Metro Events Guide: Holiday festivities from downtown to downriver
Discover unique arts and culture events in metro Detroit happening Dec. 11 through Dec. 18, 2025.
Menorah in the D 2024
This week, we’re highlighting holiday festivities from downtown to downriver. Here are seven things to do this week in metro Detroit, including gift markets, art exhibits, dance performances and more.
Upcoming events (Dec. 11โ18)
Art for the Holidays
๐ย Detroit Artists Market in Detroit
๐๏ธย Ongoing through Dec. 20
๐๏ธย Free
A long-running art exhibition and sale featuring nearly 1,500 unique, handmade works from nearly 100 local artists. Pieces span from ceramics and textiles to paintings and jewelry, and every purchase directly supports Detroit artists. The market is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Guests of Honor: Art of Faith from the Jewish Museum, New York
๐ย Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit
๐๏ธย Ongoing through Jan. 3, 2027
๐๏ธย Free with general admission
A temporary exhibit at the DIA featuring a selection of Jewish ceremonial objects from the Jewish Museum in New York. The pieces date from the 1400s to the early 1900s, and include Torah finials, Hanukkah menorahs and more.
Seven Seeds, One Harvest: The Chronicles of Kwanzaa
๐ย Detroit School of Arts in Detroit
๐๏ธย Friday, Dec. 12
๐๏ธย $6โ$22
A performance by the DSA African Dance Ensemble featuring drumming, dancing, poetry, fashion and storytelling to celebrate unity, healing, power and purpose. This yearโs performance is a fundraiser to help students take an educational trip to Guinea, West Africa in 2026โ2027. The show starts at 7 p.m.
Downtown Trenton Noel Nights: Day 2
๐ย Trenton City Hall, various locations
๐๏ธย Saturday, Dec. 13
๐๏ธย $0โ$5
An afternoon of activities encouraging residents to explore downtown Trenton, featuring a Hot Cocoa Walk, Snowflake Scavenger Hunt and Holiday Concert. Festivities go from noon to 4 p.m., and activities are $5 for adults or free for kids. The Holiday Concert is free and open to the public.
Batch Brewing Holiday Market
๐ย Batch Brewing Company in Corktown
๐๏ธย Saturday, Dec. 13
๐๏ธย Free
An alternative holiday market featuring a dozen local vendors offering a wide variety of gift ideas. The market goes from 1โ5 p.m. and also features music by DJ Thornstryker.
Eastern Marketโs Holiday Market
๐ย Eastern Market in Detroit
๐๏ธย Sunday, Dec. 14
๐๏ธย Free
A seasonal market featuring Michigan-made gifts, including clothing, art, jewelry, beauty products and more. Christmas tree vendors will also be in the parking lot outside Sheds 5 and 6. The market goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is the second-to-last Holiday Market of the year, as the final one will be Sunday, Dec. 21.
Menorah in the D
๐ย Cadillac Square in Detroit
๐๏ธย Sunday, Dec. 14
๐๏ธย Free with RSVP
An outdoor Hanukkah celebration featuring a 26-foot-tall Menorah and eight community lamplighters. There will be greetings from Jewish leaders, strolling entertainment, hot soup and more. The event starts at 4:30 p.m. and the Menorah lighting ceremony starts at 5:30 p.m. Reservations are required.
