If you’re ready to experience a dazzling display of holiday lights this month, you’re in luck: You can see fantastic night-time showcases from southeast Michigan all the way to the Upper Peninsula.
In metro Detroit, downtown Rochester offers a stroll through the multi-colored downtown storefronts, illuminated with more than 1 million points of light for the city’s annual Big, Bright Light Show.
In northern Michigan, Traverse City and Alpena boast shimmering displays that dance in tune with Christmas music on local radio stations.
Michigan’s thumb features a free drive-through holiday lights show at the Huron County Fair fairgrounds in Bad Axe.
In the Upper Peninsula, the Carters’ Christmas Lights display near Marquette draws visitors with its elaborate Christmas display; and the city’s famous ore dock is lit nightly with a laser light show.
If you’re in west Michigan, drive through Marshall for the Merry Mile at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds to enjoy holiday lights synced with Christmas music on the local radio station and support the renovation of the 176-year old fairgrounds. In Grand Rapids, take a train or car ride through nearly 2 miles of stunning holiday displays at the Christmas Lite Show at LMCU Ball Park, home of the Whitecaps.
In mid-Michigan, Potter Park Zoo, in Lansing, welcomes visitors to enjoy Wonderland of Lights, complete with holiday lights, music and even a chance to meet Santa.
Some light displays charge admission, check individual event websites for ticket pricing.
Here’s where to find holiday light displays in Michigan this season.
Carters’ Christmas Lights shine in Marquette
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, The Carters’ Christmas Lights display, 1313 N. Vandenboom Ave. in Marquette, features a stunning array of bright lights and classic Christmas themes, including Santa, reindeer, Christmas trees, a manger, gingerbread men and more.
The light display runs weekday evenings from dusk to 10 p.m. and weekend evenings from dusk until 11 p.m., according to the display’s Facebook profile.
While you’re in the area, stop downtown near the marina to see a laser light show displayed on the historic ore dock. Lights are displayed from 6-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday until Dec. 27.
Enjoy Christmas lights in Grand Rapids
The Christmas Lite Show in west Michigan’s Grand Rapids features a nearly 2-mile attraction of lighted tunnels, 70 animated displays and more than 2 million multi-colored holiday lights. Visitors can buy tickets online to experience the show from inside a car with the drive-thru option or on the memory lane train.
The lights display, 4500 W. River Drive NE in Comstock Park, is open 5:30-9 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays, and 5:30-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays until Jan. 3, 2026. Drive-thru tickets range from $31.95 per car to $133.86 for an unlimited pass. Train tickets are $42. Tickets for some events are sold out.
Metro Detroit’s Rochester is all decked out for season
In metro Detroit’s Oakland County, downtown Rochester is alight with the holiday spirit, its annual Big, Bright Light Show bringing more than 1 million points of multi-colored lights to local storefronts for the season.
The Big, Bright Light Show is lit up evenings from 5 p.m. to midnight daily until Jan. 18, 2026.
Lansing’s Potter Park hosts shining light display
Wonderland of Lights offers a festive holiday lights attraction at the Potter Park Zoo in mid-Michigan’s Lansing. The 33rd annual display features thousands of lights, holiday music, illuminated paths, and on Fridays and Saturdays, Santa appearances.
The display, 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., is open from 5-8 p.m. Thursday to Sunday through Dec. 23. Tickets are $9 for adults, $5 for seniors and military, $5 for children with children under 3 free, and can be purchased at the admissions gate.
See dazzling holiday lights in Traverse City
Near northwest Michigan’s Traverse City, the fifth annual Hammond and Five Mile Christmas Light Show in East Bay Charter Township offers a unique holiday experience, as visitors can listen to Christmas music on 99.5FM radio while watching the lights “dance” along to the music.
The show, 3230 E. Hammon Road, runs nightly until Christmas and is open 6-10 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays and 6-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, per its Facebook event page.
“Pull onto the shoulder of the road and turn your headlights off. Turn your radio to 99.5fm and watch the Christmas lights dance to the music. Please be kind to others watching the show. If someone pulls out in front of you please pull ahead. The show will run every nite till Christmas,” a Facebook page for the display says.
Tour shimmering lights near Bad Axe
In Michigan’s Thumb, head to Bad Axe for a free light show at the Huron Community Fair fairgrounds. Visitors can enjoy the holiday lights on a self-guided drive through tour.
The display, 155 Fair St., is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings through Christmas, according to the fair’s Facebook page.
Step into the Christmas spirit in southwest Michigan
In southwest Michigan’s Marshall, the Calhoun County Fairgrounds is home to the Merry Mile this season, a 1-mile route featuring colorful Christmas-themed lights dancing along to Christmas music on 101.9FM radio and a lineup of special events this December.
Visitors will have the chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy a live nativity display and do kids’ crafts at upcoming events.
The Merry Mile, 720 Fair St., runs from 6-9 p.m. Thursday to Sunday until Dec. 28, except Christmas.
Tickets cost $10 for up to eight-passenger vehicles, $20 for nine-15 passenger vehicles and $40 for trolley. Proceeds will go to fairgrounds infrastructure improvements, based on the Merry Mile Committee’s discretion.
Embrace Christmas spirit with lights, music in Alpena
In northeastern Michigan’s Alpena, a holiday show beckons visitors with a mix of music and colorful lights. The Alpena Lights Christmas lights-to-music show features a local home lit in holiday lights synchronized with music playing on 102.3FM radio.
The show, 227 W. Washington Ave., runs until Jan. 4, 2026, and is open 6-10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 6 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. Hours will be 6 p.m. to midnight Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 and Christmas, Dec. 25.
Meijer Gardens features Enliven holiday light display
Step into a world alight, Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s website suggests: “Meijer Gardens transforms into a luminous wonderland of glowing pathways, interactive installations, and seasonal soundscapes. Nights shimmer, art breathes, and the ordinary becomes extraordinary.”
The light display features:
Tickets range from $15 for children over 3 to $30 for adults. The walk takes place until Jan. 3, 2026.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Holiday lights are twinkling. Where to see great displays in 2025
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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