Shelby Township seeks the finest holiday lights display from the community. Please send a maximum of four well-lit pictures of your fully illuminated home to madams@shelbytwp.org by Dec. 12 to participate. We will showcase a map of the submissions on shelbytwp.org/christmas and on facebook.com/shelbytwpparksandrec Dec. 15-19.

On Dec. 22, the Parks, Recreation, and Maintenance Department staff will announce the first- and second-place winners on the Shelby TV Christmas Lights Show at youtube.com/shelbytownshiptv. Please note that only residential homes are eligible, and businesses are excluded from this competition.

The magic returns this Friday, Dec. 5, at 6 PM at the Shelby Township Civic Center Campus at 52700 Van Dyke Ave., and we’re kicking off the celebration in a big way with an incredible holiday drone show, proudly presented by the Shelby Township DDA! 🎆

Join Shelby Township Parks, Recreation and Maintenance as we light the Christmas tree, welcome Santa to the Shelby TV stage, and fill the night with festive music and holiday cheer. Then look to the sky as hundreds of drones create breathtaking, holiday themed displays that you’ll be talking about all season long. 🌟

Bring your family, your friends, and all the holiday joy you can carry for a night of lights, laughter, Santa, and unforgettable memories. 🎅🎄

While you enjoy Christmas Aglow, make sure to explore all the festive fun happening outside across the campus. 🎄✨

There is plenty to see and do, including:

• A reindeer food craft for kids
• A chance to meet one of Santa’s reindeer thanks to the Friends of the Shelby Township Library
• Fire pits to help you stay warm
• Horsedrawn wagon rides around the grounds
• Hot chocolate stands
• Cookies and photos with Christmas characters inside the Historic Hope Chapel
• Cupcake Christmas tree ornament crafts inside the Historic Andrews Schoolhouse
• A photo op with the historic "holiday" train

Bundle up, take your time, and enjoy all the holiday magic throughout the campus.

After we light the tree, head into the Shelby Township Library for FREE photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus in front of the fireplace. Please make sure you're in line by 8:30 p.m., so we can help Santa get back to the North Pole in time to feed Rudolph.

While you are waiting for your visit with Santa or even after you snap your free photo, be sure to explore all the festive fun happening inside the Shelby Township Library. 🎄📚

We have packed the night with holiday magic, including:

• Christmas skits performed by the Eisenhower Theater students
• A Holiday Book Bundle Sale perfect for gift giving
• Live music from a beautiful string quartet
• The Shelby Township Library Christmas tree that needs your help getting decorated
• Balloon artists and magicians spreading cheer
• A make-your-own Christmas ornament craft
• A Letters to Santa station for kids to send their wishes straight to the North Pole

There is something for everyone, so wander through, warm up, and enjoy the holiday spirit throughout the Library. ✨

Let's answer your Christmas Aglow questions.

🎅When is the drone show?

The drone show will be the final part of our holiday stage show, which begins at 6 PM. It will start shortly after the Christmas tree is lit, around 6:20 PM.

🎅Is there an event fee?

Christmas Aglow is completely free. If you are looking for holiday gifts or a treat for yourself, the Friends of the Shelby Township Library will host an ornament and book bundle sale inside the library during the event.

🎅What time does Christmas Aglow start?

This year, the event takes place on Friday, December 5, at 6 PM. The time helps families with little ones who love meeting Santa but cannot stay up too late.

🎅What time are the pictures with Santa?

Free photos with Santa will begin in the library after the drone show, around 6:45 PM. But make sure you're in line by 8:30 PM!

🎅Where is there parking?

Entry onto the Shelby Township Civic Center Campus will be available only through the south Van Dyke Ave. entrance and the 24 Mile Road entrance. Once inside, parking will be available at:

🛷The 41A District Court (52420 Van Dyke Ave.)
🛷Shelby Township offices (52700 Van Dyke Ave.) handicap parking will be offered near the township offices, but it is limited.
🛷The Shelby Township Library (52610 Van Dyke Ave.) parking at the library will be limited.
🛷The Early Voting Center (52830 Van Dyke Ave.)
🛷Mae Stecker Park (8600 24 Mile Road)

If we have not answered your question, feel free to email info@shelbytwp.org. See you at Christmas Aglow.

Looking for maps for Christmas Aglow? Click the link below!

• Christmas Aglow 2025 maps

Visit the children’s area to write a letter to Santa. Place it in the special mailbox by 5 p.m. Dec. 13 and you will receive a reply from Santa. This program is a cooperative effort between the Kiwanis Club of Utica-Shelby Township and the Shelby Township Library. 

