The Metro Events Guide: 27 things to do in Detroit this holiday season

This week, we’ve got a super-sized events guide to keep you busy all throughout the holiday season. Whether you’re home for the holidays or just visiting for a weekend, we’ve got performances, parties and other unique attractions for you to enjoy. Read on to learn more.

Holiday celebrations

Celebrate the Festival of Lights in Campus Martius at Menorah in the D on Wednesday, Dec. 25. There will be greetings from community leaders, strolling entertainment, complimentary hot soup, snacks and cider, and activities for the kids. The event and a live broadcast will begin at 5 p.m., the lighting ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m., then the 26-foot-tall menorah will stand in Cadillac Square throughout all eight nights of Hanukkah. To RSVP and learn more, visit menorahinthed.com.

Then, Thursday, Dec. 26 is the third annual Motor City Kwanzaa Kinara Lighting ceremony. The 30-foot-tall monument brings a celebration of African American life, community and culture to Campus Martius Park. The ceremony will take place starting at 4 p.m. on a grand stage located at northbound Cadillac Square and Woodward, featuring a keynote address by Detroit Historian Jamon Jordan. Over the following week, the Kinara will be re-lit daily between 5-5:15 p.m. For more information, visit downtowndetroit.org.

Keep the Kwanzaa celebration going with The Wright Museum of African American History between Thursday, Dec. 26 and Thursday, Jan. 1. Celebrations include traditional African drumming and dance, storytelling, spoken word performances, educational workshops, and family-friendly activities illuminating the significance of Kwanzaa’s cultural heritage. Visitors can also explore the museum’s exhibitions and learn more about the historical and cultural roots that inspire this holiday. For more information, visit thewright.org.

Hear more: The Wright’s Yolanda Jack joins The Metro to discuss the museum’s upcoming Kwanzaa celebration

Seasonal shows

Detroit Public Theatre’s Holiday Cabaret is back by popular demand. Now in its second year, audiences can expect a fresh mix of holiday tunes — some familiar, and some that might surprise you. This isn’t your grandma’s Christmas Carol… but she might still love it. Performances are going on now through Sunday, Dec. 22. For tickets and more information, visit detroitpublictheatre.com.

Celebrate the holidays with perfect harmonies, dynamic choreography and costuming that perfectly captures the sights and sounds of Motown with “A Magical Motown Christmas” at Music Hall in Detroit on Friday, Dec. 20. The show features a journey through Motown’s best, including The Temptations, The Jackson 5, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Four Tops, Aretha Franklin and Smokey Robinson, plus a special set dedicated to Christmas favorites. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit musichall.org.

Cirque du Soleil’s first Christmas show, “’Twas The Night Before…” is coming to the Fox Theatre in Detroit from Friday, Dec. 20 through Wednesday, Dec. 31. Based on the classic poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” the show follows a jaded young girl who rediscovers the magic of Christmas, featuring thrilling acrobatics, lovable characters and a soundtrack of reimagined Christmas favorites. This show is suitable for all ages. For tickets and more information, visit 313presents.com.

For one night only, the Grand Kyiv Ballet will be performing their newest ballet “Snow Queen” at Music Hall in Detroit. The show reimagines the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairytale about love and friendship and how the warmth of a friend’s devoted heart removes the spell of a wicked queen. The performance will take place on Thursday, Dec. 26 at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit ticketmaster.com.

Plus, tune into WDET for tons of seasonal programming to close out the year, including holiday shows, best of 2024 playlists and special encore broadcasts of Ed Love’s landmark program, Evolution of Jazz. See our full schedule for details.

Holiday markets

Looking for some last-minute gifts? Check out the Kerch Market: Holiday Edition on Saturday, Dec. 21. They’ll have unique gifts and stocking stuffers including vintage goods, jewelry, art, food, music and more. There will also be ramen by Nourish Ramen and cocktails by Two Birds Detroit available for purchase on site. The market will be open at 8130 Kercheval Ave. in Detroit from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, visit Eventbrite.

Or, head to Spot Lite for their annual Solstice Celebration Holiday Market. Visitors can shop for records and local art while sipping craft cocktails and listening to soulful tunes by Frank Raines and Mike Trombley. The market will be open on Saturday, Dec. 21 from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, visit Spot Lite on Instagram.

Toy drives

Pay it forward this holiday season at some of metro Detroit’s toy drives. Saturday, Dec. 21 is the 5th Annual Super Fly Toy Drive charity show at Ziggy’s in Ypsilanti. This night of music across genres aims to raise holiday donations for families in the local community. Guests get in free with a toy donation, otherwise admission is $10. 100% of donations go toward helping local families with holiday expenses. For more information, visit ziggysypsistore.com.

Or, head to Northern Lights Lounge for a night of global sounds and the giving spirit at Fiesta House. Music selections will include Latin house, reggaeton, dembow, baile funk and more. Admission is $10 or free with a toy donation, and the first 50 people to donate toys get free tacos. All donations and ticket proceeds will go toward helping Detroit kids. This event is 21+ and goes from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21. For more information, visit Northern Lights Lounge on Facebook.

Parties

On Friday, Dec. 20, Urban Art Orchestra presents Holiday Party at Spot Lite Detroit. Guests will experience an evening of live music from Detroit’s finest, including Kevin Stewart, Dr. Brandon Waddles & Urban Art Voices, House of Jit, Isis Damil, Terri Shu and more. The party starts at 9 p.m. and is 21+. For tickets and more information, visit ra.co.

Watch: Urban Art Orchestra performs live on WDET

From Friday, Dec. 20 through Sunday, Dec. 22, Miss Eva’s in Detroit is hosting a weekend of live performances from prolific local artists like Mahogany Jones, jessica Care moore and Brandon Williams. This intimate speakeasy features deep grooves, curated cocktails and an elegant atmosphere, and won’t be open to the public again until spring 2025. For more information, visit missevasdetroit.com.

Ring in the new year with WDET’s own Shigeto (host of The New Music Show on Saturdays 8-10 p.m.) at UFO Bar on Tuesday, Dec. 31. He’ll be performing with a star-studded live ensemble featuring Ian Fink and Marcus Elliot with Kesswa and special guests. Plus, there will be DJ sets from Kenjiro, Tammy Lakkis and Turtle Bugg. The party goes from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. For tickets and more information, visit ra.co.

Or, head to Ziggy’s for a “meow-velous” New Year’s Eve celebration hosted by House of Jealous Lovers. Mew Year’s Eve is an all-night party for the childless cat people and the kittens that love them. Admission is $10 if you show up in a cat or cat lady costume, $8 if you show up in a convincing Carole Baskin or Joe Exotic costume, and $15 for everyone else. The party starts at 8 p.m. and goes all night. For more info, visit ziggysypsistore.com.

Ongoing attractions

There are also several ongoing attractions around metro Detroit, including light displays, Santa visits and ice skating:

• Holiday Walk at Meadowbrook Hall in Rochester (through Dec 23)
• Wayne County Lightfest in Westland (through Dec 24)
• Santa House at Shain Park in Birmingham (through Dec 24)
• Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village in Dearborn (through Dec 28)
• Glenlore Trails Aurora Winter Wanderland in Commerce Township (through Dec 29)
• Magic of Lights at Pine Knob (through Dec 30)
• Winter Wonder Lights at Meadowbrook Hall in Rochester (through Dec 30)
• HollyDazzle at the Michigan Renaissance Festival Fairgrounds (through Dec 31)
• Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo (through Jan 5)
• Winter Wonderland at Columbia Street in Downtown Detroit (through Jan 5)
• The Rink at Campus Martius Park (through March 2)