BREAKING UPDATE: In a bold response to the cancellation of the beloved Noel Night, Midtown Detroit businesses are uniting to launch the inaugural Merry Midtown celebration on December 6, 2023. This new holiday event aims to fill the void left by Noel Night’s unexpected year-long hiatus, ensuring the festive spirit continues to thrive in the community.
More than 50 local stores, restaurants, and establishments will participate in Merry Midtown, set to run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on December 6. According to local business owner Felicia Patrick, who has operated Flo Boutique in Midtown for 25 years, Noel Night has historically been one of her most lucrative sales days. “It’s fun. Gift giving, people shopping, dancing, networking—it’s one of the biggest economical nights,” she said.
Midtown Detroit Inc. announced the decision to temporarily pause Noel Night, with plans to return in 2026. “We made the difficult decision to pause Noel Night to realign the event for all the major stakeholders,” stated Ned Staebler, chair of the board for Midtown Detroit Inc. “It’s a beloved event, but we want to ensure it meets the needs of today.”
When co-founder of City Bird, Andy Linn, learned of Noel Night’s cancellation, he quickly rallied local businesses to create an alternative celebration. “It was only about three weeks ago that we started texting and emailing,” Linn explained. Those collaborative efforts led to the formation of Merry Midtown, which promises to carry elements of Noel Night’s charm.
Attendees can look forward to meeting Santa, enjoying carolers, live music, DJs, and a variety of pop-up markets throughout Midtown. “You’re definitely going to see Santa coming in from the North Pole, carolers, and tons of pop-up markets,” Linn added.
Participating location Source Booksellers emphasizes the importance of showcasing Midtown’s unique offerings. “Our offerings are very different. We have people that make products and businesses that just opened,” said Alyson Jones Turner from Source Booksellers. “There are different businesses that may be at the mall.”
As Midtown Detroit Inc. works on refining Noel Night for its anticipated comeback, Staebler expressed strong support for the Merry Midtown initiative. “Small businesses are the heart of Midtown, Detroit, and Michigan. The people that run them make our neighborhoods special,” he said.
Mark your calendars for December 6 as Midtown Detroit embraces the holiday spirit with Merry Midtown, ensuring that the community’s joy continues even in the absence of Noel Night.
