CultureShift Events Guide: Tequila fest, Wild Lights at the Zoo and more
Discover unique arts and culture events in Metro Detroit happening Dec. 7-13, 2023.
Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak, Mich.
The holiday celebrations continue in Metro Detroit this month. Keep reading to find out what the Detroit Zoo has in store, where to sample over 80 types of tequilas, DSO performances and more.
New Christmas musical with a Detroit vibe
One Sleepy Night is a brand new Christmas musical premiering this week at the Black-owned Garden Theater in Detroit. The musical will follow a recently retired Grandpa Benny Wilson and his wife Latoya as they tell the story of Christmas to their grandchild Shantelle. One Sleepy Night continues preview shows on Thursday, with opening night on Friday, Dec. 8, and afternoon and evening shows on Saturday, Dec. 9. Tickets are available at onesleepynight.com.
Director, co-producer and co-writer John Sloan III spoke to CultureShift co-host Tia Graham about the production.
Moth StorySlam at Marble Bar
101.9 WDET welcomes The Moth StorySlam on Thursday, Dec. 7 at the Marble Bar in Detroit. The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can share a true, personal 5-minute story on the night’s theme. This month the theme is “home.” Get tickets at themoth.org.
Cold beers and holiday lights at the zoo
Polar Beers returns to the Detroit Zoo Thursday night (Dec. 7). Enjoy a wide selection of craft beers and food, and also check out Wild Lights, the zoo’s annual holiday event where millions of lights are on display. Tickets are available at detroitzoo.org. Admission also includes a welcome drink thanks to Birmingham-based Griffin Claw Brewing.
December at the DSO
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra will host multiple performances this weekend, starting with Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony Dec. 7-9. A cappella group Voctave brings their critically-acclaimed performance to the Orchestra Hall on Dec. 8. See your favorite Disney and Christmas songs performed live.
On Dec. 9, Na’Zir McFadden conducts the classic Christmas animated short film The Snowman. The orchestra will perform the score live as the film is projected on screen.
Get details on all DSO events at dso.org.
Whiskey weekend at Eastern Market
The Detroit Tequila Festival returns for its seventh year this Friday, Dec. 7 at Eastern Market’s Shed 3. Attendees can sample over 80 types of tequilas, ranging from liqueurs, creams, infusions and flavored tequilas. Tickets are available at detroittequilafestival.com.
Holiday Lights at Greenfield Village
Holiday Lights takes over Greenfield Village Dec. 8-10. Explore more than 80 acres of the historical attraction featuring classic holiday traditions, food and drinks. You can also explore the area in a restored Model T or horse-drawn wagon. The night ends with a fireworks celebration. Tickets are available at thehenryford.org.
DSO performs at Beacon Park
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra will perform an intimate show inside a heated tent at Beacon Park in Detroit on Sunday, Dec. 10. The facility will host multiple holiday attractions across the park, including the “Northern Lights” displays, a 15-foot infinity snow globe, a gigantic walkthrough snowflake and gleaming décor made up of 125,000 dazzling bulbs. Get details at dso.org.
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