As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the artists, small businesses and unique experiences that our region has to offer. Here are 14 ways to spend the holiday season in metro Detroit, from ugly Christmas sweater parties to dazzling light displays.

Upcoming events (Dec. 18 through Jan. 8)

The Original Turtleneck & Sweater Holiday Extravaganza

  Fifth Avenue Royal Oak

  Saturday, Dec. 20

  $26

The 25th anniversary of the ugly Christmas sweater party that started it all — right here in Michigan. There will be live music, a fashion show, food and drinks, professional photography and more. Festivities go from 5–10 p.m. and all proceeds benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. This event is 21+.

Downtown Trenton Noel Nights: Day 3

  Trenton City Hall

  Saturday, Dec. 20

  Free

An afternoon of activities encouraging residents to explore downtown Trenton, including pony rides, photos with Santa, a holiday market, a live nativity scene, kids crafts and a hot cocoa bar. Festivities go from noon to 4 p.m.

Art for the Holidays

  Detroit Artists Market in Detroit

  Ongoing through Saturday, Dec. 20

  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.

WDET’s (Not So) Modern Music Holiday Special

  Online and on your radio

  Saturday, Dec. 20 and Tuesday, Dec. 23

  Free

A radio special hosted by Jon Moshier (host of WDET’s Modern Music) and DJ Dave Lawson featuring a brand-new batch of rare and unusual holiday music. The special premieres on WDET on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 4 p.m., and an encore broadcast will air on Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 10 p.m.

Detroit Public Theatre Holiday Cabaret

  Detroit Public Theatre

  Ongoing through Sunday, Dec. 21

  $25–$100

A festive performance crafted with wit and rowdy charm. An ongoing tradition, the Detroit Public Theatre’s Holiday Cabaret features talented vocalists and adult humor. General admission is $52, but rush tickets are often available for $25.

Eastern Market’s Holiday Market

  Eastern Market in Detroit

  Sunday, Dec. 21

  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 final Holiday Market of the year.

Wayne County Lightfest

  Hines Park of Westland

  Ongoing through Wednesday, Dec. 24

  $5–$50 cash, depending on type of vehicle

A drive-through attraction featuring five miles of light displays down Hines Drive. Additional activities are available halfway through the route, including photo opportunities, food trucks and a mailbox for letters to Santa. Lightfest is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 6–10 p.m.

A Whole Lotta Love on WDET

  Online and on your radio

  Thursday, Dec. 25 through Friday, Jan. 2

  Free

A series of encore broadcasts from Ed Love’s legendary Evolution of Jazz program on WDET. The show is a master class in jazz history, featuring passionate, in-depth stories from Ed’s decades in the business. Episodes air on WDET weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Kwanzaa Celebration and Motor City Kinara Lighting

  Campus Martius Park in Detroit

  Friday, Dec. 26

  Free

A community Kwanzaa celebration hosted by Alkebu-lan Village, the City of Detroit, the Downtown Detroit Partnership and other community partners. Recognized as one of the largest Kwanzaa Kinara displays in the world, the 30-foot-tall monument is designed to stand alongside Detroit’s other major holiday displays, serving as a vibrant symbol of African American life, culture and community. Festivities go from 3–7 p.m. and the Kinara will be on display through the full week of Kwanzaa.

Winter at The Station

  Michigan Central Station in Detroit

  Ongoing through Sunday, Dec. 28

  $0–$15

A family-friendly celebration of the season featuring festive decor, interactive exhibits, holiday shopping, live music and more. Special programming will also take place throughout the month, including dance performances, artist workshops and more. General admission is free and open to the public, but some of the special programming is ticketed. Parking is $5 per vehicle. The Station is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but will be closed Dec. 24–25 and Dec. 31 through Jan. 1 for the holidays.

Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village

  Greenfield Village in Dearborn

  Ongoing through Sunday, Dec. 28

  $36–$44

An immersive historical experience featuring carols, roasted chestnuts, artisan crafts, ice skating and Model-T rides. Limited tickets remain.

Parlay Detroit’s New Year’s Eve Daytime Celebration

  Parlay Detroit

  Wednesday, Dec. 31

  Free

A spirited, kid-friendly afternoon centered around the Michigan Wolverines vs. Texas Longhorns game so families can celebrate New Year’s Eve without staying out late. There will be face painting, DJs and a game day atmosphere. Kids eat free from 2–5 p.m., and seating is first-come, first-served.

Parlay Detroit’s New Year’s Eve Nighttime Celebration

  Parlay Detroit

  Wednesday, Dec. 31

  Free

A vibrant New Year’s Eve night experience for adults and older guests, featuring multiple DJs, an energetic atmosphere and a full food menu available until 2:30 a.m. Festivities kick off at 9 p.m. and the party is first-come, first served.

Guests of Honor: Art of Faith from the Jewish Museum, New York

  Detroit Institute of Arts

  Ongoing through Jan. 3, 2027

  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.

