A recent Detroit holiday tradition is moving to a new location – which means it's bigger and better than ever! This year, the Christmas Wonderfest heads to Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, taking the fun from outside to indoors.
Over 10,000 Michigan-made items perfect for the gift giving season, caroling choirs, indoor carousel rides, arts-and-crafts projects and tasty seasonal treats all come together under one roof to make the holiday season special for the whole family.
Started in 2011 as a two-weekend holiday fest at Detroit's Campus Martius Park, the Christmas Wonderfest is now a four-day "Holiday Festival Market" – modeled on traditional European Christmas markets – and children's celebration with tons of family fun and an appearance by the North Pole's very own Santa Claus.
Kids don't get to have all the fun: Parents also can enjoy shopping and choose from an array of locally made gift items and memorabilia provided by museums and cultural organizations like Pewabic Pottery, the Michigan and Detroit historical museums, Wayne State University and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
There will be over 300 artists and plenty food. For kids, don't miss a giant model train layout with oversized steam engines. According to the Christmas Wonderfest website, five trains will cover an area the size of 10 rooms!
Find an abundance of photo ops, too – Santa has his own cozy North Pole corner where good boys and girls can take pictures and whisper their Christmas lists in his ear.
Hours and prices are as follows:
- Thursday, Dec. 5: 3-10 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 6: 3-10 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 7: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 8: noon-7 p.m.
Tickets are $7/adults and $3/kids under 10 years of age.
If you're looking for Christmas fun for the whole family, make those spirits bright at the Christmas Wonderfest at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi (visit the Metro Parent calendar listing to learn more).
