Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo
2025-12-01, 2025-12-08, 2025-12-15, 2025-12-22, 2025-12-29 | Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. 10 Mile Rd., Royal Oak, MI, United States
Wild Lights, presented by Corewell Health Children’s, has been a treasured holiday tradition for more than a decade for a reason. At this incredible event, you’ll encounter enchanting animal-themed light sculptures that bring a whimsical touch to the festive season and create a magical experience for all ages. Be prepared to be mesmerized by millions of twinkling LED lights transforming the Zoo into a winter wonderland.
Event cost: $17-$26/advanced online pricing, free/2 and under, $8/parking
Event times: Times vary; Nov. 22, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026

Waterford Farmers Market
2025-12-02 07:00 - 13:30, 2025-12-09 07:00 - 13:30, 2025-12-16 07:00 - 13:30, 2025-12-23 07:00 - 13:30, 2025-12-30 07:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Oakland County Farmers Market, 2350 Pontiac Lake Rd., Waterford, MI, 48328, United States
Waterford Farmers Market
Oakland County Market / Oakland County Farmers Markets
2350 Pontiac Lake Road
Waterford, MI
248-858-5495
website – www.OaklandCountyParks.com
Oakland County Farmers Market 2025 – Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays May 2 through December from 7a-1:30p. January through April from 7a-1:30p Saturdays only. Beginning May 2, the Oakland County Farmers Market resumes its summer operation of three days (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays).

Monthly Story Time at The Mall at Partridge Creek
2025-12-02 10:00 - 10:30 | The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Rd., Clinton Twp., MI, 48038, United States
Happening Monthly!
The Mall at Partridge Creek has partnered with the Clinton Township Library to host a Monthly Story Time! Join us for seasonal reads and fun educational opportunities as we share the joy of reading with the little ones!
🚨 Reservations are REQUIRED thru the Library link 👉 HTTP://CMPL.LIBNET.INFO/EVENTS
Monthly details: 10:00AM-10:30AM, reservations required
Tuesday, December 2- Holiday Hoopla
Cost: FREE

Permian Monsters: Life Before the Dinosaurs
2025-12-03 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-10 10:00 - 17:00 | Cranbrook Institute of Science, 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, MI, 48303, United States
Step back in time 290 million years when bizarre-looking animals dominated life on land and sea, and find out about the greatest extinction the world has ever seen in Permian Monsters: Life before the Dinosaurs. This unique exhibition brings the past back to life with fossilized skeletons and full size life models of the animals that ruled the world millions of years before the age of dinosaurs, in a time known as the Permian.
The Permian period ended with the largest extinction Earth ever experienced, which wiped out 90% of all species on the planet. The cause of the end-Permian extinction had baffled scientists for the past 20 years but a recent discovery shed new light on the cause of this catastrophe: global warming. Find out how this familiar phenomenon, started by a huge volcanic eruption, set off a chain of events that led to the greatest extinction on Earth.
The exhibition blends art and science with a collection of new artwork which offers a glimpse back in time through the eyes of award winning paleo-artist Julius Csotonyi. View fossilised skeletons and reconstructed models of these amazing but bizarre creatures that dominated land and sea; and dig and identify fossils in the interactive dig pits throughout the exhibition.
Permian Monsters showcases an amazing collection of fossils and models from this relatively unknown time period, from giant insects, bizarre looking sharks to strange reptiles with mammal-like characteristics. Meet the top predator of the time, the giant saber-toothed gorgonopsid ‘Inostrancevia’ and find out what nearly killed them all to make way for Earth’s next rulers, the Dinosaurs.

Adults: $9
Adult Members: $8
Seniors 65+ & Children 2 – 12: $7
Seniors 65+ & Children 2 – 12 Members: $6
CIS Enhanced Members and Children under 2: FREE

Event times: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays, Noon-4 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 28, 2025-Jan. 7, 2026

Magic of Lights at Pine Knob Music Theatre
2025-12-05 17:30 - 22:00, 2025-12-12 17:30 - 22:00, 2025-12-19 17:30 - 22:00, 2025-12-26 17:30 - 22:00, 2026-01-01 18:00 - 21:00 | Pine Knob Music Theatre, 33 Bob Seger Drive, Clarkston, MI, 48348, United States
Drive through a sparkling holiday wonderland filled with dazzling light displays, festive characters, and family fun. Kids will love the glowing tunnels and magical Reindeer Rest Stop with walk-through displays.
Event cost: Santa Saver passes start at $25 per vehicle, and oversized vehicle passes from $56. Online purchase required.
Event times: 6-9 p.m. daily Nov. 21-Jan. 3, 5:30-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday Dec. 12 – Jan. 3

Permian Monsters at Cranbrook Institute of Science
2025-12-11 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-25 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-07 10:00 - 17:00 | Cranbrook Institute of Science, 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, MI, 48303, United States
Step back 290 million years to explore life before the dinosaurs. Kids can see fossilized skeletons, life-size models and even dig for fossils in interactive pits.
Event cost: Adults $9, adult members $8, seniors 65+ and children 2-12 $7, senior and child members $6, children under 2 and CIS Enhanced Members free
Event times: Sept. 28, 2025-Jan. 7, 2026. Wednesday-Thursday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 12-4 p.m.

