Winter Activities for the Family
The holiday season is here and while it may look a bit different this year, we’re excited to share different activities to brighten up the winter. Check out all of these fun, outdoor events for the whole family to get festive!
Michigan
Wonderland of Light at Potter Park Zoo (Lansing)
Thousands of lights create an extraordinary holiday lights displays at the annual Wonderland of Lights! Stroll around the zoo during a magical Michigan winter evening and take in the twinkling light displays throughout the zoo while holiday music plays. Grab a goodie bag for children as you leave to take home and enjoy. The Wonderland of Lights is open Thursdays through Sundays from 5:00pm-8:00pm until December 27th.
Reserve your time and plan your visit here.
HollyDazzle-A Renaissance Christmas (Holly)
Enjoy a Renaissance Christmas by visiting the HollyDazzle experience this season. Start a new tradition for the holidays with a ¾ mile walk through the Christmas village. Open daily now through December 27th from 5:30pm – 10:30pm!
Learn more and purchase your tickets here.
Glenlore Trails: Aurora (Commerce Township)
The creatures of Glenlore are at it again! The colder weather has them excited. What do they have in store? Come visit their latest interactive wintry spectacle of light, aurora, to find out! Glenlore Trails: Aurora is a ½ mile outdoor walking path that has been overhauled with lighting, projection, and other sensory elements for all to enjoy! This is a family friendly experience. Open Wednesdays to Sundays until January 10th.
See the interactive lightshow and purchase tickets today here.
Taylor Winterfest (Taylor)
An enchanted holiday experience in the center of Heritage Park. Come walk with family through a winter wonderland of unique, interactive high-tech light shows, holiday displays, and characters throughout the historic Coan Lake area, Heritage Park Petting Farm, and the Taylor Conservatory and Botanical Gardens! With weekly themes from the holiday carnival to Santa’s workshop to Frozen and Harry Potter! Gates close at 10:30 p.m. each night and runs until January 10th.
Check out the website to see the different themes each week and purchase tickets here.
Blake’s Skating Rink & More! (Armada)
Blake’s is proud to present a winter season of excitement with a 2,000+ square foot synthetic skating rink. Afterwards, reserve one of our cozy igloos and enjoy a private dinner or jump on a wagon ride on the 100+ acre tree farm to find the perfect tree while sipping hot cider. Stroll through the holiday market and find the perfect gift for a special someone. Skating open Thursdays through Sundays until March 28th.
See everything Blake Farms has to offer here.
Chanukah Events around Metro Detroit
The Festival of Lights begins on December 10th and there are lots of events happening around town. There are a variety of virtual and in-person events as well as activity boxes to make sure you enjoy 8 nights of lights!
Check out all the different events here.
Celebration of Light Exhibit at Troy Historic Village (Troy)
How do you and your family bring light into a dark season? Visit the Troy Historic Village this winter to see how families around Troy celebrate light during the shortest days of the year. This indoor and outdoor exhibit will explore an array of tradition and decorations. Full of candlelight, luminaries, and stories to cheer your spirit in the darkest days, see the Village light up as you’ve never seen it before! Lights go on at dusk and the Celebration of Light runs Thursday through Saturdays until January 8th.
Learn more about the Celebration of Light and purchase your tickets online here.
Metro Health Christmas & Holiday Traditions at Meijer Gardens (Grand Rapids)
Explore the theme of handcrafted and learn more about the care that goes into creating the seasons traditions by hand. Celebrate the creativity on display made with hundreds of skilled and caring hands. Honoring holiday cultures around the world, Meijer Gardens focuses on the authenticity of beloved holiday traditions: Germany tree, adorned with handmade glass ornaments and homemade springerle cookies, the England tree with antique Christmas cards and mistletoe, and the beautiful Eid ul-Fitr display, which celebrates the end of Ramadan. The companion Railway Garden exhibition is a unique horticultural display that incorporates garden design, miniature buildings handmade from natural materials, and model trolleys and trains.
Check out their hours and more details here.
Photos with Santa at Great Lakes Crossing (Auburn Hills)
Great Lakes Crossing has reimagined Santa’s Flight Academy into a socially distanced, non-contact holiday experience. Get the Santa experience this year with some modifications. Reservations are available until December 24th.
Check out their website to make your reservation and learn more here.
Birmingham Santa House (Birmingham)
Throughout the entire holiday season, families are invited to schedule an appointment to visit Santa in front of his quaint “home” under the pavilion in Shain Park. Santa visits will be socially distanced. Special accommodations are available if you contact the Birmingham Shopping District at 248-530-1200. Appointments are available until December 24th.
Read more about the offering and make your appointment online here.
Ohio
Free Photos with Santa at Levis Commons (Perrysburg)
Santa & Mrs. Claus are coming to town, the Town Center at Levis Commons, that is! Bring your camera or use your phone, and take a free photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Santa House! If you’re unable to visit in-person, Zoom calls are also available!
Check out this year’s process and learn more here.
Toledo Zoo Lights Display (Toledo)
With over one million lights, the award-winning Big Tree, and over 200 illuminated animal images spread out across the Zoo, this year’s edition is sure to be both merry and bright! Enjoy a nostalgic horse drawn carriage ride through Walbridge Park.
Open Friday to Sunday evenings until December 31st.
Sylvania Neighborhood Holiday Light Tour (Sylvania)
Celebrate the holiday season with all of the festive homes in the Sylvania City and Township neighborhoods. Cozy up in the car or bundle up for a stroll around with the family.
See the detailed map and get more details here.
Georgia
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Gardens (Atlanta)
Check out the spectacular lighted sculptures from the exhibition—Alice’s Wonderland Reimagined. Alice and the Red Queen join the White Rabbit and Phoenix in a glowing cast of larger-than-life sculptures twinkling with holiday cheer. Nature’s Wonders, the world’s largest choreographed curtain of light and sound, returns with new music and motion. The exhibition runs nightly through January 16th from 5:00pm – 11:00 p.m.
Tickets must be purchased online in advance of your visit here.
Margaritaville Lakeside Light Spectacular at Lake Lanier (Buford)
Kick start your holidays with a visit to Margaritaville’s all-new Lakeside Lights Spectacular for a night of nostalgic wintry fun. The Lakeside Lights Spectacular will take you on a magical walk through an amazing lighting extravaganza with festive seasonal music. Great for the whole family! Lakeside Lights Spectacular will be open nightly through January 5. Then the show will switch to weekend-only nights until February 21.
Learn more and plan your visit here.
Stone Mountain Christmas (Stone Mountain)
A family-favorite tradition, Stone Mountain Christmas is a heartwarming celebration filled with festive music, millions of dazzling lights, captivating shows and visits with popular holiday characters. View the Christmas Laser show, wander through the Musical Frosted Forest, and see all that Stone Mountain has to offer. Open weekends through January 3rd and school holidays.