The Downtown Detroit Markets Are Open and the Tree is Lit

The most magical time of the year is here, and the Downtown Detroit Markets are officially open! Nestled next to the holiday tree in Campus Martius Park, these markets are the perfect spot to shop local, connect with the community, and soak in the festive vibes. Running now through January 5, 2025, the markets feature 17 pop-up vendors, each bringing something unique to Detroit’s holiday season.

Meet the Vendors
Here’s the full lineup of this year’s amazing businesses:

• 27th Letter Books – A community-oriented bookstore highlighting underrepresented voices.
• Asher & Arnold – A children’s gift store focused on holistic family wellness.
• Bags to Butterflies – Sustainable handbags handcrafted by formerly incarcerated women.
• Big Mitten Linocuts – Award-winning prints inspired by Michigan’s natural beauty.
• The Brave Wimp Society – Handmade pop art wearables celebrating diversity and inclusivity.
• Conscious Living Brand – Unique crystal jewelry and creations.
• Detroit Streetwear – High-end apparel celebrating Detroit’s history and future.
• Jetta’s Gourmet Popcorn – Gourmet popcorn and snacks for every occasion.
• FOLK – A Corktown café offering curated gifts and high-quality foods and beverages.
• For the Love of Cheesecake – Specialty cheesecake company known for unique flavors.
• Kiloh & Co. – Detroit sports-themed apparel for female fans.
• Preva Body – Organic skincare products crafted with plant-based ingredients.
• Scentana Candle Co. – Clean-burning, non-toxic candles with a minimalist aesthetic.
• Speedcult – Metal art fabrication company creating Detroit-inspired décor.
• Waffle Cabin – Belgian dessert waffles with delicious toppings.
• Whimsy & Wine – Detroit- and Michigan-themed wood décor and gifts.
• Yarn Nerds – Hand-dyed yarn and crafting accessories for knitting enthusiasts.

Warm Up at Cadillac Lodge
After shopping, step into the Cadillac Lodge for a cozy holiday retreat. This heated, family-friendly tent offers up-north vibes with comfy leather sofas, blankets, games, and festive décor. Enjoy seasonal treats, appetizers, and hot cocktails from their delicious menu.

Hours to Know
The markets and lodge are open:

Wednesday & Thursday: 11 AM – 8 PM
Friday & Saturday: 11 AM – 11 PM
Sunday: 11 AM – 7 PM
Closed Monday and Tuesday (with special hours on select holidays).

Make sure to stop by and experience the magic for yourself. Whether you’re shopping for gifts, grabbing a snack, or just enjoying the festive atmosphere, the Downtown Detroit Markets and Cadillac Lodge are here to make your holidays unforgettable! 

~S

The Downtown Detroit Markets are Back!

Downtown Detroit has been transformed by Big Daddy Dan's QuickenBedFinancialRock for the holiday season. There is a tree where the beach used to be, wreaths on every camera lined light post, and a cool market across from Campus Martius with a #mustsee boozy lounge that's worth a stop.  We aren't the biggest fan of fighting for parking, but last Sunday we worked our way into the middle of the Downtown district to check out the markets at Cadillac Square.

It is really fun to see all the local makers that have set up shop for the season. This year's lineup includes Lush Yummies Pie Co., SMPLFD, Mongers’ Provisions, and The Vintage Wick. The shops are all worth checking out and the lounge at the end of the lane is the must-see attraction. It has a gorgeous ski lodge layout and wood-burning hand warming stations. You can hang out and play one of the many games that they have laying around while you enjoy a hot cider or a boozy drink. 

The market is open 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday.

PS- There are no shops at Capitol Park this year, they have moved it all into the same area right in the center of Downtown.

~S

Celebrate the Arrival of The Companion in Campus Martius

A new piece of art has been added to Downtown Detroit this week. A seventeen foot statue of two characters that resemble Mickey Mouse was purchased by Big Daddy Dan to stand tall in the heart of Campus Martius. The artist's works have gone for upwards of a million dollars, but this piece was donated to the city by the Gilbert, so the cost is unknown. The statue, which was created by a New York artist names KAWS, will host its official welcoming party Tuesday night at the Library Street Collective. But, before we talk about the party, we want to let you know a little bit more about the man behind the art.

