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By Glen LaGrou, OaklandCountyMoms.com

Thanksgiving weekend events and fun things to do for families in Oakland County, Metro Detroit and SE Michigan.

Metro Detroit Weekend Events Calendar for November 27, November 28, November 29, and November 30, 2014.

There are plenty of fun things to do in and around Metro Detroit this Thanksgiving weekend. This list will try to highlight some of the Metro Detroit weekend events – big and small – for kids and families. I’m going to be using this article to post events and activities that are either free, or at least family affordable.

METRO DETROIT CHRISTMAS / HOLIDAY EVENTS 2014
METRO DETROIT SANTA CLAUS VISITS 2014
GREAT LAKES CROSSING BLACK FRIDAY 2014

Daily through January 4, 2015
Rochester MI Thanksgiving Weekend Event – Big Bright Light Show
Downtown Rochester
See Downtown Rochester lit up in Holiday glory as the city is adorned with over 1.2 million Christmas Lights. Click here for more info and a photo gallery of the Big Bright Light Show.

Wednesday, November 26 through Sunday, November 30
Detroit MI Thanksgiving Weekend Events – Campus Martius Park Ice Skating
Campus Martius Park (800 Woodward Ave, Detroit, Michigan)
Hours and pricing info for the 2014 Campus Martius Park Ice Skating Season.

Wednesday, November 26, Friday, November 28, Saturday, November 29, and Sunday, November 30
Birmingham MI Thanksgiving Weekend Event – Birmingham Santa House
Shain Park (S Bates St. and W Merrill St., Birmingham, MI, 48009)
Santa House will be open on weekends through Christmas. Children may give Santa Claus their Christmas list and have their picture taken with him. A $5 donation goes to the Birmingham Lions Club and Leader Dogs for the Blind. Hours and more info.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at 6p
Birmingham MI Thanksgiving Weekend Event – Birmingham Holiday Tree Lighting
Shain Park (S Bates St. and W Merrill St., Birmingham, MI, 48009)
Jump into the Holiday spirit with a night that brings the festive lighting of the winter season and the opening of Santa House. Enjoy live Christmas caroling and the lighting of the 35-foot tree with more than 20,000 LED Christmas lights.

Thursday, November 27, 2014 at 9a
Detroit MI Thanksgiving Event – Detroit Thanksgiving Parade 2014
Woodward and Kirby, Downtown Detroit, Michigan
Hundreds of thousands of parade-goers will be watching as the Parade makes its way down Woodward Avenue. The parade will be broadcast LIVE on WDIV Local 4 from 9-10am and on WJR 760 AM.

Thursday, November 27, 2014 (all day)
Oakland County Thanksgiving Weekend Events – Thanksgiving Day Guest Appreciation Day
Oakland County Parks
Oakland County Parks and Recreation celebrates Guest Appreciation Day by offering free daily park entry on Thursday November 27. Experience natural areas, trails and all park amenities at Addison Oaks, Highland Oaks, Independence Oaks, Lyon Oaks, Orion Oaks and Rose Oaks county parks. The free entry also applies at the three dog parks, at Lyon Oaks, Orion Oaks and Red Oaks. Park hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, or as posted at the park. See related posts below for more Oakland County Parks events happening this month or visit www.DestinationOakland.com.

Thursday, November 27, 2014 from 6p-1a
Oakland County MI Thanksgiving Weekend Events – Thanksgiving Bowling Specials
Airway Lanes (4825 Waterford, Highland Rd, Waterford MI, 248-674-0424)
Classic Lanes (2145 Avon Industrial Drive, Rochester Hills, MI 48309, 248-852-9100)
Classic Lanes in Rochester Hills and Airway Lanes in Waterford offer great deals on Thanksgiving bowling. Classic Lanes is open from 6p-1a on Thanksgiving (Airway 6p-midnight) and offer unlimited bowling for just $9.95 per person. All you can bowl plus free bowling shoe rental!

Daily through Christmas Eve
Auburn Hills MI Weekend Event – Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops (Great Lakes Crossing Phone: 248-209-4200)
Bass Pro hosts Santa Claus (and tons of free Christmas fun for kids at Bass Pro) daily through Christmas Eve. You can even get a free photo with Santa while enjoying the free fun! Click here for info and times for Santa’s daily appearances and for a list of all the free fun holiday games, crafts and activities happening each day!

Friday, November 28, 2014 at 10a
Mt. Clemens MI Christmas Event – Macomb County Santa Parade
Downtown Mt Clemens
Continuing tradition, the parade ushers in the holiday season the day after Thanksgiving with the arrival of the jolly old elf himself, Santa! There will also be plenty of new floats, marching bands, characters, and sights and sounds for all to enjoy. The parade route runs on Main Street from Church Street north to Clinton Street.

Friday, November 28, 2014 from 1p-3p
Novi MI Thanksgiving Weekend Event – Hunt the Turkey!
Paradise Park (45799 Grand River Ave, Novi, MI 248-735-1050, www.paradiseparknovi.com)
Includes 2 games of Hunt the Turkey Laser Tag, make your own cupcake, beverage, coloring contest… All for just $9.95 per child. Advanced registration and deposit required. Call 248-735-1050.

Friday, November 28, Saturday, November 29 & Sunday, November 30, 2014 from 5:30p-9:30p
Royal Oak MI Thanksgiving Weekend Event – Wild Lights
Detroit Zoo (8450 W. 10 Mile Rd., Royal Oak, MI 48067)
The Detroit Zoo will light up the night this holiday season with Wild Lights, a spectacular holiday light display. For 24 nights, more than five million LED lights will illuminate trees, buildings and animal sculptures on a half-mile trail through the front of the Zoo. 

