Birmingham
A polished winter town with a European-style market, serious dinner bookings, and excellent slider diplomacy.
Winter Markt borrows the European Christmas-market format, including seasonal food, makers, caroling, and a children's activity area.
Commonwealth breakfast → a scheduled public skate or open Lincoln Hills sledding session → Birmingham Roast warm-up → Tallulah dinner and a short downtown lights walk.
Saturday: Toast, shopping, Winter Markt when scheduled, and dinner at Tallulah; stay at Daxton or The Townsend. Sunday: Birmingham Roast, Barnum skating if posted open or an indoor arena session, then Hunter House before leaving.
- 01
Hunter House Hamburgers
The classic Woodward slider stop, now at its current address; a useful antidote to an expensive afternoon.
33900 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, MI 48009 · 248-646-7121 · Website ↗
- 02
Toast Birmingham
A lively downtown breakfast booking for a family or friends' winter day.
203 Pierce Street, Birmingham, MI 48009 · 248-258-6278 · Website ↗
- 03
Luxe Bar & Grill
Comforting food in a neighborhood dining room with daily lunch and evening service.
525 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, MI 48009 · 248-792-6051 · Website ↗
- 01
Dick O' Dow's
An established Irish public house for a sociable evening in the center of town.
160 W. Maple Road, Birmingham, MI 48009 · 248-642-1135 · Website ↗
- 02
Sidecar Slider Bar
Sliders and drinks with published daily hours until 2 a.m.
117 Willits Street, Birmingham, MI 48009 · 248-792-2380 · Website ↗
- 03
Churchill's Bistro & Cigar Bar
A cigar-friendly bar and bistro for adults who specifically want that atmosphere.
116 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, MI 48009 · 248-647-4555 · Website ↗
- 01
Commonwealth Café
A dependable daytime coffee-and-food stop; published hours are daily, 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
300 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, MI 48009 · 248-792-9766 · Website ↗
- 02
Birmingham Roast
Coffee, tea, and breakfast with published daily hours of 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
525 E. Brown Street, Birmingham, MI 48009 · 248-530-4314 · Website ↗
- 01
Indoor public skating
Published admission is $6 for adults and $5 for children and qualifying seniors; skate rental is $3. Consult the public-session calendar.
- 02
Snow-dependent sledding
The city typically opens the course for winter recreation with at least four inches of snow; call for access hours before setting out.
- 03
November 28, 2026, 9:30–10:30 a.m.
Birmingham Santa Walk
A short civic holiday stroll with festive shop stops; registration is required.
November 28, 2026
Small Business Saturday
Local shopping shares the day with Santa activities and carriage rides.
November 28, 2026, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.; additional Winter Markt rides December 5, 3–7 p.m., and December 6, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
A short holiday circuit through town without having to negotiate the reins.
December 4, 2026, 4–9 p.m.; December 5, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; December 6, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Birmingham Winter Markt
European-style food, local makers, ice sculptures, children's activities, and warming stations.
December 4, 2026, 6 p.m.
Birmingham Tree Lighting
The opening-night civic gathering for Winter Markt, with Santa and live caroling.
November 7, 2026, 5:15–6:15 p.m.
Birmingham Ice Sports Arena Fall Open House
A $3 introductory skating evening with rental skates included, first come, first served.
December 4–6, 2026; tree lighting December 4 at 6 p.m.
Winter Markt and Tree Lighting
- 01
Holiday Inn Express Detroit–Birmingham
The practical chain-hotel option near downtown, generally positioned below the town's luxury hotels.
35270 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, MI 48009 · 248-642-6200 · Website ↗
- 02
The Townsend Hotel
Traditional luxury in the walkable center, with afternoon tea and dining under the same roof.
100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, MI 48009 · 248-642-7900 · Website ↗
- 03
Daxton Hotel Birmingham
An art-filled contemporary hotel for a more design-led winter stay.
298 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, MI 48009 · 248-283-4200 · Website ↗
Bring a little Birmingham homeA Little More Winter printFor the wall you look at when it is July and you miss this.Have a look ↗