Midtown Detroit today officially announced the 50th annual Noel Night. The annual celebration of community, culture, and the spirit of the holiday is set to illuminate the Midtown, New Center, and Cultural Center districts of Detroit on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. The event is free to attend and all are welcome.
This beloved tradition unites the community to celebrate diverse holiday traditions amidst Michigan’s premier arts and cultural institutions, historic churches, galleries and a vibrant array of small businesses.
For this year’s highly anticipated Noel Night, attendees are encouraged to begin their festivities at the bustling corner of Woodward and Warren Avenues, the central hub of all activities. Starting at noon, this vibrant spot will feature an information center, an adult beverage tent and a selection of food trucks to satisfy any craving. Families can enjoy an outdoor children’s area during the day, with the excitement building into the evening.
After 5 p.m., the corner comes alive with the electrifying sounds of legendary Detroit House Music DJ Stacy “Hotwax” Hale, creating a high-energy atmosphere. While there will not be trolley service offered this year, the event is walkable, making this hub an easy and enjoyable starting point for exploring Noel Night.
The list of participating groups, vendors, performers, organizations and businesses is continuing to grow. For ongoing event updates, visit https://www.noelnight.org.
This year’s jubilant Noel Night offers a rich array of activities designed to engage attendees of all ages:
- Live Performances: Enjoy a variety of musical acts and interactive holiday experiences throughout the district hosted by Cultural Center venues and small businesses alike.
- Holiday Shopping: Explore local businesses and pop-up shops within small businesses for unique gifts, special promotions and discounts, seasonal offerings and fun treats.
- Family Activities: Participate in make-and-take crafts and visit with Santa at various locations.
- Culinary Delights: Savor offerings from numerous restaurants, bars, food trucks and hot beverage stands. Free hot chocolate abounds!
“Noel Night has been a cornerstone of our community for half a century, bringing together residents and visitors to celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of Midtown Detroit area,” said Maureen Stapleton, interim executive director of Midtown Detroit, Inc. “This year’s milestone event promises to honor our traditions while embracing new experiences that reflect the dynamic spirit of our neighborhood.”
Special Programming:
In honor of the 50th anniversary, several cultural institutions will offer extended programming. A sampling of activations include:
- Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA): The museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission and will also feature special performances and activities. Beginning at 4 p.m., the museum will host a celebration outdoors, including a Salvation Army sing-along with a brass band and ice carving demonstrations.
- Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will host events from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., including family-friendly activities and exhibitions such as Ballet Folkorico de Detroit-Mexican (Folkloric Dance) and NANOU DJIAPO (African Drum and Dance Troupe).
- Michigan Science Center will offer interactive exhibits and demonstrations from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. including a walkthrough Snow Globe experience in the Planetarium (no ticket required) and live wintery science demos in the 4D Theater (no ticket required).
Please note that cultural center institutions will close at 5 p.m., outdoor activities and performances will continue in the surrounding areas beyond then. For complete listings, please visit www.NoelNight.org. for specific details.
Local Business Involvement:
Participating local businesses and organizations have big plans for Noel Night this year. Currently, more than 50 small businesses have committed to participate and the list is still growing. Restaurants and retailers will offer discounts, free samples, giveaways, live entertainment, events and more.
A sampling of restaurant and retail participant offerings include:
- Bleu Bowtique: Giveaways, special pricing, buy one, get one offers, libations and entertainment
- Bon Bon Bon: Hot chocolate and peppermint bark for customers
- Detroit Artists Market: Extended hours and snacks
- Garden Theater / The Block Restaurant: Entertainment throughout the event
- Mezcal Mexican Restaurant: Noel Night special drink, candy giveaways and a light display
- The Mushroom Hub: Various discounted products, samples and a delicious Noel Night menu, hot and ready-to-eat
- The Peacock Room: Merchandise discounts and an antique glass Christmas ornament display
- Source Book Sellers: Bundled book gifts for children and adults
- Third man Records Cass Corridor: Live DJ, treats and in-store vinyl records fair
- Warda Patisserie: Noel Night special drinks and pastries, along with Noel décor and lights display
- Willis Show Bar: Special holiday-themed entertainment, as well as decoration displays and a special Noel Night drink
Noel Night Logistics:
Attendees are strongly advised to visit Noel Night’s website for an updated list of participating venues, offers, activities, and entertainment updates as well as a map of Midtown Detroit area to stay up to date. www.NoelNight.org.
The Detroit Police Department enforces a city-wide curfew for minors. After 8:00 pm, minors under the age of 18 should be accompanied by an adult.
Noel Night activities take place in New Center and Midtown Detroit, from Ferry Street to the north, Charlotte to the south, St. Antoine to the east and Third Avenue to the west.
Woodward Avenue is open this year–it will not be closed, and the QLINE will be operational. Trolley service will be unavailable this year.
Event Recap:
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024
- Daytime Hours: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Nighttime Hours: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.**
- Location: Midtown and New Center in Detroit
**After 8:00 pm, minors under the age of 18 should be accompanied by an adult.
About Midtown Detroit, Inc.
Midtown Detroit, Inc. (MDI) is a nonprofit planning and development organization that supports the physical maintenance and revitalization of the Midtown Detroit and New Center neighborhoods. MDI supports the district through arts programming, infrastructure, public maintenance, community programs, small business support, real estate development and master planning efforts. Its well-established public art programs and significant arts festivals like Noel Night have added vibrancy to the overall district. For more information, visit MidtownDetroitInc.org.
