Santa greets children from the balcony of the Robert Frost Home Dec. 8 during Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford.
A mummer bids goodnight to guests Dec. 8 during Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN – Carolers, festive historical displays and activities harkening to a bygone era highlight Christmas and New Year traditions during Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford.
From volunteer choirs to professional performers like the Dodsworth Saxhorn Band on Mainstreet, the Main Street Quartet at the Town Hall and Christie Street Quartet in the bandshell near the covered bridge, holiday music was in the air.
Model T car rides gave guests an overview of the evening’s activities from the seat of a century old vehicle, while the Herschell-Spillman Carousel combined music, festive lights and nostalgia for a circular journey for guests of all ages.
Santa greeted guests from the balcony of the Robert Frost Home, while World War II-era Red Cross workers in the Cotswold Cottage showed how soldiers far from home might have been comforted during the holidays.
A campfire warms visitors at the Farris Windmill near the Daggett Farmhouse Dec. 8 during Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford.
Several of the historic homes, including the Noah Webster House, displayed New Year’s Day feasts that were celebrated during an era before Christmas grew to be a dominant holiday.
Campfires throughout the village offered a chance to rest and warm up, while an ongoing organ recital inside the Martha-Mary Chapel offered another opportunity to sit for a spell and enjoy a live musical performance.
The Detroit Historical Museum and the Glancy Trains Model Railroad Club were set up in the lodge near the carousel, where guests were able to marvel at the extensive miniature layout, which featured moving cars and trucks in addition to the many trains encircling the display.
Aside from the catered meals available in advance, vendors in food trucks and stalls enticed one with candied nuts, caramel popcorn and other culinary treats.
The event, which begins at 6 p.m., ends with caroling and fireworks on the village green to close out the evening’s events prior to the 10 p.m. closing. Holiday Nights, which runs select evenings through Dec. 28, is sold out for the 2024 season.
For more information, go to THF.org/holidaynights.
Above and below, Model T’s transport guests down Main Street Dec. 8 during Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford.
Detroit Central Market stalls attract guests Dec. 8 during Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford.
The Dodsworth Saxhorn Band plays at Washington and Main streets Dec. 8 during Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford.
The Wright Brothers home is decorated for Christmas, based on a 1900 photo, as guests discover its bygone era charm Dec. 8 during Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford.
An interpreter shares the details of an 1830s New Year’s Day open house at the Noah Webster House Dec. 8 during Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford.
A World War II-era Red Cross Hospitality Station worker helps soldiers send letters home from her post in the Cotswold Cottage Dec. 8 during Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford.
The Ackley covered bridge is decorated and lit up for the holidays Dec. 8 during Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford.
The Christie Street Quartet performs at the bandstand near the covered bridge Dec. 8 during Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford.
Guests enjoy viewing the vintage model train layout presented by the Glancy Trains Model Railroad Club and the Detroit Historical Museum in the Lodge Dec. 8 during Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford.
The Herschell-Spillman Carousel is lit up for the holidays Dec. 8 during Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford.
Santa and interpreters lead guests in carols prior to the fireworks finale at the Town Hall Dec. 8 during Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford.
Fireworks close out the evening as guests watch from the Village Green Dec. 8 during Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford.