Three Christmas light displays in and around Detroit have 2026 dates: 1 drive-thru and 2 walk-throughs. None are free. For an early bedtime, the earliest evening start is 5 p.m. at Wild Lights. Each card has stroller notes where the venue gives them, the 2026 price and a link to tickets.
Last checked · How we choose
Tap a filter to narrow it down. Every card has hours, price and what it’s like with a little one.
Detroit Zoo · Royal Oak, MI
Little-kid take: Opens at 5 p.m., so an early visit gets you home in time for bedtime.
Checked Oct 18 on the official page
Report a problem
Greenfield Village (The Henry Ford) · Dearborn, MI
Checked Oct 18 on the official page
Report a problem
Hines Park · Hines Park, Wayne County, MI
Little-kid take: Stays in the car: the easiest pick with a baby or a toddler who may fall asleep. PJs on, car seat buckled, no stroller needed.
Checked Oct 18 on the official page
Report a problemNothing is lit yet. Wayne County Lightfest opens first, on Nov 19. Wild Lights runs into the new year.
In early December the sun sets around 5 p.m. in Detroit (the dashed line). Here’s when each display opens, on a scale from 4 to 9 p.m.
5 p.m. start · plan about an hour
5 p.m.
6 p.m. start · plan about an hour
6 p.m.
6:30 p.m. start · plan about an hour
6:30 p.m.
Pick: Wayne County Lightfest
Picks: Wild Lights, Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village
Mittens on a stringLittle hands get cold fast after dark.
Warm drink in a thermosA treat to look forward to at the halfway point.
Hat and a blanketFor the stroller, or the car once the heat is off.
PJs before you goSo a car-seat nap can turn straight into bedtime.From each venue’s own page. Check whether a price is per car or per person before you book.
| Display | Price | Little kids | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Lights | From $17 ($17–65); members 10% off | See the venue | Walk-through |
| Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village | $39–48; youth 5–11 25% off; 4 and under free; public parking $10 | 4 and under free | Walk-through |
| Wayne County Lightfest | Not listed (free 6–6:30 p.m. on opening night Nov 19) | See the venue | Drive-thru |
See all 8 Santa outings in and around Detroit: breakfasts, photo spots and evening visits, with 2026 prices.
Santa in Detroit →
None of the light shows with 2026 dates that we found are free. The lowest prices are listed in “2026 prices at a glance”.
Going by the lowest posted 2026 price: Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village ($39–48; youth 5–11 25% off; 4 and under free; public parking $10); Wild Lights (From $17 ($17–65); members 10% off). Check whether a price is per car or per person before you compare.
With a baby or a sleepy toddler, a drive-thru is easiest: they stay buckled in and warm. One of the 3 displays can be driven: Wayne County Lightfest. Walk-throughs (two here) are better for kids who want to run around.
The earliest evening starts: Wild Lights at 5 p.m., Wayne County Lightfest at 6 p.m. and Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village at 6:30 p.m. The first hour after opening is the easiest with an early bedtime.
Little ones get in free at Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village (4 and under free). With a baby, a drive-thru keeps everyone warm in the car.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 19, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. How we choose and check.
Keep planning: This week in Detroit · Detroit city guide · Visiting Detroit
One short email every Friday morning with what works for ages 0–6 in Detroit that weekend, including the Santa and light-show dates worth knowing.