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Plan the best Winter Break in Ann Arbor - teal gloves holding a snowflake on a bed of snow

Plan the Best Winter Break in Ann Arbor

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Winter Break in Ann Arbor is a full 2 weeks encompassing Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s, and the first week of January. Whether you’re celebrating all, some, or none of the holidays we’ve got ideas for all of break.

There are plenty of ways to keep kids entertained during Winter Break near Ann Arbor. We’ve got a list of all the holiday celebrations, camps, holiday events, and fun family activities.

Table Of Contents
  1. Holiday Celebrations
  2. Winter Break Camps
  3. Fun Activities for Winter Break
  4. Christmas Weekend
  5. Week of Christmas
  6. Pre-New Year's Weekend
  7. New Year's Week
  8. Final Winter Break Weekend Highlights
  9. Now Playing

Holiday Celebrations

Be sure to check our Christmas Guide for all the Christmas Events that first weekend of winter break.

Arbor Annie’s Guide to an Amazing Ann Arbor Christmas

Our Guide to Christmas Events in Ann Arbor has all the fun local activities to celebrate the holidays. Find the best activities for Ann Arbor holiday celebrations to keep you in the holiday spirit. Note: We update the Christmas Ann Arbor Guide throughout the season as we find new events. Check back through the season to find […]

Kwanzaa runs December 26-January 1. Unfortunately there are not many events in Ann Arbor, but we are sharing some events in Metro Detroit. If you find details on any Ann Arbor events, please let us know.

Celebrate Kwanzaa Near Ann Arbor

These Ann Arbor Kwanzaa events are a great choice for your family – whether you have been celebrating Kwanzaa for years or want to learn more about the celebrations and introduce them to your children. We have found very few Kwanzaa events. Last year (2022), we found the details in late December. Our list has […]

This year Hanukkah overlaps with winter break. It starts at Nightfall on December 25 and runs through nightfall on January 2.

Family Feasts & Hanukkah Events Near Ann Arbor

Christmas is dominating our calendar and content lately. However, there are several Hanukkah Events in Ann Arbor for families on our calendar as well. These Ann Arbor Hanukkah Events are open to the general public. Additionally, we have found a number of options for local restaurants and markets that are offering Hanukkah specific holiday meals […]

And don’t miss New Year’s Celebrations. There are crafts early in the week and plenty of early celebrations on New Year’s Eve. And don’t miss the New Year’s Day events.

Thrill your Family at these Fabulous Ann Arbor New Years Celebrations

Are you looking for Ann Arbor Family New Years Celebrations? We have searched and found several fun kid-friendly New Year’s events around Ann Arbor. Of course any New Year’s Eve planning needs to take into account Michigan playing in the Reliaquest Bowl at noon (a rematch of last year’s Rose Bowl against Alabama) Ann Arbor […]

Winter Break Camps

Be sure to check out our list of  Winter Break Camps especially if you have to work during winter break . While there are camps both weeks, there are more camp options the second week of break.

From Sports to Arts: Ann Arbor’s Diverse Winter Break Camps

Are you looking for an Ann Arbor Winter Break Camp? Ann Arbor Public Schools is in session through Friday, December 20 and returns Monday, January 6. There are camp offerings both weeks of break. There are also several days off or mini-breaks in January and February – Martin Luther King Jr Day and Presidents Day is […]

Events from our Sponsors

Fun Activities for Winter Break

Ann Arbor offers so much fun for families that often get lost in our busy every day lives and finding the best events. Winter break is often a time that our lives are less busy and the local event calendar is not as full. That makes it a perfect time to explore other activities.

Winter break is always a great time to visit the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. They typically have Hands-On Holidays starting on December 26 with extra activities throughout the museum. It can be a great choice if you have family visiting. Members can bring grandparents for free and they offer reciprocal admission to members of certain other museums.

Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

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Check out the other local museums like UM’s Natural History Museum and the Henry Ford.

Ann Arbor Indoor Activities - Top 5 Ann Arbor Area Museums for Kids

Our Top 5 Ann Arbor Area Museums for Kids

Museums are a great choice year round. They are a great option for rainy summer days (or really hot days when the air conditioning is a welcome relief). They are...

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Check out some active ideas for winter break like Ice Skating (additional open skate times at A2 Parks are on our calendar below), Indoor Swimming opportunities, and bowling alleys.