KAWS was born in New Jersey in 1974. He started his career as a cartoon artist on shows like Daria and Doug before moving to New York to pursue his career as a painter and graffiti artist. He has created lots of different characters and cartoons over the years, many of them are distorted versions of their more famous counterparts. The character depicted in the new statue is called Companion. The artist created this character in 1999 and it is known around the world. In fact, there are statues of it in China, Switzerland, and London. KAWS' work has been featured in the MOMA, it has been turned into a moon man for the MTV awards, made into a balloon for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and it has been plastered all over t-shirts and skate decks. His work starts conversations and appeals to all different types of people.

You can meet the artist and celebrate the statue's arrival in Detroit tonight (Tuesday, May 22nd) at The Library Street Collective from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. There will also be an after party at The Skip with the artist from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m. Music will be provided by Nothing Elegant.

~S  

Play on The Swings at Campus Martius

Head down to Campus Martius Park for a fun way to enjoy a beautiful spring day. The already inviting park has a new feature that is there for a limited time; swings. These aren't the same swings that you played on at recess as a kid. These swings are a new play on the classic, they play music and light up.

This is the creation of Canadian design studio "Daily tous les jours" in an effort to get the community to come together. Each swing plays notes as you swing. However, if you get all of the swingers to sync up and swing together, you will start to notice that the swings are actually playing a tune rather than random notes. Whether you just swing to your own tune or team up with the strangers on neighboring swings to play a song, this is a pretty fun thing to check out. I went down to the swings on a Sunday, and although there was a crowd around, I only had to wait a few minutes for my turn to play. If you head down in the evening, you're in for even more of an experience because the bottom of each swing lights up with LED lights. 

If you would like to head out and check out the swings for yourself, you better hurry up and get down to Campus Martius! The swings are only in town for a limited time and will be heading on to their next stop after May 8. Until the 8th, the swings are open daily from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. There is a security guard on site making sure that everyone gets a turn. 

The swings are located right on the edge of the park on Cadillac Square. For more information on the swings, click here. While you're down at Campus Martius, make sure you head around the corner to see Detroit's newest art, a mural by How & Nusm! Two great reason to get out and play in Detroit!

~C

2015 Winter Blast

It can be hard to live in the Midwest during these dark and cold winter months if you don't get out there and make the best of it. I have been hiking, riding my bike, and walking outdoors as much as possible to keep my spirits up. It might not be bathing suit weather, but getting outside feels good. This weekend The Winter Blast will be taking over the city of Detroit and it's a great reason to get out there and enjoy winter for all that it has to offer.

This year's Winter Blast will take place at Campus Martius Park February 6th through February 8th.  The blast will feature a 200 ft. snow slide that promises to get you to the bottom in under 7 seconds, a zip line that will send you flying 300 feet across the sky, and live dog sledding shows. The event will also feature live science demonstrations, marshmallow roasting, free ice skating, food trucks and our favorite, live music.  Free hot chocolate will be served to the first 2,500 people at Noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. each day and free coffee will be served at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The coffee and hot chocolate will be served inside warming tents that you can head in to for a break from the cold.

The musical lineup for the weekend is as follows:

Friday, February 6, 201511:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Carly Bins (Singer Songwriter)
12:45 to 1:30 p.m. KayLyn Pace (Country)
2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Chris Emmerson (Pop Rock)
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The Kung Fu Lovers (Rock & Roll)
5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Bill Grogan's Goat (Celtic Rock)
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Austin Scott (Country)
8:00 to 9:00 p.m. Bobby Murray Band (Blues & Soul)

9:30 to 11:00 p.m. Stone Clover (Celtic Rock)

Saturday, February 7, 2015
11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. James & June (Folk Acoustic)
12:45 to 1:30 p.m. Johnyce (R&B Pop)
2:00 to 3:00 p.m. The Sugarees (Folk Rock)
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Telco (Alt Indie)
5:00 to 6:00 p.m. The Zydeco Hepcats (Zydeco)
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. TSB (Blues Rock)
8:00 to 9:00 p.m. The Ruiners (Garage Rock)
9:30 to 11:00 p.m. The Reefermen (Rock & Soul)

