There are some great events happening this weekend. We’ve got holiday celebrations, more holiday markets, and a great fundraiser for the Detroit Police Department K-9 Unit and Mounted Police.
Be prepared as most of these events are happening on Saturday, so it might be tough to choose. But if you plan it right, it’s totally possible to hit three in a row.
Belle Isle Holiday Stroll – Detroit
Head out to Belle Isle this Friday, December 9 for this free fun family friendly event. (Try saying that five times fast.)
Each location will have something fun to do throughout the evening. I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time figuring out which would be my number one choice for the evening.
You can see the Deep River Choir perform at the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory at 6:30 p.m. Pick up some Belle Isle gifts at the Belle Isle Aquarium. Stroll around the Dossin Great Lakes Museum while enjoying hot chocolate and cookies. Belle Isle Boat Club will have an open house, art gallery, and a bonfire. The African drum and dance group Nanou Djiapo will perform at the Belle Isle Nature Zoo between 6:00 p.m and 7:00 p.m. If you’re in the mood for roasting marshmallows head over to the White House across the street from the Aquarium.
There will be various locations to drop off new unwrapped toys for “Toys for Tots.”
Hours: 4:00 p.m until 8:00 p.m
Corktown-A-Glow – Detroit
We have already done a write up for Corktown-A-Glow, but I wanted to remind all of our readers that it is happening this Saturday.
Nemo’s Bus is providing a shuttle to get around to the shops participating in Corktown-A-Glow, so this is a perfect time to get some holiday shopping done.
One of the stops is the Holiday Makers Market at Ponyride. This is a great way to check out all of the different businesses that are located in Ponyride. There will be over 65 vendors selling all types of great items.
Hours for the Holiday Makers Market is 12:00 p.m until 6:00 p.m. Head over to Bagley and Trumbull at 5:00 p.m to visit with Santa, to sing carols, and roast marshmallows. The Tree lighting starts at 6:00 p.m.
Merry Market – Detroit
This is the fourth year for the Merry Market, which is a partnership between Metrotimes and Detroit Mercantile. The fun holiday marketplace will take place on Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11.
There will be over forty vendors selling their goods and wares. They will also have multiple food trucks incase you get hungry. (I don’t know about you, but shopping always makes me hungry.)
The Merry Market is free to get in, and you are welcome to bring your dogs. (As long as they are well behaved. I’d have to leave my dog at home because he is a naughty boy.)
Hours: Saturday 9:00 a.m- 7:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m- 6:00 p.m. Detroit Mercantile is located at 3434 Russell Street in Detroit.
Guest Bartending Night At Abick’s To Benefit Police K-9s And Horses – Detroit
This event is for a great cause, the benefit of the dogs … and horses.
Guest bartender Cindy Pasky is a Detroit CEO that knew Detroit was cool before everyone outside realized it. For more than 25 years the city has been home to her and her company, Strategic Staffing Solutions. She started it in Detroit in 1990, back when most of the business community was still bolting for the suburbs, and found success here.
Ms. Pasky will be joined by other Strategic Staffing Solutions employees and Wright and Company to raise funds to outfit the canine unit with vests, and to help cover the cost of the veterinary care for the horses in the mounted unit.
There also will be an auction to raise additional funds for the dogs and horses. All tips, donations, and money from the auction will benefit the Detroit Police Department and Wayne County Sheriff.
Come hungry because there will be food available from Andy Surowiec of Smoking Pole BBQ.
There is no cover charge, but just remember that Abick’s is cash only and the money spent is for charity. So although Abick’s is affordable, don’t be a grinch. It’s for the animals. This is also an 18 and over event.
Hours: 6:00 p.m until 12:00 a.m. Abick’s Bar is located at 3500 Gilbert Street in Detroit. Here’s the Facebook event.
Southwest Holiday Fest – Detroit
We have one more holiday festival to talk about for this Saturday, December 10. I know, I know it seems like too much to do. But we like to give you options. In reality you could go to both Corktown-A-Glow and Southwest Holiday Fest because they are pretty close to each other – and then hit Abick’s for a night cap.
We’ve already done a thorough write up of the Southwest Holiday fest over here, so I won’t go crazy here.
Just know that you will be able to check out all of the great things that are happening in Mexicantown. There will be tons of food, and vendors on hand.
Hours: 4:00 p.m until 8:00 p.m. The Southwest Holiday Fest will be between 16th and 24th Streets on Bagley and West Vernor Highway in Detroit.