Ice Skating Rinks Near Ann Arbor - a child learns to skate while holding hands of two parents.

Skate Your Heart Out: Unmissable Ice Skating Near Ann Arbor

There are several Ice Skating Rinks Near Ann Arbor. These both indoor ice rinks available year round, seasonally, and outdoor skating rinks open in winter.  As a child my favorite...

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Ann Arbor Indoor Pool Guide

Swim Year Round at These Indoor Pools Near Ann Arbor

My daughter has always loved swimming - no wonder she is on her high school team. When she was younger, I found that swimming periodically would help her maintain her...

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7 Bowling Alleys Near Ann Arbor - Father with Daughter holding bowling ball in front of a lane.

Score a Strike Bowling at Ann Arbor’s 7 Best Alleys

Get in the fast lane to fun at these Bowling Alleys in Ann Arbor area. Bowling is a great family activity that can appeal to a wide range of ages. With...

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It’s a perfect time to visit locations near campus like Pinball Pete’s without students around.

Ann Arbor Pinball Pete's - Entrance

Introduce the Kids to Retro 80s Fun At Pinball Pete’s

My husband and I grew up in the 80s when visiting the arcade was a regular activity. There were arcades in every shopping mall - often right outside the food...

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Now Playing

It’s almost time for Wicked: For Good which opens next weekend. Check out the Wicked Re-Release in select showings this weekend. In the meantime, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t opens this weekend

  • Wicked – PG
  • Now You See Me: Now You Don’t – PG-13
  • Predator: Badlands – PG-13
  • Regretting You – PG-13
  • Grand Prix of Europe – PG
  • Sarah’s Oil – PG
  • Nuremberg – PG-13
  • Springsteen – Deliver Me from Nowhere – PG-13
  • Tron: Ares – PG-13

Christmas Weekend

Winter break starts after school on Friday December 20. That gives us a whole weekend – and a day to enjoy activities before Christmas Eve & Day

Saturday, December 21 Highlights

❄️ 9:00am-1:00pm Cookie Decorating with Santa at Baker\’s Nook
❄️ 10:00am-11:00am Chickadee Chow Down at Kensington Metropark
❄️ 10:00am-1:00pm Fancy Face Mugs with Daria at Ann Arbor Art Center
❄️ 10:00am-5:00pm Santa Clause Picture Day at Ypsi Marketing & Print Company
❄️ 10:00am-12:00pm Winter Solstice Hike at Lake Erie Metropark
❄️ 10:00am-4:00pm Yspi Artisans Holiday Market at Ypsilanti Freighthouse
❄️ 10:30am-12:30pm Dungeons & Dragons Drop in for Teens at Ypsilanti District Library – Whittaker Rd
❄️ 11:00am-2:00pm Family Bowl with Santa at Station 300
❄️ 11:00am-1:00pm Santa Claus is Coming to Depot Town at Depot Town
❄️ 12:00pm-4:00pm Holiday Shopping Day for Parents! at Future Innovators Academy
❄️ 12:00pm-6:00pm Winter Fest Artists Market at Hear! Say Brewing & Theater
❄️ 12:00pm-7:00pm Wrap-a-palooza at Chelsea Robotics Center
❄️ 1:00pm-2:00pm Santa at Christina's Sweet Treats at Christina’s Sweet Treats
❄️ 2:00pm-5:00pm Fancy Face Mugs with Daria at Ann Arbor Art Center
❄️ 2:00pm-3:30pm Moo Deng Moment at Pittsfield Branch Library
❄️ 2:00pm-3:00pm Native American Dance and Cultural Program with Reg Pettibone at Downtown Branch of AADL
❄️ 2:00pm-3:00pm Sparkle Penguins at Malletts Creek Branch Library
❄️ 2:00pm-4:00pm Twisted Trees: Holiday Decor at SCRAP Creative Reuse
❄️ 2:00pm-4:00pm Winter Solstice Hike at Lake Erie Metropark
❄️ 3:00pm Randazzo Dance Company's The Nutcracker with a Twist at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre
❄️ 3:00pm The Elves and the Schumachers Two: Chanukah Boogaloo at Theatre Nova
❄️ 4:00pm-5:30pm GiftScrapping - Swap, Wrap, and Share! at Ypsilanti District Library – Michigan Ave Branch
❄️ 4:30pm-11:45pm Christmas Lights at
❄️ 7:00pm-8:00pm Holiday Ukulele Jam at Nickels Arcade
❄️ 7:00pm It's A Wonderful Life at Michigan Theater
❄️ 7:30pm The Elves and the Schumachers Two: Chanukah Boogaloo at Theatre Nova

