Special Events

The Parks and Recreation Department hosts a wide variety of special events each year. Check below to see some of our current offerings!

Guns N Gowns (PNG)GUNS N GOWNS

Join the 17th Michigan Volunteer Regiment Company E for Guns N Gowns 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 and also 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1 This free living history event will take place at Greenmead Historical Park. There will be demonstrations of military camp life, drills, musket firing, medical practices, surgery, civilian life, period fashions, phrenology, an amazing display of historical reproduction flags, and much, much more! Stop in the village buildings to see some great exhibits and take a tour as well. This event is a great opportunity for students of all ages to learn about life during the Civil War era. Click here for the detailed event schedule (updated Sept. 28).









STOStories, snacks, and crafts (JPEG)RIES, SNACKS, AND CRAFTS

Join us at Greenmead Historical Park in the Newburg School House for a fun afternoon of Halloween-themed stories, snacks, and crafts! Mark your calendars from 2-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct 3.  If you’re interested, the cost is $15 for residents and $17 for non-residents. This event is geared towards ages 4-10,  so bring  your little ones! Parents are required to stay with their children.  Register at                                   


 

                                                                                                                                                      





HIGHLAND TEAFlyer for Highland Tea Oct. 7, 2023 3-5 p.m. Opens in new window

Spend a relaxing, fall afternoon with friends at the Highland Tea 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. The sound of bagpipes will beckon you to the Alexander Blue House adorned with a Scottish accent. Traditional Scottish music and dance will provide entertainment while you enjoy our menu of fare and bottomless tea! (SOLD OUT)











HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-TREAT OPEN HOUSEHalloween Open House (PNG)

The Kirksey Recreation Center presents our annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat Open House noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8! If you love spooky vibes, get pumped for an I Spy experience, new Crazy Holidays Halloween Trail, trick-or-treating, and a few more goodies. Livonia residents have free admission and non-residents are $5. Make sure you show your ID at time of entry please. 









Halloween decor c381092833_698999348927481_2523790542795031949_nontest

If you think you have the scariest Halloween decorations in Livonia, then this is the contest for you! Registration is open to all residences! The deadline to register is Friday, Oct. 13! NEW THIS YEAR - PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD voted on by the community! Other awards include Mayor's Choice, the Ghostbusters Award, Scariest Decorations and Most Original Theme! Judging will run Oct. 16-22. The People's Choice voting will close on Tuesday, Oct. 24. Sign up at HauntYourHomeLivonia.org. Be prepared to upload a picture of your home!





2023-10-14 Crawling Cuties Flyer (PNG)crawling cuties

Bugs are our friends! Come on out from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 to Greenmead Historical Park and see some crawling cuties! Children ages 4-8   will get up close and personal with insects, spiders, and more as they observe the many important jobs that these clever, captivating, crawling, creatures perform. We will read a buggy story and through singing and dramatic play activities, students will discover what physical features all    insects have. Residents are $12 and Non-Residents are $14.


                                                                                                        






hAunted barn

It is that time of year again for some fall fun, starting with the Haunted Barn taking place at Wilson Barn during Pumpkin Fest weekends! Every Saturday and Sunday noon-6 p.m. Oct. 14-15, 21-22 and 28-29, stop in for some pumpkin picking, hay rides, vendor market and more. No pre-registration is required; pay cash at the door.



FRANKENSQUISHIEFrankensquishie

Let’s make another squishable friend from 1-3 p.m. at the Kirksey Recreation Center on Sunday, Oct. 15! If you’re looking for an adorable Halloween themed story, stop in and hear John Loren’s story “Frankenstein Doesn’t Wear Earmuffs.” Don’t miss out on arts and Frankensquishie crafts, as well! The cost for members is $22, residents are $25, and non-residents are $33.










Shadows from the past2023 Halloween Walk Flyer

Get the family together for a friendly Halloween Walk through the village buildings at Greenmead Historical Park! 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 21, where costumes are encouraged and treats will be handed out on your tour. Sign up for a timeslot for $8 before slots fill up! Flashlights are recommended for anyone that chooses a later time slot and all children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Strollers are not permitted inside the historic structures. Register at








Air ghoulish gathering2023-10-21_AIR Ghoulish Gathering

Get ready for a Ghoulish Gathering as part of our Livonia AIR (Adaptive Inclusive Recreation) program. The Ghoulish Gathering is a Halloween-themed afternoon of snacks, crafts, games and activities from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at Rotary Park (32184 Six Mile Road, Livonia). The cost for residents is $10 and non-residents are $15.









sPOOKY SWIMSpooky Swim 2023 Flyer

Get ready for a Spooktacular Spooky Swim event coming up on Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Kirksey Recreation Center! From 2-4 p.m., you can enjoy a floating pumpkin patch, spooky games, creepy crafts, and more. Parents of children ages 2-15 should register in advance before it sells out! Children younger than 11 need to be within reach of a swimmer's arms. Register at









2023-9-21to11-1_HLS Fall Speaker SeriesHISTORY LECTURE SERIES

Back-to-school is not just for kids! Greenmead's History Lecture series is sponsored by the Livonia Historical Commission and welcomes guest speakers on a variety of topics. Check out our schedule of events to find a speaker or topic of interest. All History Lecture Series programs are free, no registration required. 

