Celebrating the Christmas season in Lenawee County

David Panian and Brad Heineman, The Daily Telegram
·8 min read
Mrs. and Santa Claus wave to the crowd from the basket of the Adrian Fire Department's aerial tower Dec. 3, 2021, during the Adrian Holiday Lights Parade. This year's parade is at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2.
Mrs. and Santa Claus wave to the crowd from the basket of the Adrian Fire Department's aerial tower Dec. 3, 2021, during the Adrian Holiday Lights Parade. This year's parade is at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2.

Many events are scheduled in and near Lenawee County to celebrate the Christmas season. The following are some highlights. If you have an event to share that isn't on the list, please send an email to news@lenconnect.com and we'll add it to the online list.

Now through end of December

• Heritage Park Holiday Light Display: Dusk, daily, with final car entrance at 9:30 p.m. The park gates will close at 9:45 p.m.

• Christmas trees in the Siena Heights University Performing Arts Center: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Christmas trees representing various Siena Heights University programs and divisions on campus are decorated and on display in the Performing Arts Center for the holiday season. Everyone is welcome to see the trees. The display is positioned along the windows, as well, and everyone is welcome to take a winter walk through campus to see the trees.

• Nite Lites Christmas Lights Show at Michigan International Speedway: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Tickets at nitelitesshow.com, $30 per car Sunday-Thursday; $35 per car Friday-Saturday; $45 per minibus, limo or motorhome; $100 per tour bus. New this year is the Night Lites Express, a sight-seeing train, for $60 per person. Kids can ride on laps.

Today

• Downtown Brooklyn's Holiday Parade: the parade is at 7 p.m., but festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. Activities include cookie decorating by Wesco at Patrone's Day Spa & Salon, Storytime by Mrs. Claus at Savannah Rose Dance Studio, popcorn from Re/Max Mid-Michigan/Brooklyn, hot cocoa and doughnuts from Cornerstone Church, the Cornerstone Church Choir, a hayride sponsored by Patrone's, photo opportunities at Village Peddler Gift Shoppe, s'mores sponsored by The Corner Cottage, caricature drawings, children's gift bags, food truck and face painting.

• "Miracle on 34th Street": 7:30 p.m., Croswell Opera House. Tickets: croswell.org.

Nov. 26

• "Miracle on 34th Street": 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., Croswell Opera House. Tickets: croswell.org.

Nov. 27

• "Miracle on 34th Street": 2:30 p.m., Croswell Opera House. Tickets: croswell.org.

• Holiday Christmas tree lighting, Hudson. 7 p.m.

Nov. 28

• Community Christmas Tree Lighting: 6:30 p.m., old Lenawee County Courthouse in downtown Adrian.

The Community Christmas Tree is pictured as snow falls Nov. 29, 2021, at the old Lenawee County Courthouse in Adrian shortly after it was lighted. This year's lighting is at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28.
The Community Christmas Tree is pictured as snow falls Nov. 29, 2021, at the old Lenawee County Courthouse in Adrian shortly after it was lighted. This year's lighting is at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28.

Dec. 1

• Light Up the Park: 6 p.m., Ellis Park, Blissfield.

• Canadian Pacific Holiday Train: evening; train crossings in Britton, Holloway, Adrian, Sand Creek and Seneca. The train runs from the northeast corner of Lenawee County near Milan to the southwest corner near Morenci.

• "Miracle on 34th Street": 7:30 p.m., Croswell Opera House. Tickets: croswell.org.

Dec. 2

• Adrian Center for the Arts Market Open House: 3 p.m., Adrian Center for the Arts.

• Promenade Tecumseh Candlelight Home Tour: Tours of three homes — 316 N. Union, 307 N. Union and 511 W. Chicago Blvd. — and the Tecumseh Historical Museum, 302 E. Chicago Blvd. — will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the museum or any of the three houses on tour.

• Downtown Tecumseh Christmas Parade: 7 p.m.

• Holiday Lights Parade: 6:30 p.m., downtown Adrian.

Adrian's Comstock Christmas Riverwalk is pictured Dec. 3, 2021. This year's lighting ceremony is at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4.
Adrian's Comstock Christmas Riverwalk is pictured Dec. 3, 2021. This year's lighting ceremony is at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4.

• Comstock Christmas Tree Lighting: 7:30 p.m., Comstock Park, Adrian.

Dec. 3

• Christmas in the Village: 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Clinton. Many activities are planned, including shopping and a bake sale at Clinton United Church of Christ, stories and ornament decorating at the Clinton Township Public Library, an arts and craft show at the Clinton Inn, a home tour, a holiday lights and decor contest, a gingerbread house competition at the Smith-Kimball Community Center, a parade at 7 p.m. and visits with Santa at the Clinton Township Hall after the parade.

• "Miracle on 34th Street": 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., Croswell Opera House. Tickets: croswell.org.

• Siena Heights University Holiday Band Concert: 5 p.m., Sister Kevin McLaughlin Music Hall in the Performing Arts Center. The concert and jazz bands will present their end of the semester concert featuring music by Holst and Anderson and traditional holiday classics.

• Promenade Tecumseh Candlelight Home Tour: 6 to 8:30 p.m. in Tecumseh. Three homes — 316 N. Union, 307 N. Union and 511 W. Chicago Blvd. — and the Tecumseh Historical Museum, 302 E. Chicago Blvd., will be open for tours. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the museum or any of the three houses on tour.

• Lighted Holiday Parade: 6 p.m., downtown Morenci. The parade starts at Page Street and goes to East Locust Street, Washington Street and Main Street, ending at Wakefield Park. It will be followed by a tree-lighting ceremony featuring the Morenci High School marching band. A bonfire and refreshments will follow. Hot cocoa and cookies will be served at the fire hall where Santa will make an appearance. There will be a free raffle of two turkeys, two hams and other prizes — one ticket per family. The event is sponsored by the Morenci Town & Country Festival.