Sunday, December 22 Highlights

❄️ 10:00am-4:00pm Yspi Artisans Holiday Market at Ypsilanti Freighthouse
❄️ 1:00pm-2:00pm Beaded Snowflakes at Pittsfield Branch Library
❄️ 1:00pm-5:00pm Santa Clause Picture Day at Ypsi Marketing & Print Company
❄️ 2:00pm-3:30pm A History of Mime in Ann Arbor with Performances by Michael Lee at Downtown Branch of AADL
❄️ 2:00pm The Elves and the Schumachers Two: Chanukah Boogaloo at Theatre Nova
❄️ 3:00pm-7:00pm Hanukkah Bazaar at Temple Beth Emeth
❄️ 3:00pm Randazzo Dance Company's The Nutcracker with a Twist at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre
❄️ 4:30pm-11:45pm Christmas Lights at

Week of Christmas

Monday, December 23 Highlights

❄️ 10:00am-5:00pm Hands-On Holidays at Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
❄️ 1:00pm-2:00pm Paddington Coloring! at Traverwood Branch of AADL
❄️ 3:00pm-4:00pm Winter Break Boredom Busters - Play-Doh at Ypsilanti District Library – Michigan Ave Branch
❄️ 3:00pm-4:00pm Winter Break STEAM at Ypsilanti District Library – Superior
❄️ 4:00pm-7:00pm Merry Town Santa at the Dairy at Washtenaw Dairy
❄️ 4:30pm-11:45pm Christmas Lights at
❄️ 6:00pm-7:30pm Ann Arbor 200 Film Series at Downtown Branch of AADL
❄️ 7:00pm It's A Wonderful Life at Michigan Theater

Tuesday, December 24 Highlights

In making your plans for December 24, be sure to check out our What’s Open on Christmas Eve & Day post for details on who is open & closed. We reorganized the list into categories this year to make it easier to use.

What’s Open or Closed on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

Are you wondering what is open on Christmas in Ann Arbor. I’ve scoured a number of places for family fun and their holiday hours. For Christmas Eve (December 24), my general assumption is that shopping is open during the day and closing around dinner time. Many other locations may have special hours. For Christmas, my default assumption […]

❄️ 4:00pm-7:00pm Santa on the Huron at Argo Nature Area
❄️ 4:30pm-11:45pm Christmas Lights at

Wednesday, December 25 Highlights

❄️ 4:30pm-11:45pm Christmas Lights at

Thursday, December 26 Highlights

❄️ 10:00am-11:00am Chickadee Chow Down at Kensington Metropark
❄️ 10:00am-5:00pm Hands-On Holidays at Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
❄️ 1:30pm-3:00pm Pizza & Games at Dexter District Library
❄️ 3:00pm-4:00pm Winter Break Boredom Busters - Ramp-palozza at Ypsilanti District Library – Michigan Ave Branch
❄️ 3:00pm-4:00pm Winter Break STEAM at Ypsilanti District Library – Superior
❄️ 4:00pm-5:00pm Kwanzaa Celebration & Kinara Lighting at Cadillac Square
❄️ 4:30pm-11:45pm Christmas Lights at
❄️ 5:15pm-7:15pm Chanukah on Ice at Ann Arbor Ice Cube
❄️ 6:00pm-7:30pm UMOJA -Opening Celebration & Candle Lighting at African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County

Pre-New Year’s Weekend

Friday, December 27 Highlights

❄️ 10:00am-5:00pm Hands-On Holidays at Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
❄️ 10:00am-11:30am K-5 Forest Fridays: Trees by Touch at Furstenberg Nature Area
❄️ 12:00pm-2:00pm The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa with Mama Jahra at Henry Ford Museum
❄️ 3:00pm-4:00pm Winter Break Boredom Busters - Exploring Art at Ypsilanti District Library – Michigan Ave Branch
❄️ 4:00pm-5:00pm Same Page Book Club at Northfield Township Area Library
❄️ 4:30pm-11:45pm Christmas Lights at
❄️ 6:00pm-8:00pm Christmas at the Mansion - Open House at Gordon Hall
❄️ 7:30pm The Elves and the Schumachers Two: Chanukah Boogaloo at Theatre Nova

