From virtual architectural tours to visits with Santa (by appointment, of course), check out these events happening throughout Metro Detroit this month
By Jola Hymeti
Featured photo via the Detroit Zoo’s Facebook
Dec 1
City Institute Series: Land Use & Sustainability

6:30 – 7:30 pm
Detroit Experience Factory
Does the mention of solar farms and urban beekeeping get you buzzing? Sign up for this one-hour virtual event, which will give you insight on sustainability and land use in Detroit. Tickets are free at calendar.time.ly but donations are encouraged to help support Detroit Experience Factory and their events.
Dec 1 – 31
Marvel Exhibit
9:30 am – 5 pm
The Henry Ford Museum
20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn
Calling all superhero lovers! Explore over 300 artifacts including Marvel’s iconic comic books, costumes and props, and dive into the world of Captain America, Spider-Man, Black Panther and more with immersive set pieces, soundscapes and interactive elements. Tickets for general admission ($35), senior ($32.50), youth ($28.75), and members ($10) are all available at thehenryford.org. Children four and under are admitted free.
Dec 2
Light Up Beacon Park

6 – 10 pm
Beacon Park
1903 Grand River Ave, Detroit
Visit Beacon Park with friends and family to experience an outdoor winter wonderland. Open seven days a week from 6-10 p.m., you’re free to enjoy interactive holiday-themed lighting and 125,000 twinkling LED lights that make for a picture-perfect backdrop. Social-distancing and masks will be enforced for guests’ safety. Visit downtowndetroitparks.com for more information and event guidelines.
Dec 4, 5 & 6
Rebel Nell Holiday Market
12 – 8 pm
The Congregation
9321 Rosa Parks Blvd. Detroit
Rebel Nell and The Congregation are hosting a three-day holiday shopping event to showcase small businesses within the community. A list of participating vendors is coming soon! Check Facebook for updates. Masks and social distancing will be required.
Dec 4 – 28
Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village

6:30 – 10 p.m.
Greenfield Village
20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn
Dec 5
Holiday Wreath Workshop
11 am – 1 pm
Provisions Wyandotte
110 Sycamore St, Wyandotte
At the Freesia Collective’s Holiday Wreath Workshop you’ll learn how to craft a one-of-a-kind wreath while sipping on champagne (or BYO beverage of choice). Tickets are $58 per person and include all tools and materials you will need for the class. Seats are limited so snag a spot soon!
Dec 6 – 24
Birmingham Santa House

10 am – 3 pm & 10 am – 7 pm
Shain Park
270 W Merrill St, Birmingham
Santa’s taking appointments this year! Schedule a stop at his “home” under the pavilion in Shain Park, where visits will be socially distanced and families are asked to wear masks while they wait (you can remove them for photos). Book your appointment here.
Dec 6
Virtual Holiday Book Fair

12 – 5 pm
The Detroit Writing Room
Take part in The Detroit Writing Room’s second annual holiday book fair, where you can virtually connect with 20 local and national fiction, nonfiction, memoir, self-help and children’s authors. Each author will each speak for 10 minutes with a 5-minute Q&A portion. Check out the schedule and purchase tickets for $15 at eventbrite.com.
Dec 9 – 31
Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo

Sundays 5 – 9 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays 5 – 10:30 pm
The Detroit Zoo
8450 W 10 Mile Rd, Royal Oak
Take in the sights of over 5 million LED lights illuminating trees, buildings, and 280+ sculptures at Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo. Tickets range from $15-$20 plus an $8 parking fee for each vehicle; children under two are admitted free. This is an outdoor event so dress accordingly. Capacity is limited so secure your tickets in advance at store.detroitzoo.org.
Dec 11
Lathrup Village Tree Lighting
7 – 9 pm
Lathrup Village
27400 Southfield Rd, Lathrup Village
Join the City of Lathrup Village for its annual tree lighting ceremony. Enjoy hot beverages, fun giveaways and an appearance from Santa at this family-friendly outdoor event. The tree is scheduled to light at 8 p.m., and social distancing and masks are required.
Dec 27
Virtual Tour: Women Entrepreneurs of Detroit
2 – 3 pm
Detroit Experience Factory
This educational and inspiring virtual tour will introduce participants to some of Detroit’s most innovative women-led projects. Registration is free, but required in advance. Sign up at eventbrite.com.
Dec 31
Virtual Tour: Detroit Architecture Beyond Downtown

7 – 8 pm
Detroit Experience Factory
Join Detroit Experience Factory founder Jeanette Pierce on this virtual tour of the awe-inspiring architecture throughout downtown Detroit and beyond. Learn about everything from prolific architects to the stories behind some of the city’s most historic masterpieces, along with buildings designed by Black architects. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at eventbrite.com.
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