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 2024 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 Kerrytown tree lighting ceremony never returned after COVID cancellations..
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 2024
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Santa Arrival
Briarwood Mall – 100 Briarwood Circle Ann Arbor
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
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. After the parade there will be festive performances from local community groups until 8p. We attended Santa's arrival several times when my daughter was in elementary school. It was usually a great night to visit Santa.
Saturday, November 30, 2024
Light up the Park Pinckney
Pinckney Farmers Market – Town Square Pinckney
Time: 4:30pm-7:00pm
Welcome Santa to light up Pinckney's town square for the holidays. Activities include 4:30p Cookie Crawl Starts Santa arrives 5-5:15p to Light up the Park with a Christmas Lights Countdown Photos with Santa & Mrs Claus and a giant 15' Reindeer Letters to Santa Mailbox Christmas Tree Trail - over 75 decorated trees Free Hot Cocoa Shop local businesses
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Depot Town Tree Lighting
Depot Town – Cross Street Ypsilanti
Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm
Make your plans for the Depot Town's Christmas extravaganza tree lighting. The fun starts at 5p with the tree lit at 5:30p with Santa, Mrs Claus, and the Ypsilanti Youth Choir.. Visit live reindeer and take free unicorn rides. Visit the petting farm with a mini horse, donkey, goats, sheep, bunnies, ducks and more. After the tree lighting, Santa will be in the freight house. Stop by for a visit - and to munch on Santa's cookies with hot chocolate and cider. And you'll be able to write your letter to Santa. Why not plan dinner at Maiz Mexican Cantinaread more…
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Palio Tree Lighting Ceremony
Palio – 347 S Main St Ann Arbor
Time: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Come to Palio's for their Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony of their rooftop tree There will be complimentary hot cocoa, coffee and sweets. Adults can purchase warm alcoholic beverages - or bring an ornament to trade for a glass of warm spiced wine. Santa will be making a visit and the carolers will be out.
Friday, December 6, 2024
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 from Lakehouse Bakery (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: 5:00pm-6:30pm
Join Ypsilanti for a fun tree lighting event outside the Ypsi District Library (Downtown Branch). Sing along with community members! Decorate cookies! Sip hot chocolate! Make an ornament! Visit the Bookmobile and stock up on holiday stories. Plus, there will be a photo op with Santa in his sleigh. This will happen on the Plaza of the Ypsilanti District Library - Michigan Avenue branch during First Friday.
Lite Up Dexter
Monument Park – 8000-8558 Ann Arbor St Dexter
Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm
Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce presents Light Up Dexter for Santa to visit Dexter on Friday, December 6 starting at 6p at Monument Park. Santa will lead the countdown for the tree lighting of over 85 trees. Kids are invited to meet Santa and get a FREE photo with Santa. There will also be warm cocoa after meeting Santa Holiday Trees will be up in Monument Park. The event is sponsored by Dexter Orthodontics and Aubree's.
Manchester Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
Downtown Manchester – Main Street Manchester
Time: 6:30pm
The Manchester Christmas Parade is part of the Christmas in the Village Celebration on December 1 & 2. The parade features lit floats and vehicles. The parade begins near the Emmanuel Church and heads down Main St to the Manchester Mill. The parade ends with Santa's arrival, his lighting of the tree, and then greeting children at the Mill. This year's theme is Grinchmas. More Grinchmas in the Village Events:
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Community Christmas Tree Lighting
Calvary Baptist Church – 7527 Whitmore Lake Rd Whitmore Lake
Time: 5:00pm
Come to the Community Christmas Tree Lighting at Whitmore Lake's Calvary Baptist Church. Activities include: Children's Cookie Decorating Station Children's Craft Decorating Station Heaven On A Roll & Cinnabon Food Trucks Guest Appearance by Frosty the Snowman
Tree Lighting Ceremony
KeyBank – 100 W. Michigan Ave Saline
Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm
Join Saline for their Tree Lighting Ceremony before the holiday parade. The event is a partnership of City of Saline, the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce, and KeyBank.. The Tree is in front of KeyBank at the corner of Michigan Ave & N. Ann Arbor St. Head to downtown for: noon-6p - Cocoa Crawl 5-6p Tree Lighting 5:30p - Merry Mile 6:15p - Holiday Parade (2023 event - waiting for 2024 updates) 7:30-8:30p - Photos with Santa at White Pine Studios.
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. 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, 2024
Dixboro Christmas
Dixboro Farmers Market – 5221 Church Rd Ann Arbor
Time: 3:00pm-7:00pm
Join the Holiday Celebration at the Dixboro Village Green. . Schedule: 3-7p Cookie Walk in Dixboro Church - $9/lb Starting at 5p Tree Lighting, Carolers on the Green Visit Santa Claus Note, we did not see exactly what time the tree lighting is.
Christmas in the Village & Holiday Stroll Through Webster Village
Webster Corners – 5484 Webster Church Rd Dexter
Time: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Bring your family to Historic Webster Village to enjoy the old-time holiday festivities, decked out in greenery and lit by candlelight, lanterns, and luminaires. The Arbor Consort, will stroll through the village, filling the night with music. The tree lighting will be at 5:15p When the school bell rings in the Podunk one-room schoolhouse, children will gather as they did when the school was built in 1846 to listen to a reading of the treasured American poem, “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Santa will be at the Old Town Hall. The village “smithy” will fire up the old forge atread more…
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 these wearable items.
Disclosure: Links below may be affiliate links. Ann Arbor with Kids receives a commission on sales. We appreciate your support by shopping through our links.
Past Tree Lightings Waiting for 2024 Updates
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 💙🎟 | December 2, 2023 5:30pm-7:30pm | Tree Lighting Ceremony & Glow Hike at Hudson Mills Metropark, Dexter Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | December 5, 2023 6:55pm-7:10pm | Holiday Tree Lighting at Northfield Township Area Library, Whitmore Lake 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 […]
Comments are closed.