Things to Do in Detroit This Winter: Your 2026-27 Guide to Lights, Skating, Parades & Crawls

Detroit saves its biggest, brightest season for the coldest months. From the November tree lighting at Campus Martius through New Year’s Eve and into March, downtown fills with ice skating, a centennial Thanksgiving parade, themed bar crawls, and hockey and basketball nearly every winter night. Here’s your complete guide to winter in the city – plus how to ride The HandleBar straight through it all, because yes, we run all winter, heated and enclosed.

It All Starts November 20: The Detroit Tree Lighting

Friday, Nov. 20, 4-9 p.m. | Campus Martius Park | Free

The 23rd annual Detroit Tree Lighting turns the heart of downtown into a holiday block party, with live music and the lighting of a 60-foot tree around 7 p.m. Arrive early for the best view – Woodward fills up fast. Details at Downtown Detroit Parks.

Skate All Winter at The Rink at Campus Martius

Late November through early March | 800 Woodward Ave.

The Rink at Campus Martius Park opens the weekend after the tree lighting and stays open seven days a week until early March. It’s regularly named one of the best public ice rinks in the country – skate under the tree with the skyline all around you. Book a session, then warm up with a drink nearby.

The 100th America’s Thanksgiving Parade

Thursday, Nov. 26, 8:45 a.m. | Woodward Ave., from Kirby to Campus Martius

It’s the centennial: the 100th America’s Thanksgiving Parade steps off Thanksgiving morning and rolls down Woodward with floats, marching bands, giant balloons and the famous Big Head Corps. Claim a spot along the route early, or grab grandstand tickets – either way it’s a once-a-century edition. More at The Parade Company.

Motor City Bar Crawls: A Themed Party Every Few Weeks

Various Saturdays | Check-in at Detroit Shipping Co. | 21+

Our sister brand keeps downtown hopping all winter with a themed crawl every few weeks, and every crawl is running 2-for-1 tickets right now:

• Boots in the D – Saturday, Nov. 7, 2 p.m. Country-western night
• Golden Years Gone Wild – Saturday, Nov. 21, 2 p.m. Grandma and grandpa night
• 12 Bars of Christmas – Saturday, Dec. 5, 1 p.m. Detroit’s classic holiday crawl
• Sleigh the D – Saturday, Dec. 12, 12 p.m. Ugly sweater edition
• SantaCon in the D – Saturday, Dec. 19, 2 p.m. Santa suits as far as the eye can see
• Final Countdown NYE – Thursday, Dec. 31. Ring in 2027 downtown

Grab tickets at motorcitybarcrawls.com.

Winter Is Stadium Season: Lions, Pistons and Red Wings

Downtown Detroit, all winter

The Lions host NFC North battles at Ford Field through January, while the Pistons and Red Wings light up Little Caesars Arena nearly every winter night, with big tours passing through between games. Pro tip: book a HandleBar ride to the game and we’ll pedal your group through downtown and drop you right at the stadium gates.

Holiday Culture: The Nutcracker and the DSO

November and December are prime time for Detroit’s classic holiday performances, from The Nutcracker downtown to the DSO’s holiday concerts at Orchestra Hall. Check schedules and make it a full night – dinner downtown, the show, and a heated ride between them.

Yes, You Can Still Ride: Heated, Enclosed, All Winter

Nov. 20 through early March

This is where we come in. Starting November 20, The HandleBar’s bikes go heated and enclosed for the season:

• Holiday Lights Tours – Nov. 20 through Jan. 3. Our two-hour private tour pedals past Campus Martius, the tree, and the best light displays downtown. Up to 16 people, BYOB. These book up every year – grab your date on Rezdy now.
• Game-day rides – HandleBar drop-offs at Ford Field and Little Caesars Arena all season.
• Weekend brunch rides – every Saturday and Sunday all winter.
• Gift certificates – the easiest holiday gift in Detroit. Available on Rezdy.

The fine print: rides are BYOB; crawls are 21+ with valid ID. All events listed take place within Detroit city limits. Bundle up, Detroit – we’ll see you downtown.