, dine and ride the steam train at Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad!

  • Christmas at Crossroads Holiday Magic 2022. Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad is incredible! Chris and I have an absolute fabulous time exploring this Norman Rockwell type village and riding the nostalgic steam train.  It's one of our favorite Michigan Christmas events!

So many things to do at Crossroads Village including a lovely Christmas buffet. Dates of the events are November 25-27, 2022, December 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 21-23, and 28-30, 2022. Hours: 4:00 pm-9:00 pm. Buy tickets early!

See Christmas Lights: Open for Drive Through Only nights: December 5, 12, 19, 24 and 26, 2022. Hours for Drive Through Only nights: 5:00 pm-9:00 pm. $10 per vehicle.

Grab our Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad guide!


10. Annual Christmas on the Farm and at Dewey School

Where: 13494 Waterloo Munith Rd, Grass Lake, MI. 

When: Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, December 4, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Annual Christmas on the Farm and at Dewey School is Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, December 4, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This re-creation of the holiday's traditions will include tours of the ten-room farmhouse (where costumed guides recount the activities that might have taken place in each room at Christmas time), the authentic log house, blacksmith, singers and musicians perform traditional holiday melodies, and eight outbuildings. Live music!


11. Christmas at Wings, 32st Annual Art and Craft Show

Where: Wings Event Center, Kalamazoo, MI.

When: December 3 - December 4, 2022.  Hours: Saturday 9 am-4 pm and Sunday 10 am-4 pm

Christmas at Wings- Shop Christmas at Wings for ceramics, jewelry, digital artwork, photos, fiber, metalwork, sculptures, glass, mixed media, and more!

"Christmas at Wings" is the largest Holiday craft show held in Southwest Michigan as it features about 340 craft exhibitors. Free parking. Free admission.  


12. Enjoy Country Christmas at Three Cedars Farm!

Where: 7897 Six Mile Rd, Northville, MI 48168

When: Begins on Nov 25, 2022

Country Christmas at Three Cedars Farm begins on Nov 25, 2022. Get in the Holiday spirit at Three Cedars by picking out Christmas trees and wreaths! Special treats including hot cocoa, cider and donuts will be offered. 

Oh, and you can see Santa Claus! Snap photos with Mr. & Mrs Claus, shop the Christmas Store, let you kids play in the outdoor play land, pet some cute critters in the petting farm and embark on kids train rides.


13. Zoo Nights, with Lights! (A 21+ Event)

Where: Potter Park Zoo, 1301 S Pennsylvania Ave, Lansing, MI 48912

When: December 14, 2022 at 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

One of our more popular Michigan Christmas Events is Zoo Nights, with Lights at Potter Park Zoo. This 21+ event is December 14, 2022 at 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Potter Park Zoo. This casual, happy hour-style event will feature holiday music and decór, and a variety of tastes from local restaurants and beverage companies. See the zoo after-hours, visit with the animals, and enjoy tasty treats. Super fun adult Christmas event!


14. See the Story of the Nutcracker by the Grand Rapids Ballet!

Where: DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

When: December 9-11, 2022 and December 16-18, 2022

Get in the Christmas spirit by seeing The Nutcracker performed by the Grand Rapids Ballet on December 9-11, 2022 and December 16-18, 2022 at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids.

Watch the lovely Sugar Plum Fairy as she guides Clara through the Land of the Sweets. Of course, they will encounter menacing mice and brave soldiers along the way.  See festive celebrations as Clara is mesmerized by an imaginative waltz with live accompaniment from the Grand Rapids Symphony to Tchaikovsky’s magical score. Your family or date will love this Christmas event!


15. See Santa at Christmas in the Village in Roscommon

    Where: Downtown Roscommon, Michigan

    When: December 3, 2022

    Christmas in the Village - Roscommon, December 3, 2022. Enjoy  Christmas tree lighting, craft show, electric light parade and see Santa! Enjoy over 800 luminaries! Wood carving, reindeer run, petting zoo and live Reindeer! Fun Michigan Michigan events!


16. Annual Old Fashioned Christmas & Tree Lighting at the Museum

Where: 37236 Huron River Dr, New Boston, MI 

When: December 4, 2022 at 4 PM – 8 PM

Free event! Take a step back in time at the Samuel Adams House/Museum's old fashioned Christmas. Learn about Christmas' past through their themed exhibits. Popcorn, sweets and hot cocoa will be served, the children's tree will be filled with ornaments and horse drawn carriage rides will be offered 5:00-7:00 pm.

The surrounding area of the museum will feature live music, holiday vendors, a children's craft, live reindeer and more!

Children will be able to take home a ornament from the children's tree.

17. Blake's Santa Experience!

Where: Blake's Orchard and Cider Mill, 17985 Armada Center Rd, Armada, MI 48005

When: November 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 2022 and December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 – 23, 2022

  • Enjoy a Train Ride, Visit with Santa, Bonfire at the Santa’s Shop, 1 Donut & Cup of Cider!

Check their website for dates, times, tickets and more info!


18. Maybury Farm - Holiday Fun and Santa Visit.

Where: Maybury Farm, 50165 8 Mile Rd., Northville, MI 48167

When: December 2023

Come out to see Santa!


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