Kickoff the holiday season by heading to one of the many Christmas tree lightings. Even better, several of the tree lighting ceremonies include a Christmas parade. Festive lighting evening holiday parades are lots of fun – as long as it isn’t too cold. We also have information on daytime parades.

Note: If you know of one we missed, let us know in the comments.

Ann Arbor Christmas Tree Lightings

Check out all of the fun Ann Arbor Christmas Tree Lightings

Friday, November 15, 2019

Tree Lighting Ceremony

Briarwood Mall – 100 Briarwood Circle Ann Arbor
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Briarwood Mall is holding a Tree Lighting Ceremony in the JCPenney Court and a welcome to Santa. There will be cookies, cocoa, and cider. There will be music from Voice in Harmony, The Saline Fiddlers, and more.The Salvation Army will kick off their Kettle Ringing and Angel Tree Drive.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Depot Town Tree Lighting

Depot Town – Cross Street Ypsilanti
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Join Depot Town for a fun tree lighting event. Santa and his live reindeer will be at the lighting. The Ypsi Community Choir will lead Christmas Carols. There will be Free Hot Cider, Hot Chocolate, and Cookies.After the tree lighting, follow Santa to the Auto Museum across the street for more caroling and letters to Santa.Why not plan dinner at Maiz Mexican Cantina either before or after the lighting. They offer Kids Eat Free on Sunday nights.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Annual Tree Lighting Festival

Kerrytown Market & Shops – 407 N. Fifth Avenue Ann Arbor
Time: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Join Kerrytown Market & Shops as Santa lights the tree in Kerrytown's courtyard. There will also be candle luminaries and Christmas carols.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Tree Lighting Ceremony

KeyBank – 100 W. Michigan Ave Saline
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Join Saline for their Tree Lighting Ceremony. There will be cookies from Benny's Bakery and coffee and cocoa from Carrigan Cafe, and music. The Tree is in front of KeyBank at the corner of Michigan Ave & N. Ann Arbor St.

Holiday Tree Lighting

Northfield Township Area Library – 125 Barker Rd Whitmore Lake
Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm
Join Northfield Township Library for their annual tree lighting.There will be music from the Whitmore Lake High School Band and a visit from Santa.Register for the event in advance.

Friday, December 6, 2019

Downtown Ypsilanti Tree Lighting

Ypsilanti District Library – Downtown – 229 West Michigan Avenue Ypsilanti
Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm
Join Ypsilanti for a fun tree lighting event. Start at 5:30p with cookie decorating and hot chocolate. At 6p, there will be caroling led by Ypsilanti Community Choir followed by a visit from Santa. This will happen on the Plaza of the Ypsilanti District Library - Michigan Avenue branch.  Note: The library event calendar says 4:30-5:30p & the details say it starts at 5:30p. Last year it was at 5:30p. We will follow up to confirm the time.

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Milan Christmas Parade - Everything Old is New Again

Downtown Milan – Main St Milan
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Head to Milan for their annual Christmas Parade.Santa will arrive on Thomas the Train at the end of the parade.The parade is along Main Street, beginning on West Main and ending at the Old Fire Barn where the mayor will give Santa a key to the city. There will be music, tree lighting and then children can visit with Santa for photos and a goody bag. Downtown will have extended shopping hours, there will also be artisan vendors and food trucks.Be sure to check out the After the Parade Facebook event for more details on the other activities.

Superior Township Christmas Tree Lighting

Old Township Hall – 3040 Prospect Road Ypsilanti
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Superior Township is holding a Tree Lighting with Santa. There will be time for pictures with Santa, Christmas carols, and ice carving demo. There will also be cookies and hot chocolate.

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Holiday Celebration

Dixboro Farmers Market – 5221 Church Rd Ann Arbor
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Join the Holiday Celebration at the Dixboro Village Green. There will be a tree lighting, carols, and a visit with Santa. 

