EVENTS

WinterFest at Palmer Park celebrates Holidays & Diversity 
Sunday, December 14, 2025 | 1-4 pm
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A joyful multicultural holiday celebration to ring in the season with community!
Bundle up and share in the holiday spirit in beautiful Palmer Park! Join People for Palmer Park in celebrating Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas and the winter season at its free family-friendly WinterFest on Sunday, December 14, 2025 from 1-4 pm in and around the historic Palmer Log Cabin.

Hop aboard the horse and carriage rides or warm up by the fire pits with freshly baked cookies and piping hot cocoa. Listen to musical ensembles—bell ringers, carolers and violins—and enjoy treats inside the heated tent. Immerse in imagination: create holiday decorations, dream to stories, receive free children's books (we are giving away 700 books donated by Rx for Reading Detroit) and delight in the chugging locomotive at our vintage Lionel Trains holiday display. 

Santa and Mrs. Claus will welcome you in the Cabin, which will be festively decorated with holiday spirit and aglow with beautiful period-similar chandeliers, restored woodwork, Victorian pocket doors, shimmering stained glass windows and some enchanting surprises. Antique displays of children's toys, fashions and artifacts from the 1880s will be shared by TJ's Sweet Repeats Vintage.

More highlights include:
  • Make a wish and only tell Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will hold court in the historic Log Cabin!
  • Make snowflakes and other child-friendly arts & crafts
  • Immerse in the magic of spinning wool with Queen Mama Lynette and her enchanted spinning wheel.
  • Celebrate Kwanzaa, the lighting of the Kinara, and its seven days, principles and symbols from Rev Guice and members of Detroit Unity Temple
  • Learn about the history and celebration of Hanukkah: play dreidel, enjoy special cookies and Hanukkah gelt (chocolate coins), and learn about the eight nights of lighting the Menorah.
  • Enjoy holiday decorations, tree and some vintage surprises throughout the cabin. The Cabin will be aglow with imagination and joyfulness!
  • Meet Grimace, McDonald's friendly purple mascot
  • Free books courtesy of Rx for Reading Detroit
  • Enjoy live music with bell players from Carillon Ringers of Royal Oak First United Methodist Church, violists from Detroit Youth Volume and Grateful Studio and carolers leading the singing.

Learn more about the history of the Palmer Park and the Log Cabin
Since 2011, People for Palmer Park, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been presenting free community celebrations to engage and connect neighbors and park users to encourage healthy living, love of nature and the environment, and to develop friendships and grow bonds between people of diverse backgrounds, ages, races, ethnicities, abilities, and identities. As a regional park, we strive to find harmony between urban and suburban visitors, and encourage volunteerism and participation to improve the park and quality of life for all. PFPP is the Adopt-a-Park partner with the City of Detroit. Thank you to: City of Detroit, Detroit Parks Coalition and others.

PEOPLE FOR PALMER PARK OFFICIAL MERCHANDISE: As with all our events, we will have plenty of official PFPP merchandise for sale. Cash and credit accepted!

Thank you to the City of Detroit, Detroit Parks Coalition, McDonalds, Mint Artists Guild and others for making this celebration possible!

LOCATION: WinterFest will take place in Palmer Park, in and around the Log Cabin which is located just north of McNichols (Six Mile Road) and just west of Woodward Ave. in Detroit. 
MORE EVENTS:


LIGHT UP THE CABIN 


LOG CABIN DAY


WINTERFEST


HARVEST FESTIVAL


ARTS & CULTURE


PALMER PARK ART FAIR