The wooden huts on Cadillac Square open for the season on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., when the 2026 Downtown Detroit Markets begin a run that lasts until Jan. 3, 2027, according to the organizers at Decked Out Detroit. Eighteen Metro Detroit small businesses are on this year’s opening lineup, the organizers list no admission charge, and the market will keep shopping hours five days a week for most of the season.
For anyone following Detroit news about the holiday season downtown, the market is the first piece to open. The Detroit Tree Lighting follows on Nov. 20 and the free Holly Trolley starts on weekends Nov. 14. What matters most is the calendar: the market is closed most Mondays and Tuesdays, and closes early on a few big days, which is the kind of detail that can turn a planned evening trip into a walk past shuttered stalls.
Downtown Detroit Markets 2026 at a glance
- Dates: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027
- Where: Cadillac Square, 60 Cadillac Square, downtown Detroit
- Cost: No admission charge is listed by the organizers; you pay only for what you buy
- Vendors: 18 Metro Detroit small businesses at opening
- Run by: Downtown Detroit Partnership, funded by the Gilbert Family Foundation
Market hours, including the days it closes early
The regular schedule, as posted on the Decked Out Detroit markets page, favors weekends and evenings. Organizers note that hours are subject to change.
| Day or date | Hours (ET) |
|---|---|
| Monday and Tuesday | Closed (except Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 21-22) |
| Wednesday and Thursday | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. |
| Friday and Saturday | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. |
| Sunday | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. |
| Mon.-Tue., Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 21-22 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. |
| Fri., Nov. 20 (tree lighting) | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. |
| Thu., Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving) | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. |
| Thu., Dec. 24 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. |
| Fri., Dec. 25 | Closed |
| Thu., Dec. 31, and Fri., Jan. 1 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. |
The early close on Nov. 20 is easy to miss: the huts shut at 4 p.m. on the day the city’s tree is lit, so shop before the ceremony crowds arrive. The Thanksgiving morning window, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., lines up with parade day on Woodward.
Who is selling this year
The organizers list 18 vendors for 2026: Back In The D, Bespoke By Feldman, Bleu Bowtique, Boho Luxe Detroit, ESEDA, Fat George’s, Indigo Culinary Co., INK DETROIT, Jodi Lynn’s Emporium of Doodles, Liv a Little at Home, Mimidae Beverage Co., Next Chapter Books, Sunshine Handcrafted, The Coloring Museum, Waffle Cabin, Woodward Farms, Yarn Nerds and Your Olive Tree.
Vendor rules published by the organizers explain the mix. Spaces go to artisans and small businesses from Metro Detroit, sales must be product-based, and any food must be prepackaged, handheld and nonalcoholic. The 2026 plan called for a spread of apparel, accessories, home goods, children’s items, wellness products and gifts. Now in its eighth year, the program has generated more than $6 million in sales for participating businesses, according to Decked Out Detroit.
More to do downtown, and what is new
The market sits inside a larger holiday program, and some of it is free:
- Cadillac Lodge: a large heated tent beside the market with board games, seating, blankets and fireplaces, as the organizers describe it on the holiday overview.
- Holly Trolley: a complimentary trolley runs Saturdays noon-8 p.m. and Sundays noon-6 p.m. from Nov. 14 through Jan. 3, about every 15 minutes, with stops at Nick Gilbert Way, Campus Martius, Book Tower and Capitol Park.
- Santa photos: Winter Wonders at Entrance One, at Hudson’s on Woodward, offers free photos with Santa starting Nov. 12 (Wednesday-Friday 4-8 p.m., Saturday noon-8 p.m., Sunday noon-6 p.m. through Dec. 13). The line forms outdoors.
- New for 2026: spend $35 or more at participating downtown retailers for a free limited-edition holiday mug illustrated by Michael Eugene, and see the refreshed look of The Bear at Hudson’s, organizers said.
A local’s plan for a market visit in 4 steps
- Pick your night: Wednesday and Thursday close at 8 p.m., Sunday at 7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday stay open until 10 p.m.
- Check the hours table before you leave; the market is dark most Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Ride the Detroit People Mover or the QLine downtown instead of hunting for street parking, or use the parking directory on the Decked Out Detroit site.
- Dress for an outdoor market and warm up in Cadillac Lodge between stops.
Make a day of it: museums a short trip up Woodward
A market stop pairs well with an afternoon in Midtown. The Detroit Historical Museum, at 5401 Woodward Ave., is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.; adult admission is $15. If you plan to visit the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History on opening day, note that it lists Nov. 11 among its holiday closures.
Admission may soon cost less for many locals. Voters in Wayne and Oakland counties approved a new 0.2-mill museum millage on Nov. 3, and WXYZ reported that county residents will get free admission to the Detroit Historical Museum and the Wright starting Dec. 1; the museums have not yet posted details. For more ideas, see our guide to the best museums in Detroit and our list of things to do in Detroit for first-time visitors.
Frequently asked questions
When do the Downtown Detroit Markets open in 2026?
The market opens Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, at 11 a.m. on Cadillac Square and runs through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027, according to Decked Out Detroit.
Is the Cadillac Square holiday market free?
The organizers list no admission charge. Shoppers pay vendors directly for goods. The Holly Trolley and Santa photos at Hudson’s are also free, according to the organizers.
Is the market open on Thanksgiving and Christmas?
It is open on Thanksgiving, Nov. 26, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed on Christmas Day.
What time does the market close on tree lighting day?
On Friday, Nov. 20, the market is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., closing before the Detroit Tree Lighting festivities downtown.
Sources: Decked Out Detroit, Holly Trolley schedule, WXYZ, Charles H. Wright Museum.
Last updated Nov. 10, 2026.
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