Detroit's annual holiday blowout from hometown DJ GRiZ is back, stretching across the city from Dec. 8 through Dec. 19, 2026, with a run of concerts, parties and fundraising events built around one goal: putting more music education in front of local kids. The 12 Days of GRiZMAS program mixes performances, community gatherings and charity drives, all funneling toward music programs for young people.
A Tradition Rooted in Giving Back
The tradition dates to 2014, according to the Detroit Free Press, and has grown into one of the city's more unusual December rituals — part concert series, part community carnival, part charity drive. Since 2018, Seven Mile has served as the program's official charity partner, according to 12daysofgrizmas.com, with the organization stating that 100 percent of net proceeds go to support that partnership. The official site says the effort has raised more than $895,900 for local youth music education since its 2014 debut, while separate 2026 coverage from thedailyfrequency.com put the total at more than $1.2 million raised for Seven Mile — a discrepancy the available reporting does not explain.
The program's charitable work supports local youth music education through Seven Mile, its official charity partner.
Schedule Packs a Dozen Days With Events
This year's schedule, per the Free Press, kicks off Dec. 8 with the GRiZMAS Workshop Pop Up Store grand opening at 719 Griswold Street in downtown Detroit, where the official site says 100 percent of proceeds benefit the cause. From there the lineup runs nearly every day: a Local Mic Night on Dec. 9, a Color Jam with artist Phil Simpson on Dec. 10, and an event called the Nightmare Before GRiZMAS on Dec. 11.
The back half of the run leans into community activities — a charity dodgeball tournament Dec. 12, community yoga Dec. 13, downtown ice skating Dec. 14, and a GRiZ Fam Red Wings game Dec. 15. A roller disco billed as an Ugly Sweater Party follows Dec. 16, with a live jam session featuring GRiZ and friends on Dec. 17. A limited-roast coffee made in partnership with Misfit Society Coffee Club and a new merchandise line are coming soon, while tickets are on sale.
Two Nights at the Masonic Temple Close It Out
The run culminates Dec. 18 and 19 with GRiZMAS concerts at the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit. Coverage from thedailyfrequency.com describes two distinct headlining sets from GRiZ, with support from Sippy and Noetika on night one and Ravenscoon and Jilli on night two. The outlet frames 2026 as the event's 11th edition, following a 10-year celebration in 2025, and reports that both two-day passes and single-night tickets will be offered.
GRiZ and the Detroit Celebration
GRiZ is a sax-playing DJ-producer. 12 Days of GRiZMAS brings together music, community gatherings and charitable giving.
