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.

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
Mom Among Chaos Macomb 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

Christmas Tree Lightings & Parades in Washtenaw County

Check out all of the fun Ann Arbor Christmas Tree Lightings & Holiday Parades in Washtenaw County

Note: We are currently updating the list for 2018. Several groups have not yet updated their listings for 2018

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Annual Tree Lighting Festival

Kerrytown Market & Shops – 407 N. Fifth Avenue Ann Arbor
Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm
Join Kerrytown Market & Shops as Santa lights the tree in Kerrytown's courtyard. There will also be candle luminaries and Christmas carols.

Friday, November 30, 2018

A Manor Christmas

Concordia University – 4090 Geddes Rd Ann Arbor
Time: 2:00pm-7:00pm
Concordia University Ann Arbor invites you to attend their second A Manor Christmas. Tours of the historic Earhart mansion decorated for the season, a European-style Christmas market, and festive entertainment will make for a truly memorable and very merry weekend. There will be a Tree Lighting Ceremony beginning at 5:30p on Friday. Christkindlmarkt Experience the merriment of the season with our traditional European-style Christmas market. Artisans, greens, and seasonal foods will be located along the outdoor pathways of the Earhart Manor. Vendors will also be selling items in a heated tent. There are more food options in 2018. The historic greenhouseread more…

9th Annual 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 1. Christkindlmarket Christkindlmarket 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. This year they've added a heated tent to keep guests warm. 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. Children's Lantern Parade Families are invited to join the Children's Lantern Parade whichread more…

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Saline's 43rd Annual Christmas Parade

Downtown Saline – Michigan Ave & North Ann Arbor St Saline
Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm
Saline will be holding their 43rd Annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 2.  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.

14th Annual Chelsea Lights Parade

Downtown Chelsea – Main St and Middle St Chelsea
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Join Chelsea Hometown Holidays for their 14th 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. Join Lights Out After the Parade at the Clocktower Commons. There will be music, s'mores fire pits, hot chocolate, & a photo booth.

Friday, December 7, 2018

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.  

2017 events not yet updated

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Tree Lighting Ceremony

KeyBank – 100 W. Michigan Ave Saline
Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm
Join Saline for their Tree Lighting Ceremony. There will be cookies, cocoa, and music. The Tree is in front of KeyBank at the corner of Michigan Ave & N. Ann Arbor St.

Friday, December 1, 2017

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 1 and 2. The parade features lit floats. It starts at 6:30p on Friday, December 1.

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Milan Christmas Parade

Downtown Milan – Main St Milan
Time: 6:00pm
Head to Milan for their annual Christmas Parde. The parade will start on W. Main St near Mold Pro and head east to Wabsh St where it will end at Wilson Park. There will be floats, walkers, horses, bands, and more. The parade concludes with the lighting of the Milan Christmas Tree and a visit from Santa.   

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 and Christmas carols. There will also be cookies and hot chocolate.

Manchester Christmas Tree Lighting

Wurster Park Manchester – 215 W Main St Manchester
Time: 7:00pm-8:30pm
Manchester is wrapping up their 2017 Christmas in the Village with a Tree Lighting. The event will be at Wurster Park.