Ann Arbor Area Weekend Events Guide: Santa, Holiday Markets & Live Music (Dec 12–17)

Discover the best things to do in Ann Arbor, Dexter, Ypsilanti & surrounding towns this week. Holiday markets, Santa events, family activities & live music (Dec 12–17).

Author

Bailey Walsh
December 12, 2025

Hi neighbors!

If you’re looking for festive fun, last-minute holiday magic, or just an excuse to get out of the house before the winter blues settle in… I’ve got you. Here’s the best of what’s happening this week across Ann Arbor, Dexter, Ypsi & beyond — from Santa sightings to cozy cocoa walks to live music every night of the week.

Let’s get into it! 🎄✨

🗓️ What’s Happening?

Looking for things to do in Ann Arbor, Dexter, Ypsi & beyond this weekend? 

🎅 Santa & Holiday Happenings (Dec 12–16)

A cozy evening stroll with twinkle lights + hot cocoa. Low-key festive, high reward.
📍 Gallup Park

❄️ Dec 12-14 — Disney’s Frozen @ The Encore (Dexter)

Let it go… to the theater & enjoy the show beloved by toddlers everywhere!

Open house at historic Gordon Hall—holiday décor, old-fashioned charm, and vintage toys that’ll make you say “they don’t make ’em like they used to.”

Kris Kringle + carbs. The holiday combo you truly deserve.

🎅🏼 Dec 13th — Santa Photo Experience @ Briarwood Mall

Classic mall Santa vibes: cute pics, mild chaos, core memories.

Local makers, edible gifts, and the perfect chance to finish (or start 🤷‍♀️) your holiday shopping.

A sweet little scavenger hunt for elementary-aged kids. Think “Where’s Waldo?” but with cookies.

Santa + Mrs. Claus + adorable farm animals = wholesome holiday overload.

🎄 Dec 14 — Special Holiday Market (Kerrytown, 7am–3pm)

Festive market energy + Kerrytown charm = peak Ann Arbor holiday shopping.

The annual reminder to appreciate your family… and never underestimate an 8-year-old.

A first-ever menorah parade + treats + live music. Starts at 4pm, lighting at 5:30pm.

Holiday classic, magical vibes, sugar plum dreams.

🏠 Thinking about making a move in the Ann Arbor area?  

Hi! I’m Bailey Walsh 👋 

Realtor, local expert, and lover of all things local. I live in the area, work here, and tend to know everything going on in the Ann Arbor area (hence, the newsletter).

Whether you're planning a move or just Zillow-scrolling at midnight with a glass of wine, I’m always happy to help.

Reach out anytime—whether you’ve got a real estate question or just need a solid coffee rec, I’ve got you.

🎵  Live Music Lineup

(Live music events in Ann Arbor/Ypsi unless otherwise noted & those marked with ($) charge a cover or require a ticket to the best of my knowledge)

Friday, December 12th:
Ron Brooks Quartet @ Blue Llama Jazz Club from 4-6pm ($)
George Gardiner @ Ypsi Alehouse at 4:30pm (no cover)
Bart Moore & the Hot Boys of Jenison @ North Star Lounge from 5:30-6:30pm (no cover)
Dixon's Violin @ Chelsea Depot from 6:30-8:15pm ($)
The Band Feel w/ Pearl @ The Blind Pig, dors at 7pm ($31)
Indie Rock Royalty @ Ypsi Alehouse at 7pm (no cover)
Pontiac Trail Blazers ft. Jack Wagner @ North Star Lounge from 7-10pm ($) 
Robert Hurst & Black Currant Jam @ Blue Llama Jazz Club from 7-8pm & 9-10pm ($)
Mr. B & The Kerrytown Stompers @ Kerrytown Concert House from 7:30-9pm ($)
Holly-Day Delights Band Concert @ Towsley Auditorium-Washtenaw Community College from 7:30-9pm (free)
DJ Whittington’s Kool Kat: A Hip-Hop Panto @ Theatre Nova at 7:30pm ($)
Jessey Adams & Brenna Collins @ Mash (Ypsi) at 8pm (no cover)
Sonic Smut, ZZVAVA, Saga, Supreme Mystic @ Ziggy’s (Ypsi) at 8pm ($5)
Ebird & Friends Holiday Show @ The Ark at 8pm ($40)
Ain't Dead Yet @ Zal Gaz Grotto from 8-11pm ($) 
Ugly Radio Rebellion: Frank Zappa Tribute @ The Rumpus Room (Chelsea) at 9pm (free)
Rob Crozier Ensemble @ The Habitat Lounge from 9-11pm (no cover)
Slim to None / Kind of Animal @ Ypsi Alehouse at 9:30pm (no cover)
Flounder Face @ Mash (Ann Arbor) from 10pm-2am (no cover)

