Detroit winter events you'll actually want to leave the house for

By Metro Times editorial staff on Fri, Jan 19, 2018 at 9:46 pm

As tempting as it is to hibernate through the next few months, you can't avoid winter. Don't let the cold, snow, and biting winds keep you from having a good time. Here's a handy guide to can't-miss winter events in Detroit.

Tags:

Scroll down to view images

FRI, 1/19 - SUN 1/21
Fire & Ice Festival
@ Downtown Rochester
Yes, it is blisteringly cold in Michigan right now, but that doesn’t stop us Midwesterners from enjoying an outdoor festival every now and then. Rochester’s Fire and Ice Festival is a great way to get your Vitamin D while also enjoying ice skating, carriage rides, and a tube sled run. There will also be a fireworks display and live ice carving (fire and ice — get it?). Adults can hit the beer tent to enjoy warming craft brews from the nearby Rochester Mills Beer Co. and a midnight lightshow.
The festival runs 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; E. Fourth St. and Main St., Rochester, 248-656-0060; downtownrochestermi.com; free admission.
Photo via Instagram

1 of 10

WED 1/24 - MON 1/29
Zehnder’s Snowfest
@ Downtown Frankenmuth
This old-school winter event features beautiful ice carvings and snow sculpture competitions, and a chance to stuff your face at the classic family-style German restaurant. This year, guests can sip some suds during Zehnder’s Tap Takeover in the Zehnder’s Tap Room with drinks on deck from Wolverine State Brewery and Great Lakes Wine and Spirits. Prost!
730 S. Main St., Frankenmuth; 800-863-7999, ext. 450;
Photo via Zehnders

2 of 10

FRI, 1/26 - SUN,1/28
Meridian Winter Blast
@ Campus Martius Park
Originally brought to life to coincide with Superbowl XL in 2005, this annual indoor and outdoor event is fun for the whole family. Guests can look forward to ice skating, live music, marshmallow roasting, and a giant winter slide in the heart of downtown Detroit. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a swing on a zipline over Campus Martius or take the plunge into a freezing cold pool of water to benefit the Special Olympics of Michigan. Bring your appetite — more than 10 vendors are scheduled to participate in an on-site food truck rally.
Runs 4 p.m.-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday; Campus Martius Park; 248-541-7550; winterblast.com; Admission is $3 (or a donation of three canned goods), North American International Auto Show visitors get free same-day admission.
Courtesy photo

3 of 10

FRI, 2/9 - SUN, 2/11,
FRI, 2/16- SAT, 2/17
Dirty Show
@ Russell Industrial Center
Calling all dirty Detroiters — the Dirty Show once again brings its erotic art show to the Russell Exhibition Center. This showcase, now in its 18th year, has grown into one of the largest erotic art exhibitions on the planet, bringing in emerging and established performers to display works in almost any imaginable media. Featuring burlesque shows, erotic art galleries, a spanking booth, and the Cinerotic Film Festival, guests are sure to find something to satisfy their erotic desires at this year’s Dirty Show.
Friday, Feb. 9, to Sunday, Feb. 11 and Friday, Feb. 16 to Saturday, Feb. 17; 1600 Clay St., Detroit; dirtydetroit.com; Tickets are $30.
Photo via MT file

4 of 10

FRI 2/9 - SUN, 2/11
Astronomicon
@ Wyndham Garden Sterling Heights
Metro Detroit’s newest pop culture convention comes to town with a bang this February. Napoleon Dynamite star Jon Heder and Sons of Anarchy's Ryan Hurst are head lining the event. AMC’s Comic Book Men, Bryan Johnson and Ming Chen; semi-retired wrestler and actor Kevin Nash; and Detroit’s own Twiztid will all be making appearances at the convention — along with many other wrestling legends and pop culture stars. The convention will include panel discussions, workshops for the kiddos, and professional photo ops with your favorite stars.
The convention runs Friday, 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m - 7 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m - 5 p.m; Wyndham Garden Hotel, 34911 Van Dyke, Sterling Heights; astronomicon.com; Single Ticket for $25-$35, Weekend $60; VIP, Concert, and Photo Op packages are also available.
Photo via 4 Square

5 of 10

SAT, 2/10
Cupid’s Undie Run
@ Fillmore Detroit
Started in 2010, Cupid’s Undie Run encourages runners to strip down for a cause. Chad Leathers, one of the nonprofit’s co-founders, was inspired to start the one-mile fun run after his brother was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis. Runners raise money to go toward scientific research to cure the disease, and then dash around downtown Detroit before returning to the Fillmore for an underwear party. Runners are encouraged to keep it PG-13, but underoos are required to participate in the event.
Starts at noon; 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; cupidsundierun.com; Registration fee starts at $35.
Photo via Mike Ferdinande

6 of 10

FRI, 2/23, SAT 2/24
Great Lakes Comic-Con
@ Macomb Community College
This annual comic, toy, and collectible show provides a venue for everyone from the casual fan to the fanatic collector. Whether you’re looking to browse around from table to table or add that one missing piece to your toy or comic book collection, Great Lakes Comic-Con has you covered. Special guests from the comic and cartoon world include comic book legend Jim Steranko, former WWE wrestler Ted DiBiase, and David Kaye — the voice of the animated Optimus Prime.
Convention runs 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; Macomb Community College, 14500 Twelve Mile Rd., Warren; greatlakescomiccon.org; Tickets $13 single day, $20 weekend; Complimentary tickets for active military and veterans.
Photo via Facebook

7 of 10

FRI, 1/26, SAT 1/27
Ann Arbor Folk Festival
@ Hill Auditorium
Coming this February, guests are invited to come and “find their folk” at the largest performing venue on the University of Michigan campus. This long-running folk festival takes place at the Ark, Ann Arbor’s nonprofit home for folk, roots, and ethnic music. Now in its 41st year, this event is a fundraiser with all proceeds going toward keeping folk alive at the Ark. Headlining performers include Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit — a former member of Drive-By Truckers — on Friday and John Prine on Saturday.
Times vary; check theark.org; 734-763-TKTS; Tickets are $42.50-$60 for one night, $75-$110 for two-night series.
MT file photo

8 of 10

THURS, 3/1- SUN, 3/4
Hamtramck Music Festival
@ Hamtramck
Artists from all over Detroit will once again descend upon Hamtramck and fill the city with very loud and very local music for an entire weekend. Now in its fifth year, Hamtramck Music Festival strives to “provide a safe, diverse, and enjoyable festival for all.” During the 2017 fest, more than 20 venues across Hamtramck hosted 180 bands, bringing in music lovers from across the state to discover their new favorite local acts. Profits raised went toward Ben’s Encore, a nonprofit that provides young musicians with instruments and lessons.
Hamtramck Music Festival will run from Thursday, March 1 through Sunday, March 4 in Hamtramck. Weekend passes are available for $10. For more information follow Hamtramck Music Festival on Facebook.
Photo via Instagram

9 of 10

FRI 3/2 - SUN, 3/4
Autorama
@ Cobo Center
If you’re less interested in the most futuristic automotive innovations and more excited to take a gander at classic hot rods and custom cars, Autorama is the event for you. Now in its 66th year, the event brings together celebrity guest apperances, rare vehicles, live bands, and a pin-up girl contest for a weekend of vintage fun.
The show runs noon to 10 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday; Cobo Center, 1 Washington Blvd., Detroit; 248-373-1700; autorama.com; $20 general admission; Children 6-12 $7; Discounted tickets available at O’Reilly Auto Parts.
Photo via Miss Shela

10 of 10