Things to Do
How we spend the weekends.
Holiday celebrations, riverfront fireworks, slow walks through the metroparks, and the festivals we plan our summers around.
Festivals, Carnivals & Fairs
Riverview
Taste of Riverview & Beyond
November 20, 2026 · 6:30–9pm at Young Patriots Park.
Trenton
Trenton Downtown Winterfest
January 16, 2027 · 2–7pm downtown.
Holiday Events
Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park Pumpkin Smash
November 7, 2026 · 12–4pm at Council Point Park — bring your old jack-o'-lanterns.
Brownstown
Brownstown Thanksgiving Candy Bar Bingo
November 7, 2026 · 1–3pm at the Brownstown Community Center.
Rockwood
Rockwood Veterans Day Breakfast
Nov 10 · 8:00 am – 11:00 am, 2026 · at Rockwood Community Center.
Huron Twp
Huron Twp Veteran's Day Ceremony
November 15, 2026 · 2–3pm.
Westland
Wayne County Lightfest
November 19–December 24, 2026 · 6–10pm at Merriman Hollow Park — drive-through holiday lights. Opening night November 19 includes music, fireworks, refreshments, and Santa; Lights On ceremony attendees enter free from 6–6:30pm. Wednesday–Sunday, plus December 21–22.
Wyandotte
Wyandotte Tree Lighting
November 20, 2026 · 5:30pm downtown.
Allen Park
Allen Park Lighted Christmas Parade
Nov 20 · 6:30 pm, 2026 ·
Romulus
Romulus Gobble Wobble Turkey Trot
Nov 20 · 5:00 pm, 2026 · at Eagle Alley.
Wyandotte
Wyandotte Christmas Parade
November 21, 2026 · 10am–12pm downtown.
Taylor
Taylor Conservatory Tree Lighting
November 21, 2026 · 5pm at the Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Gardens.
Riverview
Riverview Tree Lighting Fireworks
Nov 21 · 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm, 2026 · at Young Patriots Park.
Wyandotte
Wyandotte Blitzen the Dotte Fun Run/Walk
November 21, 2026 · kids’ quarter-mile run at 8:30am behind Wyandotte Boat Club; 5K run/walk at 9am at Biddle & Pine.
Detroit
America's Thanksgiving Parade
November 26, 2026 · 8:45am downtown Detroit.
Flat Rock
Flat Rock Grateful Gallop (5K & 1Mile)
Nov 26 · 9:00 am – 10:30 am, 2026 · at Flat Rock Community Center.
Taylor
Taylor Santa's Magic Forest
November 27–29; December 4–6, 11–13 & 18–20, 2026 at Eureka Heights Elementary. Fridays 5–8pm; Saturdays and Sundays noon–8pm.
Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park Fantasyland
Grand opening November 28, 5–8pm, then Wed–Sun through December 24, 2026.
Wyandotte
Wyandotte Run the Lights
December 2, 2026 · 6:30pm from Joe's Hamburger.
Brownstown
Brownstown Tree Lighting
December 3, 2026 · 6–8pm at the Brownstown Community Center.
Southgate
Southgate Winter Wonderland & Santa Express
December 4–5, 2026 at Kiwanis Train Park — tree lighting and Santa train rides.
Grosse Ile
Grosse Ile Island Glow
December 4, 2026 · 5–8pm at The Commons — parade and tree lighting.
Wyandotte
Wyandotte Festive Fridays
December 4, 11 & 18, 2026 · 5–8pm at the Wyandotte Museum.
Southgate
Southgate "A Christmas Story" Stage Performance
December 4–12, 2026 with the Southgate Community Players.
Wyandotte
Wyandotte The Elves Impersonator/Elvis and the Sleigh Riders
December 4–6, 2026 at 2nd Street Performing Arts Center — Friday 7pm; Saturday 3pm and 7pm; Sunday 3pm.
Romulus
Romulus Tree Lighting
Dec 4 · 5:00 pm, 2026 · at Romulus Historical Park.
Southgate
Southgate Santa's Christmas Express Train Rides
December 4–5, 2026 · noon–4pm at Southgate Train Park, weather permitting.
Taylor
Taylor Winterfest Celebration — Parade & Fireworks
December 5, 2026 · 5pm at Heritage Park's Sheridan Pavilion.
Trenton
Trenton Downtown Noel Nights
December 5, 12 & 19, 2026 · 12–4pm around Trenton City Hall.
Trenton
Trenton Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
Dec 5 · 6:00 pm, 2026 ·
Taylor
Taylor Goodfellow's Winterfest 5K
December 5, 2026 · 9:30am at Heritage Park.
