URGENT UPDATE: Midtown Detroit businesses are stepping up to fill the void left by the beloved Noel Night, which is taking a one-year break. On December 6, the inaugural Merry Midtown celebration will kick off from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., featuring over 50 participating stores, restaurants, and local establishments.
With Noel Night’s absence, Midtown businesses aim to preserve the festive spirit that has attracted thousands to the area each December. According to Felicia Patrick, owner of Flo Boutique and a 25-year veteran in the neighborhood, Noel Night is typically one of her biggest sales nights. She emphasizes, “It’s fun. Gift giving, people shopping, dancing, networking—it’s one of the biggest economic nights, yes.”
The decision to pause Noel Night was made by Midtown Detroit Inc., which plans to return the event in 2026. Ned Staebler, chair of the board for Midtown Detroit Inc., stated, “We made the difficult decision to pause Noel Night to really realign the event for all the major stakeholders. It’s a beloved event, but we also want to make sure it’s filling the needs of today.”
Just three weeks ago, when Andy Linn, co-founder of City Bird, learned of Noel Night’s cancellation, he quickly reached out to nearby businesses to discuss alternatives. The result is Merry Midtown, which promises to carry on the festive traditions of Noel Night. “You’re definitely going to see Santa coming in from the North Pole, carolers, live music, DJs, and tons of pop-up markets,” Linn shared.
Participating locations like Source Booksellers highlight the significance of this event for showcasing Midtown’s unique retail landscape. Alyson Jones Turner from Source Booksellers noted, “Our offerings are very different. We have people that make products, businesses that just opened.”
While Midtown Detroit Inc. focuses on refining Noel Night for its future return, Staebler expressed strong support for the Merry Midtown initiative. “Small businesses are the heart of Midtown, really like they are the heart of Detroit and the heart of Michigan,” he said. “The people that run them make our neighborhoods so special.”
Midtown Detroit is set to come alive with holiday cheer on December 6, as Merry Midtown aims to unite the community and celebrate the season. Stay tuned for updates as the event approaches!
