FEATURES

Top Events Happening In Detroit In 2020

There are so many exciting events happening in Detroit all year long – mark your calendars and start making plans.

JANUARY

• Monday, January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Detroit’s museums open its doors to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King.

FEBRUARY

• February 7-9: Winter Blast Weekend
  • Zipline down Woodward, ride a giant slide and strap on some skis (os skates) in Campus Martius for the annual free summer festival.
• Tuesday, February 25: Fat Tuesday (aka Paczki Day) 
  • Take a trip to Hamtramck and pick up a ‘giant donut’ at a traditional Polish bakery.

MARCH

• Sunday, March 15: Detroit St. Patrick’s Parade
  • Don some green and get ready to party in Corktown, Detroit’s oldest neighborhood.
• Sunday, March 22: Marche du Nain Rouge
  • Think of the Marche as Detroit’s little Mardi Gras. The neighborhood parade features human-powered floats, live music and symbols of Detroit’s unique communities.
• Monday, March 30: Detroit Tigers Opening Day
  • Get tickets to see the Tigers take on Kansas City for the 2020 season home opener (don’t forget to wear layers).

MAY

• May 17: Flower Day
  • Flower Day takes place every year on the Sunday after Mother’s Day and growers offer a wide variety of flowers at a great value.
• May 23-25: MOVEMENT
  • Electronic music is for everyone and the three-day festival is open to all ages.
• May 25-31: Rocket Mortgage Classic
  • Watch the world’s best golfers take the green at the Detroit Golf Club.
• May 29-31: Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix
  • Watch fast cars take the pavement on Belle Isle at the annual racing event.

JUNE

• June 6 & 7: Motor City Pride
  • Join Michigan’s largest pride celebration for a festival and Pride Parade.
• June 13-20: North American International Auto Show
  • The Auto Show is now a summer event and the Motor City will be a buzz with new activities and activation.
• Monday, June 22: Ford Fireworks
  • Find a seat on the riverfront and watch the beautiful Ford Fireworks.

JULY

• July 8-14: Concert of Colors
  • The Concert of Colors is a free celebration of the many ethnicities and cultures represented by the people of southeast Michigan and the indigenous music of Detroit.
• Sunday, July 12: Detroit Kite Festival
  • Let’s go fly a kite (and make one) on Belle Isle.
• July 25 & 26: Mo Pop
  • Detroit’s Coachella featuring emerging and established indie-rock, pop, and hip-hop artists.
• July 31 – August 2: Charivari Detroit
  • A FREE 3-day music festival showcasing the best Detroit DJs.

AUGUST

• August 1 & 2: Belle Isle Art Fair
  • Find art, meet artists and make art at the Belle Isle Art Fair.
• August 21-23: Detroit Hydrofest
  • Watch the world’s fastest automotive powered hydroplanes race on the Detroit River.

SEPTEMBER

• September 4-7: Detroit Jazz Festival
  • Every Labor Day weekend, jazz legends in their prime and up-and-coming artists perform at location around downtown for FREE concerts.
• September 19-20: Parktoberfest
  • Head to Beacon Park for a Big Biergarten Tent, fall food favorites, live music, kids activities, traditional games, dance, and competitions.
• September 25 & 26: DLECTRICITY
  • The free festival will electrify Midtown Detroit’s Woodward Corridor + Beacon Park as artists light up buildings and and activate unexpected spaces using projected images, video, light, performance, sound and other artistic practices that engage technology.

OCTOBER

• October 16-18: Detroit Free Press Marathon
  • Run a mile, marathon or the Kid’s Fun Run.
• October 24: Harvest Fest
  • Harvest Fest is a FREE festival on the Detroit Riverfront with hayrides, pumpkin patches, trick or treating, inflatables, live music and more.

NOVEMBER

• Friday, November 20: Tree Lighting Ceremony
  • Carols will be sung, the tree will be lit and the ice rink will open at Campus Martius as hundreds gather together to celebrate the holiday season.
• Thursday, November 26: America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
  •  Bundle up before turkey and watch the floats march down Woodward Avenue.

DECEMBER

• Saturday, December 5: Noel Night
  • Hundreds of venues in Midtown will open their doors for special events, performances, and hands-on activities.
• Thursday, December 10: Menorah In The D
  • Celebrate the Festival of Lights with the annual menorah lighting at Campus Martius.

Photo credit: Facebook