Eastern Market’s Sunday Holiday Markets
Detroit’s historic shopping market transforms its sheds into a festive destination for local shopping, seasonal foods, and holiday cheer. Vendors include local artisans, Michigan Christmas tree growers, and other seasonal treats, with businesses in the district holding longer holiday hours. The holiday market runs on Sundays through the season, in addition to Eastern Market’s traditional Saturday market.
From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30; Sunday, Dec. 7; Sunday, Dec. 14; and Sunday, Dec. 21, Eastern Market, Detroit. No cover.
Detroit Urban Craft Fair
Celebrating its 20th year, the Detroit Urban Craft Fair brings local makers to the Masonic Temple for a weekend of holiday shopping while DJ Dave Lawson spins Christmas singles. With dozens of vendors, this is a perfect opportunity to support local artisans and find unique gifts for everyone on your shopping list.
The Detroit Urban Craft Fair runs from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7; Masonic Temple, 500 Temple St., Detroit; detroiturbancraftfair.com. Cover is $5 (no cover for children under 12 after 1 p.m.)
Holiday Shopping at Hudson’s
In its heyday, Detroit’s former J.L. Hudson Department Store was the local destination for holiday shopping and one of the largest in the U.S., underscored by the oversized American flag that used to be hung from the building during the Thanksgiving Day parade. This season, the newly completed Hudson’s site tower is bringing holiday shopping back with vendor kiosks, window displays, coffee and pastries, and even the return of Hudson’s collectable “Santa Bear” teddy bears. A new bear will be available in honor of building owner Dan Gilbert’s late son Nick, who died in 2023 of complications from neurofibromatosis, with proceeds benefiting NFX and The Gilly Project.
Programming through Jan. 4; see hudsons-detroit.com/holidays for full schedule.
Royal Oak Holidays
Downtown Royal Oak lights up with holiday cheer including a Christmas tree, ice rink, carnival rides, ice sculptures, roasting marshmallows, and two weekends of gift shopping. More than a dozen vendors will be on hand, including 404 Industries, Blu Jean Blues, By Dana Ash, DD Knits, Fiber Magic Alpacas, Give Thanks Bakery, Mino Wantanabe, Pet Wants Chesterfield, Piekny Polish Pottery Store, Pingree Detroit, Sidetrack Bookshop, SMPL Tallow, Sugared by KB, Sunday Fox Candles, and The Office Coffee Shop. There will also be community drives benefiting the Metro Detroit Youth Club and The Bottomless Toy Chest.
From Friday, Dec. 5-Sunday, Dec. 7 and Friday, Dec. 12-Sunday, Dec. 14; Centennial Commons, Royal Oak; royaloakholidays.com. No cover.
Royal Oak Holidays Cookie Crawl
Attendees can explore and shop in downtown Royal Oak while collecting unique, handcrafted cookies and other sweet treats from 18 local businesses. Starting at Stagecrafters, attendees will receive a Cookie Pass, map, and Cookie Tin to store them in, with participating stops including Astoria, Five 15, NutriFoods, The Caboose, and more.
From noon-4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6; downtown Royal Oak; hroyaloakholidays.com/cookie-crawl. Registration is $30.
Merry Midtown
With Detroit’s long-standing Noel Night canceled this year as organizers reimagine its future, Midtown Detroit, Inc. is bringing festive cheer to the neighborhood with Merry Midtown, a special holiday shopping and community celebration. Created in collaboration with City Bird, the event will showcase more than 40 local businesses offering deals, activities, and family-friendly fun. Visitors can enjoy holiday DJ sets and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus at City Bird, explore a pop-up market of over 10 artists at Third Street Bar, browse a vinyl bazaar and catch a live set from DJ Ghostropolis at Third Man Records, and get crafty with ornament decorating and gift wrapping at Roar Brewing Company.
From 5–9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, in Midtown, Detroit; citybirddetroit.com/events. No cover.
12 Days of GRiZMAS
Detroit-born sax-playing electronic artist GRiZ is celebrating 10 years of GRiZMAS, a beloved holiday series that has grown from a small grassroots effort into a major tradition, raising more than $750,000 to support music education for local youth. This year’s celebration features an expanded GRiZMAS Workshop at 160 W. Fort Street, open daily and offering exclusive merchandise, a limited-edition coffee collaboration, and donation opportunities including a coat drive and raffle. The 12-day lineup brings back fan favorites such as the Roller Disco, Charity Yoga, GRiZMAS Live Jam, and community ice skating at Campus Martius, all supporting charity partner Seven Mile, which provides free music education to Detroit students. It’s all capped off with a pair of performances by GRiZ at the Masonic Temple On Friday, Dec. 19 and Saturday, Dec. 20.
Starts on Tuesday, Dec. 9; various venues, full schedule at 12daysofgrizmas.com.