Kickoff the holiday season with these Ann Arbor area Christmas Tree Lightings. Nothing quite captures the magic of the season better than seeing the big tree light up for the season.
We are still waiting for some 2025 events as noted below, but have information on the one we have found.
Christmas Tree Lightings Near Ann Arbor
A Christmas Tree Lighting in Ann Arbor is actually at the heart of how Ann Arbor with Kids got its start!
I was leading a playgroup and one family attended an Ann Arbor tree lighting ceremony in Ann Arbor where they turned on the lights. Other families did not know about the event. As the playgroup leader, I started keeping a list of local events. When my daughter started preschool, the other families were interested in my list – so I took it online.
While Ann Arbor no longer has a tree lighting, the site continues. And there are tree lighting ceremonies near Ann Arbor in surrounding communities.
The tree lighting ceremonies below each have different activities. Some include live music, others have photos with Santa. Food trucks offer dinner, or warm drinks at some tree lightings., Whatever they are offering, these annual Christmas tree lightings are a fun family tradition.
Check out all of the fun Ann Arbor Christmas Tree Lightings for 2025
Friday, November 7, 2025
Holiday Open House, Streetscape Lighting, Night Market
Downtown Tecumseh – Chicago Boulevard & S Maumee Tecumseh
Time: 10:00am-8:00pm
The holiday season starts early in Tecumseh. Their Holiday Open House is Friday & Saturday November 7&8. It features holiday specials, treats, and more. Don't miss grabbing recipe cards as you explore downtown. The Streetscape Lighting Ceremony will happen on Friday, November 7 at 7p The Night Market (4-8p) features holiday-themed vendors, hot cocoa, and Santa's house under the tree.
Friday, November 21, 2025
Santa's Arrival Parade
Briarwood Mall – 100 Briarwood Circle Ann Arbor
Time: 5:15pm-5:45pm
Join Briarwood Mall to welcome Santa. He'll parade from the JCPenney Court (starting at 6p) across the mall to the Santa set in the Von Maur Court. The parade includes a holiday concert and festive treats. We attended Santa's arrival several times when my daughter was in elementary school. It was usually a great night to visit Santa. One year, she was even the first to visit Santa. Note: This is considerably earlier than past years when it happened closer to 6p.
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Light up the Park Pinckney
Pinckney Farmers Market – Town Square Pinckney
Time: 4:30pm-7:30pm
Welcome Santa to light up Pinckney's town square for the holidays. Activities include 4:30p Cookie Crawl Starts at PCYDI Santa arrives 5:30p to Light up the Park with a Christmas Lights Countdown Photos with Santa in the gazebo Letters to Santa Mailbox Christmas Tree Trail - over 75 decorated trees Free Hot Cocoa at PCYDI Pony Rides with Hell Creek Equestrian Carolers under the big tree Kids Craft Tent Warming Barrels to stay cozy Shop local businesses Free Carriage Rides Arrive early to shop the Christmas Kringle Market
Friday, December 5, 2025
Chelsea Tree Lighting
Pierce Park – 901 S Main St Chelsea
Time: 5:00pm-6:30pm
Kick off Chelsea Hometown Holidays with a Tree Lighting on Friday night at Pierce Park. There will be free hot cocoa & pizza from Lakehouse Bakery & Cottage Inn (while supplies last) in the pavilion from 5-6p before the tree lighting ceremony. The Tree Lighting Ceremony will start at 6p. Santa will be on hand to help out. The tree lighting will be followed by Christmas sing-alongs.
Downtown Ypsilanti Tree Lighting
Ypsilanti District Library – Michigan Ave Branch – 229 West Michigan Avenue Ypsilanti
Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm
Join YDL for a festive kick-off to the last month of the year! Sip on hot chocolate, devour a cookie or two, and listen to singing and reading to celebrate the Downtown Tree Lighting. The celebration will feature the Ypsilanti Youth Choir, Black Men Read, and a special guest from the North Pole. Thank you to the Kiwanis Club of Ypsilanti, who is sponsoring a book giveaway, along with Black Men Read and Ann Arbor Rotary Club. Every one will get a chance to go home with a special surprise book! This will happen on the Plaza of the Ypsilantiread more…
Light Up Dexter
Monument Park – 8000-8558 Ann Arbor St Dexter
Time: 5:30pm-8:00pm
Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce presents Light Up Dexter for Santa to visit Dexter on Friday, December 5 starting at 6p at Monument Park. Get ready for an even bigger and better celebration this year – they've got some exciting surprises in store that you won’t want to miss! New for 2025 are Kids Crafts and Craft Vendors. 6p Santa Arrival & Tree Lighting New, Huge Community Tree Free Pictures with Santa 6-8p Free Holiday Balloon Animals 530-8p Free Kids Crafts 5:30-8p Craft Vendors - 3-8p Free Cookies & Cocoa The event is sponsored by Dexter Orthodontics and Aubree's.
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Manchester Christmas Parade &Tree Lighting
Downtown Manchester – Main Street Manchester
Time: 5:30pm
The Manchester Christmas Parade is part of the Christmas in the Village Celebration on December 6. This year's celebration will be a single day instead The parade features lit floats and vehicles. The parade typically begins near the Emmanuel Church and heads down Main St to the Manchester Mill. Traditionally, the parade ends with Santa's arrival, his lighting of the tree, and then greeting children at the Mill. The parade and tree lighting have traditionally been on Friday, with the switch to a single day event, the parade is announced for December 6, but no additional details. We assume theread more…
Superior Township Christmas Tree Lighting
Old Township Hall – 3040 Prospect Road Ypsilanti
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Superior Township is holding a Tree Lighting with Santa. Santa will light the Township Christmas Tree. The evening kicks off at 6:00pm with Santa lighting the tree, followed by Victorian Era Carolers, an ice carving demonstration, cookies & hot cocoa, warming fires to gather around, and of course pictures with Santa!!!
Dress Appropriately for the Tree Lighting
Make sure to dress warmly if the weather is cold. You may also want to bring warm beverages in a thermos.
Why leave the lights to the tree? Bring your own lights with wearable light necklaces, glow sticks, and more.
Past Tree Lightings Waiting for 2025 Updates
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 💙🎟 | December 2 5:30pm-7:30pm | Tree Lighting Ceremony & Glow Hike at Hudson Mills Metropark, Dexter Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | December 5 6:55pm-7:10pm | Holiday Tree Lighting at Northfield Township Area Library, Whitmore Lake Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | December 1 5:00pm-6:00pm | Depot Town Tree Lighting at Depot Town, Ypsilanti Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | December 3 5:00pm-7:00pm | Palio Tree Lighting Ceremony at Palio, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 🆓 | December 7 5:00pm | Community Christmas Tree Lighting at Calvary Baptist Church, Whitmore Lake Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | December 7 5:00pm-6:00pm | Tree Lighting Ceremony at KeyBank, Saline Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | December 14 3:00pm-7:00pm | Dixboro Christmas at Dixboro Farmers Market, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙 | December 14 5:00pm-7:00pm | Christmas in the Village & Holiday Stroll Through Webster Village at Webster Corners, Dexter Michigan |
Arbor Annie’s Guide to an Amazing Christmas
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 […]
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