English
Sonny Rollins at Detroit Jazz Festival by NYCultureBeat – Wikimedia Commons
The Best Festivals in Detroit you don’t want to miss
Detroit is such a dynamic city and the largest city in Michigan. It is well known that Detroiters love a good celebration, and are very skilled at setting up an amazing party. This, therefore, ranks Detroit as one of the tourist favorite destinations in the United States.
Throughout the year, the city comes to life with unique gatherings and fun events for every member of the family. If ever you’re planning to visit Detroit with family or friends, be sure to check out the following festivals.
1. Detroit Jazz Festival
Music has always been at the very heart of Detroit City, and this annual jazz festival is the perfect place to express your love for Jazz.The Detroit Jazz Festival is a free jazz festival held every year during Labor Day Weekend at Hart Plaza and Campus Martius Park in Detroit, Michigan.
For over 40 years, the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation has celebrated Detroit’s rich history of jazz music by providing year-round concerts. If you’re a Jazz Lover, be sure to attend this festival.
Read more about the Top 10 Facts about the Detroit Jazz Festival.
Practical Information
Address: Hart Plaza and Campus Martius Park in Detroit, Michigan.
Dates: September – Labor Day Weekend
Website: DETROITJAZZFEST.ORG
2. Mo Pop Festival
DEMF front display by emperley3 – Wikimedia Commons
The Mo Pop Festival is a music festival in Detroit. The festival features both emerging as well as established musicians. It showcases indie-rock, pop, and hip-hop music along with local Detroit cuisine and beverages, in addition to endeavoring to bring visitors to the city.
Mo Pop has been compared to other music festivals such as Bonnaroo, Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Pitchfork. It has also drawn comparisons to other festivals held in the city, namely the Detroit Jazz Festival and Movement Electronic Music Festival.
Practical Information
Address: West Riverfront Park; Detroit, Michigan.
Dates: 30 Jul – 31 Jul
Website: MOPOPFESTIVAL.COM
3. Quicken Loans Winter Blast
Quicken Loans Winter Blast makes you experience winter in Detroit like never before and makes it quite unforgettable. To begin with, the festival is absolutely free of charge. In addition, the usual downtown Detroit during the festival transforms into a magical wonderland displaying the theme of winter.
Activities that you can enjoy include zip-line riding, winter sliding, skiing, strolling around a winter garden, eating marshmallows, and entertainment by live performances. Pets are allowed within the festival gates, however, they are not permitted in any of the heated Comfort Zones.
Practical Information
Address: Campus Martius Park, Detroit, Michigan
Dates: February
Website: WINTERBLAST.COM
4. Movement Electronic Music Festival
The main stage of Detroit Electronic Music Festival 2002 by Myself248 – Wikimedia Commons
Movement Electronic Music Festival is an annual electronic dance music event held in the birthplace of Techno, Detroit, each Memorial Day weekend since 2006. In 2017, Movement was nominated for Festival of the Year at the Electronic Music Awards.
This festival presents performances by musicians and DJs that emphasizes the progressive qualities of the culture surrounding electronic music including the celebration of Detroit being the birthplace of the popular electronic music subgenre Techno.
Practical Information
Address: Hart Plaza, Detroit, Michigan
Dates: May – Memorial Day weekend
Website: MOVEMENTFESTIVAL.COM
5. Dally in the Alley
Dally in the Alley is Detroit’s largest annual community festival, located in the Cass Corridor district, the north end, close to Wayne State University in Detroit. It is completely organized and executed by a team of community volunteers, “The Dally” gives an offering of live music, visual arts, performance, food, and beer.
Proceeds from the Dally events are used to support North Cass projects which are said to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in the North Cass Community. The North Cass Community Union has used Dally proceeds to fund an environmental lawsuit against the City of Detroit trash incinerator, provide roaming security during nighttime hours, and grant scholarships to enable neighborhood children to attend the Art Center Music School.
Practical Information
Address: Cass Corridor District, Detroit, Michigan
Dates: September
Website: DALLYINTHEALLEY.COM
6. Detroit Boat Show
Post Card of the Belle Isle Pleasure Boat, Detroit Michigan – Wikimedia Commons
The Detroit Boat show offers the biggest collection of over a hundred Boats. Participants in the event include the best boat dealers as well as marine-related businesses across the state of Michigan.
You get to see a variety of boats and if you want to purchase one, you can. If you’re fascinated by boats, this is the place to be.
Practical Information
Address: The TCF Center, Detroit, Michigan
Dates: January
Website: DETROITBOATSHOW.NET
7. Detroit Auto Show
The Detroit Auto Show which was previously known as The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., at Huntington Place.
It is among the largest auto shows in North America. The show is regarded as the foremost venue for car manufacturers to unveil new products. The show begins with press preview days, industry preview days, and a charity preview event. The charity preview raises money for local children’s charities. It is estimated that the show generates a revenue of over $500 million to the local economy
Practical Information
Address: Huntington Place, Detroit, Michigan
Dates: January
Website: NAIAS.COM
8. Greek Independence Day Parade
Greek Independence Day Parade Photo by Katie Simmons-Wikimedia Commons
Detroit is a city of diversity, and to appreciate the Greek culture, the city hosts an annual event called Greek Independence Day Parade that takes place on Monroe Street.
If you are Greek and reside in Detroit, you would not want to miss being part of your own cultural event. If you are curious about Greek culture, you can learn a lot about Greek history, tradition, customs, food, and music, among others, during the parade.
Practical Information
Address: Monroe St, Historic Greektown, Detroit, Michigan
Dates: March
Website:GREEKPARADES.COM
9. Motor City Pride Parade
Motor City Pride is Michigan’s largest pride celebration with over 40,000 participants. Detroit is a city that believes in equality regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation. To show solid support for the LGBTQ community, this annual event takes place in Detroit.
The parade and festival feature performances and activities that include paying respects to those who were victims of LGBTQ violence and homophobic crimes. In addition, you can also indulge in cocktails and food that can be bought from numerous food and beverage trucks. When coming to the festival, it is recommended not to bring too many things with you because security is strict.
Practical Information
Address: Hart Plaza, Detroit, Michigan
Dates: June
Website: MOTORCITYPRIDE.ORG
10. Detroit Restaurant Week
Detroit Restaurant Week is a special event that is organized to celebrate and appreciate the dining scene of Detroit. You are not required to purchase tickets to participate. Only when ordering food will you be charged, depending on the option you choose.
Numerous restaurants are invited to participate in this annual event to showcase and serve their most tantalizing dishes. When attending the event, it is recommended that you restrain yourself from eating a lot before the scheduled time, so you can take pleasure in fully indulging and have a most memorable dining experience.
