December kicks off with a bang in Detroit with several major holiday activities scheduled for the first day of the month.
Things get going on Saturday, December 1 at 10 am with Detroit Synergy Group’s fourth annual SHOP Detroit, a half-day shopping extravaganza in Detroit’s downtown and New Center areas.
Click here for more information on this fun holiday tradition.
Then from 2 to 6 pm, the West Canfield Historic District in Detroit will offer tours of three historic Detroit homes as part of its “A Victorian Christmas” celebration. Tickets, available for purchase at 674 West Canfield, are $15 for adults and $7 for children. As part of Noel Night festivities (see below), two of the homes will remain open until 8 pm and may be toured between 6 and 8 pm for $10.
The biggest event on December 1, however, is Midtown’s 35th annual Noel Night. Running from 5 to 9:30 pm, this beloved local tradition celebrates a variety of holiday traditions and includes activities for all ages.
Highlights of the evening include:
- Over 90 musical performances, including three-time Grammy winner-Tom Chapin and his daughters, Mosaic singers, Cass High School Marching Band and Thornetta Davis;
- Annual College for Creative Studies Student and Alumni Art Sale;
- Carriage rides and carolers;
- Food and yuletide treats;
- Community sing-along on Woodward Avenue;
- Free admission to Midtown museums like the new Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), the Detroit Science Center, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Charles Wright Museum of African American History;
- Annual Ice Scraper Challenge at the DIA Plaza;
- Living nativity scene at the Cathedral of Saint Paul;
- On a Clear Winter’s Night planetarium show at Wayne State University Old Main.
Noel Night shuttles run continuously during the event, transporting festival-goers between 28 participating institutions.
Points of note along the route include:
Bureau of Urban Living: From 5 - 7, author Linda McLean will sign copies of her new book, The Heidelberg Project: A Street of Dreams. Or, drop into this urban grocery store between 7 and 9 pm and meet Stephen McGee, an Emmy award-winning local photographer. A collection of McGee’s breathtaking Detroit photographs will be on display.
International Institute’s Hall of Nations: Stop into this spot on Kirby for continuous holiday ethnic folk music.
Detroit Public Library: Photos with Santa, children’s holiday ornament make-and-take, children’s film, DPL Friends Used Book Sale and various musical acts.
Scarab Club: 94th annual Scarab Club Gold Medal Exhibition, basement blowout sale, cash bar, jambalaya dinners by Union Street ($12), plus cake and coffee to celebrate The Scarab Club’s 100th anniversary.
Plymouth United Church of Christ: Children’s make-and-take crafts, children’s holiday gift shop, photos with Santa, face painting, storytelling, poetry reading, make your own s’mores, singing from various choirs.
Public parking for Noel Night is available for $5 at WSU Parking Structure #6; WSU Lots #3, #23, and #35; the Cultural Center Lot between John R. and Brush, north of Farnsworth; and at Plymouth United Church of Christ, located at Warren and St. Antoine.
Click here for directions to Noel Night and a printable map of the University Cultural Center area of Midtown where Noel Night is held. Please click here for a schedule of events.
Noel Night sponsors include Masco, Target, Metrotimes, WDET, 100.3 WNIC, GreatStuff, the Inn on Ferry Street, Inland Press, Starbucks, HOUR Detroit, Trent Design, Compuware and Commuter Express.Please call (313) 577-5088 or visit midtowndetroit.com for more information.
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