Saturday, December 13th:
Ebird & Friends Holiday Show @ The Ark at 2pm ($29)
DJ Whittington’s Kool Kat: A Hip-Hop Panto @ Theatre Nova at 3:00pm ($)
John Finan @ Ypsi Alehouse at 4:30pm (no cover)
Holiday Celebration Ft. The Santa band @ North Star Lounge from 6:00-7:15pm ($)
The Mark Williams Band with Judi Williams @ Ypsi Alehouse at 7pm (no cover)
Lyons Lane w/ Jackamo @ The Blind Pig, doors at 7pm ($19)
Dexter Community Chorale: Songs of the Season @ Faber Piano Institute from 7-8:30pm
Mary Ann Kirt, Jean Wilson & Amy Timbers @ The Owl (Milan) at 7pm
DJ Whittington’s Kool Kat: A Hip-Hop Panto @ Theatre Nova at 7:30pm ($)
Ebird & Friends Holiday Show @ The Ark at 8pm ($40)
734 Saturdays Today Drive @ Ziggy’s (Ypsi) at 8pm ($10) 
The Machine @ Mash (Ypsi) at 8pm (no cover)
The Extrusions Holiday Bash @ Zal Gaz Grotto from 8-11pm ($)
North Ingalls Band @ North Star Lounge from 8:30-9:45pm ($)
Rob Crozier Ensemble @ The Habitat Lounge from 9-11pm (no cover)
Let's Pretend @ Ypsi Alehouse at 9:30pm (no cover)
Dave Menzo Band @ Mash (Ann Arbor) from 10pm-2am (no cover)

Sunday, December 14th:
DJ Whittington’s Kool Kat: A Hip-Hop Panto @ Theatre Nova at 2pm ($)
Ellen Rowe’s All About the Trio: Holiday Vibes @ Kerrytown Concert House at 2pm ($)
Phil Ogilvie's Rhythm Kings @ Zal Gaz Grotto from 5-8pm ($)
Gustavo Casenave @ Blue Llama Jazz Club from 6-7pm & 8:30-9:30 pm($)
Lucy Kaplansky @ The Ark at 7:30pm ($29)

Monday, December 15th:
Paul Keller Orchestra with Sara D'Angelo and EMU Jazz Band @ Zal Gaz Grotto from 7-10pm ($)

Tuesday, December 16th:
Easy Street Jazz Band @ Zal Gaz Grotto Club from 5-7pm ($) 
Desmond Lorenz @ Ziggy’s (Ypsi) at 8pm ($)
Community High Jazz Ark-tic Blast @ The Ark at 6pm & 8pm ($5)

Wednesday, December 17th
Kat Steih @ North Star Lounge from 5:30-6:30pm (no cover)
Community Drum Circle Guided by Sundance @ North Star Lounge from 7-10pm
Kevin Brewster & Black Renaissance @ Blue Llama Jazz Club from 7-8pm & 8:30-9:30pm ($) 
Deep Steam @ Ypsi Alehouse at 7pm (no cover)
Mike Cooley @ The Ark at 8pm ($35)
Acoustic Folk Night w/ Lonesome Skeleton Band, IZAK, Todd Elson and Kick It Six, John and Connor @ The Blind Pig, doors at 8pm ($10-$15)
Galen Bundy & Jonathan Hammonds: A Very Krampus Christmas Special @ Ziggy’s (Ypsi) at 8pm ($10)

And if you haven’t already… make sure you follow me on Instagram to get more updates & ideas of things to do and see in the area! 

💙 THANK YOU!

Thanks for reading the AA Insider this week!

If you enjoyed it enough to share it with someone else, that would make me super happy too 🙂