Ann Arbor Area Holiday Events and Activities 2011

Ann Arbor Holiday Activities and Things to Do

The holiday season is here and promises to be bigger and better than ever in Ann Arbor. There are plenty of holiday activities and unique, local shopping experiences in and around town. Here are a few of the things going on in the month of December.

Saturday, December 3

• 40^th Annual Christmas Bazaar and Bake Sale. Dexter Area Historical Museum, 3443 Inverness St, Dexter. 9am-3pm. Hand-made gift items for sale, baked goods, raffle, and a visit from Santa between 10:30-Noon.
• Christmas at the Mansion. Gordon Hall, 8347 Island Lake Rd, Dexter. Noon-6pm. Donation of $1/child and $5/adult. Stroll through the mansion, beautifully decorated by Dexter local businesses along with 6^th grade classes, while enjoying cookies, cider, a live holiday ensemble, and a visit by Santa.
• Saline Holiday Parade. Downtown Saline at 5:30. Annual parade featuring marching bands, floats, horses and more, followed by the arrival of Santa.
• All the Trimmings Holiday Show. Chelsea Fairgrounds, 20501 Old US-12. Free entry and refreshments. A wide array of offerings from jewelry to fiber arts to wood carvings, holiday greens and more.
• 24^th Annual Chelsea Hometown Holiday. Downtown Chelsea, various locations. A fun-filled weekend holiday celebration that begins Friday evening with Santa’s arrival to light the Christmas Tree at Pierce Park at 6pm, followed by many activities and entertainment until Sunday evening. Visit chelseafestivals.com for a complete schedule.
• Santa Visits Kerrytown. 407 N. Fifth Ave. 10am-1pm. Visit with Santa and enjoy live musical performances from local musicians, schools, and groups.

Sunday, December 4

• Christmas at the Mansion. Gordon Hall, 8347 Island Lake Rd, Dexter. Noon-6pm. Donation of $1/child and $5/adult. Stroll through the mansion, beautifully decorated by Dexter local businesses along with 6^th grade classes, while enjoying cookies, cider, a live holiday ensemble, and a visit by Santa.
• 24^th Annual Chelsea Hometown Holiday. Downtown Chelsea, various locations. A fun-filled weekend holiday celebration that begins Friday evening with Santa’s arrival to light the Christmas Tree at Pierce Park at 6pm, followed by many activities and entertainment until Sunday evening. Visit chelseafestivals.com for a complete schedule.

Friday, December 9

• Festive Fridays. Downtown Ann Arbor, corner of Main & Liberty/Washington. Free horse drawn carriage rides, live sidewalk entertainment, and late night shopping.
• Yourist Studio Gallery Annual Holiday Show. 113 Broadway, Ann Arbor. Reception 5-9pm. Annual Pottery Show and Sale by various artists, featuring sculpture, functional ware, beads, and more.

Saturday, December 10

• Sing Along with Santa. Presented by the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra. Bethlehem United Church of Christ, 423 South 4^th Ave, Ann Arbor. Begins at 4pm, tickets are $10. A great family event, including a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’, festive songs, cookies & cider.
• Tiny Expo. Downtown Ann Arbor at 325 Braun Court. 10am-7pm. An indie arts & crafts fair featuring local artists, food, film, and libations.
• Santa Visits Kerrytown. 407 N. Fifth Ave. 10am-1pm. Visit with Santa and enjoy live musical performances from local musicians, schools, and groups.
• Yourist Studio Gallery Annual Holiday Show. 113 Broadway, Ann Arbor. 10am-6pm. Annual Pottery Show and Sale by various artists, featuring sculpture, functional ware, beads, and more.
• Treasure Trail to Santa. Busch’s Shopping Center, 565 E. Michigan Ave. Free. Follow the treasure trail through the center shops and enjoy entertainment, refreshments, carriage rides, animals, and look for Santa.
• Ann Arbor Antiques Market Special Holiday Show. Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. 8am-4pm. Shop your favorite antique market for unique gifts. Inside heated buildings.

Sunday, December 11

• Homegrown at Cobblestone. Cobblestone Farm Center, 2781 Packard Rd. Local artists assemble to promote their made-in-Michigan wares. Jewelry, clothing, pottery, bird houses, photography and more!
• Yourist Studio Gallery Annual Holiday Show. 113 Broadway, Ann Arbor. 10am-4pm. Annual Pottery Show and Sale by various artists, featuring sculpture, functional ware, beads, and more.

Friday, December 16^th

• Festive Fridays. Downtown Ann Arbor, corner of Main & Liberty/Washington. Free horse drawn carriage rides, live sidewalk entertainment, and late night shopping.
• Ann Arbor Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker Ballet. The Power Center 121 Fletcher St. 8pm. Ticket prices vary, visit http://annarborballettheatre.org/5.html. The 27^th annual production of this classic holiday favorite.

Saturday, December 17^th

• Ann Arbor Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker Ballet. The Power Center 121 Fletcher St. 2 pm & 8pm. Ticket prices vary, visit http://annarborballettheatre.org/5.html. The 27^th annual production of this classic holiday favorite.
• Santa Visits Kerrytown. 407 N. Fifth Ave. 10am-1pm. Visit with Santa and enjoy live musical performances from local musicians, schools, and groups.

Sunday, December 18^th

• Homegrown at Cobblestone. Cobblestone Farm Center, 2781 Packard Rd. Local artists assemble to promote their made-in-Michigan wares. Jewelry, clothing, pottery, bird houses, photography and more!
• Ann Arbor Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker Ballet. The Power Center 121 Fletcher St. 2 pm. Ticket prices vary, visit http://annarborballettheatre.org/5.html. The 27^th annual production of this classic holiday favorite.

Chanukah Wonderland at Briarwood Mall. 100 Briarwood Circle, near the Sears wing. From Tuesday 12/20-Friday 12/23 & Monday 12/26-Tuesday 12/27. Times vary. A virtual, fun-filled Chanukah experience, including: arts & crafts, Lego Menorah contest, and interactive displays.

Monday, December 26^th

• Chanukah on Ice. Ann Arbor Ice Cube 2121 Oak Valley Drive. $25/family, $8/person before 12/24 or $30/family or $10/person. Starts at 5pm. Skate to Chanukah music and sample traditional Chanukah foods, followed by dinner, then view a 5’ Menorah built from ice.

If we’ve forgotten anything, please leave us a comment with the event name and location. With so many holiday events and gatherings with friends and family, you may not be thinking about real estate, but we will be! If you are considering selling your Ann Arbor home, after the holidays is a great time to get started. Beat the spring rush and call us today to find out the value of your Ann Arbor, Saline, or Dexter home and what you need to do to get it ready. And be sure to check out our Ann Arbor Real Estate website to search the Ann Arbor MLS for homes and get the most up-to-date information!