Detroit — A Detroit tradition for families is back in-person and it will be bigger, brighter and better than ever. The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) and DTE Energy Foundation are proud to present the 18th annual Detroit Tree Lighting. The official kick-off of the holiday season will be held at the award-winning Campus Martius Park from 5 p.m. – midnight on Friday, Nov. 19, and the public is invited to participate in a full schedule of free festivities and entertainment.
Deck out your holiday season in style and enjoy spectacular live entertainment, olympic figure skaters, and award-winning local performers and skating clubs. The night will also feature amazing lighting attractions, horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday shopping, hot chocolate giveaways, food trucks, visits from Santa, and much more!
Festivities will center around a Michigan-grown, 65-foot Norway spruce that is taller and brighter than any other to grace the center of Detroit’s gathering place. It will be decked with ornaments and illuminated by 20,000 shimmering LED multi-colored lights. Arrive early to see Santa and special guests light the Tree just after 7pm!
The signature event will be marked by stellar live entertainment on The Rink and stage at Campus Martius Park, including performances by Olympic and U.S. national champion figure skater Ashley Wagner, who earned a 2016 World Silver medal and 2014 Olympic Bronze medal and mentored young skaters this past summer at the New Edge Figure Skating Club in Royal Oak; “The Voice” Season 20 winner Cam Anthony, the 20-year-old rising star whose viral video as a pre-teen began his journey to fame; Detroit’s Queen of the Blues Thornetta Davis, a multi-talented international singer/songwriter who has won more than 30 Detroit Music Awards and has wowed audiences worldwide; and Ryan Neal, a Detroit-based singer/songwriter and producer, who mixes hip-hop inspired production with soulful vocals, slinky guitar lines, vibey electric piano and funky bass riffs to create a sound that is described as nostalgic and fresh.
Be sure to arrive early to experience all the holiday activities in Downtown Detroit or watch from anywhere on Channel 7 WXYZ during the Light Up the Season Special starting at 7pm.
The event is outdoor – rain or shine. Masks are encouraged and will be distributed at the event – especially where social distancing is not consistently possible. COVID-19 vaccinations will be available for free at the event. As always, stay home if you feel sick and sanitize or wash your hands frequently.
Source: Downtown Detroit Partnership