Forget the open-air sleigh overloaded with gifts and powered by a tuckered herd of flying reindeer.

Small gifts can pack some big excitement

The griping Vatican-based movie thriller “Conclave” about picking a new pope and Stephanie Hsu starring in the dark comedy series “Laid” as a woman whose former lovers keep unexpectedly dying are some of this week’s new streaming entertainment releases.

We know Santa can’t visit everyone’s house before Christmas, so he has helpers that use his name, and one particular Santa has run into a problem.

Discover the vibrant community of Plymouth!

Santa and Ms. Claus returned to University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital this week to visit the hospital’s littlest patients.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracks everything in the skies of the United States and Canada -- and that includes Santa’s sleigh and his reindeer this Christmas Eve.

North American military assets are keeping a sharp eye on Santa's travels.

Holiday travel is expected to hit its peak right around now.

The Bank of England has kept borrowing rates unchanged despite mounting worries over the state of the British economy.

Events for weekend of December 1-3.

Jill Biden has chosen a White House holiday décor that she hopes will inspire guests to feel like kids again.

Santa Claus received a special gift from the Detroit mayor amid America's Thanksgiving Parade.

Before the floats started rolling down Woodward Thursday morning, families galore were out Wednesday night getting an up-close look at the mobile art pieces as they got into position.

Community members can drop off letters in front of Conor O'Neil's between Nov. 29-Dec.13.

Shops, Slides, Santa and more!

Cher is obviously a superstar but even a superstar is happy to be the opening act when it comes to Santa.

Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis also has a busy career as a children’s author.

Did Santa bring you a new air fryer for Christmas this year?

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency as wintry weather moves through the state.

As we celebrate “Live in the D’s” Days of Giving, we are showcasing a place where you can step back in time for a classic holiday experience.

All I want for Christmas is for my Detroit sports to be watchable again.

The jolly man in red will make appearances around Tree Town through December as the Christmas holiday gets closer.

There are many holiday movies out there, and a couple has Michigan ties, but one Chicago-based Christmas movie blew everyone out of the water.

The spirit of the season glows bright throughout Motown with glimmering displays throughout the city. Bundle up and bring the family for holiday memories and traditions.

It’s hard to believe, but December is here. Although the weather is frightful, the holiday events are in full effect. First up in Macomb County, The Macomb Ballet Company will present their annual Nutcracker Performance. It’s the company’s 21st year for the production, and the biggest one yet. There will be a new set design and debut of a new character, “Queen of the Mice.” Performances will take place Friday-Sunday at The Macomb Center for the Performing Arts.

That inflatable Santa in your front yard will become your neighbor’s Christmas decoration if it’s not put away over the next 48 hours. A Wind Advisory goes into effect at 4 a.m. and continues through Wednesday at 10 p.m. with gusts as highs 40-45mph.

Let's get the Elf on the Shelf to work for us this year (and hopefully every year moving forward).

Have you thought about making macarons part of your holiday celebration?

The 96th “America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Gardner White” is a cherished holiday tradition that originates from Detroit.

If you love the holidays and all the festive events that come with them, get ready for a packed weekend! The weekend before Thanksgiving usually serves as the official kick-off to holiday festivities, and this weekend there’s something happening all over Metro Detroit.

When I was a kid, Santa lived at Oakland Mall. I literally thought he lived above Macy’s and came down in December to hear what I wanted for Christmas.

Main Street Ann Arbor is bringing back its special Santa’s Mailbox with an express connection to the jolly man in red.

Tree Town businesses and restaurants will be open late during the annual event offering event discounts, specials, bonus gift cards, giveaways and free gifts.

The red carpet premiere of a Christmas movie filmed in Holly, Michigan is happening Sunday (Nov. 6).

This Christmas Eve, Jolly Old St. Nicholas is once again delivering gifts to children around the world in record time. Here's how to track his whereabouts.

This Christmas Eve, Jolly Old St. Nicholas is once again delivering gifts to children around the world in record time. Here's how to track his whereabouts.

Get set for the U.S. Ski Jumping Olympic Trials, airing live on Christmas Day.

