Round Up: What's Hot in Metro Detroit This Weekend?
Looking for something fun to do this weekend in metro Detroit? You're in luck, because an array of holiday activites are kicking off to put you in a White Christmas kind of mood. Here's our guide to what's hot in metro Detroit.
-- Christy Strawser
Wonderfest
Holiday spirit will officially arrive Friday night in downtown Detroit with the 2011 Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony at Campus Martius park. It will include live music, pictures with Santa, and ice skating from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Everyone is welcome at this free event. The best part? It kicks off the first ever Wonderfest, a holiday extravaganza at Campus Martius. Get details here.
Mount Clemens
Santa Claus will arrive in downtown Mount Clemens at 6 p.m. Friday. He'll lead some Christmas carols and flip the switch that turns on all the downtown lights in this heartwarming event. Horsedrawn trolley rides, pictures with Santa and more will follow. Get more information here.
Holiday Magic
Santa Claus comes to town at 10 a.m. Saturday when Royal Oak hosts the Holiday Magic parade. More than 80 parade floats, dancers, bands, and more will march down Washington Avenue in downtown Royal Oak. Santa will stick around at Stagecrafters until 2 p.m. See more here.
Wayne County Lightfest
The Christmas lights went on Thursday on Hines Drive for the annual Wayne County Lightfest. See 45 different holiday light displays through New Year's Eve from the comfort of your heated car. Cost is $5 per vehicle. Get more information here.
Festival of Flutes
At Orchestra Hall this weekend, there's a fantastic show called "Festival of Flutes." It stars Sir James Gallway, billed as "the most poetic flutist of our time," playing Vivaldi, Mozart and Bach. Peformances are Friday morning, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Get tickets here.
So Beautiful
Renowned song writer and singer Paul Simon brings his well-reviewed show "So Beautiful, or So What" to the Fox Theatre in Detroit at 8 p.m. Friday. He's expected to perform hits old and new. Tickets start at $39, and some are still available. Click here for tickets.
Face of Jesus
The Detroit Institute of Arts is unveiling a blockbuster exhibition this Sunday, November 20, titled "Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus." The exhibit features 64 different pieces by the master that depict how Rembrandt and his students broke from the traditional image of Jesus. Get more information here.
Pet Expo
Animal lovers should check out the Metro Detroit Pet Expo at the Suburban Collection showplace. The show features the "Ultimate Air Dogs," pet costume and ugliest dog contests. There are also more than 100 vendors with pet items and an array of pets available for adoption. Twenty-five rescue groups will be there with adoptable animals. It happens this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with admission at $10 for adults. Get more information here.
