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 2023 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 2023
Sunday, November 26, 2023
<h4>Light up the Park Pinckney</h4>Pinckney Farmers Market – Town Square Pinckney
Time: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Welcome Santa to light up Pinckney's town square for the holidays. Activities include Photos with Santa Meet Santa's Reindeer Christmas Tree Trail - over 30 decorated trees Enjoy Hot Cocoa Shop local businesses
<h4>Depot Town Tree Lighting</h4>Depot Town – Cross Street Ypsilanti
Time: 5:30pm
Make your plans for the Depot Town's Christmas extravaganza tree lighting. The big tree across from Sidetracks will be lit at 5:30p. This year is planned to be bigger than ever! Visit live reindeer and take free unicorn rides. Go Christmas Caroling with Crystal Harding children's choir. And there will be a giant cookie extravaganza with hot chocolate and cider in the freighthouse after the lighting. Santa will also have gifts for all the kids. Why not plan dinner at Maiz Mexican Cantina either before or after the lighting. They offer Kids Eat Free on Sunday nights.
Friday, December 1, 2023
<h4>Chelsea Tree Lighting</h4>Pierce Park – 901 S Main St Chelsea
Time: 5:00pm-6:30pm
Kick off Chelsea Hometown Holidays with a Tree Lighting on Friday night. There will be free pizza from Jet's and 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. Other Hometown Holiday Events Learn more about Hometown Holiday. We have also identified a few other Family Friendly events as part of Hometown Holiday
<h4>Manchester Christmas Parade</h4>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. More Christmas in the Village Events:
Saturday, December 2, 2023
<h4>Tree Lighting Ceremony</h4>KeyBank – 100 W. Michigan Ave Saline
Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm
Join Saline for their Tree Lighting Ceremony. This year it moves to Saturday - right before the annual 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 7:30-8:30p - Photos with Santa at White Pine Studios.
<h4>Tree Lighting Ceremony & Glow Hike</h4>Hudson Mills Metropark – 8801 N. Territorial Rd Dexter
Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm
Kick off the holiday season at Hudson Mills' annual Tree Lighting & Glow Hike! Come dressed in your most festive light up or glowing apparel and join them on a hike along the glowing nature trail. The hike ends at the Tree Lighting. Then gather at the amphitheater to warm up around the fire and enjoy hot cocoa and treats. The hike will traverse a .5-mile path along slightly hilly, mixed gravel and grass trails. Advance registration is required by December 1 at 4p
<h4>Superior Township Christmas Tree Lighting</h4>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.
Events from our Sponsors
 Just Between Friends Consignment SaleSeptember 25-29 |  First Steps Trike-a-Thon 2024Saturday, October 5 |  JLC Book SaleOctober 23-26, 2024 |
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
<h4>Holiday Tree Lighting</h4>Northfield Township Area Library – 125 Barker Rd Whitmore Lake
Time: 6:55pm-7:10pm
Join Northfield Township Library for their annual tree lighting. The Whitmore Lake High School marching band will provide holiday music. Santa will light up the tree. Last year they cautioned that the library lot will fill quickly. Additional parking available at Living Water Church - 200 Barker Rd
Friday, December 8, 2023
<h4>Light Up Dexter</h4>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 8 from 6-7:30p at Monument Park. Kids are invited to meet Santa and get a FREE photo with Santa. There will also be hot chocolate, cookies, and fun light-up bracelets fro the kids. Then, Santa will lead the countdown for the tree lighting spectacle at 7:30p. Holiday Trees will be up in Monument Park. The event is sponsored by Dexter Orthodontics.
Saturday, December 9, 2023
<h4>Dixboro Christmas</h4>Dixboro Farmers Market – 5221 Church Rd Ann Arbor
Time: 4:00pm-6:00pm
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 5:15-6:30p Visit Santa in the Schoolhouse Note, we did not see exactly what time the tree lighting is.
<h4>Community Christmas Tree Lighting</h4>Calvary Baptist Church – 7527 Whitmore Lake Rd Whitmore Lake
Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm
Come to the Community Christmas Tree Lighting at Whitmore Lake's Calvary Baptist Church. They have no additional information (as of November 20), but last year they had live music, food trucks, and a photo booth. Frosty the Snowman will be making a guest appearance.
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.
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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