MONDAY, OCT. 23 - DIA BEHIND THE SEEN - COWS AT THE OPERA HOUSE AND OTHER MUSEUM MYSTERIES 

A mystery is defined as something unexplained or inexplicable, or as a person or thing having qualities that arouse curiosity speculation. The many mysteries of the DIA include stories and images, newly discovered meanings and issues of authenticity. 

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 1 - 20TH CENTURY RETAILING IN DOWNTOWN DETROIT

At it’s peak in the 1950s, Downtown Detroit’s Woodward Avenue boasted over four million square feet of retail space, making it one of American’s preferred retail destinations. This presentation will take a closer looks at some of our home-grown icons - including Hudson’s, Sam’s, Woolworth and Fyfe’s Shoes - with images, advertisements, catalogs, and more!

                                                                                      



REC CENTER READERS BOOK CLUB 2023-9-27to12-27 Book Club

This month at the Kirksey Recreation Center for the Readers Book Club, the book you will be reading and discussing is called “Horse” by Geraldine Brooks. You can find this book at Livonia Public Libraries. This event is hosted at 7 p.m and there is a $5 for non-members.


Oct. 25 - "The Measure" by Nikki Erlick
Nov. 29 - "The Inheritance" by Howard Linskey
Dec. 27 - "Last Christmas in Paris" by Hazel Gaynor/Heather Webb

This event is free to members, but there is a small cost for non-members. Register here. The books are available at the Livonia Public Libraries.






GHASTLY GREENMEADGhastly Greenmead Flyer

A Halloween celebration is under way unlike any other! Ages 16 and older come check it out at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. Enjoy a self-guided flashlight walk through a few of Greenmead's historical buildings to learn about Halloween lore and hear spooky stories! Your night will end at the Alexander Blue House for a spine-chilling and outrageously fun vintage Halloween party complete with refreshments, music fortune telling, and Halloween activities of old. No pets are allowed and all participants must be individually registered.







LIVONIA SYMPHONY Orchestra

Livonia Symphony Orchestra: Originally known as the Oakway Symphony, the Livonia Symphony Orchestra (LSO) was officially founded in 1973 by Francesco Di Blasi.  In its 48-year history, the LSO has distinguished itself in terms of its conductors, musicians, concert programs and audience attendance.  The Symphony’s current Music Director and Conductor, Volodymyr Shesiuk, joined the organization in 1992.  Under his direction, the Symphony’s 65 to 75 professional and semi-professional musicians perform a full concert series and a variety of special events throughout the year.

The Symphony also performs as part of  the free “Music from the Heart” summer concert series sponsored by the Livonia Arts Commission and the Livonia Parks and Recreation Department. Take a look!



TURKEY TROT2023-11-4_Turkey Trot Flyer_Page_1

The 2023 Healthy Livonia Turkey Trot 5K Fun walk/run is coming up! Mark your calendar for 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 4, at Bicentennial Park. We will walk/run to help the less fortunate. If you haven’t registered by Nov. 5, then you can take part in onsite late registration starting at 8:30 a.m. Proceeds from this event will be given to the Livonia Goodfellows organization, which will distribute food to families in need in Livonia. Register at









Coffee culture2023-11-4_Coffee Culture

If you are a coffee lover, check out Coffee Culture 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at Greenmead Historical Park in the Alexander Blue House. This event is best for participants ages 16 and older. Sit back and sip on some coffee while you explore the history of local coffee and the differences between the blends and brews! The cost for residents is $25 and non-residents are $27. This event is presented by Gooseneck Coffee Company and advance registration is required.








Air splash bashSplash Bash

Livonia AIR (Adaptive Inclusive Recreation) will be hosting our AIR Splash Bash 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, the Kirksey Recreation Center. Ages 8 and older are invited to come swim and have snacks! The cost for members is $12, residents are $15, and non-members are $20. Register at

This Adaptive Inclusive Recreation event is a new branch of AIR programs! Events and Activities are designed for individuals with special needs (ages vary based on event).The goal is to provide participants the chance to make new friends, find new activities to enjoy, and visit different parts of their community.






DINING WITH YESTERDAY2023-11-18 Huron Carol Flyer Opens in new window

Learn history, have fun, eat food. Sounds like a recipe for a good time, right? Join us for the following upcoming dates in our Dining With Yesterday series at Greenmead Historical Park:

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Saturday, Nov. 18 - The Huron Carol is Canada's oldest Christmas carol, written in 1642 by Jean se Brebéuf, a Jesuit missionary at Sainte-Marie to the Hurons. Come learn about this song's history from Dr. Catherine Cangany, PhD.

Advance registration required for each event, starting 30 days before the event. 







ASSEMBLY REQUIRE2023-11-19 Assembly RequiredD

Do you love to piece together puzzles? If you do, come on out from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, to join a team and assemble a 500-piece puzzle! Teams will race against each other to compete for prizes that will be given to the fastest three teams. Registration will be open soon; stay tuned.