The holiday season in Detroit is now in full swing as the Downtown Detroit Markets and Cadillac Lodge have opened their doors to visitors. Located at Cadillac Square, the market is a collection of pop-up shops featuring a variety of Detroit-based vendors, with the majority being BIPOC- or female-owned businesses. These vendors offer a wide range of products including apparel, home décor, and artisan goods, perfect for those on the hunt for unique holiday gifts. The markets will remain open through January 4, 2026, offering both locals and tourists a chance to engage with the city's entrepreneurial spirit, as reported by ClickOnDetroit.
Supporting these small businesses, each vendor this season will receive $1,500 in business support during the market season and an additional $1,500 after the holidays for coaching and financial assistance, this initiative is in collaboration with TechTown Detroit, Wayne State University’s entrepreneurship hub, which offers personalized training, in addition to the markets being funded by the Gilbert Family Foundation and managed by the Downtown Detroit Partnership, with support from Bedrock; the combined effort highlights Detroit's commitment to nurturing its local talent and industry. Over its eight-year span, the holiday markets have supported over 145 small businesses, generating nearly $6 million in sales, according to the ClickOnDetroit article.
Apart from shopping, families can enjoy the holiday atmosphere at the Cadillac Lodge, which emulates the vibe of a ski lodge where visitors can indulge in festive treats and a warm environment through the same January 4 closing date. Additional Downtown Detroit festivities have been detailed by The Detroit News, which include free visits with Santa at 1001 Winter Wonders, a sensory-friendly Santa experience for children with sensory sensitivities, and various Christmas displays throughout downtown, contributing to the season's magic and expanding the holiday experience beyond shopping.
Event-goers will be treated to a series of festive storefront displays created by students from the College of Creative Studies as well as local designers, and businesses, with the "Decked Out Detroit" initiative providing free craft workshops and even a free gift-wrapping service at Book Tower to add to the communal holiday experience, "Everything is just vibrant and beautiful," Linda Nosegbe, director of economic mobility with the Gilbert Family Foundation, described the holiday scene and the atmosphere people can enjoy when visiting the downtown area to The Detroit News. Adding to the ambiance, downtown also promises the annual Tree Lighting ceremony on November 21 and the opening of the ice skating rink at Campus Martius on November 22, with performances from various artists including Olympic figure skater Polina Edmunds.
For those planning their visit, market hours are from 11 am to 8 pm Wednesday through Thursday, 11 am to 10 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 11 am to 7 pm on Sunday, with special hours during the holidays as noted on downtowndetroit.org. The Cadillac Lodge follows a similar schedule, with extended hours until 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, ensuring that there's ample time for everyone to join in on the holiday festivities.