What better way to celebrate the season than to give the gift of reading. The Friends of the Shelby Township Library is offering their ever-popular annual Books by the Bundle Sale starting Dec. 1 and running through Dec. 23, or while supplies last. Themed book bundles are beautifully wrapped in ribbon and bows, ready for affordable gift giving at only $9 each. New bundles are added daily. Hurry in because they sell out quickly. All proceeds from the sale of book bundles directly support the Shelby Township Library.

Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 AM

Enjoy pancakes and sausage while giving your little ones a chance to visit with Santa without waiting in line at the mall. Each child will receive a small gift from Santa and have an opportunity to make a holiday craft.

Reserve your seats today call 586-731-0300 or visit register. shelbytwp.org. This event is expected to sell out quickly. High chairs and booster seats are not available. Tickets are not available at the door.

$13/seat for residents, $18 for nonresidents

Christmas is always a WILD time at the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center.

Christmas on the Frontier 

Saturday, Dec. 6, from 1-5 PM

Celebrate the holiday in frontier fashion with historically accurate games and activities such as candle-dipping and crafting rustic ornaments. Learn how early European settlers celebrated Christmas by meeting reenactors, visiting our authentic Settler’s Cabin, and observing family traditions popular between 1850s-1890s.

Santa will visit from 2-4 p.m. Children will have the opportunity to tell Santa their Christmas wishes and pose for photos with a rustic cabin backdrop.

The “Too Happy Voyageurs” will play live music, teach traditional dances, and lead caroling of Christmas songs.

$5 per resident; $7 per non-resident. Infants 2 and under are free.

Christmas Bird Count

Saturday, Dec. 20, from 10 AM-12 PM

Be a part of bird conservation by joining us for our yearly contribution to the Macomb County Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count. All skill levels are welcome. The day will include basic information on bird identification and ways to attract and observe winter birds. Participants will gather data while watching the feeders behind the nature center in addition to multiple hikes around the park to observe as many of our winter bird species as possible throughout the day. Coffee, hot chocolate, and donuts included. The nature center has a limited number of binoculars so please bring yours if you have them. Free event!!

Winter Solstice Hike & Bonfire

Saturday, Dec. 20, from 6:30-8:30 PM

Join us as we celebrate the longest and darkest night of the year! We will start the evening with a presentation regarding the cultural history of the Winter Solstice and how people have celebrated this natural event over the years. We will then craft mini yule wreaths followed by a luminary lit night hike to practice mindfulness. Then we will warm ourselves by the fire with hot chocolate as we burn the yule log and bid the old year goodbye.

Ages 12 and older. Pre-registration required; program starts promptly at 6:30pm.

$3 per resident / $5 per non-resident.

You can also download and use our Winter Bingo card all winter long. Whenever you go on a nature walk or hike, take this card to see what you can find. If you take pictures, you can tag us on social media with #ShelbyTwpBingo and we may share it on our Facebook page.

Senior citizens aged 50 and older enjoy a packed holiday schedule throughout December at the Shelby Township Senior Center at 14975 21 Mile Road.

While they are sold out, the events include the Christmas Puzzle Day, Christmas Pancake Breakfast Bingo at 9 a.m. Dec. 8, the Christmas Party at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 10 at the Palazzo Grande and the Christmas dinner dance at 5 p.m. Dec. 19 at the senior center.

The Senior Center Choir hosts its Christmas Sing-A-Long, free and open to the public. For more information on these events, email seniors@shelbytwp.org.

Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 6-8:30 PM

Join Jolly ole St. Nick for a fun family event at Cherry Creek Golf Club. Arrive at 6 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Dance to festive DJ music and visit with Santa Claus. Children receive a delightful gift. Remember your camera. No tickets sold at the door. Evening concludes at 8:30 p.m.  Call 586-731-0300 for reservations by Nov. 24 or before event is sold out. No refunds two weeks before event. A $7 processing fee applies to all refunds.

Participants: Students: Grades K- 2; Special needs: Any age

Rules: Open to Shelby Township residents and Utica Community Schools students. Color the present and include your name, address and phone number on the back of the coloring sheet. One entry per person. Additional coloring sheets available at shelbytwp.org/christmas. Drop-off or mail your coloring sheet to the Shelby Township Library (52610 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township, MI 48316). Coloring sheets must be received by November 14 at 5 p.m.

Prize: Township staff will review the submissions and select a winner. Winners will welcome Santa Claus to Shelby Township and award him the “Key to the Township” prior to the Christmas tree lighting during Christmas Aglow, 6 p.m., Dec. 5 at 52700 Van Dyke Ave. All entries will be displayed at Township Hall until Jan. 3, 2026.

2025 Shelby Township Christmas Coloring Contest Coloring Sheet