I’m not quite ready for the holiday season and cold weather, but I do love the events and activities surrounding the holidays. Metro Detroit comes alive with music, lights and cheer. While the days quickly fill with parties and gatherings with family and friends, I try to fit some community festivities into the calendar too. These are some of the many events and activities occurring during the holiday season:

Holiday Walk, Nov. 29-Dec. 23 – This tour lets guests visit the 88,000 square feet, 110-room country estate of Matilda Dodge Wilson and her family. Meadow Brook Hall, built between 1926 and1929, has been carefully maintained with original family furnishings and art. During the holidays it is decorated beautifully throughout and daily tours let you step back in time. Danny’s Cabin features vintage toys. Other events occurring during the holidays include breakfast or supper with Santa, and Holiday High Tea in December. (fee)

 Noel Night, Dec. 7 – This annual event includes more than 70 venues in midtown Detroit, including the Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Historical Museum, Michigan Science Center and more, that open their doors for free admission from 5-10pm. There are tons of activities to do, music, dance groups and more. (free, unless you buy food, drinks, etc).

Giving Thanks for Dinosaurs, Nov. 29-Dec. 1 – Cranbrook Institute of Science hosts a family-friendly event from 1-4pm on the weekend after Thanksgiving. Guests can tour Dinosaurs – The Lost World exhibit and check out exploration stations and special activities. On Saturday, Nov. 30, guests can help clean dinosaur bones. Daily planetarium shows and the bat programs are also available. (fee)

Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village, weekends in December – My favorite historic ‘village’ comes alive during the holiday season with live entertainment throughout the streets, candlelit paths, gorgeous Christmas displays, holiday shops, ice skating, live reindeer and, of course, Santa. This event often sells out so don’t wait to reserve tickets. (fee)

Plays and musicals – There are some great plays that are standard for the season. My favorite: Meadow Brook Theater hosts a great rendition of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, which runs Nov. 15-Dec. 22. I saw this play at Meadow Brook a few years ago and loved it. The stage, costumes and acting were superb. (fee)

Holidays in Henry Ford Museum, Nov. 29-Jan. 5 – If you want to stay warm indoors, visit Henry Ford Museum to explore a winter wonderland that includes a giant Christmas tree, story time, train displays and Santa. (fee)

Nutcracker Tea, Winter Wonderland & Candlelight Stroll, various December dates – The Edsel and Eleanor Ford House welcomes guests to several holiday events throughout December. The Candlelight Stroll lets guests view Christmas trees, ornaments and other trimmings in this grand estate that was home to one of America’s most prominent families. The Nutcracker Tea welcomes families to enjoy treats, tea and visits with Santa, while Winter Wonderland opens the amazing grounds for exploration and a fun time around a fire pit, including songs, stories and hot cocoa. (fee)

Movies – If you’d rather stay warm inside your home, cuddled under a blanket with hot cocoa or chai latte, there are plenty of great Christmas movies to entertain. My favorites include White Christmas with Bing Crosby (reminds me of my dad and grandma), National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Peanuts Christmas, and Frosty the Snow Man.

There are so many great ways to enjoy the Christmas season, whether at home or in the community. What are some of your favorite activities?