The 49th Annual Noel Night, one of the most magical nights in the city and a longstanding holiday tradition, returns to Detroit’s Cultural Center and the Midtown district on Saturday, December 2, 2023. Over 100 institutions, including the College for Creative Studies, Detroit Public Library, Detroit Institute of Arts, the Magic Stick, Michigan Science Center, MOCAD, and Wayne State University, and the local small business community will open their doors to the public free of charge during this district-wide holiday open house. Noel Night is free and open to the public, and produced by Midtown Detroit, Inc. Venues north of Warren Avenue in the Cultural Center will be open from 5:00-9:00 p.m., and venues south of Warren Avenue will be open from 5:00-10:00 p.m.
“We are immensely proud to present the 49th annual Noel Night event in the heart of Detroit's vibrant Midtown district,” said Sue Mosey, Executive Director, Midtown Detroit, Inc. “Noel Night has become a beloved tradition that celebrates the magic of the holiday season and showcases the incredible array of small, unique businesses, restaurants, bars, and Cultural Center institutions that make our city truly exceptional. This event not only illuminates the spirit of the season but also highlights the diverse and thriving community that defines Detroit. It's a testament to the resilience, creativity, and togetherness that make our city shine. We invite everyone to join us in this festive celebration and experience the warmth and wonder of Detroit during Noel Night.”
Activities include holiday shopping at local businesses and pop-up winter marketplaces, family make-and-take crafts, visits with Santa, food trucks and beverage stands, and performances by over 80 area music, theatre, and dance groups.
Noel Night featured performances include:
Abigail Stauffer and The Wisdom, Soulful Acoustic music
8:00 p.m. – Detroit Historical MuseumAlice McAllister Tillman, Soprano, and Friends
7:30 p.m. – First Unitarian Universalist ChurchAudivi, Vocal Ensemble
6:00 and 7:45 p.m. – Detroit Symphony Orchestra – The CubeBrooklyn Qawwali Party, Pakistani Sufi music in a unique instrumental blend of jazz and Qawwali
9:00 p.m. – Motor City Brewing Works WarehouseChris Bathgate, Indie folk
8:00 p.m. – The Scarab ClubDetroit Youth Choir, You know them from America’s Got Talent
5:30 and 7:30 p.m. – Detroit Public LibraryPremiere of “Under the Snow,” a new puppet opera for all ages. Music and libretto by Shara Nova, directed by Carrie Morris with puppets by Detroit Puppet Company and featuring singers from the Detroit Opera.
5:00, 6:00, 7:30 and 9:00 p.m. – First Congregational ChurchFlying Cardboard Theater, “There’s Snow Business like Snow Business” Puppet Performance
5:30, 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. – Detroit Public LibraryFrisson, Classical Music Ensemble
6:15 and 7:30 p.m. – Detroit Institute of ArtsFrontier Ruckus, Folk rock with a smidgen of bluegrass and a dash of jangle pop
7:00 and 9:00 p.m. – Detroit Shipping Co.Julien Labro and The Chanson Experiment, Accordionist, jazz inspired by the music of Piaf, Brel, Aznavour
6:30 and 8:30 p.m. - MOCADMontreal Guitare Trio, perform “Christmas Around the World”
6:00 and 8:00 p.m. – Detroit Institute of ArtsOB Succari and his PanaMO septet, Latin Jazz Ensemble
6:00 and 8:00 p.m. – International InstituteThornetta Davis, Detroit’s Queen of the Blues
9:00 p.m. – First Unitarian Universalist Church
Other unique arts activities include the Detroit Institute of Arts where visitors will be able to explore the Detroit Film Theatre (DFT), Crystal Gallery, Great Hall, and Rivera Court on Noel Night. Visitors to the DFT and Crystal Gallery should enter from John R. Plan ahead by visiting noelnight.org.
A perennial favorite, the Ice Scrapers Demonstration returns to the DIA Woodward Plaza. Watch students from Wayne State University and the College for Creative Studies transform blocks of ice into unique sculptural creations throughout the day under the tutelage of Ice Guru Randy Finch.
