Coca-Cola’s Holiday Caravan to Bring Santa to Downtown Detroit
The holiday season is underway in Downtown Detroit, and on Friday, November 17, the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan will stop in the District Detroit. The caravan will be equipped with holiday gifts, Coca Cola products, and even Santa himself.
This public event, scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., is open to all ages, offering an opportunity to partake in “fun, holiday magic, and joy,” per the press release. Attendees can enjoy free photos with Santa, Coca-Cola products, and complimentary gifts.
Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan has become a holiday tradition
Since 1997, the 65-foot-long Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan has become a holiday tradition, creating memories for millions. According to the Coca-Cola website, the Christmas trucks were developed by the agency W.B. Doner as part of a fresh seasonal campaign. The illuminated trucks gain an added element through special effects courtesy of Industrial Light and Magic, the globally renowned company responsible for the Star Wars films. Decorated on the sides of the trucks are depictions of the Coca-Cola Santa, created by artist Haddon Sundblom.
The Holiday Caravan will be stationed at Columbia Plaza, in front of Comerica Park, coinciding with Detroit’s 20th Annual Tree Lighting in Campus Martius Park.
The Detroit Tree Lighting, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17, includes live entertainment, Olympic figure skaters, local performers, and skating clubs. The event also features lighting attractions, holiday shopping, hot chocolate giveaways, food trucks, visits from Santa, and more.
The illuminated 18-wheel truck will arrive in Plymouth on November 19 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saint John’s Resort will have menu items available from their Five Steakhouse and Wine Grotto. Some of their food items include steak tenderloin tips, vegetarian chili, mac & cheese, wagyu meatballs, sliders, truffle parmesan fries.
For those interested, the Caravan will be available before the Detroit Lions game at Ford Field on Sunday, November 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Coca-Cola’s Holiday Caravan will make several stops throughout Metro Detroit from November 15 to November 19, including Canton, Auburn Hills, Harrison Township, and Detroit.
Find your nearest stop, grab a picture with Santa, and share in on the fun here.
10 Unforgettable Christmas Experience Gifts
Physical gifts can be cool for a moment, but the memories they create are what truly last a lifetime. This holiday season, why not do your friends and family a favor by skipping the usual physical presents? Maybe consider giving a unique Christmas experience instead?
An experiential gift is just as thoughtful as something you can hold in your hand. The difference is that it won’t end up gathering dust, getting re-gifted, or donated. That’s because experiences, whether it’s a subscription, an activity, or a class, let people give people memories. Whether the giftee does it on their own, with their family, or even with you, it offers opportunities for learning and exploration.
The possibilities are limitless with Christmas experience gifts.
If you’re searching for an exciting experience for adults or children, ther are lots of choices. You could start with something as simple as covering the dinner tab for a couple. Another option is going big by planning a fantastic trip as the ultimate gift for your spouse. For kids and teens, they can dive into fun activities. These can be learning to play an instrument or mastering the art of making their favorite dessert.
Another advantage of opting for experiential gifts is that they make ideal last-minute presents. They can be conveniently purchased online. And if all else fails, a gift card is always an option.
Let’s face it: most of the stuff we buy just because we like it or think we need it tends to fade into the background pretty quickly. This is especially true when they’re given as gifts. We’ve all had those times when we eagerly tore into a physical gift at Christmas or a birthday, only to realize it didn’t quite live up to the hype. It’s even worse when you know that time and money were spent on something you’re not too thrilled about.
Experiences can enrich our lives, contributing to personal growth and opening our minds to new horizons. Meanwhile, dust collectors, especially the ones from distant relatives, don’t quite measure up. You know that feeling, right? It’s like saying, “Thanks, Aunt Rose, but I could’ve done without that Christmas scarf and hand lotion from the buy-one-get-one special at the mall.”
So, when the holiday season or other celebrations roll around, and you’re stuck with gift-buying, consider giving experiences instead of physical items. To help you get started, here are some experiential gifts that would make great Christmas gifts.
Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it.
She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel.
A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community.
She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.