Image: David Lewinski
Spend the holidays with the Detroit Institute of Arts 
This month the DIA has plenty of exciting holiday activities for tri-county residents. During the week between Christmas and New Year's, Saturday, Dec. 26-Thursday, Dec. 31, the Detroit Film Theatre Animation Club will host a series of afternoon teas at 2 p.m. followed by screenings of new and classic animated features at 3 p.m. The tea parties and films, which get underway with Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter's tea party, are free for residents of Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties and appropriate for all ages. Tri-county residents can also enjoy holiday-themed puppet performances, storytelling, live music and drop-in workshops at no cost throughout December.
 
The museum will have extended hours for the holidays: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec.26-Dec. 29;
9 a.m.-10 p.m. Dec. 30; and 10 a.m.4 p.m. Dec. 31.
 
Visit dia.org/calendar for a schedule of film showings and other holiday events.
Check out these upcoming county events:

Noel Night, Saturday, Dec. 3, 5-10 p.m.
Kick off the holiday season with us at the 44th annual Noel Night, a Midtown Detroit area-wide holiday celebration featuring horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday shopping, family craft activities and more. The DIA's Bitter|Sweet: Coffee, Tea & Chocolate exhibition will be open and free to the public. Visitors can create a winter village as part of a community-based art workshop from 5 to 9 p.m. in the studio. And, the museum shop will be hosting trunk shows.  Click here for more info . 

New on View: Bitter|Sweet: Coffee, Tea & Chocolate
Delight all five of your senses at the DIA's newest exhibition, Bitter|Sweet: Coffee, Tea & Chocolate, open now through Sunday, March 5, 2017. The exhibition explores the introduction of coffee, tea and chocolate to Europe beginning the in late 16th century. Tri-county residents receive a $4 discount on adult tickets and a $2 discount on youth tickets (ages 6 to 17). The DIA also provides tri-county schools with free exhibition admission and transportation when they  reserve a field trip in advance.  Learn more here.  

Sunday Music Bar with Ara Topouzian, Sunday, Dec. 4, 1 and 3 p.m.
Ara Topouzian, a nationally recognized Armenian American musician and president of the Troy Chamber of Commerce, will play the kanun, a Middle Eastern harp, in the relaxing atmosphere of the DIA's Kresge Court. The performances are held in conjunction with Bitter|Sweet: Coffee, Tea & Chocolate and free for residents of Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties. 

Senior Thursdays, every Thursday at 1 p.m. 
This DIA program offers tri-county seniors the opportunity to visit the museum and enjoy programs planned exclusively for them, at no cost, every Thursday. The first Thursday of each month features a guided gallery tour; the second a lecture; the third an art-making class; and the fourth a film. During months with five Thursdays, the fifth Thursday will feature a guided gallery tour. All programs will begin at 1 p.m. The December schedule is:
  • December 1: Tour: Highlights of the permanent collection
  • December 8: Lecture: Royal Gold and the Arts of Power in Akan Culture    
  • December 15: Art-making: Collage portraits 
  • December 22: Film: Good Ol' Freda
  • December 29: Tour: Highlights of the permanent collection 

Advance registration for individuals is preferred, but not required. Call 313-833-4005 to register.  Free transportation is available for groups of 25 or more. To book a group, call 313-833-1292. 
Pontiac Holiday Extravaganza
Corner of Saginaw and Pike Streets
Saturday, Dec. 3
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Holly Dickens Festival 
Crapo Park
Friday, Dec. 10-Saturday, Dec. 11
Noon- 5 p.m.  
The DIA has launched games for families to play together in the galleries. The games are free and geared towards ages 3 to 12, with a few specifically tailored for 3 to 5-year-olds. They range from simple matching activities for the youngest visitors to word games that provide friendly competition for the entire family. Tested on various age groups, the games are all "kid approved!" You can find them interspersed throughout the museum.