Merry Midtown: Detroit’s New Holiday Tradition Emerges

Detroit’s cherished Noel Night is taking a temporary break this year, prompting Midtown businesses to launch their own festive celebration. Introducing “Merry Midtown,” a new event designed to keep the holiday spirit alive and thriving in the heart of the city.

Noel Night on Hiatus: A Community Responds

For 25 years, Noel Night has been a cornerstone of Midtown Detroit’s holiday season, drawing thousands and serving as one of the biggest sales days for local establishments like Flo Boutique, owned by Felicia Patrick. She fondly recalls it as a time for “Gift giving, people shopping, dancing, networking— it’s one of the biggest economical nights, yes.”

Midtown Detroit Inc., the organizers behind Noel Night, made the “difficult decision” to pause the event for 2025, with plans for its return in 2026. Ned Staebler, chair of the board for Midtown Detroit Inc., explained the reasoning: “We made the difficult decision to pause Noel Night to really realign the event for all the major stakeholders. The retailers, the cultural institutions, and all the partners across the region… we also want to make sure it’s filling the needs of today.”

The Birth of Merry Midtown

Upon learning of Noel Night’s temporary absence, local businesses sprang into action. Andy Linn, co-founder of the gift shop City Bird, quickly connected with other nearby establishments. “It was only about three weeks ago but immediately we were texting and emailing and had a meeting together after a couple days,” Linn said.

These rapid discussions led to the creation of Merry Midtown, a collaborative effort to ensure that residents and visitors still have a vibrant holiday experience. More than 50 stores, restaurants, and various other establishments are set to participate in this inaugural celebration, directly filling the void left by Noel Night’s hiatus.

What to Expect at Merry Midtown

Merry Midtown aims to capture and carry forward much of the beloved spirit of Noel Night. Attendees can look forward to a diverse range of holiday attractions and activities:

• Santa Claus making a special appearance from the North Pole.
• Live carolers spreading seasonal cheer.
• Dynamic live music performances and DJs setting a festive atmosphere.
• Numerous pop-up markets featuring unique products and local vendors within participating businesses and institutions.

Alyson Jones Turner from Source Booksellers, a participating location, emphasized the unique offerings that will be showcased. “Our offerings are very different. We have people that make products, businesses that just opened… And there’s just different businesses that are downtown, and there are different businesses that may be at the mall.” This highlights Merry Midtown’s role in showcasing the distinct retail landscape of Midtown.

Support from Midtown Detroit Inc.

Even as Midtown Detroit Inc. focuses on refining Noel Night for its 2026 comeback, the organization has expressed strong support for this grassroots business initiative. Ned Staebler praised the local entrepreneurs, stating, “Small businesses are the heart of Midtown, really like they are the heart of Detroit and the heart of Michigan, and the people that run them are one of the things that make our neighborhoods so special.” This endorsement underscores the community-driven nature of Merry Midtown.

Event Details at a Glance

For those planning to attend, here’s a quick comparison of the two events for 2025:

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is Noel Night permanently canceled?
  No, Noel Night is on a one-year hiatus and is planned to return in 2026, allowing organizers to realign the event for all stakeholders.
• What is Merry Midtown?
  Merry Midtown is a new holiday celebration organized by local Midtown Detroit businesses to maintain the festive spirit during Noel Night’s temporary absence.
• When and where will Merry Midtown take place?
  The event will run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on December 6, throughout Midtown Detroit, involving over 50 businesses.
• What kind of activities can I expect?
  Visitors can enjoy Santa visits, carolers, live music, DJs, and various pop-up markets hosted within participating stores and institutions.
• Who is organizing Merry Midtown?
  It’s a grassroots initiative by Midtown Detroit businesses, spearheaded by shops like City Bird, with support from Midtown Detroit Inc.

This holiday season, embrace the new tradition and show your support for Midtown Detroit’s vibrant local businesses by experiencing the inaugural Merry Midtown celebration.

Merry Midtown Detroit New Holiday Tradition Emerges