Before the tree lighting, Shelby TV will get you in the holiday spirit with the traditional Christmas Aglow stage show. Attendees can get a feel for the atmosphere with activities outside the library and enjoy Holiday His Melodies performed by the Utica High School Choir. (Photo — Shelby Township)
All eyes will be on the skies Thursday night, Nov. 30, as the Christmas Uglow Festival begins in Shelby Township, featuring music, Christmas tree lighting and a coordinated drone invasion.
The Shelby Township Downtown Development Authority is working with the township to host a free community event at the municipal campus located at 52700 Van Dyke Avenue.The fun begins at 6:30 p.m.
“Together, we aim to create engaging experiences that not only bring joy to our community, but also support local small businesses along Van Dyke Street,” said board member Lucia Di. Chicco said in a statement. “This event is a celebration of the holiday spirit and a testament to the resilience and vitality of our local economy.”
Before the grand tree lighting, Shelby TV will get you in the holiday spirit with a traditional stage show.
Guests can ride horse-drawn carriages, interact with reindeer outside the library, sip hot cocoa and tune in to holiday melodies by the Utica High School Choir.
Santa Claus and town officials will light a 40-foot Christmas tree, followed by a series of drones soaring through the sky.
After the festivities, Santa will receive the keys to the township from the North Pole Ambassador, chosen from among the winners of this year’s Shelby Township Christmas Coloring Contest. He will meet with children inside the Shelby Township Library and pose for free photos.
After Aglow, the festivities continue with “Christmas on the Frontier” at the Burgess Shadbush Nature Center on Saturday, December 2nd from 1pm to 5pm.
Residents can enjoy historically accurate games and activities, tour the Pioneer Cabin with re-enactors, and visit Father Christmas from 2 to 4 p.m. “Too Happy Voyagers” will provide fun music at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.
Admission is $5 for residents, $7 for non-residents, and infants under 2 years old are free.
The Nature Center also hosts an annual Christmas Bird Count for bird enthusiasts on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., contributing to the Macomb County Audubon Society’s bird identification efforts.
The festivities conclude at the nature center with a winter solstice hike and bonfire on Dec. 21 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. There will be winter crafts, hikes and hot chocolate to celebrate the longest night of the year. Admission is $3 for residents and $5 for non-residents, and the event must be 12 years of age or older. Pre-registration is recommended.
After a stop at Uglow and the Nature Center, Santa will attend a sold-out “Breakfast with Santa” and ” “Dinner and Dancing with Santa” will conclude the town appearance. Santa” event will be held at Cherry Creek Golf Club on Dec. 14 at 6 p.m.
Breakfast includes a small gift from Santa and a holiday craft. For those looking for a more formal encounter, the Dinner and Dance with Santa event is perfect.
Evenings begin at 6pm, with dinner served at 6:30pm. Advance tickets are required. For ticket availability, please call 586-731-0300.
Seniors 50 and older in the Shelby Township and Utica area can enjoy Christmas fun from December 1st through December 15th.
The sold-out Jack Frost Jubilee Luncheon on Dec. 1 is at 11 a.m., followed by Christmas Breakfast Bingo on Dec. 11 at 9:15 a.m. and the Christmas Sing-A-Long Wassail on Dec. 13 at 11 a.m. to complete the festivities. will end when sold out. -Out Blitzen’s Ball Dinner Dance on Dec. 15 at 5 p.m.
For more information and ticket prices and availability, contact the Senior Center at 586-739-7540. All Senior Center events require Senior Center membership. Membership fees are $5 for Shelby Township and Utica residents (age 50 and older) and $10 for non-residents. For more information, please email senior@shelbytwp.org.
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