Must-See Holiday Lights in the Detroit Metropolitan Area

If you're like me, you have your hands full trying to balance work, children and home life. While it's traditional to put up the Christmas tree, you might be overwhelmed if you are thinking of adding decorative lights to your outside landscape. Then there's the weather: in the Detroit area, we went from balmy summer to the deep freeze in less time than it takes to sneeze. Only the hardy or the foolish will hang off frozen eaves to attach Christmas lights now. If that's the case for you, chill out and be cheered that there are many professional light displays to visit in case you need an injection of twinkle and flash.

The biggest display by far is the Wayne County LightFest, billed as the Midwest's largest light show. Winding along Hines Drive in Westland, the LightFest in Hines Park is over four miles long, and boasts over a million lights. Some of the displays are animated. It is currently in progress from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. and will continue until January 1 (no display on Christmas Day). Be prepared as there is a $5 minimum donation per car. Enter Hines Drive from Merriman Road, about two and a half miles south of I-96. You can call Wayne County Parks at 734-261-1990, or you can find more information on their website.

The City of Rochester is sponsoring its second annual Big Bright Light Show. There was a fantastic response last year after the switch was thrown and everyone in the crowd was treated to a blazing downtown. All along Main Street, businesses completely cover their storefronts in tiny lights, spaced about six inches apart. Each business uses a different color. Again, the city boasts over a million lights. The resulting effect makes the downtown area look like a fairy city or something out of Disney World. This year, the city is extending the display along East and West Fourth Street, and there will be additional displays along Walnut. The nice thing about this light show is that there isn't a fee, and Rochester is a charming small town with where it is easy to walk and gawk. There are plenty of restaurants where you can stop for a hot toddy should you get cold. The light show will continue until December 31, and most of the lights stay on daily until 11:00 p.m. Rochester is located north of Detroit and is convenient to all freeways. You can get more information by calling the Rochester Downtown Development Authority at 248-656-0060, or at their website.

Henry Ford Museum's Greenfield Village is again holding its Holiday Nights. Using historic Greenfield Village as a backdrop, you will be treated to Christmas past. There are musical performances, carriage and Model T rides, costumed performers, seven food stops, holiday shops, and a fireworks finale and sing-along. These events are held on weekends only throughout December, and reservations are required. Tickets are priced at $15 non-member adult, $12.75 member adult, $10 non-member child, and $8.50 member child, with some discounts for groups. More information can be found at the Greenfield Village website and you can call 313-982-6001 for phone reservations. A word of warning: dress for the weather as most of the activities are outside.

Though not exactly in the Detroit area, the Toledo Zoo is just a short hour ride south, and their Lights Before Christmas has been amazing spectators for 22 years. What is nice about the Toledo Zoo is that it's a city zoo and very compact, making it easy to maneuver with small children. This event is held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Regular zoo admission rates do not apply, nor does reciprocal zoo admissions, but the tickets are reduced, at $9 for adults and $6 for seniors and children. You can find more information at their website.

It's not hard to find your holiday light fix in the Detroit area.