Busy weekend on deck in Downtown Detroit

Between sporting events, holiday festivities, Motor City expects big crowds

DETROIT – Between two college basketball games, the Detroit Lions hosting the Chicago Bears at Ford Field and the holiday festivities around town, it seems as though the Motor City will be a go-to spot this weekend.

Of the downtown events planned for the coming days, the first starts at noon Saturday, when the Michigan Wolverines face Detroit Mercy at Little Caesars Arena.

No. 2-ranked Michigan State tips off against the Oakland Grizzlies at 2 p.m. at the same venue, and then the NFL game is set for 4:30 p.m. After all the snow the area has received, it’s time for some fun.

Woodward Avenue was jam-packed Friday night as Detroit Red Wings fans maneuvered their way into Little Caesars Arena. But well after the hockey game wrapped up, Woodward was expected to remain congested.

“You want to come down here and enjoy the city,” one eventgoer said.

From the lines of people waiting to get into Christmas shows at the Fillmore and Fox theaters, to all the fans expected at weekend sporting events, it seemed clear: Detroit has been bustling with activity lately.