The seasonal jingles, festive displays and overall jolly atmosphere in the Ann Arbor area can only mean one thing—the holidays are upon us! This time of year Southeast Michigan is buzzing with countless events, all engineered to make your days merry and bright.

From Thanksgiving 5Ks to Christmas craft shows, we rounded up the holiday events we are most looking forward to this year. So grab your ugly sweater and get ready to make this season one to remember.

 

Thanksgiving

Michigan Harvest | Ann Arbor

November 27, 6-8 p.m. | Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars

Brush up on your cooking skills before Thanksgiving at this fun cooking class at Fustini’s Oil & Vinegars! Learn how to capture the flavors of fall in dishes like grilled and marinated vegetable salad, fall vegetable pizza, baked whitefish, zucchini bread, and roast pork tenderloin. Attendees will receive a 10% discount on products purchased the day of the class. Register here before this class fills up!

 

Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot | Ann Arbor

November 28, 8:15-10 a.m. | Running Fit

Get into the Thanksgiving spirit before your feast! Run, walk or crawl with the whole family at this fun run, featuring a 5K for adults and a 1K Tot Trot for children ages 10 and under. Click here to register.

 

Thanksgiving Feast at Weber’s Restaurant | Ann Arbor

November 28, All Day | Webers Restaurant

Weber’s has been serving the people and families of Ann Arbor since 1937, and has become a go-to for prime rib, live Maine lobster and house-made desserts. For Thanksgiving 2019, they’re offering four different dining options. Dinner in the dining room features a special holiday menu of individual turkey dinners, prime rib, fresh seafood, roast duck and more. To see all the options and make your reservation, click here.

 

Thanksgiving Day Brunch | Chelsea

November 28, 12-4 p.m. | Comfort Inn

Leave the cooking to the professionals this holiday at The Comfort Inn! They’ll be hosting a Thanksgiving brunch complete with a salad bar, sliced turkey with gravy, whipped potatoes, garlic green beans and so much more.

 

Hanukkah

Chanukah Wonderland | West Bloomfield

December 2-4, Times Vary | Orchard Mall

A dreidel bounce house, doughnut decorating and a “Chanukah Tot Town” are all waiting for you in West Bloomfield this holiday season! This year’s event will feature a Menorah Parade before a grand menorah lighting ceremony in the evening.

 

Family Food Tasting: Hanukkah Latkes and Author Reading | Ann Arbor

December 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Zingerman’s Upstairs Next Door

This special event at Zingerman’s will answer the very important question: do you prefer your latkes with applesauce, sour cream or both? In addition to tasting some delicious dishes, you and your family will also get the chance to chat with local author Lauren Ranalli who will be reading her book, The Great Latke Cook Off.

 

Christmas

Moonlight Madness | Ann Arbor

November 30, 6 p.m. | State Street District

Enjoy a fun night out while checking some items off your holiday shopping list! Businesses in the area will be offering amazing deals as they gear up for the holidays, including Bivouac, The M Den, The Original Cottage Inn and more.

 

Fancy Schmancy Holiday Cookies | Ann Arbor

November 30-December 24, Times Vary | Zingerman’s Bakehouse

The most popular event from Zingerman’s Bakehouse is back for the 2019 holiday season! Fancy Schmancy Holiday Cookies will teach participants how to make the best cookie creations using whole grains, local ingredients and freshly milled flours. There are 70 classes through Christmas Eve and all the spots are currently sold out, but if you sign up for the waitlist, you may be able to snag an opening in the event of a cancellation.

 

Kerrytown KindleFest | Ann Arbor

December 6, 4-10 p.m. | Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market

Coinciding with Midnight Madness, Kerrytown KindleFest is Ann Arbor’s version of the German tradition Christkindlmarkt. In the same location as the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, you’ll find artisans, farmers and retailers selling their holiday wares, plus traditional food like pretzels, bratwursts, roasted nuts, Glühwein (a mulled wine) and beer. Shop Kerrytown retail businesses, which will be open late, then grab a spot around a fire pit for warmth and s’mores!

 

Midnight Madness | Ann Arbor

December 6, 7-9 p.m. | Downtown Ann Arbor

Photo courtesy of Lauren Hurst via Main Street,  Ann Arbor

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, downtown Ann Arbor businesses stay open late for one of our community’s favorite shopping events. Main Street Ann Arbor’s Midnight Madness includes holiday specials inside shops and restaurants, performances by various entertainers, and visits by Santa Claus and Miss Washtenaw County.

 

Country Christmas | Ann Arbor

December 8, 12-4 p.m. | Cobblestone Farm

While a visit to Cobblestone Farm is fun any time of the year, during the holidays, Country Christmas turns the farm into a winter wonderland complete with trees, wreaths and plenty of holiday cheer! Tour the 1850’s-era farmhouse, shop for unique holiday gifts in the gift shop, or just enjoy the warmth and holiday smells in the kitchen. The possibilities are endless!

