The 2018 Noel Night will have new hours and extended security after last year's shooting.
The 46th annual Noel Night is scheduled for Dec. 1. Starting this year, museums including the Museum of African American History, Detroit Historical Museum, Detroit Institute of Arts, Michigan Science Center, as well as the College for Creative Studies and the main branch of the Detroit Public Library will be open only during daytime hours.
The traditional holiday programming at those locations are moving to a daytime schedule. Noel Night daytime hours and free admission will be offered at the institutions from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The rest of the venues throughout Midtown will continue from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Midtown Detroit Inc., the producer of Noel Night, hopes the change in format will allow visitors to experience more with Noel Night. The new format is also attributed to challenges regarding parking, congestion and security.
SECURITY
In 2017, there was a shooting that led to four people being hurt during last year's celebration. Eventually, a 16-year-old pleaded guilty to charges.
As a result, the city is preparing to announce extra security, including Detroit police, Wayne State police, sheriff's deputies and private security patrolling the event.
The patrols will enforce the city's curfew which is usually 10 p.m. for anyone 17 and under.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation options will continue with limited free Noel Night shuttles, the QLINE, MOGO bikes, DDOT buses and electric scooters. Lyft will also serve as Noel Night's official ride share partner and offer discounted rides to and from the district – use code: NOELNIGHT.
For more information about parking, click here.
SCHEDULE
The Noel Night bandstand featuring the Salvation Army Brass Band Sing-Along has been relocated to the corner of Cass Avenue and Prentis Street. The Ice Scraper Challenge featuring students from Wayne State University and the College for Creative Studies transforming blocks of ice into unique sculptural creations has been relocated to the plaza between Wayne State’s Welcome Center and Bookstore along Warren Avenue.
The Cathedral Church of St. Paul will also continue to host their annual Live Animals of the Nativity on their Woodward Lawn with new hours from 3-8 p.m. Wayne State’s “Winter Art and Retail Market” will continue to be hosted at Warren and Woodward between the hours of 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. The College for Creative Arts and Crafts sale will also take place, but during the daytime hours between 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
To view headlining performances, click here.