Permian Monsters at Cranbrook Institute of Science
2025-12-18 10:00 - 17:00 | MI

Holiday Market at the Anton Art Center
2025-12-20 10:00 - 17:00 | Anton Art Center, 125 Macomb Place, Mount Clemens, MI, United States
Shop a variety of unique gifts and décor at the Anton Art Center that is crafted by Michigan artists.
Event cost: Free; donations welcomed and appreciated
Event times: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.​ Sundays, Nov. 18-Dec 21, 2025 (closed Nov. 26-27, 2025)

Santa visits The Village of Rochester Hills
2025-12-21 | The Village of Rochester Hills, 104 N. Adams Rd., Rochester Hills, MI, 48309, United States
Families can stop by Santa’s Snug for free walk-up visits and photos throughout the holiday season. Kids can bring wish lists or drop letters into the Magical Mailbox. Guests should bring their own camera.
Event cost: Free admission
Event times: Santa hours Nov. 28-Dec. 24

Dearborn Wanderlights at Peace Park West
2026-01-02 18:00 - 20:00 | Peace Park West, 22271 W Village Dr., Dearborn, MI, 48124, United States
Families can explore interactive light installations from global artists during this new winter celebration. Kids will enjoy the glowing sculptures, monthly themed events and the holiday kickoff with Santa and treats. Dress warm for outdoor viewing.
Event cost: Free
Event times: Open daily Jan.–Feb. 20

Tunnel of Lights at Blossom Heath Park
2026-01-03 17:00 - 21:00 | Blossom Heath Park, 24800 Jefferson Ave, St. Clair Shores, MI, United States
Enjoy a walk through a glowing tunnel of holiday lights with entertainment, Santa visits and food trucks on select nights. This is an easy, kid friendly outing for families, with hot chocolate available on certain dates. Special activities like live performances and trolley nights happen throughout the season, so check the schedule before you go.
Event cost: Free admission. Food trucks and treats available for purchase.
Event times: 5-9 p.m. daily Dec. 6-Jan. 24

Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation at Detroit Institute of Arts
2026-01-04 10:00 - 17:00 | Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI, United States
See one of the largest presentations of contemporary Native American art in the Midwest. Families can explore more than 90 works including beadwork, painting, sculpture and more, while learning about Anishinaabe traditions and creativity.
Event cost: Free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties; free with tribal-issued ID; general admission for non-residents varies ($8-18)
Event times: Jan. 2026–April 5, 2026 during museum hours (Tues.-Thurs. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Fri. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Mon closed)

Babies & Books Story Time at Romulus Public Library
2026-01-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Romulus Public library, 1123 Wayne Road, Romulus, MI, 48174, United States
Bring your little ones to a special story just for them! Stories, songs and lap activities are geared towards children ages 0 to 24 months and their caregivers. Story time starts at 10:00 a.m. with 15 minutes after for baby social time until 10:45 a.m.
Cost: Free
Date: Tuesday, January 6th, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM

Innovation Hills Christmas Lights
2026-01-06 17:00 - 19:00 | Innovation Hills Park, 2800 W. Hamlin Road, Rochester Hills, MI, 48309, United States
The holiday lights are on nightly from 5p-7p Mondays through Thursdays and 5p-8p on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from December 5, 2025 through January 16, 2026. The 2025 / 2026 Innovation Hills Christmas Lights season will kickoff with a special event on Friday, December 5 & Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 4p-8p each night – a Candy Cane Hunt launches the festivities at 4p.
Take a festive holiday stroll around the 1-mile boardwalk / path to enjoy the Innovation Hills Christmas lights. The City of Rochester Hills does an excellent job keeping the boardwalk and the cement path clear (and well-lit). Follow the boardwalk to HUGE Christmas Tree (The Giant Wishing Tree). Along the way, you can admire the LED tunnel over the bridge and colored LED lights on the tinier trees along the path. Enjoy this great photo-op.

Tinkering for Tots at The Henry Ford in Dearborn
2026-01-07 10:00 - 12:00 | The Henry Ford, 20900 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn, MI, 48124, United States
Tinkering for Tots invites preschoolers to explore storytelling, play, and hands-on learning through monthly themed activities. Each session includes a story, a museum artifact visit, and a take-home STEAM activity kit.
Event cost: Free for members or with museum admission ($34 adults, $25.50 youth, ages 4 and under free)
Event times: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month, Jan. 2026-May 2026