Holiday Pops | Ann Arbor

December 13, 8-10 p.m. | Hill Auditorium

This Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra tradition returns to Hill Auditorium on December 13th. The community’s favorite choruses will come together with orchestral instruments to present all our favorite classical and pop melodies of the season. Be on the lookout as Santa may even make an appearance!

 

The Nutcracker | Ann Arbor

December 14, 6:30 p.m. | Michigan Theater

Presented by the Academy of Russian Classical Ballet and the Michigan Classical Ballet, The Nutcracker is coming to Michigan Theater this holiday season. The live show will feature some of Michigan’s best ballet students alongside international professional ballet dancers as guest artists.

 

Holiday Shoppe & Gingerbread Cafe | Ypsilanti

November 15, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church

Head out to St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church this holiday season for a fun event the whole family will enjoy! Shop for presents from local vendors, devour homemade baked goods at the bake sale, and visit the Gingerbread Cafe where delicious food will be available all day.

 

Santa’s Arrival | Plymouth

November 29, All Day | Downtown Plymouth

It’s that time of year again—Santa Claus is coming to town! Head to Santa’s House in downtown Plymouth to spend the day with the big guy and tell him what you want for Christmas. The Historical Museum will also be open that night at the same time with their special Christmas exhibit.

 

Tree Lighting Ceremony | Saline

December 3, 6 p.m. | Downtown Saline

The holidays in Saline begin December 3rd downtown in front of KeyBank. Additional fun includes tree decorating, hot cocoa, cookies and holiday sing-a-longs!

 

Hometown Holiday | Chelsea

December 6-8, Times Vary | Downtown Chelsea

In Chelsea, the holiday kick-off lasts an entire weekend! The activities start with Santa lighting the Christmas tree at Pierce Park on Friday night and end with a holiday carol concert featuring singing groups from the churches of Chelsea on Sunday evening. Highlights throughout the weekend include Santa’s Workshop, gingerbread house decorating, the annual Light Parade, and more. To see the full activity schedule, click here.

 

Holiday Bazaar at the Museum | Dexter

December 7, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Dexter Area Museum

Hosted by Dexter Area Historical Society during the same weekend as Christmas at the Mansion, you’re invited to the annual Holiday Bazaar at the Museum. Shop handcrafted holiday decorations, wreaths, unique gifts, hand-knit apparel, toys, gifts for pets, and the Guild’s signature scrubbies. And be sure to grab something from the bake sale!

 

Christmas in the Village | Manchester

December 7, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | Downtown Manchester

Photo courtesy of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce

An amazing hometown celebration every year, Manchester’s Christmas in the Village includes a Christmas parade, business decorating and tree decorating contests, carriage rides, a scavenger hunt, cookie sale, home tour, pop-up market, pajama movie party and more! Follow the team on Facebook for updates.

 

The 23rd Annual Holiday Home Tour & Taste of Ypsilanti | Ypsilanti

December 7, 4-9 p.m. | Various Location

Hosted by Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels, the annual Holiday Home Tour explores some of the most historic homes in our community and is the unofficial kick-off to the holidays in Ypsi. The 2019 event includes an inside look at five homes in our community and is followed by the Afterglow Reception, complete with local drinks, appetizers and desserts, live music, and a silent auction. Get more information and purchase your tickets here.

 

The 44th Annual Christmas Parade | Saline

December 7, 5:30 p.m. | Downtown Saline

Saline’s holiday fun continues after the tree lighting on December 3rd with the 44th Annual Christmas Parade. The parade itself includes more than 100 floats, animals, dancers, musicians and a hot air balloon. Guests can also see Santa himself in downtown Saline!

 

Holiday Hustle | Dexter

December 14, 4 p.m. | Monument Park

Photo courtesy of Run Holiday 5K

This one-mile fun run and 5k in Dexter has become one of our favorite family traditions in the area. The dash through the community allows participants to take in the neighborhood light displays and run in festive costumes, too! Five dollars from each registration will be donated to local charities and race day participants can bring non-perishable food items to receive free raffle tickets.

 

DIYpsi Holiday Market | Ypsilanti

December 14-15, Sat 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun 12-6 p.m. | Riverside Arts Center

DIYpsi is a handmade art fair that takes place in Ypsilanti’s business district in the summer and winter. Their holiday market this year will feature 90 vendors at Riverside Arts Center. Shop local and enjoy the community’s favorite indie art fair!

 

Happy Holidays!

Did we miss your favorite holiday event? Let us know in the comments!