At the clock tower, Main Street now rises to meet Town Square. In April, crews tore out the paver section between Center and Hutton. When the street reopened on June 22, a raised "tabletop" crossing sat where the old one had been, bringing that part of Main nearly level with the square.
On Friday, November 20, the tree gets lit on that block for the first time. The Hometown Holiday weekend still centers on Town Square, as it always has. The difference this year is how far out it reaches: a quieter parade stretch on Linden Street, a second market up West Main at the Community Center, a home tour starting at Ward Church and a 5K on Seven Mile. Here's how the pieces fit, starting at the center.
The Block Under the Tree
Main Street needed more than a cosmetic fix. The corridor is nearly 20 years old. The rebuild replaced worn-out pavers, put a new concrete base under the street and rebuilt the crumbling traffic island around the clock tower. The Northville DDA's own project page described the island as a speed table built to make crossing safer for both pedestrians and drivers, with new lighting and plantings to come.
On reopening morning, Downtown Development Director Kate Knight described the new crossing to Hometownlife:
"It's a really comfortable but conscious easing up onto that traffic table and back down. I think that's a sign of the successful incorporation of pedestrian-oriented infrastructure."
Some of the square was still on the to-do list in June. Knight told Hometownlife that new Town Square lighting would go in later that summer. The fountain replacement was pushed later into the year after two bids came in well above expectations, so the existing fountain stayed in place through the busy months. In other words, the block hosting the tree lighting is still a work in progress.
Friday Night Starts on Linden
The Hometown Holiday Lighted Parade steps off at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, November 20. This year's theme is "Home for the Holidays," and the official tree lighting in Town Square follows the parade. The Chamber's schedule puts the lighting at 8 p.m.
The newer piece of Friday happens a few blocks from the square. Working with the Living and Learning Enrichment Center, the Northville Chamber of Commerce added a Sensory Zone along Linden Street. On that stretch, parade groups will try to tone down flashing lights and loud noises like horns and sirens, for spectators who are sensitive to them. So families who want the floats, the bands and Santa without the sirens now have a spot of their own, away from the busiest corner.
That's the shape of the whole weekend. The core events still happen at the center, and new options keep appearing a short walk away.
Saturday Splits Into Two Markets
For years the weekend's shopping happened outdoors at Main and Center. That's still true, but the Chamber's weekend schedule now lists two markets, and the second is a new indoor one run by Northville Parks & Recreation. They're different enough that your plans will depend on which one you're after.
| Hometown Holiday Greens Market | Hometown Holiday Handmade Market | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Outdoors at Main & Center | Northville Community Center, 303 W. Main St. |
| Saturday, Nov. 21 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Sunday, Nov. 22 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| What's there | More than 55 local vendors, fresh greenery, seasonal décor, gifts | Curated makers selling original handcrafted goods |
| Extras | Live entertainment, live ice carvings, food trucks, warming stations | Food, refreshments, raffle baskets of local goods |
| Admission | No admission listed on the Chamber schedule | $4 presale, $5 at the door, five raffle tickets included |
The Greens Market is the one to hit for fresh holiday greenery and seasonal décor, and it sits right next to the rebuilt block. The Handmade Market is the warm, indoor option a short walk west, aimed at shoppers looking for one-of-a-kind gifts and home décor. Parks & Rec sells presale tickets online.
How Saturday Stacks Up, Hour by Hour
Saturday is when the weekend stretches farthest from Town Square. Here's the day in order, using the Chamber's schedule:
- 9 a.m. The Santa 5K Run/Walk starts at 550 Seven Mile Rd.
- 10 a.m. The Holiday Home Tour opens at Ward Church and runs until 4 p.m. Both markets open at the same hour.
- Noon Free Santa visits start in Town Square and go until 6 p.m. Horse-and-wagon rides leave from City Hall and run until 4 p.m.
- 6 p.m. Both markets close for the day.
The Northville Community Foundation's Holiday Home Tour runs both Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Its ticket listing features five decorated homes. You redeem your ticket at Ward Church and get a map with the addresses, so the route isn't public ahead of time. Advance tickets are $25 and day-of tickets are $30. Proceeds fund community grants for local nonprofits and students, plus animal care at Maybury Farm.
If you're planning around Santa, note that Sunday's hours are shorter. Town Square visits run noon to 3 p.m., and the Greens Market closes at 3 p.m. as well.
Breakfast Before, Something Sweet After
The weekend's food spots changed this year too. In February, Joseph's Coney Island became Joseph's Brunch House after 37 years downtown. Hometownlife reported a $200,000 renovation and a new breakfast-and-lunch menu with banana split pancakes, avocado toast and specialty espresso drinks. Coney dogs are still on the menu on select days. It's an easy breakfast stop before the Greens Market opens.
For dessert, Kilwins is at 191 CadyCenter in downtown's Cady Center area. Out on the street, the Chamber is bringing in food trucks and setting up warming stations around the Greens Market. It also encourages visitors to explore downtown's shops and restaurants beyond the market.
December Moves to Mill Race Village
When the markets close Sunday afternoon, the holiday calendar moves from Town Square to Mill Race Village.
The 47th Annual Children's Christmas Workshop is on Saturday, December 5. Children in grades 1 through 6 make seven gifts during either a morning session from 10 a.m. to noon or an afternoon session from 1 to 3 p.m. The cost is $30. That's 47 years of Northville kids crafting presents in the village. The tabletop crossing by the clock tower is about six months old.
On Saturday, December 19, the German Christmas Tea takes over the Cady Inn from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $45. It's a quieter, seated afternoon, about a month after the parade.
If the rebuilt Main Street has you wondering what your own place near downtown is worth, Realtors Bob and Mike can give you an answer between Santa visits. Get your instant home valuation, then head to Main and Center for the greens.
