Grab your plaid scarf and pumpkin spice latte and head to The D this autumn. From colorful fall festivities, sports spectaculars and magical holiday celebrations, you'll come to appreciate metro Detroit's chillier months. The DMCVB hosts individual writers on assignment on a regular basis. All interested writers can contact Renee Monforton, Director, Marketing & Communications at 313- 202-1951 or rmonforton@visitdetroit.com or Deanna Majchrzak, Manager, Media Relations at 313-202-1999 or dmajchrzak@visitdetroit.com.

Take in all the tastes, sights, smells and sounds fall has to offer with a trip to Westview Orchards & Adventure Farm. Westview has activities for all ages, from a three-acre playground and petting farm for the kids, to wine tasting tours for the adults. U-pick apples and pumpkins complete the experience. Visit westvieworchards.com for more information.

Detroit is a sports town and we welcome you to join in on the fandom. The Detroit Lions are now back in action at Ford Field. For the full Detroit Lions schedule, visit detroitlions.com. The Detroit Pistons make their return to The D and begin their inaugural season at Little Caesars Arena this fall. For all things Detroit basketball and 2017 schedule information, visit nba.com/pistons. Hockeytown claims new territory this season as the Detroit Red Wings begin their first season at Little Caesars Arena. The long-awaited season opener is Oct. 5. New memories and traditions will be made at this state-of-the-art facility. For the full schedule, visit nhl.com/redwings.

Trick-or-treat your way through the Detroit Zoo for Zoo Boo Oct. 6-8, 13-15, 20-22. Don't forget your Halloween costume for this “merry-not- scary” event. The Zoo Boo celebration features a festively decorated trick-or-treat trail through the front of the Zoo. Check out detroitzoo.org for 2017 details.

The Detroit Free Press Chemical Bank Marathon returns to Detroit (and Windsor) on Oct. 15. Fun fact: It's the only road race to cross international borders twice. Plus, crossing the Ambassador Bridge offers quite the view. For registration information, visit freepmarathon.com.

Celebrate Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village Oct. 13 - 15, 19-22 and 26-29. This nightmare-free event is perfect for the whole family. Follow a mile-long, curving path illuminated by the flickering light of hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns and meet classic costumed characters along the way. For ticket information, visit thehenryford.org.

Theatre Bizarre is dubbed the greatest masquerade spectacular on earth. The once illegal party takes place at the Masonic Temple on Oct. 13-14 and 20-21. The event is filled with fire eaters, burlesque performers and contortionists. Costumes are a must. Visit theatrebizarre.com for more information.

Sip your way through the 9th Annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival at Eastern Market Oct. 27-28. Don't miss one of the largest all-Michigan beer tastings around. Pair your favorite beer with samplings from Detroit-area restaurants and a talented line-up of local musicians. Visit mibeer.com for more information.

Enjoy a four-and-a-half mile ride through Wayne County Lightfest, the Midwest's largest and longest drive-through light show, Nov. 16-Dec. 31. Lightfest features more than 47 giant animated holiday themed displays, sure to light up your holiday season. Visit waynecounty.com for more information.

Kick-off the holiday season in The D at the Detroit Tree Lighting at Campus Martius Park. Each year, thousands of Detroiters gather for a heart-warming night of holiday cheer and merriment –join in on the fun. This year's lighting takes place Nov. 17. Visit campusmartiuspark.org.

Don't be a Grinch this holiday season. You can surely get yourself in the holiday spirit at Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at The Fox Theatre Nov. 17-19. Cirque Dreams Holidaze returns to the Fox Dec. 1-3 featuring 300 costumes, 20 acts and 30 international artists. For more information, visit olympiaentertainment.com/fox-theatre.

Following Pope Francis' historic announcement, Father Solanus Casey will be the second American-born male to be beatified. A ceremony on Nov. 18 at Ford Field will commemorate the event. Visit solanuscasey.org for more information.