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. 11–18)

Art for the Holidays

  Detroit Artists Market in Detroit

  Ongoing through Dec. 20

  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

  Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit

  Ongoing through Jan. 3, 2027

  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

  Detroit School of Arts in Detroit

  Friday, Dec. 12

  $6–$22

A performance by the DSA African Dance Ensemble featuring drumming, dancing, poetry, fashion and storytelling to celebrate unity, healing, power and purpose. This year’s performance is a fundraiser to help students take an educational trip to Guinea, West Africa in 2026–2027. The show starts at 7 p.m.

Downtown Trenton Noel Nights: Day 2

  Trenton City Hall, various locations

  Saturday, Dec. 13

  $0–$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

  Batch Brewing Company in Corktown

  Saturday, Dec. 13

  Free

An alternative holiday market featuring a dozen local vendors offering a wide variety of gift ideas. The market goes from 1–5 p.m. and also features music by DJ Thornstryker.

Eastern Market’s Holiday Market

  Eastern Market in Detroit

  Sunday, Dec. 14

  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

  Cadillac Square in Detroit

  Sunday, Dec. 14

  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.

Hunkering down at home is tempting as temperatures drop and snow falls, but there are experiences worth braving the weather—at least for a moment.

Keep out the chill with moving musical performances, comedy, and more in metro Detroit.

Upcoming events

Holiday Cabaret

Detroit Public Theatre

  Thursday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 21

  $52 

A holiday season celebration crafted with wit and rowdy charm! An ongoing tradition, the Detroit Public Theatre’s Holiday Cabaret features talented vocalists and adult humor. This weekend, Dec. 4-7 is the time to catch the preview shows and the premiere. 

Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village

Greenfield Village

  Thursday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 28

  $36-44

Take a walk through time and enjoy festivities at Greenfield Village. Carols, roasted chestnuts, artisan crafts, ice skating and Model-T rides will get the whole family in the holiday spirit while immersing them in history.

Paradise Jazz: Malcolm X Jazz Suite

Detroit Symphony Orchestra

  Friday, Dec. 5

  $21+

Terence Blanchard and his band The E-Collective and the Turtle Island Quartet reprise his Malcom X Jazz Suite. The initial suite modified Blanchard’s compositions for the 1992 film Malcom X, directed by Spike Lee, for live performance. After its evolutions over the years, Blanchard’s latest version offers audiences a new stirring experience. Performance begins at 8 p.m.

Variety Show

The Congregation Detroit

  Friday, Dec. 5

  $20 online (with fees), $25 at the door

A two-hour blend of burlesque, drag, comedy, and improv sure to entertain and delight! This event is hosted by Sarah Lynn and presented by Best Case Scenario Comedy. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. Bring cash for tipping performers. This event is 18 and up.

Killers, Freaks, and Radicals

Senate Theater in Detroit

  Friday, Dec. 5

  $12

Attend the Detroit premiere of a locally-produced true crime documentary on the Michigan Co-Ed Killer. The show opens with an organ overture, and Director Andrew Templeton will be present to discuss the film following the showing. 

Merry Midtown

Midtown Detroit

  Saturday, Dec. 6

  Free

In place of Noel Night, over 50 local businesses have organized a night to shop, dine and explore midtown. From 5-9 p.m., people of all ages are welcome to enjoy ice carving demonstration, live performances, photo booths and more

East Meets West: Christmas in the Holy Land

Music Hall Detroit

  Saturday, Dec. 6

  $67+

Explore another side of Christmas with National Arab Orchestra through a cultural blend of holiday music. The show starts at 8 p.m.

Joe Reilly and the All Nations Dancers: Welcome Winter

Detroit Institute of Arts

  Saturday, Dec. 6

  Free with general admission

The All Nations Dancers, representing the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi tribes, celebrate winter and Mother Earth with songs performed by singer-songwriter Joe Reilly. The performance starts at 2 p.m. in the Riviera Court. While at the museum, check out the current exhibit Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation until April 5, 2026. 

Detroit Urban Craft Fair

Masonic Temple

  Saturday, Dec. 6 through Sunday, Dec. 7

  $5

Shop for a variety of artisan and homemade goods from over 100 artists, including crocheted items, decor, soaps, journals, jewelry and more. Meet the makers and find presents for yourself and others from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Children 12 and under get free entry both days after 1 p.m.

During the Great Depression, in the year 1932 to be exact, a local group of art lovers saw there was a need for spaces where artists could exhibit and sell their work. Mrs. H. Lee Simpson founded what was then called the Detroit Young Artists Market, focusing on artists 30 and under who earned a living wage. Since its inaugural year, the nonprofit has grown and become an important fixture in Detroit’s arts and culture community.

After a brief hiatus, DAM returned this past weekend with Hot Dam. It features 40 local artists working in a variety of mediums, from sculpture and fiber art to classic painting. Hot Dam! is on display through August 23 at Detroit Artists Market on Woodward and Forest.

Miah Davis is the Executive Director of Detroit Artists Market. Dr. Kelli Morgan is a curator, educator, and activist, and the founder of The Black Artist Archive.

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