Guide to Detroit Metro Area Christmas Festivals and Holiday Events 2007

The Detroit metropolitan area sparkles with Christmas events and holiday festivals kicking off with the traditional Thanksgiving Day parade. Christmas classics such as The Nutcracker and a Santa's Village, and a variety of different holiday events delight children of all ages throughout Detroit and southeast Michigan's 2007 Christmas season.

More than one million people along Woodward Avenue and Merchant's Row are expected to ring in the holiday season with Detroit's 81st annual America's Thanksgiving Parade. 'Hats Off Detroit' is the parade's celebratory theme this Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 22, 2007. Impressive floats, giant inflatable balloons, bands, and celebrities are just some of the highlights of the parade which steps off at 9:30am on Woodward and Mack in downtown Detroit, ending at Woodward and Congress.

America's Thanksgiving Parade generates additional Detroit holiday events. The premier family fundraiser the Hob Nob Gobble is presented by General Motors at the Michigan State Fairgrounds on Wednesday November 21 from 6pm to 10pm, and the 25th Annual Turkey Trot is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. Detroit's Thanksgiving Day race, known as "the tradition before the tradition," starts at 7:30am and is Michigan's largest 10K run.

Detroit's historic Fox Theatre showcases the classic Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker and the Mousetrap. As part of the Fifth/Third Bank Holiday Series, The Nutcracker is presented by the Michigan Opera Theatre. The first curtain goes up on Thursday December 6 at 11am followed by 7:30pm performances Thursday Friday, Saturday, and December 6, 7, and 8. Matinee performances are Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at Noon, with the last show Sunday, December 9 at 5pm. Fox Theatre is located at 2211 Woodward Avenue in Detroit. Ticket prices range from $22 to $97.

Radio station 89x 'Detroit and Windsor's Only New Rock Alternative' features their own annual holiday show The Night 89x Stole Christmas 10. The live music performances are scheduled for Monday December 17 at 5:30pm and the line-up includes Paramore, Jimmy Eat World, Mute Math, and Coheed and Cambria. The Detroit holiday event takes place at the Fillmore Theater, located next Fox Theatre, at 2115 Woodward. Tickets are priced between $30 and $40.

The Michigan Christmas Show and Marketplace offers shops selling Christmas décor and gifts, arts and crafts, jewelry, gourmet food, and more surrounded by an atmosphere of holiday music and entertainment. Children's holiday activities include Santa's Workshop for pictures with Santa Claus and a Playland. The Christmas Show takes place at the Rock Financial Showplace at 46100 Grand River in Novi, Michigan from November 29 through December 2, 2007. Hours are Thursday from 10am to 5pm, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 8pm and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Tickets cost $10 at the door and $8 in advance. Parking is $5 and children under 12 are admitted for free.

The Saginaw County Fairgrounds hosts Santa's Village @ North Pole USA. The Christmas festival features holiday activities, rides, and more to create a winter wonderland. The Saginaw County Fairgrounds are located at 11350 West Peet Road in Chesaning, Michigan. This family friendly Christmas event, Santa's Village @ North Pole USA, begins Thanksgiving weekend November 23, 24, and 25, and is open on Saturdays and Sundays December 1 through 16, 2007. Admission costs $9 and children under age 6 are free.

Christmas Weekend at Mt. Bruce Station is an annual holiday event the first weekend of December from Noon to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday December 1 and 2, 2007. The farm house glows with candles in the windows, the Farm Wool Shop features quality wool Christmas gifts, vendors offer unique holiday handicrafts, cut your own Christmas trees are available, and a live stable scene is featured at 2pm each day. Mt Bruce Station Sheep Stuff is located at 6440 Bordman Road in Romeo Michigan.