Whether it’s walking in botanical gardens in the spring, kayaking in the summer, nature walks in the fall, or enjoying Christmas festivities in the winter, Ann Arbor has everything to offer. And this is mostly due to the fact that it’s a college town, so you can be sure to find something to do year-round, whether you’re into a buzzing night life, or sitting next to a river clearing your mind.

Here is a list of the top 7 things you can do in and around Ann Arbor this holiday season.

1. Holiday Fun in Kerrytown
   Ann Arbor’s Kerrytown District hosts several holiday events on the weekend of December 4-6, including, from 6-10 p.m. on Friday, Christkindlmarket, an annual, free outdoor holiday market featuring hand-crafted ornaments, toys, and unique holiday gifts, as well as German foods, sweets and beverages. Live music, fire pits, a heated tent, s’more roasing and a lantern parade ($10 per lantern, or bring your own) will also be part of the event. On Saturdays (Dec 5, 12, 19), Santa visits Kerrytown from 10 a.m. to noon. And on Sunday, Dec 6, from 2-3 p.m. enjoy a free annual concert of carols, played on tubas and euphoniums by musicians of all ages, as Ann Arbor TubaChristmas returns to Kerrytown. Visit www.kerrytown.com for more information.If you’re planning on having some holiday fun in Kerrytown, make sure you’re staying at Ann Arbor Regent Hotel & Suites. We are located only 15 mins away from Kerrytown.
2. Sink Along with Santa On December 5 at 4 p.m., the popular, annual “Sing Along with Santa” event, presented by the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, features a carol sing-along led by Santa. Featured musicians include a pianist Lori Zupan, oboist Timothy Michling, and Pioneer High School choral groups Desperate Measures, Dissonance, and Pioneers. Followed by photos with Santa ($10 suggested donation), arts & crafts, and cookies & cider. (The concert is preceded by an instrument petting zoo and additional musical activities, beginning at 3 p.m.) Saturday, Dec. 5th at 4 p.m. at Bethlehem United Church of Christ, 423 S. Fourth Ave. Tickets cost $12 available in advance at the A2SO office (220 E.Huron, suite 470) and a2so.com, or at the door, pending availability. Ann Arbor Regent Hotel & Suites is conveniently located only 10 minutes away from the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra.
3. 40th annual holiday parade in Saline The 40th annual Holiday Parade in Saline is scheduled on Saturday, December 5th, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. It features floats, bands, baton twirlers, uni-cyclists, dancers, Mrs. Claus, horses, goats, dogs, Santa in his sleigh with his chief elf, a train boxcar, a hot air balloon, and more. This year’s theme is “Sights & Sounds of Christmas.” There is no cost for this event.The parade takes place only a 15 minute drive from the Ann Arbor Regent Hotel & Suites.
4. A2SO’s 4th Annual Holiday Pops Concert On Friday, December 11th at 8 p.m., the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra will perfect with the Ann Arbor Youth Chorale, the Boychoir of Ann Arbor, the men’s chorus Measure for Measure, and choirs from Greenhills School and Skyline High School in a program of seasonal music. The program finale is “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” Hill Auditorium, 825 N. University in Ann Arbor. Tickets cost $10-$47, available in advance at a2so.com or 734-994-4801. The Hill Auditorium is only a 12 minute drive from Ann Arbor Regent Hotel & Suites.
5. Ebird & Friends Holiday Show For two nights (Friday, December 11th and Saturday, December 12th) at 8 p.m at The Ark, The Ragbirds will be joined on stage by several established and up-and-coming luminaries of the local music scene for this 8th annual program of new and old holiday music. Participants include the acclaimed nationally touring Traverse City teenage folk duo The Accidentals, Third Coast King front man Sean Ike, Detroit singer-songwriter Olivia Millerschin, singer-songwriter Jess McCumons of the Understorey, guitarist Andrew Brown and violinist & mandolinist Brandon Smith of the Appleseed Collective, singer-songwriter Jen Sygit, dobro virtuoso Mark Lavengood of Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys, bassist Brennan Andes & trumpeter Ross Huff of the Macpodz, saxophonist Rachel Mazer, and trombonist Bethanni Grecynski of Rhyta Musik. The Ark, 316 S.Main in Ann Arbor. Tickets cost $20, available at mutotix.com, theark.org, and 734-763-TKTS. The Ark is only a 15 minute drive from Ann Arbor Regent Hotel & Suites.
6. Frosty on Ice On Sunday, December 13th, from 1-2:30 p.m., everyone’s invited to skate with Frosty the Snowman to recorded holiday music. Free candy canes. Veterans Ice Arena, 2150 Jackson Rd, in Ann Arbor. The cost is $6, and skate rentals available for $3.The Veterans Ice Arena is only a 12 minute drive from Ann Arbor Regent Hotel & Suites.
7. Michigan Theater Holiday Film Series Admission to all films in the series is free, with screenings on Sundays at 1:30 p.m. Bring your family and take in a terrific seasonal classic! Upcoming movies in the series are: “A Muppet Christmas Carol,” December 6th; Jim Carrey’s live-action version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” on December 13th; and “It’s a Wonderful Life” on December 20.The Michigan Theater is located only 14 minutes away from Ann Arbor Regent Hotel & Suites.

Whatever the event or occasion for visiting Ann Arbor, you will most likely need a place to stay, and Ann Arbor Regent Hotel and Suites is the perfect place. We offer exceptional service and extraordinary accommodations at impressively competitive rates. All of our guest rooms include a breakfast, WiFi, refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. Our amenities are a step above competitive hotels, with a heated indoor pool and hot tub, billiards room, and a patio garden with lighted gazebo. We are conveniently located with easy access to US-23, I-94, the University of Michigan, Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital, the University of Michigan Hospital, and Easter Michigan University. We also offer some great packages, which you can check out here.

If you’re thinking of staying with us, give us a call at 734-973-6100.

Did you know that we also have conference rooms available, that can accommodate up to 120 people? Did you also know that we are the perfect place to have your wedding?