Winter Blast ends after 20 years, joins Royal Oak Holidays

After a two-decade run, southeast Michigan’s Winter Blast festival will no longer take place as a standalone event. Instead, its popular attractions will continue as part of the expanded Royal Oak Holidays celebration, organizers announced.

The change marks the end of a winter tradition that began in Detroit in 2005 during Super Bowl XL and later moved to Royal Oak in 2022. Winter Blast favorites — such as ice sculptures, carnival rides and the zip line — will now be offered for free as part of Royal Oak Holidays, which runs from Nov. 21 through Dec. 21 over five consecutive weekends downtown.

“We’re taking everything people loved about Winter Blast and supercharging it for one amazing holiday season,” festival producer Jon Witz said in the announcement. “By merging its favorite features into ‘Royal Oak Holidays’ and extending the event over multiple weekends, we’re creating a bigger, more accessible celebration that delivers more value, more festive fun and more time for families to enjoy it all.”

The holiday celebration, now in its second year, kicks off Nov. 21 with a tree-lighting ceremony at Centennial Commons, live music, carnival rides, marshmallow roasting, skating exhibitions and Santa’s arrival on a fire truck.

Royal Oak Mayor Michael Fournier said merging the two events makes sense for both residents and the city.

“The new format is a better investment for our city, creating more of ‘a blast’ over a longer period at a time when weather is more predictable and people are already out celebrating,” Fournier said.

What to expect each weekend

Each 2025 Royal Oak Holidays weekend will be themed and feature several attractions, according to organizers. Here’s what to expect; however, the event’s schedule is subject to change.

Nov. 21-23, opening weekend and tree lighting: Tree-lighting ceremony at Centennial Commons, season opening of the Rink at Royal Oak, carnival rides, launch of the Great Royal Oak Elf Hunt, live music, visits with Santa and marshmallow roasting.
Nov. 28-30, Thrill Weekend: Zip line rides, a life-size Hungry Hippos game, carriage rides, visits with Santa and marshmallow roasting.
Dec. 5-7, Shop & Sweets Weekend: Holiday markets, live music at the Holiday Cabin, cookie crawl through downtown shops, Santa photos, carriage rides and marshmallow roasting.
Dec. 12-14, Giving & Gliding Weekend: Free skating at the Rink at Royal Oak, a toy drive for The Bottomless Toy Chest, Royal Oak police vs. fire broomball, holiday markets, Santa photos, carriage rides and marshmallow roasting.
Dec. 19-21, Grinch & Games Weekend: Grinch visits, Grinch-themed activities, ice sculptures, the Winter Classic Cornhole Tournament, carriage rides and marshmallow roasting.

Royal Oak Holidays will also expand its outdoor holiday market, with more than 15 vendors offering seasonal goods, food and drinks.