Decked Out Detroit has outdoor bumper cars, an 80-foot slide, games, Santa and more

Free activities, shopping, food, seasonal fun and more are returning to the downtown area for Bedrock's "Decked Out Detroit" programming.

The fun starts this week with some new and returning interactive attractions both indoors and in the open air.

Starting this week, the Monroe Street Midway lights up the night with $5 winter bumper car sessions, an 80-foot slide that you go down in inner tubes for free, free puck-putt (a hockey and putt-putt golf hybrid game), an arcade with family friendly and classic games, plus food and drink, artwork and more.

Tickets are on sale now for buffet breakfast with Santa at Monroe Street Midway, taking place 10-11:30 a.m. weekends Dec. 2-23. Tickets for this event, $10 for adults and $5 for children, must be purchased in advance via Eventbrite.com.

Fun at Monroe Midway kicks off Nov. 9 and runs 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Wed.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun. through Jan. 7 at 32 Monroe in Detroit.

Also returning this week, the festive holiday markets in nearby Cadillac Square, showcasing local, small business that make perfect gifts. Shop for games, home goods, clothing, pet accessories, kids stuff, wellness and beauty items and more. The market is open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Wed.-Thurs., 11 a.m. 11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun. through Jan. 7.

Next week, Santa Claus will take up residence for photos and visits inside 1001 Woodward. He’ll be greeting families on a first-come, first-served basis 4-8 p.m. Thurs.-Fri. and noon-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Nov. 16- through Dec. 23.

For more information on these events, visit deckedoutdetroit.com.

Another of downtown's festive traditions, the 20th annual tree-lighting ceremony returns to Campus Martius Nov. 17. Santa Claus will lead the countdown to light the 64-foot Michigan-grown Norway spruce as food trucks gather and special guest skaters take to the ice.

mbaetens@detroitnews.com