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Neighborhoods With The Best Holiday Lights In Metro Detroit

Michigan has some of the best and biggest yards, with a whole range of neighborhoods looking to show off their holiday decorating chops. Whether it's in the affluent Oakland County neighborhoods, or somewhere more modest along the outskirts of Detroit, you're sure to see everyone of all races, creeds and age groups doing something special outside their homes while lighting up for the season. Here are some of Metro Detroit's best places to see some great lighting displays this year.
Wayne County Lightfest 
7651 Marriman Road
Westland, MI 48185
(734) 261-1990
www.waynecounty.com

Each year, Westland residents get together to bask in the joy of the holiday season and enjoy all of the lighted displays that Westland parks have to offer - which is quite a lot! Considered the Midwest's largest drive-through holiday lighting display, the Wayne County Lightfest is open through the end of the year and shows all other light fests how to get it done.

Rochester's downtown is adorned in light each holiday season (Credit, Michael Ferro)

The Big Bright Light Show
308-1/2 Main St.
Rochester, MI 48307
(248) 656-0060
www.downtownrochestermi.com

Not to be outdone, Rochester is known for its quaint downtown area that each year turns into a winter wonderland, with Christmas lights on every single building, tree and corner post. The entire downtown area becomes enveloped in light! This is a sight to see for families and fans of holiday lights alike. The city of Rochester keeps the displays up past New Year's, so if you can't make it out until after January 1, that's no problem. It goes through January 6.

Birmingham Christmas Tree And Santa House Display
151 Martin S.
Birmingham, MI 48009
(248) 530-1200
www.enjoybirmingham.com

One of the best places for children in the Detroit area to give Santa Claus their lists each year is during the Birmingham Santa House display, up through Christmas of each year. This year, the house will be decorated with thousands of lights that will be sure to please your kids as they wait to meet Santa. The rest of the surrounding neighborhoods join in the fun, as well, completing the wonderful, full effect. Decorations will be up through the start of 2015.

Related: Best Places For A Cabin Weekend Near Detroit

Each holiday season, the lovely grounds of Meadow Brook Hall are stunningly decorated with lights and other festive decor (Credit, Michael Ferro)

Holiday Walk At Meadow Brook Hall
Meadow Brook Hall
480 S. Adams Road
Rochester, MI 48307
(248) 364-6200
www.meadowbrookhall.org

For 43 years, Meadow Brook Hall has been hosting one of Metro Detroit's most prized traditions involving the decor surrounding the holiday season. The 110-room Tudor revival-style mansion known as Meadow Brook Hall is completely revamped and covered in some of America's most interesting and exciting lighting displays. The massive building almost appears made for a Christmas setting such as this. It's perfect for the family who loves an historical twist to their outings.

Holiday Nights In Greenfield Village
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
Dearborn, MI 48124
(313) 982-6001
www.thehenryford.org

In staying with that historical vein, if you'd prefer to take a trip down memory lane (way back into memory lane) this year when exploring the best holiday lights displays, little is more awe-inspiring than the Holiday Night Display at the historic Greenfield Village. Each weekend in December, Greenfield Village transforms its 19th Century-style charm into a living, working snow globe. It's just like "stepping into a Christmas card from the past," according to its website.The displays are stunning and for those who hearken back to days of ol' when thinking about the holidays and simpler times, nothing could be better.

Michael Ferro is freelance writer and a graduate of Michigan State University where he majored in Creative Writing and received the Jim Cash Creative Writing Award. Born and bred in Detroit, he currently resides in Ypsilanti Township. Additional writing can be found at Examiner.com.
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