January in Detroit kicks off the new year with a burst of energy and excitement! There’s still plenty to do to embrace the winter wonderland as the city buzzes with a fresh start. Dive into exhilarating sports events, enjoy live performances, or simply revel in downtown sights’ magic. Get ready to fill your calendar with January festivities—start the year on a high note!
Take in the Last Bit of Holiday Cheer
Just because the holiday season has come to an end, doesn’t mean you have to be done celebrating! There are still a handful of festive activations around the city that you can enjoy for the first week of the new year.
Monroe Street Midway – Through January 7, experience a world of winter fun at the Monroe Street Midway with an arctic sled slide, bumper cars, an indoor arcade, puck-putt, and more! This winter season, the Midway will feature new interactive art activations in addition to the amazing original artwork that decks out the space.
Detroit Winter Markets – While the kids play at the Midway, you can enjoy shopping at the Downtown Detroit Markers at Cadillac Square. With more than a dozen local vendors present, the markets bring a wide variety of family-friendly activities, promotions, and engagements for visitors.
Holly Trolley – Through January 7, you are invited to take part in free festive trolley rides with five stops across downtown Detroit to shop, explore, and enjoy the sights. With stops at Book Tower, Capitol Park, Campus Martius Park, Parker’s Alley, and Columbia Street, you’ll get a great tour of the downtown area.
Fire and Ice Festival – Running January 5-7, enjoy oversized fires, turkey legs and an ice carving competition. Try your hand at archery and ax throwing, or take your picture on our Iron Throne – made of ice, of course! Frozen’s Elsa and Renaissance Fair performers will be wandering the park for additional photo opportunities.
The Rink at Campus Martius Park – all month long The Rink at Campus Martius Park presented by Visit Detroit is open seven days a week, including holidays, until March 3. Rent skates at the rink or bring your own and enjoy the crisp winter air while taking in the stunning downtown Detroit views.
Dinner and a Show
Make dinner reservations at your favorite restaurant downtown and get ready for the best date night ever! Whether you’re looking to laugh until your cheeks hurt or sing your heart out, you’re sure to be thrilled with the live entertainment options this month in Detroit.
Get your tickets now to see shows like Cirque du Soleil, Chris Tucker, Cedric the Entertainer, Madonna, Wicked, and Dinosaur World Live, among other big names and exciting acts!
Sports Events
Get ready to cheer for your favorite team! Enjoy some time inside away from the cold by checking out a sporting event the next time you’re in Detroit.
You can enjoy games from the Red Wings, Pistons, and Lions in January.
Looking for something unique? Check out Detroit Roller Derby! Want to get in on the action? Check out our lists for best bowling alleys in the area, go fowling or feather bowling, or check out other fun ways to catch thrills in Detroit.
Cheers!
The January chill is an excellent time to get your drink on in Detroit. Plan on getting a ticket to the Official Onesie Bar Crawl on January 20, or check out unique hotel bars downtown.
Family Fun
January is the perfect time to sign up for any of our digital passes to save money and earn prizes while you’re out and about in Detroit. You can use your Explore Detroit Pass to check out exhibits like Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History or Mandela: The Official Exhibition at the Henry Ford Museum for American Innovation. Take part in a weekend-long celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from Jan. 13-15, which includes a full lineup of onsite programming, living history demonstrations, guided tours, and more. Admission and parking to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation is also free on Monday, January 15 in recognition of the celebrated day of service.
The entire country will come together to honor the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, Jan. 15, and in the days before. The civil rights leader is honored every year on the third Monday to honor the impactful changes he pioneered, his monumental work on the civil rights movement, and his expansive community leadership.
King, who was assassinated on April 4, 1968, at the young age of 39, would have turned 95 on Jan. 15, 2025.
Each year on MLK Day, there are events held throughout metro Detroit cities and museums. Below you’ll find some of the events in the area.
Detroit
The 23rd Annual Detroit MLK Day rally and commemorates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. here in downtown Detroit. The event is Monday, January 15th 2025 at noon and begins at St. Matthew’s & St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church.
Southfield
The city of Southfield and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force will host the 41st annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Peace Walk Celebration on Monday, January 15 beginning at 9 a.m. at Hope United Methodist Church, 26275 Northwestern Highway. This year’s theme will be “Peace and Justice for the Next Generation.”
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Don’t miss this incredible annual event, commemorating the life of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. hosted by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and presented in partnership with Citizens Bank.
This annual event brings the community together to honor the legacy of Dr. King and promote dialogue, education, and action toward equality and social justice. The event comprises a variety of experiences and programming. This year, the event is featuring Jeanelle Ausin, Founder/ Executive Director of George Floyd Global Memorial
The Henry Ford
The museum has an entire exhibit dedicated to civil rights called “With Liberty and Justice for All.” Some of the highlights in the exhibition include the Rosa Parks Bus, and several items related to Martin Luther King, Jr. Those include a memorial button, posters, a record album, pins, and more.
The end of the Mandela: The Official Exhibition coincides with a weekend-long celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from Jan. 13-15, which includes a full lineup of onsite programming, living history demonstrations, guided tours, and more. Admission and parking to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation are also free on Monday, January 15 in recognition of the celebrated day of service.
Let Freedom Ring – MLK Birthday Celebration
Rainbow PUSH will host “Let Freedom Ring,” a free public event on Monday, January 15, 2025, at 5 pm at the historic Fox Theatre. The event will honor several luminaries whose deeds have exemplified the life of Dr. King.
The Let Freedom Ring recipients include Judge Greg Mathis and “Big Sean,” who will be honored with the Keep Hope Alive Award; Bishop John Drew Sheard, presiding bishop of 6 million COGIC members, will receive the Theological Leadership Award; and Maha Freij, president and CEO of ACCESS and Amy Nederlander, co-founder of L!fe Leaders, will receive the Social Service Award.
Clinton-Macomb Public Library
Children ages 3 to 12 are invited to this local library for a story and craft to celebrate the life and contributions of Martin Luther King Jr.
Watch Dr. King’s speech in Detroit
On June 23, 1963, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was in Detroit for “The Walk to Freedom” where he led more than 100,000 people down Woodward Ave. to the then Cobo Arena.
During a speech at the arena, King gave a speech that featured some portions of his “I Have a Dream” speech that would be given just over two months later during the March on Washington.
