20+ things to do in Detroit this weekend (Dec. 1-3)

By on Mon, Nov 27, 2023 at 1:42 pm

At this time of year, holiday events and markets are endless. So, if you want to get in the spirit or get some shopping in, there’s lots going on for you. If you’re not quite ready to think about the fact that it’s December this weekend, though, there are also tons of music and comedy shows to attend as a fun distraction. 

If you’re looking for even more to do every day of the week, visit the Metro Times events calendar, which is free to use if you have something planned that you’d like to advertise to Metro Times readers.
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Magic of Lights When: Through Dec. 30. From 5:30-10 p.m. Where: Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston What: A dazzling, drive-thru holiday light display Who: You and as many people you can fit in your car — one car, one price Why: 'Tis the season
Courtesy photo

Magic of Lights

When: Through Dec. 30. From 5:30-10 p.m.
Where: Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston
What: A dazzling, drive-thru holiday light display
Who: You and as many people you can fit in your car — one car, one price
Why: 'Tis the season

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Annual Potters Market When: Nov. 30-Dec. 3 Where: Southfield Pavilion What: The largest pottery sale of its kind in the country Who: Michigan and Midwest artists Why: One of Michigan’s most popular holiday events, with over 30,000 pieces of art, returns for its 46th year. Admission and parking is free.
Courtesy photo

Annual Potters Market

When: Nov. 30-Dec. 3
Where: Southfield Pavilion
What: The largest pottery sale of its kind in the country
Who: Michigan and Midwest artists
Why: One of Michigan’s most popular holiday events, with over 30,000 pieces of art, returns for its 46th year. Admission and parking is free.

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Cirque Dreams Holidaze When: Dec. 1-Dec. 3 Where: Fox Theatre What: A family-friendly holiday production Who: A varying group of performance artists Why: Get in the winter spirit with Broadway-style circus acts by a cast of holiday characters.
Ian Ibbetson

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

When: Dec. 1-Dec. 3
Where: Fox Theatre
What: A family-friendly holiday production
Who: A varying group of performance artists
Why: Get in the winter spirit with Broadway-style circus acts by a cast of holiday characters.

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Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas One And All! When: Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Little Caesars Arena What: AA live holiday concert Who: Mariah Carey Why: All she wants for Christmas is you.
Courtesy of 313Presents

Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas One And All!

When: Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Little Caesars Arena
What: AA live holiday concert
Who: Mariah Carey
Why: All she wants for Christmas is you.

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Chelsea Handler: Little Big Bitch When: Dec. 1 at 8 p.m. Where: Fisher Theatre What: A comedy show Who: Chelsea Handler Why: A stop on the actress and comedian’s current tour.
Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock

Chelsea Handler: Little Big Bitch

When: Dec. 1 at 8 p.m.
Where: Fisher Theatre
What: A comedy show
Who: Chelsea Handler
Why: A stop on the actress and comedian’s current tour.

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The Third Annual Krampusmrkt When: Dec. 1 from 5-9 p.m. and Dec. 5 from 1-9 p.m. Where: Ypsilanti Freighthouse What: A market of handmade holiday gifts Who: Over 50 local artists and makers Why: To celebrate the holidays and pick up gifts for Christmas
Pamela Mohar

The Third Annual Krampusmrkt

When: Dec. 1 from 5-9 p.m. and Dec. 5 from 1-9 p.m.
Where: Ypsilanti Freighthouse
What: A market of handmade holiday gifts
Who: Over 50 local artists and makers
Why: To celebrate the holidays and pick up gifts for Christmas

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Sky Covington's Satin Doll Revue When: Dec. 1 from 7-11 p.m. Where: Bert’s Warehouse Theatre What: A performance Who: The Preservation of Jazz Why: Songs from the greatest jazz vocalists of all time.
Facebook, The Satin Doll Revue

Sky Covington's Satin Doll Revue

When: Dec. 1 from 7-11 p.m.
Where: Bert’s Warehouse Theatre
What: A performance
Who: The Preservation of Jazz
Why: Songs from the greatest jazz vocalists of all time.

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Chance Willie & Connor Larsen LIVE When: Dec. 1 from 9-10:30 p.m. Where: Planet Ant, Hamtramck What: A comedy show Who: Chance Willie and Connor Larsen Why: Get a laugh in early in the weekend.
Facebook, Planet Ant

Chance Willie & Connor Larsen LIVE

When: Dec. 1 from 9-10:30 p.m.
Where: Planet Ant, Hamtramck
What: A comedy show
Who: Chance Willie and Connor Larsen
Why: Get a laugh in early in the weekend.

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House Fundamentals When: Dec. 1 at 9 p.m. Where: Spot Lite What: A musical journey Who: Sandy Rivera with special guests Mike Clark, Donna Gardner, and Jesse Cory Why: See Sandy’s influence on dance music and get a taste of timeless house beats from all over the world.
Viola Klocko

House Fundamentals

When: Dec. 1 at 9 p.m.
Where: Spot Lite
What: A musical journey
Who: Sandy Rivera with special guests Mike Clark, Donna Gardner, and Jesse Cory
Why: See Sandy’s influence on dance music and get a taste of timeless house beats from all over the world.

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Family Pet Photos with Santa When: Dec. 2 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Detroit K-9 Pet Supplies What: A holiday event Who: Detroit K-9 Pet Supplies Why: Bring your family and your pets for free photos with Santa. Plus, meet morning show host Jay Towers.
Facebook, Detroit K-9 Pet Supplies

Family Pet Photos with Santa

When: Dec. 2 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Detroit K-9 Pet Supplies
What: A holiday event
Who: Detroit K-9 Pet Supplies
Why: Bring your family and your pets for free photos with Santa. Plus, meet morning show host Jay Towers.

