DETROIT – Detroit’s annual tree lighting event returns Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., bringing festive cheer to downtown’s Campus Martius Park.
As thousands prepare to celebrate the start of the holiday season, here’s everything you need to know to enjoy the event safely and smoothly:
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Road closures
To accommodate the festivities, several major downtown streets will close beginning Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 6 a.m.
These roads are scheduled to reopen on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 6 a.m.
The streets affected by closures include:
- Michigan Avenue between Woodward and Griswold
- Fort Street between Woodward and Griswold
- Woodward Avenue (northbound and southbound) at State/Gratiot
- Woodward Avenue (northbound and southbound) at Congress
- Woodward Avenue (northbound and southbound) at Larned (Friday, Nov. 21 only)
- Monroe Street between Woodward Avenue and Farmer Street
- Cadillac Square (eastbound and westbound) between Woodward Avenue and Bates Street
With road closures in place and a full schedule of activities, visitors are encouraged to plan their trip carefully.
Prohibited items
To help keep the event safe and fun for everyone, guests are required to follow a code of conduct, and some items are not allowed, including:
- Weapons, firearms, knives, bats, clubs
- Mace, pepper spray
- Laser pointers or similar devices
- Fireworks, smoke bombs
- Illegal substances, marijuana
- Pets
- Offensive banners, flags, signs
- Frisbees, beach balls, balloons
- Chairs, poles, selfie sticks, tripods
- Professional or commercial cameras, detachable lenses over 4″
- Audio/visual recording devices like GoPros
- Missile-like objects that can be thrown
- Backpacks, hard-sided bags
- Aerosol cans/liquids over 4 oz.
- Drones, skateboards, hoverboards
- Whistles, horns
- Outside food or beverages
- Clothing with explicit or derogatory messages
- Any items deemed dangerous by security or venue management
Use public transit options like the QLINE when possible, and arrive early to enjoy all the holiday festivities.
Note: The Detroit People Mover is closed until Saturday, Nov. 22, due to scheduled maintenance
Entertainment details
Headlining the MGM Grand Detroit Stage Friday night is multiplatinum breakout country artist BRELAND.
Opening the show is pop singer-songwriter Natalie Jane.
International and U.S. talent will take to The Rink at Campus Martius, including Olympic figure skater Polina Edmunds. Additional figure skaters include American figure skater Emmanuel Savary, a Wilmington, Delaware native, and Khloe Felton, a 14-time national medalist from Kalamazoo. There will also be skaters from several metro Detroit and Detroit-based skating clubs showcasing their skills on The Rink.
Other performances of note on the MGM Grand Detroit Stage include Urban Arts Orchestra, Motown Museum’s Hitsville NEXT, Grosse Pointe Theatre, Cass Tech High School Madrigal Choir and, in partnership with Broadway in Detroit, special guests from Phantom of the Opera.
For more information on the tree lighting, including food and drinks that will be featured in Downtown Detroit, you can visit the Downtown Detroit Partnership website here.