Holiday Shopping
Discover the best gifts of the season at the area’s galleries and gift shops, including special Noel Night-only opportunities like the annual College for Creative Studies Student and Alumni Art Sale, the Wayne State University Winter Art and Retail Market (WARM) held inside the Welcome Center, and the Noel Night outdoor Holiday Marketplace at the Woodward-Warren Park curated by Ask Jennyfer. The Detroit Artists Market’s Annual Art for the Holiday Show is another favorite shopping experience featuring all hand-made items by local artists offering a wide range of products and price points. The Magic Stick will also host Fleatroit Christmas Bazaar!, a traveling vintage pop-up shop from 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Make sure to not miss other unique shopping opportunities at these other participating Noel Night venues: ArtLoft Midtown Detroit, The Black Dress Co., Bleu Bowtique, Blick Art Materials, Bon Bon Bon Chocolate, Carhartt (2 locations!), City Bird/Nest, Detroit Denim, Flo Boutique, Mongers’ Provisions, The Mushroom Hub, The Natural Market Pop-Up MarketPlace inside Hannan Center, The Peacock Room, Seasons Market
Also new to Noel Night are a number of businesses, including:
• Bakersfield (3100 Woodward)
• Barcade Detroit (666 Selden Street)
• Cafe Sous Terre (445 W. Forest)
• Cold Truth Vegan Soft Serve (4240 Cass Avenue, Suite 100)
• Craig's Coffee (412 Peterboro Street)
• Detroit Beauty Collective (4152 Third Avenue)
• Detroit Clothing Circle (4147 Cass Avenue)
• Detroit Eatery Midtown (4152 3rd Avenue)
• Detroit Fire Department Station 20 (477 W. Alexandrine Street)
• The Eagle Food and Beer Hall (3461 Woodward)
• Hammer & Nail | Detroit Sushi (3800 Woodward
• hihi Anime & Toy Store (4240 Cass Avenue, Suite 109)
• Hope for Flowers by Tracy Reese (119 Garfield Street, Suite 500)
• Ima Midtown Restaurant (4870 Cass Avenue)
• K. Walker Collective (4161 Cass Ave)
• KW City (Keller Williams City) (15 Kirby Street, Suite 113)
• Matéria Contemporary Art Gallery (444 W. Willis Street, Unit 111)
• Mezcal Mexican Bar and Kitchen (51 W. Forest)
• Old Soul Vintage (3627 Cass Avenue, Suite B)
• Shell Shock'd Tacos (418 W Willis St)
• Shields Restaurant Bar Pizzeria (5057 Woodward)
• Slows To Go (4107 Cass Avenue)
• TONICO Brand Women's Clothing Boutique (66 E Forest Avenue)
• Tou & Mai Boba Tea and Asian Mini Mart (4240 Cass Avenue)
• Vigilante Kitchen + Bar | Nain Rouge Brewery (644 Selden Street)
• Warda Pâtisserie (70 W Alexandrine Street)
• Wayne State University - Hilberry Gateway (4715 Cass Avenue)
Food Options
In addition to the numerous restaurants and bars participating, the Wayne State University Woodward-Warren Park and the Scarab Club will also feature food truck rallies. Full dinner options are available at Babo Detroit Restaurant, Bakersfield, Barcade Detroit, Common Pub, First Congregational Church, Detroit Eatery, The Eagle Food and Beer Hall, Elephant & Co. Self-Serve Tap House, HopCat Detroit, Ima Midtown Detroit, Jolly Pumpkin and Avalon International Breads, Mezcal Mexican Bar and Kitchen, Motor City Brewing Works, Rocco’s Italian Deli, Seva Detroit Vegetarian Restaurant, Shell Shock’d Tacos, Shields Restaurant Bar Pizzeria, Slows to Go, Stadt Garden, and Vigilante Kitchen + Bar | Nain Rouge Brewery. Numerous other restaurants will be open in Midtown on Noel Night—for a full list of restaurants, please check out https://visitmidtown.com. Reservations are encouraged.
Kids Activities
Places to visit with Santa include the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, City Bird/Nest, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Public Library, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Hannan Center, The Scarab Club, University of Michigan, and Wayne State University Old Main Building, amongst other locations.
Parking and Traffic
Woodward Avenue will remain open to traffic. Noel Night activities take place in Midtown Detroit—the district is bound by I-94 to the north, I-75 to the east and south, and M-10 to the west. Free shuttle service is offered between participating venues between 5:00-10:30 p.m. Convenient parking is available in area lots and decks. Expect to pay between $7-$20 for parking during the evening.