DEARBORN, Michigan – Wipe away the bah-humbugs with a healthy dose of Christmas spirit during The Henry Ford’s annual Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village. See why USA Today and Reader’s Digest named this popular event one of the top ten holiday destinations for families. The event opened on December 1, and runs December 7-8, 14-16, 18-23 and 26-27, 2012 from 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. Ticket prices are $17 for adult members and $12.75 for youth members, $20 for adult non-members and $15 for youth non-members. Children four and under are free.
A Greens Market at Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village – Dearborn, Michigan – photo by Michelle Andonian
Holiday Nights transforms Greenfield Village into a holiday scene from the 19th and 20th centuries. Streets are lit by the soft glow of lanterns leading you into the historic homes decorated for the season and filled with the scents of evergreen and freshly baked holiday treats. Take a ride in this winter wonderland via a Model T or on a horse-drawn carriage complete with caroling. As you make your way throughout the Village, don’t forget to stop by the Robert Frost home to visit with Santa and his reindeer.
Horse Drawn Carriage at Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village – photo by Michelle Andonian
Visitors can lace up their skates and take a turn or two on the Village’s ice skating rink. Listen as traditional holiday tunes echo through the air as Victorian-era carolers stroll through the Village and the Dodworth Saxhorn Band serenades visitors down Main Street.
Ice Skater at Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village – photo by Michelle Andonian
Food stations are planted along the paths and are filled with historically-inspired seasonal delights, including freshly-roasted chestnuts, hot apple cider and cocoa. For the end of the evening, purchase an official Holiday Nights lantern and join the procession from Martha-Mary Chapel to Town Hall for a Fireworks finale accompanied by a sing-along of familiar holiday tunes.
Martha Mary Chapel at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan during the Holiday Nights winter festival. Photo by Michelle Andonian
Guests looking to spend some extra time with Old Saint Nick can do so during our Supper with Santa dinner package. A special ticket price combines dinner and Holiday Nights admission, and begins with a horse-drawn wagon ride to A Taste of History restaurant inside Greenfield Village. Enjoy a casual holiday turkey meal, arts and crafts and storytelling – and before heading into Holiday Nights, Santa himself will make a tableside visit to wish each child a Merry Christmas. Tickets for this special experience are $40 for adult members and $28.75 for youth members ages 5-12, $43 for adult non-members and $31 for youth non-members. Tickets for all children ages four and under are $12.50.
For the adults, historic Eagle Tavern also offers an exclusive, sophisticated seated dinner package. Live period music sets the tone for a delectable holiday feast, featuring roasted rib of beef, squash soup, roasted chicken with apricot sauce, ginger cake with vanilla sauce and more. The dinner package, which is available every night of the program, offers 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. seating and includes admission to Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village. Tickets are $72 for adult members and $67.75 for youth members, $75 for adult non-members and $70 for youth non-members. To purchase tickets for both Supper with Santa and the Eagle Tavern dinner package, call (313) 982-6001 or visit www.thehenryford.org
About The Henry Ford
The Henry Ford, in Dearborn, Michigan, is the world’s premier history destination and a National Historic Landmark that celebrates American history and innovation. Its mission is to provide unique educational experiences based on authentic objects, stories and lives from America’s traditions of ingenuity, resourcefulness and innovation. Its purpose is to inspire people to learn from these traditions to help shape a better future. Five distinct attractions at The Henry Ford captivate more than 1.5 million visitors annually: Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, The Ford Rouge Factory Tour, The Benson Ford Research Center and The Henry Ford IMAX Theatre. The Henry Ford is also home to Henry Ford Academy, a public charter high school which educates 485 students a year on the institution’s campus and was founded in partnership with The Henry Ford, Ford Motor Company and Wayne County Public Schools.