Brownstown
Brownstown Breakfast & Snacks with Santa
December 5, 2026 · breakfast 10am–12pm at the Community Center, snacks 10am–2pm at Lake Erie Metropark, sensory-friendly visit 1–2:30pm.
Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park Breakfast with Santa
December 5, 2026 · 10am–12pm.
Taylor
Taylor Pet Pictures with Santa
December 5, 2026 · 10am–1pm at the Taylor Animal Shelter.
Huron Twp
Huron Twp Cookies with Mrs. Claus
December 5, 2026 · 12–3pm at the Senior Barn & One Room Schoolhouse.
Romulus
Romulus Brunch with Santa
Dec 5 all day, 2026 · at Romulus Athletic Center.
Flat Rock
Flat Rock Model Train Depot Christmas Displays
December 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2026 · 1–4pm at FR Train Depot & Museum.
New Boston
Huron Twp Old Fashioned Hometown Christmas & Tree Lighting
December 6, 2026 · 3–7:30pm in downtown New Boston.
New Boston
Huron/New Boston Sunday with Santa
December 6, 2026 · 10am–3:30pm at the Oakwood Metropark Nature Center.
Brownstown
Brownstown Natural History of the Holidays
December 6, 2026 · 2–4pm at the Lake Erie Metropark Marshland Museum.
Grosse Ile
Grosse Ile Boar's Head Festival
December 10–13, 2026 · 6–9pm at Sacred Heart Church.
Allen Park
Allen Park Home for the Holidays
December 11–12, 2026 · 2–8pm downtown.
Southgate
Southgate Light Up Market Center Park
December 11, 2026 – January 3, 2027 · 6–10pm nightly at Market Center Park.
Allen Park
Allen Park Holiday Market
Dec 11 · 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, 2026 · at Allen Park Community Center.
Flat Rock
Flat Rock Jingle around the Rock
Dec 11 · 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, 2026 · at City Hall - Community Park.
Flat Rock
Flat Rock Jingle around the Rock Parade
Dec 11 · 6:00 pm, 2026 · at City Hall - Community Park.
Brownstown
Brownstown Carriage Rides & Cocoa
December 11, 2026 · 6–7pm at the Brownstown Event Center.
Brownstown
Brownstown Friday Night Holiday Fun
December 11 & 18, 2026 · 6–9pm at the Lake Erie Metropark Foodbar.
Southgate
Southgate Holidays at the Y
Dec 11 · 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, 2026 · at Downriver Family YMCA.
Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park Breakfast with Santa (Round 2)
December 12, 2026 · 10am–12pm.
Taylor
Taylor Jingle Bell Barn
December 12–13, 2026 · 11am–4pm at the Heritage Park Petting Farm.
Wyandotte
Wyandotte Shop the Dotte — Midnight Madness
December 18, 2026 · all day downtown — late-night holiday shopping.
Grosse Ile
Grosse Ile Ugly Sweater Dance
December 18, 2026 · 6–8pm at Centennial Farm — for grades 3–5.
Taylor
Taylor Winterfest Stroll
December 18–23, 2026 · 6–7:30pm nightly at Heritage Park.
Romulus
Romulus Wreaths Across America
Dec 19 · 12:00 pm, 2026 · at Romulus Memorial Cemetery.
Grosse Ile
Grosse Ile Elf Workshop
December 19, 2026 · 10am–1pm at Centennial Farm.
Southgate
Southgate Noon Years Eve Kids Event
December 31, 2026 · 11:30am–1pm at Parkside Gardens — a kid-friendly countdown.
Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park Easter Egg Hunt
March 21, 2027 · 1–2pm at the Lincoln Park Bandshell.
Other
Wyandotte
Wyandotte Music Bingo Fundraiser
November 4, 2026 · 6–9pm at the F.O.P. Lounge.
Grosse Ile
Grosse Ile Ladies Night Out
Nov 6 · 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm, 2026 · at Macomb Commons.
Southgate
Southgate Shop Small Spectacular
November 28, 2026 · listed as all-day.
Trenton
Small Business Saturday — Trenton & Wyandotte
November 28–29, 2026 · Downtown Trenton: November 28 at noon through November 29 at 5pm. Shop the Dotte in Wyandotte: November 28 from 9am.
Riverview
Riverview Sip & Paint
Dec 4 · 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm, 2026 · at Riverview City Hall.
Trenton
Trenton Rotary Blood Drive
Dec 14 · 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm, 2026 · at Westfield Center.
Southgate
Southgate Diamonds & Denim
January 23, 2027 · 6–11pm at Crystal Gardens.
