Celebrate Winter Magic In Detroit With Tree Lighting Nov. 22
DETROIT (WWJ) - The holiday season in Detroit's vibrant urban core will kick off on Friday, Nov. 22 with the highly anticipated 10th annual tree lighting in Campus Martius Park.
The ceremony will begin at 6:20 p.m., when the tree will come to life with the help of "IKEA D-Light!," an energetic five-minute experience featuring holiday music classics from Detroit artists synchronized with the tree's 19,000 LED lights.
Detroiters will also experience ice skating shows and musical performances by local and international celebrities including 12-year-old entertainment phenom Ethan Bortnick, Damian McGinty from the smash TV show "Glee," folk music icon Peter Yarrow and Olympic skater Kimmie Meissner.
This year's spectacular 60-foot tree weighs in at 10,000 pounds with more than three miles of twinkling LED lights wrapping it from top to bottom.
The Winter Magic season brings thousands of people to the city's downtown streets for festivities such as:
The Rink at Campus Martius Park -- Young and old alike can take to the ice daily from Friday, Nov. 22 through Sunday, March 2. Skate rental is $3 and admission is $7 for adults, $6 for children (12 and under) and seniors (50 and older). Broomball also will be offered on Tuesday nights in Jan. and Feb.
Holiday Marketplace and Beer Garden -- More than 30 specialty artisan, boutique and local food vendors will open up shop in Cadillac Square, adjacent to Campus Martius Park, weekends from Friday, Nov. 22 through Sunday, Dec. 22. The Marketplace also will feature a Beer Garden with craft beers, warm winter cocktails, live entertainment and TVs for those who wish to watch sporting events.
Rink Side Lounge -- New to the festivities this year is a cozy outdoor seating area with heaters, a bar and panoramic views of the activities in the park. The Rink Side Lounge will be open weekends and holidays.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides -- Families can snuggle up and enjoy a ride through the magically decorated streets of downtown Detroit. Rides are offered weekends starting Friday, Nov. 22 through Sunday, Dec. 29. Rides are priced at $5.
Street Performances -- Jugglers, stiltwalkers and fine artists are just some of the street performers who will be entertaining Campus Martius visitors on weekends from Friday, Nov. 22 until Sunday, Dec. 29.
Detroiters can shop 'til they drop on the 1200 block of Woodward, between Grand River and Gratiot. Retailers popping up downtown this holiday season now through Thursday, Dec. 21 include:
- The Detroit Shoppe – Showcasing people, places and products that have shaped Detroit
1201 Woodward; Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Rock Paper Scissors – Offers personalized stationery, paper, home goods and gifts
1213 Woodward; Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- The Hand-Made Company – Michigan-made products from a variety of Detroit retailers
1219 Woodward; Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Spielhaus Toys – A hand-made specialty toy shop
1249 Woodward; Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Somerset Collection City Loft – Your favorite Somerset Collection retailers in Detroit
1261 Woodward ; Hours: Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. beginning Thursday, Nov. 21.
- Moosejaw – Popular national outdoor retailer
1275 Woodward; Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For more Winter Magic information, visit www.campusmartiuspark.org.