Staff at C.S Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor have been bringing holiday cheer to their youngest patients leading up to Christmas.

What’s the Buzz? It’s all about Christmas time for those who celebrate! Tati Amare speaks to friends of the show all about the holidays.

It’s the final Saturday before Christmas! If you have your holiday shopping done, here are some things to look forward to in Detroit.

Through Dec. 20, the Ann Arbor animal shelter is waiving adoption fees for a select group of long-term-stay adult animals

The spirit of the season glows bright throughout Motown with glimmering displays throughout the city. Bundle up and bring the family for holiday memories and traditions.

Christmas is just around the corner and the holiday cheer is ramping up in Detroit! Check out these festive events all throughout town.

A man who loves to decorate for the holidays has taken the Christmas spirit to a whole new level.

We’re used to seeing Santa at the mall, or better yet, on his sleigh delivering toys to children around the world, but you don’t see Santa (let alone hundreds of him) skiing or snowboarding down a mountain.

We’re giving WDIV Insider families that chance to get Santa that very important message through ClickOnDetroit and Local 4 News Today.

Get a classic photo with Santa this month at Briarwood Mall.

The holidays have arrived with shows, events and shopping centered around the festive season.

It’s that time of year! The holiday season is upon us.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, pet parents can drop in to have photos of their furbabies taken with Santa at the Ann Arbor animal supply store.

Voting opens at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning and closes Sunday at 11 p.m.

The bands, balloons, the floats, and of course Santa himself. Thursday morning we’re going to see one of the biggest and best events of the year: America’s Thanksgiving Parade.

Thanksgiving is here and bigger than ever with the return of the parade. It’s a great weekend for a staycation here in Detroit with so much to do.

The 95th “America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Gardner-White” is a cherished holiday tradition that originates from Detroit. The theme this year is “Love on Woodward.”

Local businesses will make sure that well wishes, gift lists and holiday cheer get to the jolly man in red at the Northpole.

Nearly two years into a global health crisis that has killed more than 5 million people, infections are again sweeping across parts of Western Europe.

Just a few days ago the Santa Parade in Mount Clemens was cancelled, disappointing thousands in the Macomb County community. Now, the parade is back on.

So that became available and now I’m trying to do it,” said Damien Lindsey. With the stores likely to be closed for Christmas, a few people might be disappointed when looking into their stocking. Those who have seen this trend year after year said the last-minute shopping wave is lacking compared to year’s past. (Holiday shopping) is not as fluent as it was in the past,” said K&G salesman Sydney Spight. “It’s so hectic with the quarantine and everything and everybody is trying to get their last-minute stuff in,” Lindsey said.

Nothing is going to stop Santa Claus from coming to town. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracks everything in the skies of the United States and Canada -- and that includes Santa’s sleigh and his reindeer this Christmas Eve. You can follow his journey around the globe through one of the livestreams included in this article, or by clicking here. You can call 660-557-2682 to hear a message from Santa.

Nothing is going to stop Santa Claus from coming to town. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracks everything in the skies of the United States and Canada -- and that includes Santa’s sleigh and his reindeer this Christmas Eve. You can follow his journey around the globe through one of the livestreams included in this article, or by clicking here. You can call 660-557-2682 to hear a message from Santa.

Christmas Day remains snowy. Snow showers return Thursday evening, to prep Santa and his sleigh for a good landing overnight. Christmas Day is a White Christmas in my book. Despite the lack of an inch of snow on the ground in many neighborhoods, snowflakes will be falling with scattered snow showers. · Track the live Michigan Weather Radar here· Track severe weather alerts here· Submit storm photos here· Find more weather forecast articles at Weather Center

ANN ARBOR – The Christmas spirit came alive on Saturday in the Glacier Highlands neighborhood on Ann Arbor’s northside. The Ly family has been welcoming Joe Eadie -- also known as Kerrytown Santa -- into their home for the past nine years. The Ly family with Santa Joe Eadie on Dec. 19, 2020. Santa Joe Eadie surprises children during the pandemic on Dec. 19, 2020. (Carly Ly)Local mothers pose with Santa Joe Eadie on Dec. 19, 2020 in the Glacier Highlands neighborhood in Ann Arbor.

(AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea has added 1,092 new coronavirus cases in a resurgence that is erasing hard-won epidemiological gains and eroding public confidence in the government’s ability to handle the outbreak. It would deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals and resources to vaccinate a nation confronting a frightening surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths. Preliminary data on U.S. deaths show the coronavirus pandemic contributing to a 15% or more increase in deaths over last year. ___MEXICO CITY — Mexican officials have reported a new daily high in confirmed coronavirus cases as the country awaits its first shipment of vaccine. ___WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Nation is reporting 151 new coronavirus cases and seven more deaths related to COVID-19.

DETROIT – A Detroit nonprofit helped share the Christmas spirit with kindergarten students at Catherine C. Blackwell Institute, donating bikes and other toys. “This is truly a blessing because for us, we don’t have a Christmas this year,” said mother Shatona Holmes. Holmes lost her job this year but that didn’t mean her son, Maximillan, wasn’t getting any gifts. He along with his classmates at Blackwell institute were surprised with the gifts from Colour Palette 313. Rainey said picking Blackwell Institute students to donate the gifts was an easy decision.

But starting in the mid-afternoon Saturday, expect some rain and snow showers, transitioning to rain as temperatures will max out in the upper 30s. Lake-effect snow showers behind the organized snow could add to those totals somewhat. But whatever falls on the 24th will likely be around for Christmas Day. More lake-effect snow showers are possible Friday, too. Christmas Day will be even colder with highs in the mid 20s.

DETROIT – Through donations from an anonymous donor and Comcast, the Detroit Police Department and the Detroit Public Safety Foundation are spreading some holiday cheer. They are holding their annual Sergeant Santa event that aims to help more than 50 families across Detroit during the holiday season. At least two families from each Detroit precinct and additional families around the city will receive toys, clothes and other items. During these historic times, our dedication to serving and helping the residents of Detroit can make an extraordinary impact. Detroit police chief James CraigThe other partners who helped out with the event include the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, the Detroit Tigers, Kroger, and WWJ News Radio 950.

The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect those of this site or affiliated companies. On Day 10 of our 12 Days of Giving, Wednesday’s prize will make your holiday, while helping you find your last-minute gifts. And all pampering can be done at a new nail salon called Paint Nail Bar, which offers non-toxic nail polish. After all the shopping and pampering, before you head home, you can take advantage of the 12 Days of Takeout in Birmingham.

LUDOWICI, Ga. – Dozens of children who attended a tree lighting event in Georgia may have been exposed to COVID-19 after a pair performing as Santa and Mrs. Claus tested positive for the virus, officials said. Commissioners' Chair Robert Parker said about 50 children, including his own, took pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, whose names weren't immediately released. “I have personally known both “Santa” and “Mrs. The county school system has asked parents to keep children at home if they were exposed or if they are showing symptoms. “Children are in close contact with both other children and adults daily at school, rec functions, and church,” Parker said.

ANN ARBOR – Though this pandemic has canceled most yearly events and traditions, Santa isn’t one of them. The man in the red suit and Mrs. Claus made virtual visits from the North Pole via Zoom to sick children at Michigan Medicine C.S. Child and Family Life staff made the cherished yearly visit possible by bringing Santa room to room on an iPad. “Because of their health conditions, visiting Santa isn’t possible for many of them, let alone during a pandemic. We are so thankful to the donors who are giving the gift of time to keep the tradition alive this year.”Related reading:

Twenty years after Eminem released “Stan,” Saturday Night Live spoofed the song to create “Stu,” -- and Eminem joined in on the fun. Pete Davidson led the musical sketch with blonde hair and all as he writes a letter to Santa, asking for a PS5. Watch the sketch below:

’Tis the season to give, and we have a feeling this might be one of the best ways yet to do exactly that.

Sitting on Santa’s lap is a big deal for Children around the world, but this year it’s tough. While he’s no stranger to house visits, he’s just dropping in earlier this year. Canton wasn’t about to let the pandemic stop children from getting their picture with Santa. They arranged socially distanced house visits on families’ front lawns. Just one day after Thanksgiving, the children of the Detroit Youth Choir are spreading Christmas cheer with a new holiday EP.

