Your holiday starts with the Detroit Tree Lighting on Friday, Nov. 17, at the award-winning Campus Martius Park presented by Downtown Detroit Partnership and DTE Energy Foundation. “Merry & Bright: 20 Years of Holiday Lights” — the 20th-anniversary special edition of this free annual Detroit event to kick off the holiday season — will feature stellar performances by Olympic figure skaters, the best skaters in metro Detroit and live musical acts, holiday shopping, food trucks, unique lighting attractions across Downtown Detroit and more! Be sure to tag us on socials while you enjoy all the festivities using: #detroittreelighting2023 #20YearsOfHolidayLights #DowntownDet or #campusmartiuspark.
The Detroit tradition will center around a 64-foot Michigan-grown Norway spruce decked out with ornaments and illuminated by thousands of shimmering LED multi-colored lights – after a countdown by Santa. WXYZ-TV Channel 7 will also once again serve as the official broadcast partner of the annual Detroit Tree Lighting ceremony, offering complete coverage of the event during a one-hour live special, “Light Up the Season,” beginning at 7 pm. Those who prefer to view the show indoors or from the comfort of their own home can tune in to the one-hour special broadcast on their televisions, online and on all streaming devices.
TREE LIGHTING SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMANCES
The signature event will be marked by a stellar lineup of live entertainment including:
Nathan Chen, one of the biggest names in the world of men’s figure skating, will perform on the Rink at Campus Martius Park Presented by Visit Detroit. Chen took home the gold and silver medals at the 2022 Olympics, is a three-time World Champion.
Headlining the MGM Detroit Main Stage at Campus Martius Park will be award-winning, acclaimed American country singer and Flint, Michigan native Miko Marks. Marks was named an inductee to CMT’s “Next Women of Country” class of 2022.
Adding to the impressive headline talent Paul Russell, social media sensation, whose viral hit song ‘Lil Boo Thang’ has garnered millions of views on TikTok.
Broadway star Talia Suskauer currently playing Elphaba in WICKED on Broadway, will be delivering an exceptional vocal performance.
Anna Cobb, a professional figure skater and choreographer from Flint, Michigan, Recently, Cobb toured with Disney On Ice, dazzling crowds with her mesmerizing performance as Elsa from “Frozen.”
Other performances of note include Detroit natives Drey Skonie, Corrin Barnett and the gospel duo Tasha Page-Lockhart & Clifton Lockhart. Isis Damil + John Paul Wallace will perform a festive duet, while the Archdiocese of Detroit choir with Rooted conducted by Dr. William S. Harrison, Sr. rounds out the entertainment. Returning to serve as the “house band” for the evening The Redhouse Band, featuring six of the Detroit area’s most outstanding musicians under the direction of Darell “Red” Campbell Jr., a renowned musician, songwriter, producer and teacher who’s working with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Civic Youth Ensembles for the eighth season.
Skating clubs across metro Detroit will show off their skills on ice: Arctic Figure Skating Club, Detroit Skating Club, Dream Detroit Skating Academy, Figure Skating Club of Birmingham, Figure Skating in Detroit, Fraser Figure Skating Club, Motown Ice Theater, New Edge Figure Skating Club and Onyx Suburban Skating Academy. Other skate performances by Daniel Palmeri, Annabelle Wilkins, and Brooklyn Wybo.
FOOD TRUCK LINEUP:
–Clara’s Place
-For the Love of Sugar
-Impasto
-Little Bros Burgers
-Los Dos Amigos Tacos
-Max Chicago Style Italian Beef
-Original Seafood Truck
-Rollin Stone Wood Fired Pizza
-Shredderz
-Smoke Ring
-The Lobster Truck
-Unity Catering
PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION:
Convenient and affordable parking and transit options are available steps away from Campus Martius Park, including public transit such as DDOT, SMART Bus (plus FAST), Detroit People Mover, QLINE and MoGo. For parking needs, we recommend you check ParkWhiz for additional parking options.
PROHIBITED ITEMS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
– Weapons / Firearms / Knives / Bats / Clubs
– Mace / Pepper Spray
– Laser Pointers / Any Similar Devices
– Fireworks / Smoke Bombs
– Audio / Visual Recording Devices (Go-Pro, Etc.)
– Missile-Like Objects that can be Thrown
– Backpacks / Hard-Sided Bags
– Aerosol Cans / Liquids over 4 Ounces
– Illegal Substances
– Any Form of Marijuana
– Pets
– Drones
– Skateboards / Hoverboards
– Whistles / Horns
– Banners / Flags / Offensive Signs
– Frisbees / Beach Balls / Balloons
– Chairs
– Poles / Selfie Sticks / Monopods / Tripods
– Professional / Commercial Cameras
– Cameras with Detachable Lenses / Lenses Longer than Four Inches
– Outside Food / Beverage
– Clothing / Garments Displaying Explicit, Profane or Derogatory Characterization
– Any / Other Items Deemed to be Dangerous by Park Security and Facility Management
– Any Item Determined by the Venue