After a two-decade run, southeast Michigan’s Winter Blast festival will no longer take place as a standalone event. Instead, its popular attractions will continue as part of the expanded Royal Oak Holidays celebration, organizers announced.

The change marks the end of a winter tradition that began in Detroit in 2005 during Super Bowl XL and later moved to Royal Oak in 2022. Winter Blast favorites — such as ice sculptures, carnival rides and the zip line — will now be offered for free as part of Royal Oak Holidays, which runs from Nov. 21 through Dec. 21 over five consecutive weekends downtown.

“We’re taking everything people loved about Winter Blast and supercharging it for one amazing holiday season,” festival producer Jon Witz said in the announcement. “By merging its favorite fe

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