Santa visited the city, as he always does on Thanksgiving, but this time was even more special. Watch the special moment above. More coverage: America’s Thanksgiving Parade special sectionView more Parade Floats here. “Santa is not going to be spreading any infections to anybody,” said Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert. “(He) is exempt from this because Santa, of all the good qualities, has a lot of good innate immunity.”Read more here.

Major announcement about America’s Thanksgiving ParadePublished: November 19, 2020, 12:17 pmThe parade will include floats, performers, helium balloons and Santa. Viewers will see both recorded and live elements hosted by WDIV-Local 4′s Devin Scillian, Kimberly Gill, Rhonda Walker and Evrod Cassimy.

DETROIT – Here’s what you missed on Local 4 News at Noon. America’s Thanksgiving Parade will be a virtual production this yearThis year’s theme is “We Are One Together.” The parade will honor frontline workers and heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic. The parade will include floats, performers, helium balloons and Santa.

ANN ARBOR – Here’s a fun, safe and socially distant activity for your little ones this holiday season. The beloved Santa’s Mailbox will return to Main Street right outside Conor O’Neill’s Irish Pub on Nov. 28 for another year of express postage to the North Pole. Drop your mail any time day or night and local businesses will take care getting the letters to the jolly man in the red suit. Submit your letters through Dec. 14 with a return address and you will receive a reply from Santa. Conor O’Neill’s Irish Pub is at 318 S. Main St.✉ Like what you’re reading?

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – This year’s KindleFest has been canceled due to coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, according to a message on the Kerrytown District Association website. It is hosted by the Kerrytown District Association and brings artisans, vendors and hundreds of attendees to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market for a traditional German-inspired outdoor Christkindlmarkt. In addition to artisan and crafted goods, the evening KindleFest is known for traditional foods, mulled wine, music and a visit by Santa. As part of the event, downtown businesses in the area stay open late into the evening. “Our members encourage you to stay safe during this unprecedented time!," states the website.

If you’ve ever been to a holiday cookie swap, then you know just how intense and daunting they can be.

The list of Detroit ‘key to the city’ recipients is interesting, to say the least. Sometimes the key to the city is a symbolic honor, a fun honor or a very meaningful honor. Every year, Santa is presented with the key to the city at the end of America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit. Here’s a look at some of the lucky people awarded the key to the city of Detroit over the years:1974: Stevie Wonder: Detroit Mayor Coleman Young presented Motown legend Stevie Wonder with the key to the city, which inspired “Songs in the Key of Life." Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was awarded the key by Mayor Coleman Young for donations he made to a local church.

DETROIT – Help brighten up a Detroit child’s holiday season by donating a toy during the Belle Isle Holiday Stroll on Dec. 13. Toys can also be dropped off at the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center or the DNR Customer Service Center at 1801 Atwater Street in Detroit. See the hours for the Adventure Center and Service Center below. DNR officers and police officers will deliver toys to children during Detroit’s Sergeant Santa. DNR Customer Service CenterMonday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.DNR Outdoor Adventure Center

DETROIT Fresh off the heels of Halloween, one Metro Detroit radio station is diving into the holiday season. 98.7 The Breeze will begin playing Christmas music Friday, November 1, at 6 a.m.Thats only 6 hours removed from All Hallows Eve and leaves 55 days between now and Christmas. The radio station says it will be playing holiday hits until Christmas day. I, for one, am all about it as long as its only good Christmas music. See below for examples of good Christmas music:Yeah, its only Nat King Cole, the Santa of all Christmas music.

A Detroit man and his wife who live their lives as Santa and Mrs. Claus lost their home after a devastating apartment fire. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Tired of waiting patiently for America's Thanksgiving Parade? Watch the parade live Thursday -- click hereThe Michigan Thanksgiving Parade began marching down Woodward Avenue in 1924 and Santa has never missed one yet. Now known as America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Art Van, the parade was originally founded by J.L. It was the same year that Macy’s began its parade in New York City. Yes, betamax!