Spend the holidays with the City of Taylor. You never know where or when you are going to run into Santa Claus …


Thursday, November 28

Stop at the Lakes of Taylor Golf Club for its annual Thanksgiving Day Brunch. Reservations are required. Bring all of your friends and family and enjoy a good meal while looking out over the golf course, one of the great views in the City. Exact time, details and menu still being worked out. Keep your eye on the cityoftaylor.com and Taylor’s Facebook pages for details. Tickets usually go fast, so once it is finalized, call (734) 287-2100 for reservations.


Saturday, November 30- Sunday, December 22

Santa’s Magic Playground returns for the holidays at Kudos Taproom & Fieldhouse, 14100 Pardee. (See related story on Page 24.)


Friday & Saturday, December 6-7

Taylor’s Ballet Americana will present “The Nutcracker” at the Dearborn Center for the Performing Arts, 15801 Michigan Avenue. The performance will be accompanied by the Detroit Symphony Youth Orchestra. Tickets and exact times available by calling (313) 576-5111.


Saturday, December 7

Ready for a busy Saturday? Get ready for the Taylor Winterfest Celebration and the Taylor Animal Shelter’s Photos with Santa.

The Taylor Winterfest Goodfellows Hot Cocoa 5K Run/Walk will be held inside Heritage Park, kicking off the annual Winterfest. The kid’s run begins at 9:30 a.m. with the adult 5K at 10. Participants get a finisher medal, long-sleeve shirt, snacks, age-group awards and hot cocoa.

The 5k entry fees are $30 (before Oct. 31); $35 (Nov. 1- Dec. 1); and $40 on race day. Kid’s race fees are $20 (before Oct. 31); $25 (Nov. 1-Dec. 1); and $30 on day of race. All proceeds go to the Goodfellows. Look for registration forms online.

Later in the morning, the Taylor Animal Shelter’s Photos with Santa will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at Kudos Taproom & Fieldhouse, 14100 Pardee Road at Superior. Bring your pets and get a photo for $10.

The celebration continues later in the day with the Winterfest Parade kicking off from the Taylor Recreation Center at 5 p.m. It will march down Pardee Road to the Sheridan Center Open Air Pavilion.

Music, holiday characters, refreshments and food will be available at the pavilion, where everyone gathers around the City’s official 40-foot Christmas tree. Look for Mayor Tim Woolley to introduce Santa and Mrs. Claus and then the Winterfest Tree lighting. Winterfest Fireworks will be on display over the park.


Tuesday, December 10

Get ready for the annual Senior Christmas Party at the William Ford Senior Activities Center, 6750 Troy. This afternoon event will feature music provided by Flipside and includes a catered meal. Dress in your holiday best and brightest. Tickets available at the senior center through December 3. Cost is $17 per resident and $20 for nonresidents. Remember, seniors only!


Saturday & Sunday, December 14-15

After a quick trip back to the North Pole to make sure Christmas preparation remains on schedule, Santa and Mrs. Claus return to Taylor and the Heritage Park Petting Farm for its “Jingle Bell Barn” that includes visits with the farm animals, holiday characters and Santa and Mrs. Claus. Another great way to get holiday photographs of your children with Santa (bring your camera). Runs from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. each day with tickets priced at only $5 (1-and-under are free).


Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday, December 19-23

The Taylor Winterfest Stroll through the petting farm and Heritage Park offers a unique view of the holiday’s outdoor beauty in half-hour reserved walks beginning at 6 p.m. each evening and running through an 8:30 p.m. time slot.

The stroll starts at the Heritage Park Petting Farm and heads around the historic Coan Lake area. Along the way, you’ll see lighted holiday presentations, characters and carolers. Food and beverages (including alcoholic) will be available for additional costs. The park is captivating on wintry evenings, and the Parks & Recreation and Building & Grounds departments have invested heavily to add more and more holiday scenes each season.

Tickets and reservations begin on Universe.com in November. Discount “family pack” pricing and individual resident and non-resident pricing for adults and children. The entrance/exit of the stroll is going to be at the petting farm. The City will have a shuttle running back and forth to the Sheridan Center parking lot for overflow parking if needed.