Lions, tigers and lights – oh my! Take in the sights and enjoy holiday entertainment and activities at Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo. More than five million LED lights will illuminate trees, buildings and more than 100 animal sculptures throughout the Zoo Nov. 18-19, 24-26, Dec. 1-3, 8-10, 15-23, 26-31. Visit detroitzoo.org for more information.

The buildings of downtown Rochester are covered with more than one-million points of glimmering holiday light to celebrate the season, a spectacle you'll have to see to believe. The Big Bright Light Show will grace the city Nov. 21-Jan. 3. For more information, visit downtownrochestermi.com.

Celebrate Thanksgiving Detroit style with a trip to America's Thanksgiving Parade Nov. 23. It's one of the most spectacular parades in the country, you'll want to be a part of the magic along Woodward Avenue. Visit theparade.org for more information.

Black Friday shopping in The D is always a good idea – there's a place to snag a can't-beat deal around every corner. Shop till you drop at The Mall at Partridge Creek, Somerset Collection, Great Lakes Crossing Outlets or Fairlane Town Center and get a jump on your holiday shopping list. Check out visitdetroit.com for a full list of shopping destinations throughout the area.

The holiday classic, The Nutcracker heads to the Detroit Opera House Nov. 25-26. The show features amazing scenery, stage effects and the talented Cincinnati Ballet. For more information visit michiganopera.org.

You'll feel like you stepped into an old-fashioned holiday card at Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village. Embark on a lantern-lit journey into a living snow globe filled with live music, skating, fireworks and winter wonder. Visit thehenryford.org for event dates and more information.

See Midtown sparkle on Dec. 2 for Noel Night. Over 70 Detroit institutions join together to bring activities to the community, including horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday shopping, family craft activities and performances by over 200 area music, theater and dance groups. For more information, visit midtowndetroitinc.com.

Spend the holidays like an auto baron. Tour the elegant rooms of Meadow Brook Hall carefully decorated for the holidays. Visit the beautiful Edsel & Eleanor Ford House adorned in holiday décor. For tour details and special events visit meadowbrookhall.org and fordhouse.org.

Experience tradition at the Kwanzaa Celebration at Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Performances and ceremonies take place throughout the celebration in honor of the African holiday. Visit thewright.org for more details.

The 2017 Quick Lane Bowl returns to Ford Field Dec. 26. The annual matchup typically features teams from the Big Ten and ACC. Time will tell what teams will dual, but keep the date on your calendar in case your favorite college football team comes to town! For more information visit detroitlions.com/ford-field.

Exhibits

Art of Rebellion: Black Art of the Civil Rights Movement at the Detroit Institute of Arts is open now through Oct. 22, 2017. The DIA exhibition includes 34 paintings, sculptures, installations and photographs produced by artists to address social and political issues surrounding the Civil Rights Movement and today. For more information, go to dia.org

Say It Loud: Art, History, Rebellion at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History commemorates the 1960s rebellions, observes the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Detroit Rebellion and compares past events to issues still faced today. The exhibit is on display through Jan. 2, 2018. Visit thewright.org for additional details.

Detroit 67: Perspectives is on display through 2019 at the Detroit Historical Museum. This exhibition provides visitors with a better understanding of the events of July 1967 – specifically what led up to rebellion, where the community is today and how to connect to efforts moving forward. The exhibition closes by giving a perspective on what lies ahead and encourages the community to use what we learned in the past to help create a future for Detroit filled with promise and opportunity. Visit detroithistorical.org for more information.

Check out The Science Behind Pixar at The Henry Ford Oct. 14, 2017 - March 18, 2018. This exhibit puts you face-to-face with your favorite Pixar characters. You'll learn the mastery behind these award-winning films. Visit thehenryford.org for more information.

The Monet Framing Life exhibit graces the Detroit Institute of Arts Oct. 22, 2018 - March 4, 2018. This intimate display features the creation of Claude Monet's Rounded Flower Bed and several other paintings created during his residency in Argentuil, France. Check out dia.org for more exhibit details.