Metro Detroit Events and Things to Do in December, 2012

When: The weeks leading up to Christmas
Where: Throughout the Metro-Detroit area

The Christmas season is not all about shopping and gift giving. It is also about football, light displays, turkey dinners and holiday shows and concerts. Need a place to keep track of it all? Check out the Detroit Christmas Guide for 2012.

When: Three weekends (11/24-25, 12/1-2, 12/8-9)
Where: Village of Holly

Holly utilizes its Victorian architecture to great effect in its 34th annual Dickens Festival. The Dickens Festival Parade takes place on Friday, December 8th at noon. The festival features characters from Dickens' novels, Run Like the Dickens races, and pictures with Santa!

When: 12/1/12, 5 to 9:30 PM
Where: Midtown Detroit

Essentially an open house to 60 of Detroit's cultural institutions, the 40th annual event includes free entry to the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Public Library, and the Detroit Historical Museum. There will also be over 120 live acts, shopping, carriage rides and a sing-along along Woodward Avenue.

When: All month
Where: Woodward Avenue, Downtown Detroit

The Park at Campus Martius was designed to be the central square of Detroit. During the winter months, the park keeps people coming by offering a venue for ice skating, and the nearby cafe offers hot chocolate to keep Detroiters warm and toasty.

When: 11/15/12 through 12/31/12
Where: Hines Drive and Merriman, Westland

The Wayne County park celebrates the holidays with an annual Lightfest consisting of over four miles of displays and approximately a million lights. Admission is by car and at minimum $5. There are also several Lightfest events at Merriman Hollow Park in 2012, including an 8K Fun Run/Walk on November 13th and a "Bike through the Lights" on November 14th. The Lightfest Grand Opening Celebration, which includes live entertainment and fireworks, starts at 6 PM on Thursday, November 15th.

When: 12/7/12 through 12/9/12
Where: Downtown Ferndale

The Holiday Ice & Winterfest Market includes a Ferris wheel, ice sculptures, Santa Claus, and charity fund raiser.

When: Peak visibility 2 AM morning of 12/14/12
Where: Northwest / North of the Metro-Detroit area

The Geminid Meteor Showers take place annually in mid December, but the peak viewing of the Geminid Meteor Shower in the Metro-Detroit area will be in the early morning hours of 12/12/12 through 12/14/12, when the moon is in a waning gibbous phase and sheds less competing light.

When: 12/26/12, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ford Field

The game will be televised on ESPN.

When: 12/31/12 at 3:30 PM & 4 PM
Where: Belle Isle Casino

The New Year's Eve Family Run/Walk attracts thousands of participants each year. It is actually a series of events. In addition to the 5K run, there is a 5K Racewalk / Fitness Walk, as well as two "fun" walk/runs -- one for children, one for adults -- on a one-mile course.

When: Throughout the Winter
Where: Throughout the Metro-Detroit area and beyond

Michigan winters give us plenty of opportunity for ice skids and snow shoveling, but they also give us a unique set of outdoor sports, including downhill skiing. There are four skiing resort in and around the Metro-Detroit area.

When: Throughout the next couple of months
Where: Detroit-area theaters

At any given time, Detroit hosts a variety of shows and concerts, including music concerts, Broadway plays, comedians, rodeos and circuses.

When: Throughout the year
Where: Detroit Institute of Arts, downtown

Arts Alive!: After six and one-half years of renovations, the New Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) opened its doors in 2007 to show off its new design and galleries. The DIA is always brimming with events, including films, exhibits and music.