Updated November 16, 2012
Let the 2012 holiday season officially begin! While retailers sometimes start the season before Halloween, the holiday spirit really starts getting serious when communities and cities all across the Metro-Detroit area have their Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies. And as long as there is a big crowd gathered...let’s have some fun!
- Ann Arbor: Kerrytown Market & Shops Annual Tree Lighting Festival
Sunday (11/25/12), 5 to 6 PM, Kerrytown
Featuring: Carols, candle luminaries and Santa
- Birmingham: Tree Lighting Ceremony, Shain Park
Wednesday (11/21/12), 6 PM
Featuring: Santa, Christmas caroling, choirs, and horse-drawn carriage rides
- Canton: 34th Annual tree Lighting, Summit on the Park
Wednesday (12/5/12), 6 to 8:30 p.m.
$5 per family
Featuring: Entertainment, crafts, and refreshments
- Detroit: Holiday Tree Lighting
Friday (11/16/12), 5 PM to midnight
Featuring: Ice skating and Christmas Wonderfest, a an international marketplace with shopping, music and carnival rides
- Farmington: Tree Lighting at Warner Mansion
Saturday (12/1/12)
Part of Holly Days that includes carolers, hot chocolate, shopping, holiday movies at Farmington Civic Theater, Santa and Ice Carving
- Grosse Pointe: The Village Aglow Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday (11/23/12), 5 PM, The Village
Featuring: A holiday sing along and hot chocolate
- Mt. Clemens: 22nd Annual Christmas Open House and Tree Lighting
Friday (11/16/12), Open House runs from 5 to 9 PM
Featuring: Santa arrives by horse-drawn sleigh at 6 PM, and guests can treat themselves to a horse-drawn trolley rides.
Rochester: The Big, Bright Light Show
Debuts on Monday (11/26/12) during Lagniappe, 7 PM, downtown
Featuring: Big, bright lights covering the buildings of Main Street, as well as the traditional tree (Dazzling Tree of Lights) on University
- Southfield:
- Tree Lighting & Visits with Santa
Tuesday (11/27/12), 6:45 to 8:30 PM, Southfield Pavilion - Burgh Tree Lighting Ceremony
Thursday (11/29/12), 7 to 8 PM, Burgh Historical Park
- Tree Lighting & Visits with Santa
- Southgate: Tree Lighting Ceremony and Winter Wonderland
Friday (12/7/12), 5 PM, Kiwanis Park
The tree-lighting ceremony officially starts off Southgate's Winter Wonderland that runs from 5 to 8 PM on both 12/7 and 12/8.
Featuring: Carols, ice carving, children's activities, train rides, lights, decorations, hot chocolate and Santa
- Troy: Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Wednesday (12/5/12), 7 to 8:30 PM
Veterans Plaza in front of City Hall, 500 W. Big Beaver
Featuring: School choirs, sing alongs, hot cocoa and Santa
- Utica: Christmas Lighting
Sunday (12/2/12), 6 PM
- Wyandotte: Tree Lighting
Friday (11/16/12), 5 PM, Biddle Avenue, downtown
Featuring: Music, entertainment, and carriage rides
- Ypsilanti: Starlight Spree and Tree Lighting
Friday (11/30/12), 6 to 8 PM, downtown
Featuring: Choirs, Christmas Carols, hot chocolate and Santa


