Throughout the spring, summer, and fall, thousands of people head to Downtown Detroit to enjoy a variety of festivals, concerts, sports, programs and events like the Detroit Grand Prix, Detroit Jazz Festival, and Detroit Free Press Marathon, to name a few. Events and attractions are just one of the many ways the Detroit community comes together to celebrate our rich history and, of course, the holidays.
The year-round excitement is most evident when Downtown transforms into a winter wonderland for the city’s holiday kick-off event — the 21st annual Detroit Tree Lighting presented by DTE Energy Foundation and produced by the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP).
This beloved tradition officially ushers in the holiday season on Friday, November 22, in the award-winning Campus Martius Park and surrounding spaces from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Downtown Detroit will come alive with festive activities, more than one million sparkling lights and a star-studded lineup of performances on ice and stage.
All are welcome to attend and enjoy the live entertainment from the MGM Grand Detroit Main Stage or throughout the area with big screens stationed in Campus Martius Park and Cadillac Square. The highlight of the evening will be the arrival of Santa as he lights the 66-foot, Michigan-grown Norway spruce. Detroit’s Christmas Tree will be decked with ornaments and more than 25,000 shimmering LED lights.
For over two decades, the DDP has produced this free annual holiday kick-off for the community, which now attracts tens of thousands of attendees.
During each Tree Lighting, we aim to bring show-stopping and crowd-pleasing entertainment. This year’s lineup will include live musical performances from rising pop singer-songwriter Alex Sampson, Grammy-nominated band from Memphis Southern Avenue, and Detroit’s own Queen of the Blues, Thornetta Davis. Canadian skating sensation Elladj Baldé will headline the ice performances, joined by local award-winning pairs Linzy Fitzpatrick and Keyton Bearinger and other special guests.
The Tree Lighting evening will be complete with local food trucks, holiday shopping, photos ops, and appearances from Santa. This is a fun, family-friendly environment for all to make enjoyable memories year-after-year.
New this year, Dearborn-based Carhartt joins the celebration with its Carhartt Cares Front Row initiative that will offer a special experience at this year’s Detroit Tree Lighting for beneficiaries of the Detroit Goodfellows. This is part of a newly launched three-year collaboration between Carhartt and the DDP, with Carhartt as the official outfitter for the DDP parks and public spaces team.
In the spirit of helping to make holiday cheer accessible for all, if you’re unable to attend, you can catch the action from the comfort of your home during WXYZ-7’s one-hour live broadcast at 7 p.m. or tune in on Saturday morning to hear 760 WJR’s coverage of the event.
Experience Winter in Downtown Detroit
Whether hosting family and friends from out of town or nearby, experience winter in Downtown Detroit this holiday season. The winter wonderland fun continues after the Tree Lighting and throughout the winter months.
Now through January 5, residents and visitors can shop for locally made, one-of-a-kind gifts from a collection of curated Detroit vendors, each offering unique finds, such as specialty apparel, accessories, bath products, home décor, and more. The DDP is proud to be a partner in providing economic opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs with the return of the Downtown Detroit Markets at Cadillac Square.
The Rink at Campus Martius Park presented by Visit Detroit opens Saturday, November 23, kicking off the 2024-2025 skating season with themed events, giveaways, and family-friendly activities.
Also returning this season are the horse-drawn carriage rides that will take passengers on an enchanting tour around the Woodward Esplanade and Campus Martius Park from 6 p.m. -11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday starting November 29 and continuing through December 28.
The CHALET 313, designed by Gardner White, is another new seasonal addition. Visitors to Campus Martius Park will enjoy the DDP’s new, seasonal gathering space: a two-story heated lounge that will feature cozy seating, a cash bar, and 360-degree views of the ice rink, the Christmas Tree, and Detroit’s skyline. This glass-enclosed lounge will provide the ultimate festive retreat and will open later in the winter season.
The DDP’s mission is to create a vibrant and safe Downtown for businesses, residents, and visitors. While the temperatures may drop, our commitment does not. Throughout the winter months, the DDP team and the Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) Ambassadors will be out in full force, maintaining our public spaces and providing assistance to visitors.
However you decide to enjoy this season, Downtown Detroit has several unforgettable holiday experiences. The DDP is honored to produce and host the Detroit Tree Lighting for the community, and we also look forward to celebrating the entire holiday season together.
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