• Lessons & Carols: 7 p.m., Adrian College's Herrick Chapel.

Mark Hyre as Kris Kringle, center, celebrates after proving he’s the real Santa Claus in a scene from “Miracle on 34th Street” at the Croswell Opera House.
Mark Hyre as Kris Kringle, center, celebrates after proving he’s the real Santa Claus in a scene from “Miracle on 34th Street” at the Croswell Opera House.

Dec. 4

• Anderson-Marry Funeral Home Christmas Open House: 2 to 5 p.m., 3050 W. Beecher Road, Adrian. Attendees are asked to bring a donation of either canned goods, new toys or games, or monetary contributions for Associated Charities of Lenawee County.

• "Miracle on 34th Street": 2:30 p.m., Croswell Opera House. Tickets: croswell.org.

• Tecumseh Pops Orchestra & Community Chorus, "Light, Hope and Peace": 3 p.m., Tecumseh Center for the Arts. Tickets: thetca.org.

• A Service of Lessons and Carols: 5 p.m. at Holy Rosary Chapel on the campus of the Adrian Dominican Motherhouse featuring the Siena Heights University Chorale and Chamber Singers.

• Lights of Love tree lighting ceremonies hosted by Hospice of Lenawee, simultaneously at 6 p.m. in Adrian, Blissfield, Clinton, Hudson, Onsted and Tecumseh. Trees are lit by a Hospice of Lenawee family and continue to shine throughout the holiday season. Adrian’s ceremony is at Hospice of Lenawee offices, 1903 Wolf Creek Highway; Blissfield’s is at That One Place in Blissfield, 121 S. Lane St.; Clinton’s is at the Smith-Kimball Community Center, 211 Tecumseh St.; Hudson’s is at the Hudson Community Center, 323 W. Main St.; Onsted’s is at Bank Michigan, 112 S. Main St.; and Tecumseh’s is at Tecumseh City Hall, 309 E. Chicago Blvd.

Dec. 9

• Christmas Caravan: 7 to 9 p.m., Grace Point Evangelical Free Church, 4612 N. Adrian Highway. Experience the sights, sounds and scenes of the first Christmas. Caravan groups leave every 10 to 15 minutes.

• Classic Christmas Movie Night: 7 p.m., Christian Family Centre, 1800 W. U.S. 223, Adrian. Free admission for Centre members and nonmembers.

Mugs are pictured at the 2018 Wassail Fest in Blissfield. This year's Wassail Fest is Dec. 9.
Mugs are pictured at the 2018 Wassail Fest in Blissfield. This year's Wassail Fest is Dec. 9.

• Wassail Fest: 6 to 8:30 p.m., downtown Blissfield. Tickets are $20 per person at the village office and online at tinyurl.com/WassailFest2022. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. at That One Place in Blissfield, 121 S. Lane St. Mugs will be handed out at the event. Multiple downtown businesses will have samples of wassail — a hot beverage made from mulled cider, wine, beer, sugar and spices that is traditionally consumed as part of wassailing, an ancient English Yuletide drinking ritual and salutation. Since the beverage contains alcohol, those under 21 are not eligible to participate. Some businesses, however, will offer a nonalcoholic option.

Dec. 10

• WTCA Radio Show presents “A Christmas Carol”: 2 p.m., Tecumseh Center for the Arts. Tickets: thetca.org.

• Hudson Christmas Parade: 6:30 p.m.; lineup is at 6 p.m. on McKenzie Street. Kids can join Santa for milk and cookies after the parade at the community center.

• Parade of Lights: 7 p.m., downtown Blissfield.

• Adrian Symphony Orchestra, “Together for the Holidays”: 7:30 p.m., Dawson Auditorium.

Dec. 11

• Hospice of Lenawee candlelight remembrance, 6 p.m., at Holy Family Parish, St. Joseph Campus, 415 Ormsby St., Adrian. Music, fellowship and a reading of names for those loved ones who died this year will take place.

• United Hudson Churches Christmas Drama: 7 p.m., Hudson Wesleyan Church, 229 Hill St.

Dec. 16

• Fair Fantasy Lights Drive-Thru: 6 to 9 p.m., Lenawee County Fair & Events Grounds. This is a ticketed Christmas lights show. For information about ticket prices or how to decorate an area of the fairgrounds, contact the Lenawee County Fair office at 517-263-3007 or visit www.lenfair.com. There is no cost for registering a light display at the fairgrounds.

Dec. 17

• Wreaths Across America: ceremonies at 10 a.m. in Hudson at Maple Grove Cemetery and Calvary Cemetery and at noon in Blissfield at Pleasant View Cemetery. Wreath-laying will following the ceremonies.

• Lenawee Community Chorus, "The Glow of Christmas": 7 p.m., Christian Family Centre, Adrian. Tickets are $10 at the door; children and students are free.

• Fair Fantasy Lights Drive-Thru: 6 to 9 p.m., Lenawee County Fair & Events Grounds.

Dec. 18

• Winter Solstice celebration: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 18, Weber Retreat and Conference Center, Adrian. The celebration is free and open to all. Attendees are invited to bring a song, poem, or story and a treat to share. Registration is not required.

• Fair Fantasy Lights Drive-Thru: 6 to 8 p.m., Lenawee County Fair & Events Grounds.

Dec. 21

• Judging will take place in the evening for Onsted’s annual Christmas decorating contest, which is open to any homeowner in the village. Monetary prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third place. The lighting contest is sponsored by the Onsted Chamber of Commerce.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Celebrating the Christmas season in Lenawee County