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Last December's festivities in front of the Detroit Public Library. (Midtown Detroit Inc. photo by David Lewinski)
Midtown blocks will be aglow Saturday with lights, music, refreshments and sales for the city's traditional Noel Night street party.
Free "open house" events run from 5-10 p.m. in and around the Cultural Center, where Woodward becomes a vehicle-free pedestrian promenade between Antoinette Street and Warren Avenue.
Participants include churches, galleries and small businesses, as well as museums and other institutions.
There also are horse-drawn carriages, carolers, music and children's activities. A food court and beer tent will be on the Detroit Public Library's front lawn along Woodward, and food trucks will be at The Scarab Club at 217 Farnsworth St., behind the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Noel Night wraps up with a 9:30 p.m. sing-along led by the Salvation Army Band near the corner of Woodward and Kirby.
Last year's festivities drew an estimated 40,000 visitors, says a news release from Midtown Detroit, Inc.
It lists these main performances:
► First Congregational Church, 33 E. Forest, 8 and 9:15 p.m.: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings (rhythm and soul). Jones was a 2014 Grammy nominee for her album "Give the People What They Want."
Part of the 2015 scene, photographed for Midtown Detroit, Inc. by Jacob Lewkow.
► Detroit Institute of Arts, 8 p.m.: The Good Lovelies (holiday folk music) perform in Rivera Court.
► The Max Music Center, 3711 Woodward, 7 and 8:15 p.m: Sonny Knight & The Lakers (soul). Minneapolis group performs in The Cube club space.
► Detroit Institute of Arts, 5:15 and 7:30 p.m.: Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre presents "The Snow Maiden Snehurka," "The Stingy Tailor" and "The Twelve Months" in the Crystal Gallery. Vít Horejš share the three fairy tales from his childhood and the marionette traditions of Central Europe with a one-man show featuring mountain wizards, clever village maidens and spirits. His marionettes speak in a dozen voices, dance, play violin, swim and fly.
► Motor City Brewing Works Warehouse, 441 W. Canfield, 9 p.m.: Lindi Ortega, a Canadian country singer presents songs from her new album, "Faded Gloryville," and modern interpretations of holiday tunes.
► Majestic Theater, 4140 Woodward, 7-9:30 p.m.: Rhythm Society Orchestra, a 15-piece big band featuring vocalist Paul King, present a holiday swing dance party.
Stuff to know if you're go
- Festival boundaries: Ferry Street on the north, Edmund Place to the south, St. Antoine to the east and Third Avenue to the west.
- Shuttles: Free vans travel continually between parking decks and participating venues.
- Parking: Organizers recommend four WSU decks -- Structure 1 at the northwest corner of Cass and Palmer; Structure 2 on Anthony Wayne north of Warren Avenue; Structure 6 on Putnam; Structure 8 located on West Forest between Woodward and Cass Avenue.
- Lyft discount: On its app, use the code NOELNIGHT16 for $20 in credit . Or go to this page on its site.
