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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWinter solstice: What the shortest day of the year signifies<\/p>\n
The official start of the winter season is known as the winter solstice. Here’s what it signifies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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After a two-decade run, southeast Michigan\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> in 2022. Winter Blast favorites \u2014<\/strong> such as ice sculptures, carnival rides and the zip line \u2014<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re taking everything people loved about Winter Blast and supercharging it for one amazing holiday season,\u201d festival producer Jon Witz said in the announcement. \u201cBy merging its favorite features into \u2018Royal Oak Holidays\u2019 and extending the event over multiple weekends, we\u2019re creating a bigger, more accessible celebration that delivers more value, more festive fun and more time for families to enjoy it all.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u2019s arrival on a fire truck.<\/p>\n Royal Oak Mayor Michael Fournier said merging the two events makes sense for both residents and the city.<\/p>\n \u201cThe new format is a better investment for our city, creating more of \u2018a blast\u2019 over a longer period at a time when weather is more predictable and people are already out celebrating,\u201d Fournier said.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> is subject to change.<\/p>\n Royal Oak Holidays will also expand its outdoor holiday market, with more than 15 vendors offering seasonal goods, food and drinks.<\/p>\nWhat to expect each weekend<\/h2>\n
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