Ann Arbor Christmas Parades

Friday, December 6, 2019

KindleFest & Midnight Madness

Kerrytown Market & Shops – 407 N. Fifth Avenue Ann Arbor
Time: 4:00pm-10:00pm
There will be lots of activity in Kerrytown Market & Shops and the Ann Arbor Farmers Market on Friday, December 6.Kids ZoneA KidsZone was introduced in 2018 and returns for 2019. It will run from 4-6p with crafts, games, and entertainment. Plus Santa.ChristkindlmarketChristkindlmarket is an annual free outdoor holiday market. There will be local and regional artisans selling hand-crafted ornaments, toys, and gifts. There will also be German foods, sweets and beverages. There will also be live music and S'more Roasting. The Christkindlmarket is held in the Ann Arbor Farmers Market and will be open from 4-10p. For safety reasons,read more…

Manchester Christmas Parade

Downtown Manchester – Main Street Manchester
Time: 6:30pm
The Manchester Christmas Parade is part of the Christmas in the Village Celebration on December 6 & 7. The parade features lit floats.

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Saline's 44th Annual Christmas Parade

Downtown Saline – 10 North Ann Arbor St Saline
Time: 5:30pm-9:00pm
Saline will be holding their 44th Annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 7. We've attended the parade in the past. Be sure to bundle up, particularly if it's cold outside. Also, note that the parade includes performances at the grandstand, so there can be gaps in the parade past the grandstand or stoppages before the grandstand.Refreshments from Brewed Awakenings and Carrigan Cafe will be available for purchase near the grandstand.

15th Annual Chelsea Lights Parade

Downtown Chelsea – Main St and Middle St Chelsea
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Join Chelsea Hometown Holidays for their 15th Annual Chelsea Lights Parade along Main Street. The parade will include lights, floats bands, and of course Santa. Parade starts at Chelsea State Bank and travels north on Main Street to Jackson. It does not cross the train tracks. 

Milan Christmas Parade - Everything Old is New Again

Downtown Milan – Main St Milan
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Head to Milan for their annual Christmas Parade.Santa will arrive on Thomas the Train at the end of the parade.The parade is along Main Street, beginning on West Main and ending at the Old Fire Barn where the mayor will give Santa a key to the city. There will be music, tree lighting and then children can visit with Santa for photos and a goody bag. Downtown will have extended shopping hours, there will also be artisan vendors and food trucks.Be sure to check out the After the Parade Facebook event for more details on the other activities.

Christmas in Ida Parade

Downtown Ida – Lewis Avenue Ida
Time: 7:00pm-10:00pm
Ida Michigan hosts a large light parade with more than 130 illuminated and animated entries. The parade fun kicks off at 6p with a fun run on the parade route, followed by a fireworks show at Monroe Community College at 6:30p, and the parade at 7. After the parade entries will be in the school parking lot for pictures until 10p. Arrive earlier in the day for more Christmas fun like craft & vendor shows, Santa's Zoo, Video Game Truck, Story time with Santa & Mrs Claus, and more.

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Dexter Daze Light Parade

Mill Creek Park – Alpine St Dexter
Time: 5:30pm-6:00pm
The 2nd Annual Dexter Daze Light Parade will be held after the Holiday Hustle.

Check out all of the fun Ann Arbor Christmas Tree Parades

Christmas Tree Lightings & Parades Near Me

Note, the map is still based on 2018. It will be updated for 2019 shortly.

We’ve summarized the Tree Lightings and Parades on this map. You’ll find links to the event on the legend

Southeast Michigan Christmas Tree Lightings & Parades

Tree lightings and holiday parades can be worth a drive. So, I’ve collaborated with several other sites to bring you events throughout Southeast Michigan.

Mrs Weber’s Neighborhood: Livingston County Tree Lighting Ceremonies and Christmas Parades
Metro Detroit Mommy Oakland County Tree Lighting Ceremonies and Christmas Parades
Redesigning Happiness Wayne County Tree Lighting Ceremonies and Christmas Parades

Ann Arbor Christmas

For more Ann Arbor Christmas fun, be sure to check out our Christmas Guide. It includes where to find Santa, Holiday Lights, Christmas Trees, and more.