Special Events

LIVONIA PARKS AND RECREATION HOLIDAY FUN

We've got a big lineup of holiday activities this December. Check back for more details on each individual event, or visit our registration portal to register for those events that require it.

• Nov. 9-Dec. 3 – Santa's Mailbox @ Kirksey Recreation Center
• Dec. 1-24 – Deck the Rec @ Kirksey Recreation Center AND Greenmead Historical Park 
• Dec. 3-4, 10-12, 17-19 – 5-10 p.m. Fri/Sat., 5-8 p.m. Sun. Night of Lights (Santa 5-8 p.m.) @ Greenmead Historical Park
• Dec. 4 – 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Lunch with Santa* @ Civic Park Senior Center (sold out)
• Dec. 4 – 1-4 p.m. Santa Stroll* @ Greenmead Historical Park (sold out)
• Dec. 5 – 4 p.m. Merry & Bright Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting @ Civic Center Campus (Frost MS to City Hall, then library)
• Dec. 5-31 – Light Up Livonia citywide
• Dec. 11 – 3-5 p.m. Christmas Tea* @ Greenmead Historical Park (sold out)
• Dec. 13-14 – 6-8 p.m. Santa's Workshop Calling* (by phone)

*Registration required.

DECK THE REC

Calling local organizations, businesses, and families! Does your tree have what it takes to win the title of Best Holiday Tree in Livonia? There’s a new spin on Deck the Rec. Place your tree at either location: the Kirksey Recreation Center or Greenmead Historical Park. There will be one winner from each location. Each participating group will receive four single-day passes to the Kirksey Recreation Center. Space is limited on this fun contest! The recreation center location is sold out, but there is still space available to register for an outdoor tree at Greenmead. Voting runs Dec. 1-24.

Participant must provide tree (artificial; at least 5-feet tall) and all decorations (securely attached). Electricity is provided; no open flames are allowed. Participant is responsible for set up on or before Dec. 1 and take-down Dec. 29-30. Voting runs Dec. 1-24.

Livonia Save Our Youth is sponsoring prizes for the winners of both outdoor and indoor trees.

Connect With Santa

We have two ways that children can connect with Santa this holiday season!

A magical mailbox has appeared just inside the Kirksey Recreation Center. Drop off a letter in Santa's Mailbox between Nov. 9-Dec. 3 and we'll make sure it gets delivered in time for a response before Christmas! There is no cost to mail Santa these letters, but make sure the child's name and address are on the letter to Santa so he can get a response to the correct location.

Santa and his elves will be on the phone giving children a jingle from 6-8 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 13-14. With Santa's Workshop Calling, everyone will want to pick up to chat with this holiday celebrity for a few minutes. Pre-registration is required for this free event. Co-sponsored by Livonia Parks and Recreation and the Livonia Kiwanis Early Risers.

NIGHT OF LIGHTS

Night of Lights, presented by Masco Corp., is back with more lights, more activities and more community fun! Formal activities for this regional holiday attraction will take place the first three weekends in December with the lights on display all month long. Night of Lights will take over Greenmead Historical Park from 5-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 5-8 p.m. Sundays from Dec. 3-4, 10-12 and 17-19. There is no event Dec. 5 so everyone can attend the Merry & Bright Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be returning for visits on the porch of the Alexander Blue House. New this year will be children’s arts and crafts inside Newburg School, and heated hospitality tent with outside firepits for sales of alcoholic beverages, snacks, warm beverages, and soft drinks for public gatherings on the weekends. Musical entertainment performances will take place at Newburg Church, as well.

Several Greenmead buildings will be decorated with lights:
*Alexander Blue House - Sponsored by DTE Energy
*Newburg Church - Sponsored by Edward Jones - Robin Whitfield
*Newburg School - Sponsored by Community Financial Credit Union
*Bungalow House - Sponsored by Embassy Title Agency
*A.J. Geer Store - Sponsored by MacFarland & Co.
*Blue Office - Sponsored by Marygrove Awning
*Street hockey rinks sponsored by Consumers Energy and Jimmy John's restaurants will be open for play.

Welcome Sponsors include Bill Brown Ford, OHM Advisors, LaFontaine dealerships, Livonia Save Our Youth, Lifemark Securities, Mercantile Bank, Schoolcraft College, Greener Method, Hegira Health, NYX, GFL Environmental, D&B Landscaping, Ford Motor Co., Cole, Newton and Duran, Madonna University, Growth Works, Cheryl Bowker Allstate, Community Choice Credit Union, Roush, Ashley Capital, Livonia Police Department, Livonia Golf Division, and UPS Store.

Admission will be a $10 suggested donation per vehicle for the activities during the weekend evenings.

Some event proceeds will be used to support Friends of Greenmead and the Livonia Anniversary Committee. Also, volunteers will be needed to staff the activities and earn money for their service clubs or sports teams. For more information, contact Livonia Chamber of Commerce President Dan West at dwest@livonia.org.

