8 Michigan holiday destinations enjoy with friends, family

While it's not exactly beach weather, it's looking like a white Christmas with plenty of fun — inside and out.

From Frankenmuth to Campus Martius, there are a ton of holiday activities for families, friends, and couples.

Here is a guide:

Christmas in Detroit

Campus Martius Park

A Detroit classic. Campus Martius is one of the only places in downtown Detroit where you can go ice skating. They offer a full winter wonderland experience, right down to its dazzling, 65-foot Christmas tree.

Prices:

Tickets must be sold onsite at the park and are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

  • Adult admission: $12

  • Children's admission: $9

  • Active military: $8

  • First responder: $8

  • Seniors (59+): $9

  • Skate Rental: $6

Dates and times:

The Rink at Campus Martius Park presented by Visit Detroit is open seven days a week.

Nov. 18 through Dec. 11

  • Sunday-Thurday : 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

  • Friday: 11 a.m.- midnight

  • Saturday: 10 a.m. - midnight

Dec. 12 through Jan.1

  • Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

  • Friday: 11 a.m. - midnight

  • Saturday: 10 a.m. - midnight

  • Sunday: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Holiday Hours

  • Christmas Day: Noon - 10 p.m.

  • New Year's Eve: 11 a.m. - midnight

Jan. 2- March 5

  • Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

  • Tuesday: 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.

  • Friday: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

  • Saturday: 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.

  • Sunday: Noon- 8 p.m.

800 Woodward Ave, Detroit

Monroe Street Midway Winter Wonderland

Offers a giant arctic slide, bumper cars, puck-putt, and an indoor arcade. There also will be food and Santa sightings from Nov.18 to Dec. 22 on Thursdays and Fridays from 4-8 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, there are Santa sightings from noon to 4 p.m.

Prices:

  • Entry: Free

  • Artic Slide: Free

  • Puck-putt: Free

  • Indoor arcade: Prices vary

  • Winter bumper cars: $5

Dates and times:

  • Nov.11 - Jan. 29

32 Monroe St., Detroit

Downtown Detroit Holiday Markets and Cadillac Lodge

People walk through the Downtown Detroit Markets space past shops for businesses selling items for the holidays at Cadillac Square near Campus Martius in downtown Detroit on Wednesday, November 30, 2022.
People walk through the Downtown Detroit Markets space past shops for businesses selling items for the holidays at Cadillac Square near Campus Martius in downtown Detroit on Wednesday, November 30, 2022.

Cadillac Square is filled with winter holiday shops selling everything from clothing to charcuterie boards.

Dates and times:

Nov.10 through Jan.1

  • Monday: Closed

  • Tuesday: Closed

  • Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

  • Thursday: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

  • Friday: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

  • Saturday: 11 a.m.- 11 p.m.

  • Sunday: 11 a.m.- 8 p.m.

Special dates:

  • Dec.20: 8 a.m.- 2 p.m.

  • Dec. 21: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

  • Dec. 24: 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.

  • Dec. 25: Closed

  • Dec. 31: 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.

  • Jan. 1: 11 a.m.- 8 p.m.

Cadillac Square, Detroit

Christmas in Metro Detroit

Detroit Zoo Wild Lights

Visit the zoo this year for an evening of holiday lights. The event, which runs from Nov. 19 to Jan. 8, features food, live entertainment, theater shows, and more for many to enjoy.

Tickets: $17 to $65 per person

General admission: $17- 24

Dates and times:

Time varies for some dates.

  • Dec. 9-10: 5 - 10:30 p.m.

  • Dec.11: 5-9 p.m.

  • Dec.14-15: 5-9 p.m.

  • Dec. 16-23: 5 - 10:30 p.m.

  • Dec. 26-31: 5-9 p.m.

  • Jan. 2-8: 5- 9 p.m.

8450 W. 10 Mile Road, Royal, Oak

Downtown Rochester

Shopping, dining, and more along downtown Rochester Hills, which features more than a million holiday lights. The Big, Bright Light Show runs through Jan. 21.

Caroling in the City is the next event coming up on Dec. 11, friends and families can gather in the downtown area for an evening of choirs, caroling, an ugly sweater contest, and more. The event is from 5-8 p.m.

Downtown Rochester Hills, Rochester Hills

Greenfield Village

Holiday Nights is a program offered by the Greenfield Village for an evening of carousel rides, ice skating, Model T rides, horse-drawn rides, and enjoying the world of Greenfield Village.

Ticket prices for members:

General admission (12+): $29.75Senior (62+): $27Youth (5-11): $22.50Children ( Under 5): Free

Ticket prices for the public:

  • General admission (12+): $35

  • Senior (62+): $31.50

  • Youth (5-11): $26.25

  • Children ( Under 5): Free

There are also additional ticket packages for dining with Santa and other dining options at restaurants in Greenfield Village.

Dates and times :

  • Dec. 9-11

  • Dec. 15-23

  • Dec. 26-28

  • 6:30 - 10 p.m.

  • Member exclusive preshow entry at 6 p.m.

20900 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn

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Frankenmuth Christmas Experience

The head honcho of Christmas in Michigan aka Michigan's Little Bavaria. Frankenmuth offers everything you could think of for a good holiday destination. They have horse-drawn carriage rides, a Christmas store, ice rink, and that's just a few things that are happening in Frankenmuth for Christmas.

Frankenmuth also offers the Bavarian Inn Lodge, which is one the largest Bavarian-themed resorts in the U.S. In the future, it also will be home to the largest water park in Michigan.

635 South Main Street, Frankenmuth,

Traverse City Wineries

Traverse City offers a variety of wineries for a holiday trip.

  • 2 Lads Winery : 16985 Smokey Hollow Road, Traverse City

  • Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail : Multiple locations

  • Chateau Chantel Winery and Inn: 15900 Rue de Vin, Traverse City

  • Grand Traverse Bay Loop : Multiple locations

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 8 Michigan holiday destinations to visit with friends, family