December is officially here — which means twinkle lights, holiday markets, and parades happening in every direction. If you’re looking for festive things to do this week around Ann Arbor, Dexter, Chelsea, Saline & beyond… you’re in the right place.

And on a side note, if you know anyone who loves working with kids and is looking for extra work, the amazing people who run Warm Fuzzies Daycare in Dexter are looking for a great assistant to help them out!

Born from a 1950s camper and now caffeinating Ann Arbor, Hazel Coffee Co. is all about good brews, good people, and without the coffee snobbery.

Meet Noteworthy Wants + Wonders: part home décor haven, part whimsical gift shop, fully committed to helping you find that perfect little something (and perfect for shopping small this holiday season!)

For anyone who’s ever thought, “What Ann Arbor really needs is a crypto-meets-Vietnamese-coffee shop”… well, this was apparently for you. Block & Brew Café has a full menu of drinks, pastries, food, and lots of workspace — plus crypto-friendly ordering if you’re feeling futuristic.

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

Outdoor holiday market + mulled wine + 53 artisans + late-night shopping. Shop small and finish all your holiday gifting in one night. Kindlefest will run from 5–10pm + even later for Midnight Madness.

Santa’s leveling up from cookies to milkshakes. Free event, no appointment needed — just show up with your camera for a meet & greet or photos from 2-5pm.

Cocoa Crawl 12–6pm + Parade @ 6pm
Sip cocoa, shop local, win prizes, watch a hot-air balloon glide down Main Street (yes, really) — then end the night with Saline’s dazzling holiday parade.

Main Street turns into a glowing wonderland — think small-town Hallmark energy with light up floats.

Light Up Dexter (Dec 5th): A full night of small-town magic: twinkly lights, tree lighting, photos with Santa, hot chocolate, crafts & holiday cheer + a light parade the following day (Dec 6th) at 6pm on Main St.

Dexter’s historic mansion is turning into a full-on holiday wonderland. Think twinkly décor, cozy charm, and “why didn’t I wear velvet?” vibes. Check out the giant Christmas Village display, stop by to see Santa (10am–3pm), and let the kids make a gingerbread house to bring home. Suggested donation: $5.

(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)

Thursday, December 4th
Calvin Ohi & Aidan Hammel @ North Star Lounge from 5:30-6:30pm (no cover)
Mike Lee @ Erratic Ale (Dexter) from 6:30-8:30pm (no cover)
Skinned Knees wsg. Child Sleep, Anie Parker, Milan and the Ellipses @ Ziggys at 7pm ($5)
Klezmephonic @ Kerrytown Concert House at 7:30pm ($)
90's Night @ The Blind Pig, doors at 8pm ($20)
NewFound Road @ The Ark at 8pm ($29)
The Reason You Came @ Mash (Ann Arbor) from 9pm-1am (no cover)

Friday, December 5th:
Pete SG & Friends @ Ypsi Alehouse at 4:30pm (no cover)
Randy Tessier Band @ North Star Lounge from 5:30-6:30pm (no cover)
Yonder Mountain String Band @ The Blind Pig, doors at 7pm ($54)
Steve Somers and Friends @ Ypsi Alehouse at 7pm (no cover)
Pontiac Trail Blazers ft. Emily Slomovits @ North Star Lounge from 7-10pm ($) 
Endea Owens & the Cookout @ Blue Llama Jazz Club from 7-8pm & 9:30-10:30pm ($)
Strawberry Lake @ The Rumpus Room (Chelsea) at 7:00pm (free)
Disco Behemoth, Cult of Space Skull, Horse Bomb, Game Park @ Ziggy’s (Ypsi) at 8pm ($15)
Dom Flemons @ The Ark at 8pm ($29)
Switchback @ Zal Gaz Grotto from 8-11pm ($) 
Rob Crozier Ensemble @ The Habitat Lounge from 9-11pm (no cover)
Mike May & The Messarounds @ Mash (Ann Arbor) from 10pm-2am (no cover)

Saturday, December 6th:
Carols & Croissants: Kevin Bylsma and the Kerrytown Concert House Chorale @ Kerrytown Concert House at 11am ($)
The Malty Taskers @ Ypsi Alehouse at 4:30pm (no cover)
RJ Redline Band @ North Star Lounge from 6:30-7:15pm
Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer @ First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor from 6:30-7:45pm ($36)
Endea Owens & the Cookout @ Blue Llama Jazz Club from 7-8pm & 9:30-10:30pm ($)
Wood, Wind & Steel @ Ypsi Alehouse at 7pm (no cover)
Racing Mount Pleasant @ Power Center from 7-10pm ($)
Handel’s Messiah @ Hill Auditorium at 7:30pm ($)
Jamie Register @ The Blind Pig, doors at 8pm ($15c)
The RFD Boys @ The Ark at 8pm ($16)
Brawny Lad & Chris Bathgate @ Ziggy’s (Ypsi) at 8pm ($15) 
Shelby & Jake @ Mash (Ypsi) at 8pm (no cover)
Annie & Rod Capps Band @ North Star Lounge from 8:30-9:45pm ($)
Rob Crozier Ensemble @ The Habitat Lounge from 9-11pm (no cover)
JP & The Energy@ Mash (Ann Arbor) from 10pm-2am (no cover)

Sunday, December 7th:
Olivia Van Goor Sings the Music of Ella Fitzgerald @ Kerrytown Concert House at 2pm ($)
Handel’s Messiah @ Hill Auditorium at 2pm ($)
Rory Scovel @ The Blind Pig, doors at 4pm ($46)
Phil Ogilvie's Rhythm Kings @ Zal Gaz Grotto from 5-8pm ($)
Stella Cole @ Blue Llama Jazz Club from 6-7pm & 7:30-8:30 pm($)
Rory Scovel @ The Blind Pig, doors at 7pm ($46)
Jon McLaughlin & Friends @ The Ark at 7:30pm ($40)

Monday, December 8th:
Paul Keller Orchestra @ Zal Gaz Grotto from 7-10pm ($)
Over the Rhine @ The Ark at 8pm ($35)

Tuesday, December 9th:
Easy Street Jazz Band @ Zal Gaz Grotto Club from 5-7pm ($) 
Storm Large @ The Ark at 8pm ($40)

Wednesday, December 10th
Ben Seguin & Graham Rockwood @ North Star Lounge from 5:30-6:30pm (no cover)
Aguankó @ Blue Llama Jazz Club from 7-8pm & 8:30-9:30pm ($) 
After Hours @ Ypsi Alehouse at 7pm (no cover)
Harmolodics w/ Purplereiign, Na Bonsai @ The Blind Pig, doors at 8pm ($14)
Gear Lords @ 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! 

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 🙂