Nothing puts the holiday spirit into a community event more than the community itself. We’re looking for community members to bring that festive cheer to our event. Choose one shift or one for each of the eight days the event will run, but we’re seeking community members to volunteer their time Friday-Sunday the first three weekends in December for shifts ranging from 4:30-10 p.m. that average 2-3-hour increments. Check IDs at the drink tent (ages 18+), help with the Santa line, kids crafts, games, collecting parking donations or help as needed to get a broader view of the event. Grab a friend and sign up together, or go solo in spreading the holiday cheer. Sign up here to see how you can help or contact Billy at wkeppen@livonia.gov with any questions.

Lunch With Santa (sold out)

If you've ever wanted to have lunch with an international celebrity, join us for Lunch with Santa 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Civic Park Senior Center. Mrs. Claus will also be in attendance as we make crafts, take photos with Santa, enjoy storytime; and a lunch of pizza, salad, chips and cookies. Pre-registration is required. This event sold out.

Santa Stroll (sold out)

Enjoy an afternoon blending rich history with contemporary celebration from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at Greenmead Historical Park as you take photos with Santa, grab some take-and-make crafts, enjoy storytime, pet live reindeer, nab giveaways and more!

Please register for a 45-minute time slot as your arrival time and then enjoy a stroll through the village after your visit with Santa. This event sold out.

Sponsored by Christian Financial Credit Union, Ascend Medical and Steinkopf Nursey.

Merry & Bright Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting

The Merry & Bright Holiday Parade returns 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, with a course running from Frost Middle School to Livonia City Hall. Line the parade route along Stark Road, Lyndon Street, Farmington Road and Civic Center Drive to check out the best festive attire local organizations can muster up, wave to Santa and Mrs. Claus, and then join us at City Hall for the tree lighting with Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan and the Claus family. The Livonia Civic Chorus will provide the music.

Free children's activities will follow at about 5 p.m. in the Bennett Civic Center Library. After the tree lighting, stroll over to the library for crafts, a holiday sing-along with Beverly the Music Lady, and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Have a group that wants to be in the parade? Contact Billy at wkeppen@livonia.gov

Holiday Parade sponsored by Livonia Community Foundation. Tree Lighting sponsored by Rotary Club of Livonia.

Light Up Livonia

Livonia Parks and Recreation and the Livonia Chamber of Commerce are proud to announce the return of the Light Up Livonia Holiday Lights Contest! The contest is open to all residences and businesses in Livonia who register by Monday, Dec. 5. Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan will pick three residences, a Clark Griswold award winner and one business with the best holiday decorations. Mayor Brosnan and Santa Claus will visit the winners to deliver the awards on Tuesday, Dec. 21, in the evening.

Register online and indicate if you would like to be part of the Light Up Livonia Holiday Lights Map. Not participating in the contest, but want to check out the lights? Visit LivoniaParks.org starting Dec. 5 to view the map of participating locations that will be on display citywide through at least Dec. 25.

Christmas Tea (sold out)

Share an afternoon of holiday spirit with friends and family over tea, sandwiches and desserts at our Christmas Tea from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Greenmead Historical Park's Alexander Blue House. Courses will be served on Christmas china, with fine silverware and linens, and will be accompanied by holiday entertainment.

To assist staff with seating arrangements, please purchase all tickets for your group under one name. If members of your group are purchasing individual tickets, please provide full names when prompted at check out. 

Please be advised that parking for this event will only be available in Parking Lot B (southernmost Blue House lot) or the Special Events Parking Lot due to the Night of Lights event.

Register here or call (248) 477-7375 for more information. This event sold out Nov. 9.

Winter Break Blast

Don’t let your fitness goals slip away during the holiday break. Join us for the Winter Break Blast, a series of group fitness classes you can attend via punch cards or individual payments Dec. 20-Jan. 1. It’s a great way to test out new classes before the winter sessions begins the week of Jan. 3. All fitness levels are welcome.

New Year's Eve Party

Bring your family and friends together for an early New Year’s Celebration! Join us 4-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31, at the Kirksey Recreation Center and spend time climbing the rock wall, swimming, doing crafts, a balloon drop, and more! We will be providing pizza and treats.

Pre-registration is required. Registration begins Nov. 29.

LivoniaFit Challenge

Do you think you have what it takes? Challenge yourself mentally and physically with a unique indoor event pattered off the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). Lift the heaviest, throw the furthest, complete as many reps as possible and move the fastest. Take on the challenge; the LivoniaFit Challenge!

Join us 8 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, at the Kirksey Recreation Center MAC Gyms for the LivoniaFit Challenge. Heats will begin every 20 minutes and participants will be challenged with completing a deadlift, power throw, hand-release push ups, sprint-drag-carry, TRX pull up and row for distance.

The $40 entry fee includes the event, shirt and refreshments. Register by Feb. 6 to guarantee a T-shirt. Awards will be given to the top male and female in each age division.

For additional info, please contact Scott at (734) 466-2912 or sspahr@livonia.gov.