Saturday, December 28 Highlights

❄️ 10:00am-11:00am Chickadee Chow Down at Kensington Metropark
❄️ 10:00am-5:00pm Hands-On Holidays at Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
❄️ 11:00am-12:00pm Drop-In Winter Wonderland Story & Crafts at Dexter District Library
❄️ 12:00pm-2:00pm UJIMA - Warming Center Donation Drive at African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County
❄️ 1:00pm-3:00pm Bullet Journaling: Plan Your Year! at Ypsilanti District Library – Michigan Ave Branch
❄️ 2:00pm-4:00pm New Year's Noise Makers at SCRAP Creative Reuse
❄️ 3:00pm The Elves and the Schumachers Two: Chanukah Boogaloo at Theatre Nova
❄️ 4:30pm-11:45pm Christmas Lights at
❄️ 7:30pm The Elves and the Schumachers Two: Chanukah Boogaloo at Theatre Nova

Sunday, December 29 Highlights

❄️ 10:00am-11:00am Chickadee Chow Down at Kensington Metropark
❄️ 10:00am-5:00pm Hands-On Holidays at Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
❄️ 1:30pm Mary Poppins at Michigan Theater
❄️ 2:00pm The Elves and the Schumachers Two: Chanukah Boogaloo at Theatre Nova
❄️ 4:30pm-11:45pm Christmas Lights at
❄️ 5:00pm-7:30pm Boards & Board Games at Zingerman’s Deli
❄️ 5:30pm Chanukah Festival & Gelt Drop at Liberty Plaza

New Year’s Week

Be sure to check for closures on New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day.

What’s Open on New Year’s Near Ann Arbor

Are you wondering what is open on New Years Eve in Ann Arbor? What about who is closed on New Year’s Eve Near Ann Arbor? I’ve scoured a number of places for family fun and their holiday hours. New Year’s Celebrations Don’t miss our list of Family New Year’s Events and Celebrations Closures Before New Years Eve […]

Monday, December 30 Highlights

❄️ 10:00am-5:00pm Hands-On Holidays at Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
❄️ 11:00am-12:00pm Drop-In New Year's Hat & Noisemaker Crafts at Dexter District Library
❄️ 2:00pm-3:00pm Beaded Animal Keychains at Traverwood Branch of AADL
❄️ 2:00pm-3:30pm K-5 Nature Crafts: Winter Celebration at Burns Park Warming Hut
❄️ 2:25pm New Year's Eve EVE Bouncy Ball Drop at Imagination Station
❄️ 3:00pm-4:00pm Winter Break Boredom Busters - Coding for All at Ypsilanti District Library – Michigan Ave Branch
❄️ 3:00pm-4:00pm Winter Break STEAM at Ypsilanti District Library – Superior
❄️ 4:30pm-11:45pm Christmas Lights at
❄️ 4:30pm-5:30pm Teen Graphic Novel Book Club at Northfield Township Area Library
❄️ 6:00pm-7:30pm Ann Arbor 200 Film Series at Downtown Branch of AADL
❄️ 6:00pm-7:30pm NIA - Young Royalty Day at African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County

Tuesday, December 31 Highlights

❄️ 10:00am-5:00pm Hands-On Holidays at Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
❄️ 10:00am-1:00pm Happy Noon Year at Toledo Zoo
❄️ 10:00am-12:00pm Noon Year's Eve Party at Henry Ford Museum
❄️ 11:00am-12:00pm Noon Year's Eve Party! at Downtown Branch of AADL
❄️ 11:30am-5:00pm Noon Year's Eve at Zion Lutheran Church
❄️ 11:30am-1:00pm Noon Years Eve Countdown Balloon Drop at Stone Chalet Events
❄️ 12:00pm-1:00am Family New Years Eve at Revel and Roll
❄️ 12:00pm-1:00am New Years Eve Bowling at Station 300
❄️ 12:00pm-4:00pm Reliaquest Bowl Game: Michigan vs Alabama at Emagine Saline
❄️ 12:30pm-1:00am Roll in the New Year at Pinz Bowling Center
❄️ 2:00pm-4:00pm Kuumba - Kid's Kwanzaa Party with Black Men Read at African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County
❄️ 4:00pm-7:00pm New Years Eve at Launch Trampoline
❄️ 4:30pm-11:45pm Christmas Lights at
❄️ 4:30pm-9:00pm Ma Lou's Prix Fixe NYE Dinner at Ma Lou’s
❄️ 8:00pm-10:00pm New Years Eve Skate at Veterans Ice Arena
❄️ 9:00pm-1:00am New Year's Party at BIG: Best in Games

