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Places to See Holiday Lights in the Ann Arbor Area, Mapped

Many of our favorite holiday traditions involve twinkling lights — hanging lights around the tree, on the mantle, and all over the exterior of our homes. Better yet, we love admiring the work of dedicated Christmas light enthusiasts who spend hours and hours decking out their homes with lights, inflatables, laser beams, fog machines, and even snow machines, all perfectly synced to Christmas music. Plus, there are several public displays that provide a convenient one-stop destination for taking in all the holiday light magic.

And don’t worry — the newly enacted lighting ordinance isn’t unplugging all the fun this year! There are several exciting light displays and light-centric events in the Ann Arbor area worth driving to, from Chelsea to Dearborn, and everywhere in between. Plus, several private homes in Ann Arbor have become famous for their impressive light displays, drawing thousands of visitors each holiday season.

Grab a Thermos of hot chocolate, hop in the car, and make your way towards these spectacular light displays in and around Ann Arbor. We’ve also included an interactive map if you’d like to plan a light viewing adventure that involves several stops!

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Public Lighting Displays + Events | Private Homes

Public Lighting Displays + Events

Dexter Light Festival | Dexter

December 11-31, 2021

Although the Dexter Light Parade has already come and gone, the whole town of Dexter will remain well-illuminated throughout the remainder of the holiday season! Businesses and residences decorated with lights have all registered so you know where to go. Visit the Dexter Light Parade website for more information.

 

Manchester Festival of Trees | Manchester

December 4-26, 2021

Manchester Festival of Trees Manchester, MI

As part of the city’s Christmas in the Village event, the Manchester Festival of Trees is a residential lighting contest extending from December 4-26. Use this interactive map to guide your drive to admire all the houses decked out in lights, inflatables and other festive decorations!

 

Chelsea Festival of Trees | Chelsea

December 6-30, 2021

Sponsored by our very own Rick Taylor, the Chelsea Festival of Trees is a much-anticipated tree decorating contest held in the heart of Chelsea at Palmer Commons. There will be a $200 People’s Choice prize determined by online voting. You can visit the trees any day between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and cast your vote here! Voting started on December 6 and extends until the 30th, when winners will be announced.

 

Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village | Dearborn

December 3-28, 2021

Step back in time to experience an old-fashioned Christmas at Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, which has been a beloved annual tradition for more than 20 years. Enjoy warming bonfires, carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday treats and beverages, and more yuletide activities. Hosted by the Henry Ford Museum, this event has no shortage of historic touches! Warm up inside historic homes adorned with lights on the outside and decked out with timeless decor inside. And be sure to stick around for the fireworks show at the end of the evening! While tickets are already sold out for the 2021 season, you might have some luck on the Friends of Greenfield Village Facebook page, where people often sell tickets when they’ve had a change in plans.

 

Wayne County Lightfest | Westland

November 18-December 31, 2021

Encounter nearly 50 animated themed displays and more than 100,000 twinkling lights at the Wayne County Lightfest, a drive-thru 4-mile light display in Hines Park. The Lightfest is open Wednesday-Sunday between November 18 until December 31 from 6-10 p.m. and is closed on Christmas Day. Admission is just $5 cash for each car, $20 for commercial vans, RVs and limos, $25 for mini buses, and $50 for buses.

 

The Northville Symphony of Lights | Northville

December 1, 2021-January 1, 2022

Northville Symphony of Lights Northville, MI

Photo Courtesy of Shari Habusta via Northville Christian School

Formerly called Livonia Lights, the Northville Symphony of Lights is an inspiring Christmas light show at Northville Christian School in Northville. While it is a much-anticipated tradition for the school and the local community, it has also garnered national attention as one of the best displays in the region. The 2021 show features 150,000 lights synced to both contemporary and traditional songs, plus a giant wall of lights, tons of leaping arches, animated Christmas trees, a lighted cross 30 feet above the ground, a large special effects grid, and more. Stop by between 6 and 8:30 p.m. to catch the start of the show every 20 minutes. The display will be running from December 1 through New Year’s Day! Check out the school’s Facebook page for more details about this year’s show.

 

Nite Lights | Brooklyn

November 25-December 31, 2021

Make the trek to the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn to experience Nite Lights, a drive-thru Christmas light show that uses thousands of lights to create a one-of-a-kind light display set to music you can tune into from the comfort of your car. The cost is $25 per car, Sunday through Thursday and $30 per car on Friday and Saturday. You can visit any day of the week from November 25th through December 31st — even on Christmas Day!

 

Private Homes

Bostick Family Light Show | Garden City

Starting November 26, 2021

The Bostick Family Light Show has quickly become a sensation in the Garden City community. It all started in July 2020, when the Bostick family began scheming about a Halloween display to attract more trick-or-treaters. Ever since, they have put together a masterful display for a number of holidays, including Halloween, Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, and even the Fourth of July. This year, their Christmas show includes 20 songs synced to their animated light show — plus, a brand new addition: a snow machine! Stop by on weekends between 6 and 9 p.m. to see the magic firsthand. Check out their Facebook page for updates throughout the season — or find them on TikTok to see a sneak peek of this incredible production.

 

Home on Shadford Road in Burns Park | Ann Arbor

November 24, 2021-January 2, 2022

The homes in Burns Park are known for their festive light displays during the holiday season, and one home in particular stands out from the rest. The home is situated along Shadford Road — trust us, you can’t miss it! Stop by between 4:30-11 p.m. any night until January 2. While you’re in the area, take a stroll (or a cruise) along Brooklyn Avenue, where many homes line the street with votives on the Solstice.

 

Ann Arbor Bed & Breakfast | Ann Arbor

November 22-December 31, 2021

Ann Arbor Bed & Breakfast Holiday Decor Ann Arbor, MI

Photo Courtesy of Ann Arbor Bed & Breakfast

While it is not exactly a private residence, the Ann Arbor Bed & Breakfast is certainly worth including! But the real stars of the show aren’t lights — although there are a few strands adorning this mid-century modern building. It’s the impressive collection of holiday inflatables in the yard and on the balcony. Stop by during the day for a clear view or watch them glow at night!

 

Home Near Intersection of Lohr + Textile | Ann Arbor

If you’ve lived in the area for a while, you are likely familiar with the house on the corner of West Textile Road and Lohr Road, which has been going the extra mile each season for decades. It is completely decked out with lights, decorated arches, inflatables, and more festive decor. The house lights up each night at 5 p.m. and stays illuminated until 11 p.m.!

 

Bazillion Lights | Livonia

Bazillion Lights Livonia, MI

Photo Courtesy of Bazillion Lights

The display at 29718 Robert Drive in Livonia is nicknamed “Bazillion Lights” due to the sheer number of lights adorning the property. Each year since it all began in 1998, the production has grown more and more extravagant, resulting in an impressive animated show with decorations and lights synced to 88.5 FM. This year, they have 45,000 lights in the display, which runs from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. each night through New Year’s Eve!

 

Happy Holidays!

May your holiday season be filled with love, happiness — and lots of light! Know of a light display in Ann Arbor we’re missing out on? Let us know in the comments below.

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