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Wayne County Lightfest


Thursday, December 22, 2022 will be the final light show of the season due to the anticipated extreme weather conditions across Michigan. The light show was formally scheduled to run through December 24, 2022.


The Wayne County Lightfest is magical four-mile stretch of Hines Park, displaying nearly 50 animated themed displays and more than 100,000 lights .

The Lightfest is open Wednesday - Sunday from Thursday, November 17, 2022 until Thursday, December 22, 2022 from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM. The Lightfest is closed Monday and Tuesday evenings.

Due to overwhelming response to the Lightfest, wait times may be longer than normal on weekends. Families all over the Metro Detroit Area are looking for safe activities to participate in this holiday season and our staff is working diligently to make the Lightfest experience as positive as possible.

Lightfest Fees:
Cars $5 cash
Commercial van/RV/limo $20 cash
Mini-Bus (20 passenger) $25 cash
Bus (40 passenger +) $50 cash

The entrance to the Lightfest is 7651 North Merriman Road, which is on Merriman between Ann Arbor Trail and Warren Avenue in Westland, 2 1/2 miles south of I-96.

This year, Wayne County will offer radio alerts to update visitors with important show information. By tuning into AM 1640 within three to five miles of the Lightfest entrance, visitors can receive regular updates on wait times, traffic flow, special event and event costs.

Visitors can make a stop at Perrin Park, mid-way through the show, to drop off a letter to Santa in the giant mailbox , patronize two food trucks and visit the restroom.

During the Lightfest, Hines Drive closes to traffic for set-up and operations from 5:00 PM - 11:30 PM from Ann Arbor Trail to Outer Drive.

Toy Night, which allows visitors to donate a new, unwrapped toy in lieu of paying the car entrance fee, will take place on Wednesdays, November 23, November 30 and December 7, 2022. Commercial vehicles will not be considered for free admission.

If you are looking to pre-purchase tickets for employees, friends or family in advance, you can purchase tickets at the Nankin MIlls Interpretive Center in Westland Monday - Friday from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM at the walk-up window. The price for tickets are $5 per car. The address for Nankin Mills is 33175 Ann Arbor Trail in Westland. Pre-paid tickets can be purchased with cash, check or Visa/Mastercard or over the phone with a credit card by calling (734) 261-1990 and tickets will be mailed to you. Please note that tickets purchased in person at the Lightfest are the same price but must be paid by CASH only.

In addition, bus groups can pre-register their busses and pay ahead of time by check, Visa/Mastercard or cash. Please call (734) 261-1990 for more information but bus pre-registration must be done at least one week ahead of time.

Special thanks to our sponsors:

DTE Energy
ITC Holdings, Inc.
Fryz Services, Inc.
Community Alliance Credit Union
Cole, Newton & Duran Certified Public Accountants
National Heritage Academies
Allied Building Services
Consumers Energy
Friends of Wayne County Parks
SMART
Fox 2 News

For more information, please call (734) 261-1990.

Lightfest "Lights On" Opening Celebration - Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 6:00 PM Merriman Hollow Park in Westland.

Bundle up and help us kick off the start of the Wayne County Lightfest by attending a sneak preview with music, refreshments and fireworks!

Participants should enter Hines Drive off of Merriman Road between Ann Arbor Trail and Warren Avenue in Westland. The address for the Lightfest is 7651 N. Merriman Road in Westland.

Admission for the Lightfest is free on November 17 for participants attending the Lights On ceremony from 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM.

For more information, please call (734) 261-1990,

Bike Through the Lights - Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 7:00 PM Merriman Hollow Park in Westland

Participate in your own light parade at Bike Through the Lights and be among the first to see the 2022 Wayne County Lightfest! Bike riders will bike to the Warrendale Picnic Area and back (16K). Participants can turn around at any point.

Click HERE to register for Bike Through the Lights.

All participants will receive a 2022 Lightfest hat, bike light and post event snacks.

All riders must wear a helmet and have a light due to two-way bike traffic.

Start/Finish Location: Merriman Hollow Park (corner of Merriman Road and Hines Drive). Hines Drive will be closed to vehicle traffic for the event.

For more information, please call (734) 261-1990.

Lightfest 8K Fun Run/Walk - Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 7:00 PM

See the Wayne County Lightfest in a whole new way by running or walking the route!

All participants in the Lightfest Run/Walk will receive a 2022 Lightfest hat, finishers medal, transportation back to your car provided by SMART and post event snacks.

Start location: Merriman Hollow Park (corner of Merriman Road and Hines Drive). Hines Drive will be closed to vehicle traffic for the event.
Finish Location: Warrendale Park in Dearborn Heights (off Warren Avenue, east of Telegraph). Please note that there is minimal parking at Warrendale Park.

Click HERE for registration information about the Lightfest 8K Fun Run/Walk!

For more information, please call (734) 261-1990.

Concessions

There will be two food trucks, along with restroom facilities and a large mailbox to mail Santa letters located at Perrin Park, which is halfway through the Lightfest. The Santa Shelter will not be available in 2022.