The cooler weather has arrived, and with it, holiday events are getting underway across Metro Detroit.

The Rink at the Royal Oaks grand opening

• Friday, November 22 at 4-9 p.m
• Centennial Commons in Royal Oak

The ice rink opens Friday with a celebration featuring live music, carnival rides, food trucks, visits with Santa and more from 16-21. The event will also include lighting up the park. This event is free to attend, but if you want to skate there is a $10 charge to use the rink and $5 to rent skates.

Can’t make it on Friday? The rink will be open every day for skating.

Read more here.

Detroit Tree Lighting

• Friday, November 22 at 7-9 p.m
• Campus Martius in Downtown Detroit

The Christmas season officially kicks off Friday in Detroit with the annual Tree Lighting.

In addition to the lights being turned on, the event will include live music and ice skating, markets in Cadillac Square, food trucks and more. There will be screens set up around Campus Martius and Cadillac Square to view the event.

Read more here.

Holiday Lighted Parade

• Friday, November 22 at 6:30 p.m
• Downtown Northville

Celebrate the season with a parade through the streets of downtown Northville, followed by the tree lighting in Town Square.

Read more here.

Wild lights

• Friday 22 November to Sunday 5 January
• Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak

After dark in Royal Oak, the zoo transforms into a twinkling winter wonderland, with millions of lights shining on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 22nd to January 5th.

Expect to see giant illuminated animal sculptures, lighted paths, glowing tunnels and more. Guests can also visit the zoo’s new art exhibit, Among the Living: Wildlife Photography of Guadalupe Laiz.

Read more here.

Wayne County Lightfest

• Wednesdays to Sundays from Thursday 21 November to 24 December
• Hines Park in Westland

Take a drive through miles of lights in Wayne County’s Hines Park.

This tradition begins on Thursday and continues until Christmas Eve. Halfway through the drive, you can stop for a bite to eat from food trucks and visit Santa on select nights.

Tickets are $5 cash per car. Buses, minibuses and commercial vehicles can also visit Lightfest for an additional fee.

Read more here.

Holiday Extravaganza

• Saturdays and Sundays until December 1
• Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill in Armada

Get started on Christmas shopping, stroll through Christmas lights, enjoy live music, sip festive drinks and more.

Admission is free.

RSVP here.