Wondering what to do in Detroit this weekend? From Friday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 8, the city mixes its first big holiday market of the season with a long list of concerts and shows: Zac Brown Band and sombr headline Little Caesars Arena, Detroit Opera closes “Tosca” on Saturday, and Sunday brings All Things Detroit Holiday at Eastern Market, Sesame Street Live at the Fox Theatre, a free Edmund Fitzgerald remembrance on Belle Isle and a Pistons home game against the Lakers.
Below, this weekend’s Detroit events are grouped by day, with times, prices where organizers list them and tips on getting there. Everything was checked against organizer pages on Nov. 5. One change from past years: the Detroit Veterans Day Parade is not happening in 2026.
Jump to: Friday · Saturday · Sunday · Getting around · Quick picks · 4-step plan · FAQ
Things to do in Detroit this weekend at a glance
| Event | When | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zac Brown Band with Brothers Osborne | Fri., 7 p.m. | Little Caesars Arena | Ticketed |
| Jodeci 35th Anniversary Tour | Fri., 8 p.m. | Fox Theatre | Ticketed |
| Detroit Institute of Arts late hours | Fri., 9 a.m.-9 p.m. | 5200 Woodward Ave. | Free for tri-county residents |
| Eastern Market Saturday Market | Sat., 6 a.m.-4 p.m. | 2934 Russell St. | Free entry |
| Edmund Fitzgerald radio station (W8F) | Sat., 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Dossin Great Lakes Museum | $5 museum admission |
| sombr with Dove Cameron | Sat., 7 p.m. | Little Caesars Arena | Ticketed |
| “Tosca” (final performance) | Sat., 7:30 p.m. | Detroit Opera House | Ticketed |
| All Things Detroit Holiday | Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Eastern Market Sheds 3-5 | $7 at the door; $15 VIP |
| Sesame Street Live! Elmo’s Got the Moves | Sun., 2 and 6 p.m. | Fox Theatre | Ticketed |
| Lost Mariners Remembrance Ceremony | Sun., 3-4 p.m. | Dossin Great Lakes Museum | Free; register |
| Pistons vs. Lakers | Sun., 6 p.m. | Little Caesars Arena | Ticketed |
Friday, Nov. 6: Arena country, ’90s R&B and a late night at the DIA
Zac Brown Band brings its “Love & Fear Tour” to Little Caesars Arena at 7 p.m., with Brothers Osborne opening, according to 313 Presents. A few blocks south on Woodward, Jodeci plays the Fox Theatre at 8 p.m. on its 35th anniversary tour celebrating the album “Forever My Lady.” Comedian Eddie Griffin also performs at 8 p.m. at Sound Board inside MotorCity Casino Hotel. Tickets for all three are sold through Ticketmaster.
For a quieter night, Friday is the Detroit Institute of Arts’ late night: the museum stays open until 9 p.m., and general admission is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties with ID (otherwise $20 for adults), per the DIA’s visitor page. On view this weekend are “Georgia O’Keeffe: Architecture,” which runs through Jan. 3, and two “Guests of Honor” shows, including “Armor as Fashion.” Some second-floor galleries are temporarily closed for improvements.
Theater fans should know that “SIX: The Musical” finishes its Fisher Theatre run on Sunday, but Broadway in Detroit lists it as a subscriber extra with single tickets not on sale.
Saturday, Nov. 7: Market morning, a shipwreck radio station and a big concert night
Morning and afternoon
- Eastern Market Saturday Market: The year-round market runs from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2934 Russell St., according to Eastern Market. Go early for the best produce and the shortest lines.
- Edmund Fitzgerald Special Event Station: From 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the Livonia Amateur Radio Club operates station W8F at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle, the Detroit Historical Society says. It’s included with $5 museum admission (free for members and children 5 and under).
- Museum hopping: The DIA is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you want to build a day around Midtown, our Detroit museum guide covers the Wright Museum, the Detroit Historical Museum and the Michigan Science Center, all close to one another in the Cultural Center.
Saturday night
- sombr: The “You Are The Reason Tour,” with Dove Cameron and Hannah Jadagu, starts at 7 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena, per 313 Presents.
- “Tosca” closes: Detroit Opera’s last performance of Puccini’s thriller is at 7:30 p.m. at the Detroit Opera House, 1526 Broadway St., according to Detroit Opera. The box office is 313-961-3500.
- Detroit Symphony Orchestra: “French Splendor,” with conductor Marie Jacquot and cellist Zuill Bailey playing Debussy, Dutilleux, Dalbavie and Ravel, wraps up its run at Orchestra Hall. The DSO also lists an online broadcast on Saturday at 8 p.m.; call 313-576-5111 for in-person times and seats.
- Michigan Military and Veterans Gala: A 6 to 10 p.m. gala at Elevate, on the 16th floor of 1 Campus Martius, is listed by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, with registration online.
- Hockey on TV: The Red Wings are on the road, playing at Colorado at 9 p.m., per the team’s schedule on NHL.com. There’s no Red Wings home game this weekend.
