Detroit's 46th annual Noel Night debuts new daytime format

One thing is true of Noel Night — it could melt the most frigid icicles from Scrooge’s heart. Entering its 46th year as Midtown Detroit’s longstanding holiday tradition of a neighborhood-wide open house celebration, Noel Night has outgrown its evening hours.

Per usual, this year's Noel Night expects to draw nearly 50,000 visitors and will boast more than 110 venues, businesses, and shops as well as 150 free performances, activities, outdoor winter markets, ice carving, horse-drawn carriage rides, and caroling.

To make it all fit — and to address safety concerns stemming from last year's event, in which four people were shot — Noel Night will now offer daytime hours in Midtown's museum district between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Evening hours from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. will include the rest of the Midtown district.

The following participating venues will not be open after 5 p.m.:

- College for Creative Studies
- Detroit Historical Museum
- Detroit Institute of Arts
- Detroit Public Library
- Hellenic Museum of Michigan
- Michigan Science Center
- C. H. Wright Museum of African American History
- University Prep Science & Math Middle School

These spots will fill the gap between day and nighttime hours:

11 a.m.-8 p.m. Wayne State’s Woodward and Warren Park
Noon-8 p.m. The Scarab Club
1 p.m.-6 p.m. The Inn on Ferry Street
3 p.m.-8 p.m. Cathedral Church of St. Paul

The new format has forced a few Noel Night mainstays to relocate. The annual Ice Scraper Challenge has been moved from the DIA to Wayne State's campus along Warren Avenue between Cass and Woodward Avenues. As for the beloved Noel Night Bandstand featuring The Salvation Army community caroling sing-along, it has been moved to the corner of Cass Avenue and Prentis Street and begins at 9 p.m.

As was the case with last year's event, Woodward Avenue and the QLine will remain open. Visitors are also encouraged to utilize free Noel Night shuttles to get around. And, as is the case every year, Noel Night remains free and open to the public.

An interactive map can be viewed here and a full schedule of events, performances, and activities can be found at NoelNight.org.

Noel Night begins at 11 a.m. through 5 p.m. in Midtown's museum district and from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1; Midtown, Detroit; 313-420-6000; noelnight.org; Event is free and open to the public.

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