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Detroit Urban Craft Fair When: Dec. 2 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Dec. 3 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Masonic Temple What: An art fair Who: Local vendors Why: Over 100 vendors showcasing handcrafted designs perfect for affordable holiday shopping.
Courtesy photo

Detroit Urban Craft Fair

When: Dec. 2 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Dec. 3 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Masonic Temple
What: An art fair
Who: Local vendors
Why: Over 100 vendors showcasing handcrafted designs perfect for affordable holiday shopping.

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Gateway Classic Cars Holiday Party When: Dec. 2 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Gateway Classic Cars of Detroit, Dearborn What: A holiday party benefiting Toys for Tots. Who: Gateway Classic Cars of Detroit Why: Food, drinks, music, and collecting toys for local families.
Facebook, Gateway Classic Cars of Detroit

Gateway Classic Cars Holiday Party

When: Dec. 2 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Gateway Classic Cars of Detroit, Dearborn
What: A holiday party benefiting Toys for Tots.
Who: Gateway Classic Cars of Detroit
Why: Food, drinks, music, and collecting toys for local families.

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Downriver Business Events Group's 2023 Christmas Celebration When: Dec. 2 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: Brownstown Event Center What: A Christmas celebration Who: Downriver Business Events Group Why: Food, raffles, vendors, crafters, and fun.
Facebook, Downriver Business Events Group

Downriver Business Events Group's 2023 Christmas Celebration

When: Dec. 2 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Brownstown Event Center
What: A Christmas celebration
Who: Downriver Business Events Group
Why: Food, raffles, vendors, crafters, and fun.

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Mt. Olivet Remembrance Tree Lighting When: Dec. 2 from 4-5:30 p.m. Where: Mount Olivet Cemetery What: A tree lighting memorial Who: Local families Why: To remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed. Prayers, songs, lights, fellowship, and friendship will be offered as well as light refreshments in a warming tent.
Photo via Mt. Eilliot Cemetery Association

Mt. Olivet Remembrance Tree Lighting

When: Dec. 2 from 4-5:30 p.m.
Where: Mount Olivet Cemetery
What: A tree lighting memorial
Who: Local families
Why: To remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed. Prayers, songs, lights, fellowship, and friendship will be offered as well as light refreshments in a warming tent.

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Holiday Makers Market When: Dec. 2 from noon-5 p.m. Where: Bloodroot Herb Shop and Ziggy’s What: A holiday shopping market Who: Two Ypsilanti businesses and local artists Why: Support local this holiday season.
Courtesy photo

Holiday Makers Market

When: Dec. 2 from noon-5 p.m.
Where: Bloodroot Herb Shop and Ziggy’s
What: A holiday shopping market
Who: Two Ypsilanti businesses and local artists
Why: Support local this holiday season.

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Protomartyr When: Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. Where: Magic Stick What: An indie rock concert Who: Protomartyr with special guests Detroit noise band Wolf Eyes and Canadian punk band METZ. Why: The band has entered a new era with the addition of the Breeders’ Kelley Deal.

Protomartyr

When: Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.
Where: Magic Stick
What: An indie rock concert
Who: Protomartyr with special guests Detroit noise band Wolf Eyes and Canadian punk band METZ.
Why: The band has entered a new era with the addition of the Breeders’ Kelley Deal.

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The 49th Annual Noel Night When: Dec. 2 from 5-10 p.m. Where: Midtown Detroit What: A city-wide open house Who: Midtown District Inc. and Detroit institutions Why: To enjoy food, music, and local shopping.
Courtesy photo

The 49th Annual Noel Night

When: Dec. 2 from 5-10 p.m.
Where: Midtown Detroit
What: A city-wide open house
Who: Midtown District Inc. and Detroit institutions
Why: To enjoy food, music, and local shopping.

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Əkoostik Hookah & Flying Caterpillar When: Dec. 2 from 6 p.m.-midnight Where: Tangent Gallery What: Live music Who: Əkoostik Hookah & Flying Caterpillar Why: The band is known for its unique shows and its ability to feed off of the crowd’s energy.
Facebook, Tangent Gallery

Əkoostik Hookah & Flying Caterpillar

When: Dec. 2 from 6 p.m.-midnight
Where: Tangent Gallery
What: Live music
Who: Əkoostik Hookah & Flying Caterpillar
Why: The band is known for its unique shows and its ability to feed off of the crowd’s energy.

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Prison Creative Arts Project 2023 Art Auction When: Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. Where: Michigan Union Courtyard, Ann Arbor What: A fundraiser art auction Who: The Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP) Why: To help fundraise for the coming year's 28th Annual Exhibition of Artists in Michigan Prisons, which brings the artwork of incarcerated artists into the public realm in order to humanize people in prison, break stereotypes, and create dialogue about mass incarceration.
Courtesy photo

Prison Creative Arts Project 2023 Art Auction

When: Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Michigan Union Courtyard, Ann Arbor
What: A fundraiser art auction
Who: The Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP)
Why: To help fundraise for the coming year's 28th Annual Exhibition of Artists in Michigan Prisons, which brings the artwork of incarcerated artists into the public realm in order to humanize people in prison, break stereotypes, and create dialogue about mass incarceration.

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Intimacy: The Artistic Community of PASC When: Dec. 2-Jan. 14 Where: The Museum of Contemporary Arts Detroit (MOCAD) What: An art exhibition Who: Progressive Art Studio Collective (PASC) Why: Showcasing PASC’s growth through the last three years.
Steve Neavling

Intimacy: The Artistic Community of PASC

When: Dec. 2-Jan. 14
Where: The Museum of Contemporary Arts Detroit (MOCAD)
What: An art exhibition
Who: Progressive Art Studio Collective (PASC)
Why: Showcasing PASC’s growth through the last three years.

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