Whether you live in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Saline or Ypsilanti this holiday season there are many events for you to enjoy.

Ann Arbor

Midnight Madness
Midnight Madness is a holiday tradition in downtown Ann Arbor. This is your opportunity to shop downtown and Kerrytown late into the evening. Santa Claus and Miss Washtenaw County will be roaming the sidewalks from 7-9pm. There will also be lots of entertainment on the sidewalks from 7-9pm. Support your favorite downtown businesses while enjoying great holiday deals. Click here for a full list of all the discounts.

Theater
If you are into performing arts there are many options this December. The Performance Network has two holiday plays, “The Gift of the Magi” and “This Wonderful Life”.
“The Gift of the Magi” is a two-person play that journeys through both a traditional and contemporary retelling of the classic O. Henry story, and runs through December 21st. “This Wonderful Life” puts a fresh spin on quirky Christmas story that’s become a classic for so many generations. Runs through December 18th. Click here for more information.

Laughing All the Way
As part of their 2014-2015 Winter Concert Series the Washtenaw Community Concert Band will be putting on their holiday concert, Laughing All the Way on Thursday December 11. It will feature a variety of music including Irving Berlin Christmas, March of the Toys, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Eighth Candle and more. There will be refreshments following the concert. Click here for more information.

Chelsea

Chelsea Hometown Holiday
The 27th Annual Chelsea Hometown Holiday is a festive, fun-filled weekend celebration that kicks off the holiday season. The activities start with the 2014 Chelsea Community Fair Queen lighting the giant Christmas tree at Pierce Park on Friday night and ends with a holiday carol concert featuring singing groups from the churches of Chelsea on Sunday evening.
Chelsea is all decked out in festive splendor to warm your hearts and get you in the holiday spirit. Browse the shops, sip on hot chocolate, and enjoy the many special events planned. Click here for more information.

Annapurna
In Chelsea, the Purple Rose Theatre Company is putting on “Annapurna”. The play focuses on what it would be like if you had experienced the defining moment of your life – but couldn’t remember it. Sharr White’s heartfelt and remarkable play, “Annapurna,” deals with that dilemma and the unpredictable eccentricities of love. Join us for the Midwest premiere of this bittersweet comedy by one of America’s most vibrant and lyrical new playwrights. “Annapurna” will run until Saturday, December 20, 2014.  Click here for more information.

Dexter

Dexter Museum’s Holiday Bazaar
Looking for an unusual holiday ornament or a special gift that you won’t find in any store? Come to the 2014 Holiday Bazaar at the Dexter Area Museum on Saturday, December 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Crafters from the Dexter Heritage Guild will have holiday decorations, wreaths and centerpieces, unique hostess or teacher gifts, knitted hats and scarves, baby blankets, toys and kits for kids, plus their signature scrubbies – all handcrafted and all at reasonable prices.
Don’t forget to pick up something delicious from the bake sale, buy a ticket to win an Advent calendar or quilt, and visit the Museum’s Corner Gift Shop. All proceeds benefit the Museum, which is located at 3443 Inverness Street, one block from St. Andrew’s Church, in Dexter. Click here for more information.

Christmas Caroled
At the Encore Musical Theatre, in Dexter, MI “Christmas Caroled” runs from until Dec 11, 2014. This unique take on a traditional holiday musical, Christmas Caroled borrows from a classic tale, wraps its story around an old-fashioned Christmas special and presents itself as a glittering evening of musical theatre. Click here for more information.

Holiday Hustle
Are you a walker or runner looking to burn a few holiday calories and give back to others? This dash around Dexter is a fun way to take in all the neighborhood light displays.
This charity event donates $5 of your entry fee to local Dexter charities. Bring canned or nonperishable food items for the needy and get a raffle ticket for each item. Raffle tickets will be pulled race evening for some sweet swag!
The holiday hustle takes place on Dec 13, 2014 in downtown Dexter. Click here for more information.

Saline

Tree Lighting
On Friday, December 5, 2014 the tree lighting ceremony will take place in front of Key Bank on the corner of Michigan Ave. and North Ann Arbor Street starting at 7:00pm. Come and join us for some hot chocolate, cookies and for a Christmas Carol sing-a-long. Click here  for more information.

December Show-Moonlight Madness
Over 150 juried crafters from 9 states will display and sell their wares including jewelry, clothing, holiday gifts and decorations. There will also be a gingerbread house contest. The show takes place at Saline Middle School, 7190 N. Maple. Click here for more information.

A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol
The Saline Area Players have given the well-loved Dickens’ tale (A Christmas Carol) a new look in their play “A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol.” It is populated with familiar fairy tale characters such as the Big Bad Wolf (as Ebeneezer Scrooge), Prince Charming and Cinderella (as Mr. and Mrs.Crachit), and the Fairy Godmother, Old King Cole, and Queen of Hearts (as the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future). It is available for viewing December 4-7. Click here to learn more.

Ypsilanti

Holiday Home Tour
To celebrate its 40th Anniversary Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels is throw their biggest holiday home tour ever. The tour takes place on December 6 and 7 is a festive celebration that includes six private homes decorated with holiday cheer, and serving beverages and appetizers from Ypsilanti area restaurants. Some locations include musical entertainment for extra holiday fun. Click here for more information.

DIYpsi
DIYpsi is a handmade art fair taking place at the Riverside Arts Center in Downtown Ypsilanti on December 13 – 14. Check out the best indie artists our region has to offer for a one-of-a-kind holiday shopping experience that will take care of everyone on your list. On top of finding unique hand crafted gifts, doing your holiday shopping at DIYpsi means you’re contributing to a larger cause- keeping thousands of dollars invested in our local economy and supporting the arts. Click here for more information.

Holiday Lights Ride
On December 17, enjoy a short ride (8-10 miles) through Ypsi residential neighborhoods to view Christmas light displays from your bike. Socializing will take place afterward at the Arbor Brewing Company Microbrewery (Norris and Forest in Ypsi). All riders should have working front and rear lights. Click here for more information.

Songs of the Season
This year, the Ypsilanti Community Choir will be join by the Motor City Brass Band at their annual Holiday show. The program will be in the Morris Lawrence Building at Washtenaw Community College. The Ypsilanti Community Choir Christmas Concert will take place on Tuesday, December 18 at 7:30 pm at the Towsley Auditorium with featured soloist Ruth Myers.  There is no charge for this concert; parking at this venue is free and plentiful outside the auditorium entrance. Click here for more information