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Wayne County Lightfest

The address for the Lightfest is 7651 N. Merriman Road, which is 2.5 miles south of I-96. Please note that the access to the Lightfest is only available north of the Merriman Road Bridge due to bridge work being underway. Please be prepared for longer entrance times!



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

The Lightfest will be open Wednesday - Sunday from Thursday, November 16, 2023 until Sunday, December 24, 2023 from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM. The Lightfest will be 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

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.

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 22, November 29, December 6 and December 13, 2023. Commercial vehicles will not be considered for free admission.

Vechicle fees are paid in cash on site but 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 starting November 20. The price for tickets is $5 per car. The address for the Nankin Mills Interpretive Center 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.

Did you know it is the 30th anniversary of the Wayne County Lightfest? Help us celebrate by purchasing the 2023 long sleeve shirt from the Lightfest Run/Bike events! The cost is $15 if purchased in person at the Nankin Mills Interpretive Cener or $20 if shipped. Sizes available are Small, Mediu, X-Large and XX-Large. Cash and check are available as forms of payment at the Nankin Mills Interpretive Center Monday - Friday from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. We can also make arrangements over the phone by calling (734) 261-1990.

For more information about the Wayne County Lightfest, please call (734) 261-1990.

Lightfest "Lights On" Opening Celebration - Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 6:00 PM at 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, fireworks and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus!

Participants should enter Hines Drive off of Merriman Road, just south of Ann Arbor Trail in Westland. The address for the Lightfest is 7651 N. Merriman Road in Westland. Please note the access to the Lightfest is only available north of the Merriman Road bridge due to bridge work being underway. Please be prepared for longer entrance times.

Admission for the Lightfest is free on November 16 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 14, 2023 at 7:00 PM at Merriman Hollow Park in Westland

Participate in your own light parade at Bike Through the Lights and be among the first to see the 2023 Wayne County Lightfest! Bike riders will bike to the Warrendale Picnic Area and back (16K). Participants can turn around at any point.

Click HERE for online registration or visit https://runningfitevents.redpodium.com/2023-lightfest.

All participants will receive a 2023 Lightfest long-sleeve shirt, 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 15, 2023 at 7:00 PM at Merriman Hollow Park in Westland

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 2023 Lightfest long-sleeve shirt, 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 online registration or visit https://runningfitevents.redpodium.com/2023-lightfest.

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

Concessions

There will be three food trucks at Perrin Park, which is halfway through the show. There are also restrooms at Perrin Park and a large Santa's mailbox!