Downtown Ferndale has been transforming itself into an artfully-sculpted wonderland every holiday season for years, but this year the 11th Annual Holiday Ice & Winterfest Market, presented by the MotorCity Casino Hotel, will take your holiday shopping to new heights. In addition to 50-plus ice sculptures, free photos with Santa Claus and an outdoor market filled with unique gift items, families and friends can soar high above Nine Mile and Woodward on a five-story high ferris wheel.
This marquee holiday happening in Downtown Ferndale takes place over three days, Dec. 9, 10 and 11. Hours are 4-9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 9; 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, and noon-5 p.m., Sunday. Dec. 11. The event is organized by the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority and its partners.
Details of the holiday weekend include:
4-9 p.m. Friday/10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday/noon-5 p.m. Sunday:
. Winterfest Market. The open air market, located on East Nine Mile Road just east of Woodward Avenue, will feature unique holiday gift items, including hand-blown Christmas tree ornaments, artisan chocolates, specialty food items, locally made crafts and a local greens market.
. Ferris Wheel & More. This ride will tower five stories above Woodward and Nine Mile, adding to the thrill of the holidays with a sky high view of the world. Children will also enjoy a ride on a kid-sized choo choo train.
. Charitable Giving in Downtown Ferndale. This weekend and every day during the holidays downtown Ferndale businesses will be collecting for Make-A-Wish.
. Holiday Sounds. Live music from local musicians.
. Shopping & Dining. More than 80 unique retailers and 60-plus bars, restaurants and entertainment venues will be merrily serving up holiday specials that put you in good holiday cheer.
10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday:
. Michigan On Ice. 50-plus ice sculptures, sponsored by local businesses, will be placed all around town on Saturday, Dec. 10. World Champion Carver Tajana Raukar will recreate Michigan icons in ice – the Mackinac Bridge, the Great White Pine, the Mitt itself. She will also do live carvings throughout the downtown all day Saturday, Dec. 10.
. Santa Claus. The Jolly Old Elf arrives atop a Ferndale fire truck at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 10. He will land at the North Pole (aka Schiffer Park located at Planavon and West Nine Mile Road) and get right to work taking requests and sitting for free photos from 10-noon and 2-6 p.m.
. Lunch with Santa Claus. Children can dine with the big guy at Buffalo Wild Wings, noon-1:30 pm.
. Reindeer & Holiday Hayrides. Children can meet Dancer & Prancer from 11-3 p.m. at the North Pole, then board the free holiday hayride for a tour of downtown Ferndale.
. Warm-Hearted Cookie Challenge. Local charities team up with downtown businesses in the a challenge to raise the most money selling delicious cookies!
. Holiday Sounds. A host of musical groups including Sing Out Detroit, Ultra Violet and the Violettes and an ensemble from the State Champion Ferndale High School Eagles Marching Band will perform holiday songs all around town.
