50 Festive Seasonal Shows and Attractions Happening in Metro Detroit

On By Littum

Take a break from holiday stress and planning and stop and smell the holly.

The next several weeks will be filled with opportunities to enjoy Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or the winter solstice season by coming out and attending a holiday-themed show. While new productions come through town as touring shows every year, there are many longtime favorites that families adopt as part of their early traditions.

One of them is “The Nutcracker”, which is performed by dance companies, both locally and internationally.

In Macomb next month, the Macomb Ballet Company will perform the Tchaikovsky classic for the 23rd time as part of the company’s 43rd season. Artistic director Amber Michalik said they strive to keep things interesting year after year because many of the audience members return as part of their holiday routine.

“Each year we make pretty significant changes to the show to try to keep it new and exciting, but still maintain the tradition of ‘The Nutcracker,'” she said, adding that the show, June 6-8. December at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, features 100 dancers ranging from age 8 to adult.

“I think the most exciting thing about ‘The Nutcracker’ is that it’s family-friendly. Kids don’t get bored. We move quickly from one scene to the next and there’s so much color,” she said, adding that in addition to being a live set, there are also high-energy dancers and comedic moments.

Although the show is designed to capture the attention of all ages, including toddlers, the Macomb Ballet Company is also hosting the Nutcracker Tea on Dec. 7, where little ones can meet the characters, make crafts, and hear stories in a space decorated like Country of Land of Sweets.

The holiday season is a great time to support the arts, and many local theater companies, dance groups and symphonies rely on this time of year to keep them funded for the rest of the calendar.

“Achieving our goals and our mission to bring art to the community is very important to the success and longevity of our company,” Michalik said. “We have more than one ball every year, but this is our bread and butter.”

Read on for our list of 50 shows, productions, concerts and light attractions taking place now through the end of the year.

Holiday theater events

“A Christmas Carol,” Meadow Brook Theatre, Nov. 22-Dec. 22

“The Nutcracker” with State Ballet Theater of Ukraine, Music Hall Center for Performing Arts, Nov. 23

“A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Fox Theatre, at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 18.30 24 November

Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Show, Masonic Cathedral Theatre, at 19 Nov 25

Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical,” Fox Theatre, 9 performances Nov. 27-Dec. 1

“The Nutcracker” with Plymouth-Canton Ballet Company, Plymouth Salem High School Auditorium, 3-4. December

More: The ballet company’s pirouettes from theft: ‘The Nutcracker’ continues

“The Christmas Collection”, an original holiday sketch show, Planet Ant Theatre, 5-7, 12-14 and 20.-21. December

“The Nutcracker” with Macomb Ballet Company, Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, June 6-8. December

“The Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet,” Fox Theatre, 8 Dec

“The Nutcracker” with Dearborn Symphony Orchestra, Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, three shows 7-8. December

“Christmas in the Air” Broadway Revue, Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, December 14

“‘Twas the Night Before…” by Cirque du Soleil, Fox Theatre, 20 performances 20-31. December

“Vacation Detroit” with Voyageur College Prep Dance Department, Music Hall, December 19

“Snow Queen” with Grand Kyiv Ballet, Music Hall, 26 Dec

Classical music Christmas

Twelfth Night Singers’ “Comfort and Joy,” Zion Lutheran Church in Ferndale, Nov. 24

Viennese Boys’ Choir “Christmas in Vienna,” Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Nov. 24

Dearborn Symphony “A Heartwarming Holiday,” Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, Nov. 24

Detroit Symphony Orchestra, sensory-friendly holiday concert, Community House in Birmingham, December 4

Detroit Symphony Orchestra “Ellington & The Nutcracker,” The orchestra hall, 6.-8. December

“A Charlie Brown Christmas: Cyrus Chestnut and Friends,” Orchestra Hall, 6 Dec

Handel’s “Messiah” with Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and UMS Choral Union, Hill Auditorium, 7-8 December

Tecumseh Pops Orchestra and Community Chorus Holiday Concert, Tecumseh Center for the Arts, December 8

Michigan Philharmonic “Holiday Pops,” First United Methodist Church, 12-13 December

Mannheim Steamroller by Chip Davis, Fox Theatre, 13 Dec

Detroit Symphony Orchestra “Home for the Holidays,” Orchestra hall, 13.-15. December

Holiday Choir Festival, Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, December 14

Macomb Symphony Orchestra “Back to the Holiday Movies,” Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Dec. 15

Detroit Symphony Orchestra “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” Orchestra hall, 20.-21. December

“Prism: Holiday Hits Then and Now,” Macomb Center, December 21

Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra “Holiday Pops 2024,” Hill Auditorium, Dec. 21

Detroit Concert Choir “Home for Christmas,” Macomb Center, December 22

Motor City Brass Band “Sounds of the Season,” Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, December 22

Trans-Siberian Orchestra “The Lost Christmas,” Little Caesars Arena, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28

More Christmas concerts

Holiday Cabaret, Detroit Public Theatre, Nov. 29-Dec. 22

Gregory Porter Vacation Trip, Detroit Opera House, December 12

Incredibly cheap with a Christmas twist, live costumed bands and holiday hijinks, Crofoot Complex, December 13

Amadeus Christmas Concert, Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, 14 Dec

David Koz and Friends Christmas Tour, Musikhuset, 15 Dec

Rocky Mountain High Experience John Denver Christmas, Musikhuset, 18 Dec

Samara Joy: A Joyful Holiday with the McLendon Family, Fisher Theatre, 19 Dec

Magical Motown Christmas, Musikhuset, 20 Dec

Last Christmas Vietnamese Show, Musikhuset, 21 Dec

Leslie Odom, Jr., Orchestra Hall, 22 Dec

A Motown Christmas, Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, December 21

Festive light attractions

Wayne County Light Fest, a three-mile stretch of more than 100,000 lights, Hines Park in Westland, open through Dec. 24

wild light, animal-themed light sculptures and more than 500 immersive exhibits, Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak, open 23-25, 29-30 November, 1 December, 6-8, 12-23, 26-31 and 2-5 Jan.

the magic of light, drive-thru attraction with more than 2 million lights, Pine Knob Music Theater parking lot in Clarkston, open Nov. 22-Dec. 30

Big Bright Light Show, downtown light display with more than 1 million lights, Downtown Rochester, Nov. 25-Jan. 19

Winter Wonder Lights, dazzling outdoor event, Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, open Nov. 29-Dec. 30

Aurora, one-mile walk through lighted, interactive forest, Glenlore Trails in Commerce Township, open now through Dec. 29. Santa will visit on the 13th-15th. December.

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