Sunday, February 8, 2015
11:15 to 12:00 p.m. Candace Sosa (Singer Songwriter)
12:30 to 1:15 p.m. Sarah Bella (Country)
1:45 to 2:45 p.m. 1592 (Ska)
3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Alan Turner & The Steel Horse Band (Country)
4:45 to 5:45 p.m. Half Light Music (Alt Rock)
6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Shotgun Soul (Funk & Soul)
7:45 to 9:00 p.m. Persuasion (Straight Up party!)


GREEKTOWN CASINO & HOTEL STAGE (located in the Cadillac Square Tent)

Friday February 6, 2015
11:30 to 12:15 p.m. Marissa Guzman (House)
12:45 to 1:30 p.m. Shay Lewis (Pop/R&B)
2:00 to 3:00 p.m. The Blue Cat Band (Blues Rock)
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Bulletproof Snow (Rock)
5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Ryan Dillaha & The Miracle Men (Rock & Roll)
6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Soul Divide (Funk Rock)
8:15 to 9:15 p.m. Amp Fiddler (R&B Soul)
9:45 to 11:00 p.m. Thornetta Davis (R&B Blues)

Saturday, February 7, 2015
11:30 to 12:15 p.m. Lilly MacPhee (Alt. Indie)
12:45 to 1:30 p.m. Jibs Brown (Acoustic)
2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Teddy Richards (Singer Songwriter)
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Joe Jaber & The Last Divide (Blues Rock)
5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Lightning Bugs (Alternative)
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Big Pappa and The Machine (Blues Rock)
8:00 to 9:00 p.m. Inohs Sivad (Rock & Soul)
9:30 to 11:00 p.m. Larry Lee & Back In The Day (Old School Funk & R&B)

Sunday, February 8, 2015 11:15 to 12:00 p.m. Amanda Morgan (Acoustic)
12:30 to 1:15 p.m. Blessed Generation (Gospel)
1:45 to 2:45 p.m. Feral Ground (Living Hip Hop)
3:15 to 4:15 p.m. The Stereo Sound (Punk Rock)
4:45 to 5:45 p.m. Taken Aces (Rock)
6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Orbitsuns (Outlaw Country)
7:45 to 9:00 p.m. HotSauceMusic (An R&B/Pop Party)


QUICKEN LOANS KIDS STAGE (located in 1 Campus Martius Building)

Friday, February 6, 2015
1:30 p.m. Frostology (Michigan Science Center Kids Presentation)
4:00 p.m. Frostology (Michigan Science Center Kids Presentation)
4:45 p.m. Laugh It Up with Rosco (Kids Show)
5:15 p.m. Juggler – Tim Salisbury　(Kids Show)
5:45 p.m. Magic with Jason Abbott (Kids Show)
6:30 p.m. Frostology (Michigan Science Center Kids Presentation)
7:15 p.m. Laugh It Up with Rosco (Kids Show)

Saturday, February 7, 2015 12:00 p.m. Frostology (Michigan Science Center Kids Presentation)
12:45 p.m. Cool Tricks & Funny Stuff (Kids Show)
1:15 p.m. Kevin Devine Concert (Kids Show)
1:45 p.m. Magic with Randy (Kids Show)
2:30 p.m. Frostology (Michigan Science Center Kids Presentation)
3:15 p.m. Magic with Randy (Kids Show)
3:45 p.m. Kevin Devine Concert (Kids Show)
4:15 p.m. Pure Imagination Magic (Kids Show)
5:00 p.m. Frostology (Michigan Science Center Kids Presentation)
5:45 p.m. Magic with Randy (Kids Show)
6:15 p.m. Kevin Devine Concert (Kids Show)
6:45 p.m. Cool Tricks & Funny Stuff (Kids Show)
7:30 p.m. Frostology (Michigan Science Center Kids Presentation)

