Hockeytown Winter Festival preliminary schedule

Comerica Park in Detroit, Mich., will be transformed into a winter wonderland for hockey enthusiasts during the last two weeks of December when the 2012 Hockeytown Winter Festival is staged for fans of all ages.

Olympia Entertainment on Tuesday unveiled a preliminary schedule of the Hockeytown Winter Festival, which is a prelude to the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on Jan. 1. The Festival will begin Dec. 15 and conclude with an alumni game featuring NHL legends from the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs on New Year's Eve.

On New Year's Day, the NHL Winter Classic will be held between the Red Wings and Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium.

Here is a preliminary list of dates and events comprising the Hockeytown Winter Festival:

DEC. 15-26

Celebration of Hockey featuring amateur games, corporate outings and open skates. Information on booking ice time can be obtained by visiting DetroitRedWings.com/icetime.

DEC. 27-31

Outdoor Festival featuring interactive games, autograph signings, face painting and ice sculpture exhibits, as well as musical performances and entertainment.

DEC. 27-28

Great Lakes Invitational featuring the Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Western Michigan Broncos and Michigan Tech Huskies all competing for the 2012 MacInnes Cup.

DEC. 29

Ontario Hockey League doubleheader featuring the Windsor Spitfires taking on the Saginaw Spirit and the Plymouth Whalers battling the J. Ross Robertson Cup champion London Knights.

DEC. 30

American Hockey League game featuring the Grand Rapids Griffins and Toronto Marlies, AHL affiliates of the Red Wings and Maple Leafs.

DEC. 31

Red Wings-Maple Leafs Alumni Showdown featuring legendary players from two of the NHL's most storied franchises going head-to-head.

For additional information, visit DetroitRedWings.com/2013WinterClassic.