Friday, November 28, 2014 through the weekend
Rochester Michigan Thanksgiving Weekend Event – Meadow Brook Hall Holiday Walk 2014
Meadow Brook Hall and Gardens (480 South Adams Rd, Rochester, MI 48309)
Opening weekend for Holiday Walk. The Meadow Brook Hall annual Holiday Walk explores the Dodge and Wilson family’s winter traditions and activities they enjoyed while living on the Meadow Brook Estate. Click here for a photo gallery and more info on the 2014 Meadow Brook Hall Holiday Walk.

Friday, November 28 through Sunday, November 30, 2014 (5p-9p each evening)
Holly MI Thanksgiving Weekend Event – Holly Dickens Festival 2014
Downtown Holly
Step back into time as you stroll the streets, visit the shops, pubs and eateries in quaint downtown Holly, getting caught up in the story of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Bring the whole family and get a jumpstart on your Christmas shopping.

Friday, November 28, 2014 at 7p
Detroit Michigan Thanksgiving Weekend Event – Friday Night Live at the DIA
Friday Night Live, November 28
Puppet Performance: The Selfish Giant: 2 & 4 p.m.
Blair Thomas & Company Puppet Theater presents an innovative staging of an Oscar Wilde classic, using original puppets and music to tell the story of a grumpy old giant who forbids the children in his village from playing in his beautiful garden. After the children are locked out, the trees and flowers refuse to grow and the garden plunges into an eternal winter. Then one morning, the children sneak back into the garden, bringing with them the joyous rebirth of spring. For all ages.
Music: Florent Ghys: 7 & 8:30 p.m.
See related posts below for more DIA events happening this month or visit the DIA website.

Friday, November 28, from 7:30-8:30p & Saturday, November 22, from 3:30p-4:30p
Rochester Hills MI Thanksgiving Weekend Event – Open Gym / Drop-In Gymnastics
GTC Gymnastics Training Center (1813 Northfield Dr, Rochester Hills, MI 48309)
Ages & up. This is a great opportunity to practice the skills learned in gymnastics or just have fun! Jump on the trampoline or flip around in foam pits. You do not have to be in a GTC class to participate, so invite your friends and neighbors to come along. ( A waiver form must be filled out by a parent/guardian before anyone may attend.) See www.gtcgymnastics.com for more info.

Friday, November 28, 2014 from 8:15p-10:05p
Royal Oak, Michigan Thanksgiving Weekend Event - SK8 Jamz
John Lindell Ice Arena (1403 Lexington Boulevard, Royal Oak, MI 48073)
Open ice-skating with a rockin’ DJ. Perfect for children and teens! Admission is just $10 and includes ice skate rental!

Saturday, November 29, 2014 from 9a-4p
Troy MI Thanksgiving Weekend Event – Elf Shelf Arts and Crafts Show
Troy High School (4777 Northfield Pkwy, Troy, MI)
Admission proceeds from the event benefit local charitable organizations. For info, call 248-988-0426.

Saturday, November 29, 2014 (all day)
Birmingham MI Thanksgiving Weekend Event – Small Business Saturday
Downtown Birmingham Michigan
Tackle your holiday shopping & support small businesses! Enjoy valet parking and carriage rides.

Saturday, November 29, 2014 at 10a
Milford MI Thanksgiving Weekend Event – Downtown Christmas Parade
Downtown Milford
Come out to the annual Milford Christmas Parade, one of the longest-standing Main Street traditions around. Wonderful holiday event for the entire region. Come early! Main Street fills up fast.

Saturday, November 29, 2014 from 1p-4p
Walled Lake Michigan Thanksgiving Weekend Event – Bowl with Santa
Wonderland Lanes (8265 Richardson Rd, Walled Lake, MI 48390)
Bowl with Santa and his friends from West Bloomfield Parks and Rec. Afternoon includes 2 games of bowling, shoes, pizza, pop, and a goody bag for boys & girls. Register at www.westbloomfieldparks.org or call 248-451-1900.

Saturday, November 29, 2014 from 7p-8:50p
Berkley, Michigan Thanksgiving Weekend Event – Saturday Night Rockin’ Skate
Berkley Ice Arena (2300 Robina, Berkley, MI – 248-658-3460)
Berkley Ice Arena kicks up the music for open ice-skating. Adults are $5 and kids are just $4. $3 for ice skate rental.

Sunday, November 23, 2014 (all day)
Royal Oak MI Thanksgiving Weekend Event – Kids Eat Free
Participating Royal Oak Restaurants
Kids Eat Free on Sundays during the holidays at participating downtown Royal Oak restaurants! Kids 10 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult meal from Nov. 23 through Dec. 28. Participating restaurants include – Andiamo, Bastone, BlackFinn, D’Amato’s, Emagine Star Lanes Event Center & Sports Grille, Fifth Avenue, Hamlin Corner, The Inn Place, Mr. B’s, Oak City Grille, Onyx, Rock on Third, Trattoria da Luigi, and Zumba Mexican Grille.

Sunday, November 30, 2014 at 1p
Detroit, Michigan Weekend Event – Family Sunday at the DIA
Detroit Institute of Arts
Sunday Music Bar: Violist Leslie DeShazor Adams: 1–4 p.m.
Puppet Performance: The Selfish Giant: 2 p.m.
See Friday, Nov. 28, for details.
See related posts below for more DIA events happening this month or visit the DIA website.

This page is intended to be used as a guide. Oakland County Moms does not endorse these events. Oakland County Moms is not responsible for changes to event descriptions, event times or details being altered without notice or cancellations.

Thanksgiving Weekend Events researched and compiled by Glen LaGrou, co-owner of OaklandCountyMoms.com.