Wednesday, January 1 Highlights

❄️ 12:00pm-1:00am Family New Years Eve at Revel and Roll
❄️ 12:00pm-1:00am New Years Eve Bowling at Station 300
❄️ 12:30pm-1:00am Roll in the New Year at Pinz Bowling Center
❄️ 9:00pm-1:00am New Year's Party at BIG: Best in Games
❄️ 9:00am-11:00am A Very Nice Run at Washtenaw Dairy
❄️ 10:00am-5:00pm Hands-On Holidays at Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
❄️ 10:00am-12:00pm New Year's Day Bird Walk at Gallup Park
❄️ 1:00pm-4:00pm First Day Hike at Island Lake Recreation Area
❄️ 2:00pm-3:30pm Imani - Closing Celebration at African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County
❄️ 4:30pm-11:45pm Christmas Lights at

Thursday, January 2 Highlights

❄️ 10:00am-5:00pm Hands-On Holidays at Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
❄️ 1:00pm-2:00pm Frozen Party! at Malletts Creek Branch Library
❄️ 2:00pm-3:00pm Cocoa & Crafts at Ypsilanti District Library – Whittaker Rd
❄️ 2:00pm-2:45pm Magic Show with Jeff Wawrzaszek at Downtown Branch of AADL
❄️ 3:00pm-4:00pm Winter Break STEAM at Ypsilanti District Library – Superior
❄️ 4:30pm-11:45pm Christmas Lights at
❄️ 8:00pm Eight Crazy Nights at Michigan Theater

Final Winter Break Weekend Highlights

School resumes on January 6. That leaves one more weekend after New Year’s to enjoy Winter Break.

Friday, January 3 Highlights

❄️ 10:00am-5:00pm Hands-On Holidays at Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
❄️ 10:00am-11:00am Indoor Nature Play Pop Up at Matthaei Botanical Gardens
❄️ 11:00am-12:00pm DIY Wood Sign Craft at Dexter District Library
❄️ 11:00am-12:00pm Pizza Stories & Craft at Traverwood Branch of AADL
❄️ 1:00pm-2:00pm Ready, Set, WRITE! with Kelly J Baptist at Pittsfield Branch Library
❄️ 4:30pm-11:45pm Christmas Lights at
❄️ 7:30pm The Elves and the Schumachers Two: Chanukah Boogaloo at Theatre Nova

Saturday, January 4 Highlights

❄️ 10:00am-5:00pm Hands-On Holidays at Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
❄️ 12:00pm-3:00pm Soldering Lab: Square Wave Oscillator at Downtown Branch of AADL
❄️ 1:00pm-2:00pm Gee’s Bend Paper Quilting at Malletts Creek Branch Library
❄️ 1:30pm-2:30pm Cookies and Canvas at Dexter District Library
❄️ 3:00pm-4:30pm Paper Quilling at Pittsfield Branch Library
❄️ 3:00pm The Elves and the Schumachers Two: Chanukah Boogaloo at Theatre Nova
❄️ 4:30pm-11:45pm Christmas Lights at
❄️ 7:30pm The Elves and the Schumachers Two: Chanukah Boogaloo at Theatre Nova

Sunday, January 5 Highlights

❄️ 10:00am-5:00pm Hands-On Holidays at Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
❄️ 11:00am-4:00pm Studio Ghibli Celebration 2025 at Downtown Branch of AADL
❄️ 2:00pm The Elves and the Schumachers Two: Chanukah Boogaloo at Theatre Nova
❄️ 4:30pm-11:45pm Christmas Lights at
❄️ 7:30pm Gemini's Birthday Celebration with Special Guest Emily & the Good Mischief Band at The Ark

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