Lights, reindeer, fireworks! 5 things to do in metro Detroit this weekend
Holiday- and winter-themed activities in metro Detroit this weekend include a festival in Detroit's Mexicantown neighborhood, strolling music in Northville and a home tour in Rochester Hills. Here's whats in store Dec. 9-11.
Southwest Holiday Fest
Free winter-themed activities at shops, restaurants, bars and cultural institutions in southwest Detroit are in the works for the seventh annual version of the event.
Revelers can enjoy a Detroit Symphony performance, Puerto Rican trio and Santa in the Ford Resource and Engagement Center-Mexicantown Mercado. Also part of the fun: Mexican hot chocolate and piñatas in the Mexicantown CDC Galeria, a performances at the Matrix Theatre, face painting, Mexican Christmas fruit punch, roasted chestnuts, cookie decorating and a clothing swap.
3-7 p.m. Saturday along the Bagley-Vernor corridor between 16th and 24th streets in Detroit. Click southwest holiday fest for a map of the event location.
A Holiday to Remember - Downtown Northville
Holiday inspired activities will include live strolling music and carolers, free horse-and-wagon rides, live reindeer and a holiday unicorn. Surprise cartoon characters will be on hand along with the Plymouth Fife & Drum Corps. Visitors can stop by the Slows to Go food truck on Friday or drop in on local restaurants and shops. The celebration is sponsored by Suburban Imports of Farmington Hills and hosted by the Northville DDA.
6-9 p.m. Friday, 2-9 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday in downtown Northville.
Holiday Walk and Winter Wonder Lights – Meadow Brook Hall
The walk is a self-guided indoor tour of three floors of the historic mansion, which has more than 50 decorated trees and several themed displays. You can check out the interactive Holiday Wish Book or peek in at Christmas Eve in the Nursery. The walk will continue 11 a.m.-4 p.m. through Dec. 23. Tickets are $20 (adults) and $7.50 (youth).
Winter Wonder Lights is a self-guided outdoor event that allows visitors to explore the grounds. Features include light displays, music, selfie stations, bonfires and concessions that offer glow-in-the-dark cotton candy and other treats. The event runs 5:30-10 p.m. through Dec. 30 at Meadow Brook Hall, 350 Estate Drive in Rochester Hills. Tickets are $22 (adults) and $12 (youth).
Holiday Home Tour in Rochester Hills
You can tour five Rochester Hills homes decorated for the holidays and then visit a gift boutique at Van Hoosen Museum Dairy Barn. Cider and doughnuts will be served at the barn, and visitors with home tour tickets get free admission to the annual model train display in the Van Hoosen complex. The event is being presented by the Friends of the Rochester Hills Public Library.
The tour takes place noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets (cash only) are $25 and available at the Friends Store, Dillman & Upton and Lytle Pharmacy in Rochester, Wild Birds Unlimited in Rochester Hills and Werner’s Hallmark in Oakland Township.
Downtown Utica Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration and Fireworks
Highlights of this year’s celebration includes Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving by sleigh and a fireworks display. Lori Pinson of WJBK-TV (Channel 2) will be on hand along with Rachel and Grunwald from WYCD-FM (99.5) and the Utica High School Marching Band. The Utica Fire Department will again be conducting its Stuff an Ambulance toy drive to benefit Toys for Tots.
7 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Park in downtown Utica.
Brendel Hightower is an assistant editor at the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at bhightower@freepress.com. To subscribe, go to freep.com/specialoffer.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Things to do in metro Detroit for the weekend of Dec. 9-11