Sunday, Nov. 8: Holiday shopping, Elmo, a riverside tribute and Pistons-Lakers
Sunday is the weekend’s busiest day. About 200 small businesses fill Eastern Market’s Sheds 3, 4 and 5 for All Things Detroit Holiday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The $15 “Beat the Crowd” VIP ticket (online only) gets you in at 10 a.m.; general admission is $7 at the door from noon. Our All Things Detroit Holiday guide covers the ticket rules.
Families with preschoolers can head to the Fox Theatre for “Sesame Street Live! Elmo’s Got the Moves,” with shows at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. It runs about an hour and 20 minutes with intermission. See our Sesame Street Live Detroit guide for parking, bag rules and the photo experience.
On Belle Isle, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum holds its free Lost Mariners Remembrance Ceremony from 3 to 4 p.m., marking 51 years since the Edmund Fitzgerald sank. A wreath is carried from the river to the ship’s anchor, bells ring for the crew, and an honor flotilla passes by. Registration is requested, and the museum is free from 1 to 5 p.m. Our Lost Mariners Remembrance guide has the full four-day schedule, including the $85 brunch that morning.
For sports fans:
- Lions at Dolphins, 1 p.m.: The Lions play in Miami Gardens. Detroitlions.com and NFL.com list the game on CBS (WWJ-TV, Channel 62, in Detroit); check listings on game day in case of a late change.
- Pistons vs. Lakers, 6 p.m.: Detroit hosts Los Angeles at Little Caesars Arena, according to NBA.com.
Other Sunday shows include AJ McLean’s “The Better Man Tour” at 7:30 p.m. at Sound Board.
No Veterans Day Parade this year
The Detroit Veterans Day Parade is canceled for 2026 because of road construction on the parade route, organizers say, and the 4Star 4Mile race is off as well. A replacement “Tribute to Michigan Veterans” on Sunday morning is already at capacity, with registration closed.
Getting around, parking and weather
Downtown will be busiest Friday and Saturday evenings, when arena concerts overlap with Fox Theatre and Opera House shows, and Sunday from midafternoon through the Pistons game. Plan extra time in those windows.
- District Detroit parking: Garages serving Little Caesars Arena and the Fox can be reserved in advance at ParkDistrictDetroit.com. Lots are credit card only and open three hours before events, according to 313 Presents.
- QLINE and People Mover: The QLINE runs along Woodward between downtown and the Cultural Center, which is handy for the DIA and Orchestra Hall. The People Mover loops downtown.
- Belle Isle: Cars need a Michigan Recreation Passport ($15 for Michigan vehicles, $12 out-of-state day pass, per the Dossin). Walkers, cyclists and transit riders don’t need one.
- Weather: The National Weather Service forecast earlier this week called for highs in the mid-50s, a chance of rain on Friday and sunnier skies by Sunday. Bring layers for the riverside ceremony.
Quick picks for the weekend
- With kids: Sesame Street Live on Sunday, plus Santa photos at All Things Detroit Holiday.
- Free or nearly free: The DIA (free for tri-county residents), Saturday Market and the Lost Mariners ceremony.
- Night out: Jodeci on Friday, then sombr or the final “Tosca” on Saturday.
- Shop local: Saturday Market for food, All Things Detroit Holiday for gifts.
Plan your weekend in Detroit in 4 steps
- Book what needs a spot now: concert or “Tosca” tickets, the $15 All Things Detroit VIP entry (online only) and the free Lost Mariners ceremony registration.
- Pick one anchor event per day, and on Sunday leave time to get from Eastern Market or Belle Isle to the Fox or Little Caesars Arena.
- Reserve District Detroit parking ahead for arena and Fox Theatre shows, or ride the QLINE to Midtown; buy a Recreation Passport if you’re driving to Belle Isle.
- Check the forecast and organizer pages Saturday night for any changes to Sunday’s outdoor ceremony and game-day TV listings.
Frequently asked questions
What free things are there to do in Detroit this weekend?
The DIA is free for Wayne, Oakland and Macomb county residents, Eastern Market’s Saturday Market costs nothing to browse, and Sunday’s Lost Mariners Remembrance Ceremony on Belle Isle is free with registration.
Is the Detroit Veterans Day Parade happening in 2026?
No. Organizers canceled the 2026 parade because of road construction on the route. The replacement tribute event is at capacity.
Is the Campus Martius ice rink open yet?
Not this weekend. The Downtown Detroit Partnership rink page gives Nov. 18 as the season start, so check it for this year’s opening day.
Are the Lions or Red Wings home this weekend?
No. The Lions play at Miami at 1 p.m. Sunday, and the Red Wings play at Colorado at 9 p.m. Saturday. The Pistons host the Lakers at 6 p.m. Sunday.
With no home Lions or Red Wings games, this is a good weekend to try something different: a holiday market, an opera’s final night or an hour by the river remembering the Fitzgerald. Pick one anchor event a day and check organizer pages before you go, since times can change.
Last updated Nov. 5, 2026. Sources: 313 Presents, Detroit Institute of Arts, Broadway in Detroit/ATG, Eastern Market, Detroit Historical Society, Detroit Opera, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, NHL.com, detroitlions.com, NFL.com, NBA.com, Detroit Veterans Day Parade, Downtown Detroit Partnership and the National Weather Service.
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