Noel Night in Midtown kicks off the holiday festivities
The annual Noel Night celebrates Detroit’s diverse holiday traditions as well as its rich arts and cultural scene, and this year, more than ever, the event will be packed with entertainment, dining and shopping venues.
The 44th annual event in the city’s Midtown district will be held 5-10 p.m. Saturday.
In an array of settings from galleries and museums, churches and an ever-growing collection of businesses and restaurants, the family-friendly festivities include activities like dance, theater, crafts, caroling and horse-drawn carriage rides. The evening culminates with a traditional community sing-along on Woodward at Kirby, led by the Salvation Army Band.
The free event, which drew 40,000 visitors last year, will feature a record 100 venues and more than 200 performances at a cost of about $200,000 for Midtown Detroit Inc., in addition to a $300,000 investment by participating businesses, said Annmarie Borucki, special projects manager for the nonprofit community development organization.
Metro Detroit lights up with holiday celebrations
“Because of the rapid development in Midtown, we have more new venues participating for the first time,” Borucki said.
One newcomer will be the Lawrence Tech University Center for Design + Technology, which opened earlier this year at Woodward and Willis. The satellite location, which focuses on research, outreach and community, will transform its 900-square-foot first-floor gallery into a pop-up shopping experience featuring two local vendors — Farmers Hand organic produce market and SMPLFD clothing company.
“It’s great for LTU to have a center in the city, and this is a great way to let people know we are here,” said site manager Amar Hoxha, a graduate architecture student at the university. “We’re proud of this first-time affiliation with Noel Night.”
Another newcomer, the Little High Flyers baby boutique is having its grand opening that night and will offer a workshop by Detroit artist Yvette Rock featuring dolls and stocking making.
“It’s very cool, I’m very happy about the event,” said owner Corina Baldwin, a West Bloomfield resident. “I like the urban setting, the diversity. I wouldn’t have the store anywhere else.”
Detroit native Monica Blaire, a Kresge Arts fellow who moved to Atlanta two years ago, is coming home for her first Noel Night performance. Supported by a full band and backup singers, Blaire will perform at 8:45 p.m. at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
“Detroit is a city that champions unity, and this night will be one creative melting pot,” said Blaire, who was raised on the city’s west side. “For me personally, there will be twinges of nostalgia combined with love, and I’m sure I’ll put a little extra spice on the performance because I’ll be home, and so excited to be back. The city continues to change for the better.”
Other new participants include ArtCity-Creative Spaces, the BLOCK Detroit, Blossoms Midtown, Cake Ambition, Cass Community United Methodist Church, Dangerously Delicious Pies, El Moore Lodge, Elite Couture Boutique, Filson, Flyball Labs, HopCat Detroit, Mac n’ Brewz, Mills Apothecary, Mosaic Midtown Church, Rock City Eatery, Third Man Records and more.
Perennial favorite, the Ice Scraper Challenge, returns to the Detroit Institute of Arts plaza, and Live Animals of the Nativity will be back on the lawn of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. Also returning is the College for Creative Studies student and alumni art sale, along with the Detroit Artists Market’s annual Art for the Holiday show.
In addition to participating restaurants, the Detroit Public Library will host a food court and beer tent, and the Scarab Club will host its annual food truck rally in its parking lot.
Borucki said Noel Night attracts a mix of patrons. “We do get a lot of Detroit residents, but also a lot of people from the suburbs and beyond,” she said. “Sometimes you get exposed to things you aren’t normally exposed to.”
Detroit resident Kalia Keith, a Noel Night regular, said she’s attending this year. “During a season when money might be tight, this is an opportunity to enjoy city life and holiday festivities for free,” said Keith, 40.
“We’re trying to get people to know who is where, and to get them in the door,” Borucki said. “It’s getting a little unwieldy because it’s grown so, but in the end, it’s a good problem to have.”
Mary Chapman is a Metro Detroit-based freelance writer.
44th annual Noel Night
What: A one-night festival featuring events, performances, demonstrations and festivities at more than 100 venues in midtown Detroit.
Where: The area bounded by Ferry and St. Antoine streets, Edmund Place and Third Avenue. Woodward is closed to traffic between Antoinette and Warren.
When: 5-10 p.m. Sat.
Cost: Free
Parking: Area lots and decks. Free shuttle service offered between parking decks and participating venues. Lyft is the official ride-sharing partner. New users can download the Lyft app and apply the code NOELNIGHT16 for $20 credit.
Information: See noelnight.org for a map and list of venues, or call (313) 420-6000.