Sunday, February 8, 2015 12:30 p.m. Frostology (Michigan Science Center Kids Presentation)
1:15 p.m. Juggler – Tim Salisbury (Kids Show)
1:45 p.m. Kevin Devine Concert (Kids Show)
2:15 p.m. Cool Tricks & Funny Stuff (Kids Show)
3:00 p.m. Frostology (Michigan Science Center Kids Presentation)
3:45 p.m. Juggler – Tim Salisbury (Kids Show)
4:15 p.m. Kevin Devine Concert (Kids Show)
4:45 p.m. Cool Tricks & Funny Stuff (Kids Show)
5:30 p.m. Frostology (Michigan Science Center Kids Presentation)

 Photo taken from The Winter Blast Website

The event runs Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Campus Martius is located at 800 Woodward Ave. in Detroit. For more details about the Blast you can visit their website here.

~S

D' Holiday's at Campus Martius

This holiday season Campus Martius is celebrating the season by bringing some great bands to the stage. D' Holidays has already been running for a few weeks, but this weekend's lineup features a few of our local favorites.

This Friday, December 12th Lightning Bugs (8 p.m.), Flint Eastwood (9:15) and Thornetta Davis (10:30) will be taking the stage. Then Saturday, Nigel & The Dropout (5 p.m.), and 1592  (7 p.m.) will be playing alongside Austin Scott (8:45) and HotSauce (10:30). Flint Eastwood is one of our current favorites. No one takes over the stage like Jax Anderson, and no one owns a crowd like her.  You must see Flint Eastwood perform at least once, and once you do, you will be hooked. We also do not think that you should miss the rocksteady vibes of 1592.

These showcases feature tastings from The Whitney, Ottava Via, Slows Bar-BQ, The Rattlesnake Club, La Feria. It is only $2 to get in the tent to try a sample and warm yourself up.

Campus Martius is located at 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226.

If you have a good time this weekend make sure to go back on December 29th to catch Seven Birds One Stone playing the same place at 5 p.m.

~S

Campus Martius Beach Parties are Happening Almost Every Day This Summer

There is a small beach in the heart of downtown that is featuring all kinds of events this summer, that beach is better known as Campus Martius. In the winter it becomes a skating rink, but in the summer it becomes a place for people to gather and feel the sand beneath their feet while participating in one of the many free events that they are hosting this summer. This week they have a few cool things going on that we thought our readers might want to know about, but we highly suggest that you keep up with everything going on at CM because every week has something new and special. For a full schedule of this summers events, click here.

This week they have Emilio Basa performing at 12 p.m. on Monday. Alan Turner at Noon and the Michigan Philharmonic Orchestra performing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, HafLife performing at Noon on Wednesday, Lawanda Lee at Noon and DVDJ Mattmatics performing at 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Joe Smith at Noon with The Paper Sound at performing at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. They will close out the week with a movie in the park on Saturday. This week's feature is The Grand Budapest Hotel which will start at 8 p.m.

Campus Martius Park is located at 800 Woodward Avenue at the corner of Michigan Avenue in the heart of downtown Detroit.

The Fountain Bistro is open to purchase food and drinks during all events. The Bistro features a full bar and extensive wine list. For a full menu, please click here.

There are all sorts of great ways to have fun for free in the city, this is just one of them!

~S

Saves The Day At Campus Martius

This past Friday night, my boyfriend and I headed down to Campus Martius Park in Detroit and saw Saves the Day play live for free! This concert was part of the summer series that they have been running. They have already featured acts like The Hard Lessons in previous weeks. I was very impressed by the whole event. The city has the whole park set up for people to come and sit and enjoy music. The event is free and there are vendors who offer food and beer for you to buy and enjoy during the show. 

We even ran into The Swellers, The Summer Pledge and SpringBreak while we were there and saw many other familiar faces. The Swellers made a guest appearance and went on stage for a song with the band. I grabbed some pictures of the show so that you can see how nice Campus Martius is looking! 

I am a little disappointed that I never figured out where to check in and get my photo pass because I couldn't get close enough to get any pictures of the band. We had a great time in the city. We also hit up Supino's pizza before the show and I have to say that it was the best pizza I have ever had in my life. Perfect summer Detroit nights. 

~S