Year-Round Favorites
Wyandotte
Wyandotte Third Friday
Downtown stays open late one Friday a month — shops, music, and street food.
Indoor/Outdoor Family Activities
Woodhaven
Funtastic! Play Center
Indoor playground fun for younger kids.
Brownstown
X-Golf Downriver
Golf simulators for practice or a casual round with friends.
Woodhaven
Rev'd Up Fun
Go-karts, arcade, laser tag, and axe throwing under one roof.
Taylor
The Lanes at 2|42
Bowling, family events, and a modern hangout vibe.
Taylor
Skore Lanes
Classic bowling and arcade games for a low-key night out.
Allen Park
Thunderbowl Lanes
A big local bowling spot for league nights and parties.
Southgate
MJR Southgate Cinema 20
First-run movies and comfy recliners.
Taylor
Cinemark Southland Center XD
Blockbuster releases with XD big-screen format.
Woodhaven
Emagine Woodhaven
Another great movie option with reserved seating.
Taylor
Airborne Adventure Park
Trampolines, climbing, and adventure attractions.
Taylor
Main Event
Arcade games, bowling, and food for the whole crew.
Allen Park
Allen Park Civic Arena
Public skating sessions and ice-related events.
Taylor
Taylor Sportsplex
Hockey and skating programs for all ages.
Southgate
Downriver YMCA
Family swims, activities, and year-round fitness programs.
Brownstown
Lake Erie Metropark
Beach, marsh trails, and seasonal family programming.
Flat Rock
Oakwoods Metropark
Quiet trails and a nature center good for all ages.
Taylor
Heritage Park
Large park with a petting farm, splash pad, and open green space.
Wyandotte
Bishop Park
Riverside park with a pool, playground, and summer concerts.
Trenton
Elizabeth Park
Riverfront park with a playground, disc golf, and festival grounds.
Trenton
Rotary Park
Shaded picnic areas and a relaxed riverfront setting.
Flat Rock
Huroc Park
Small riverside park with a fishing pier and walking paths.
Trenton
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
Easy trails and wildlife viewing along the river.
Belleville
Lower Huron Metropark
River trails, picnic spots, and a water park in summer.
New Boston
Crosswinds Marsh
Boardwalks and wetland views for a slow family walk.
Flat Rock
Mill Creek Park
Local park with trails, sports fields, and playground space.
Riverview
Riverview Highlands Golf Course
Beginner-friendly golf course and driving range.
Brownstown
Sportway of Brownstown
Mini golf, go-karts, and outdoor family attractions.
Belleville
Turtle Cove Family Aquatic Center
Water slides, lazy river, and pools for summer splash days.
Marshes & Preserves
Trenton
Trenton First Thursday Hikes
November 5 & December 3, 2026 · 2–3:30pm at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge — hike the Orange Trail through Humbug Marsh with Ranger Todd. Cancelled in rain.
Trenton
Trenton Take a Hike Day
Nov 7 · 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm, 2026 · at Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.
Grosse Ile
Grosse Ile Winter Adaptation Hibernation
November 8, 2026 · 1–2:30pm at Meridian Woods — a nature walk on how critters get ready for winter.
Brownstown
Brownstown Winter Solstice Hike
December 21, 2026 · 6–8pm from the Lake Erie Metropark Marshland Museum entrance.
New Boston
Oakwoods Metropark
32911 Willow Rd — quiet trails, nature center, and good birding.
New Boston
Crosswinds Marsh
27600 Haggerty Rd — boardwalks over a 1,000-acre wetland. Bring binoculars.
Southgate
Southgate Nature Center
15475 Leroy St — small, tucked-away spot the kids love.
Brownstown
Sibley Prairie Nature Preserve
26360 West Rd — restored West Prairie, wildflowers in summer.
Trenton
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
5437 W Jefferson Ave — the only international wildlife refuge in North America.
Grosse Ile
Grosse Ile Nature & Land Conservancy
26700 Meridian Rd — preserved island woods and marshland.
Grosse Ile
Gibraltar Bay Nature Area
28820 E River Rd — part of the wildlife refuge, easy island walk.
Grosse Ile
Hennepin Marsh
Meridian Rd — a peaceful island marsh restoration.
Brownstown
Marshlands Museum & Nature Center
32481 W Jefferson Ave — small museum inside Lake Erie Metropark.
Brownstown
Lake Erie Metropark
32481 W Jefferson Ave — marshes, beach, and the famous Hawk Watch in fall.
New Boston
Willow Metropark
23200 S Huron Rd — pond, trails, and a sleepy summer afternoon.
Know a festival, market, or hidden park I should write about next? Send it over — I'm always taking recommendations from neighbors and visitors alike.