This upcoming week is ripe with opportunities to unwind in the metro Detroit region, from swapping plants and gardening tips in the Arab American Museum’s heritage garden to letting loose with DanceAbility. There’s also yoga, a tour of the historic Elmwood Cemetery at dusk and more.

Upcoming events (July 30-Aug. 5)

What’s So Funny About Detroit

The Old Miami
July 30
$35 at the door

Join WDET for a night of laughter in the gorgeous backyard of The Old Miami. In The Groove’s Ryan Patrick Hooper hosts headliner Melanie Hearn, along with fellow comedians Zech, Heather Jowett, and Brett Mercer. The show starts at 7 p.m.

Al-Hadiqa Plant Swap

Arab American National Museum
July 31
Free

Swap plants and gardening tips with a group of green-thumbed community members at the Arab American National Museum’s Mymonie Elhage Jabara Heritage Garden. This plant swap, co-hosted with MetroSwaps, is open to all gardeners—no matter how green or experienced—and offers the chance to trade cuttings, seedlings, and stories. Join between 5-7 p.m.

Belle Isle Art Fair

Belle Isle
Aug. 1-2
Free with state parks pass

Returning for the eleventh year, it’s the Belle Isle Art Fair! This art fair set up by the famous Scott Fountain features dozens of artists and several craft stations for all to enjoy. Plus, a beer tent, an instrument garden, and an art dome made entirely of bottlecaps.

Elmwood Cemetery Twilight Tour

Elmwood Cemetery 
Aug. 1
Free

Detroit’s historic Elmwood Cemetery is open for a tour this Saturday, designed to show guests the sights at golden hour. The two hour walk will be mostly on pavement, but there are hills and uneven terrain. Guests may also want to take a closer peak at monuments by venturing into the grass as the fireflies emerge. The walk ends just after sunset, promising a breathtaking journey through the grounds. It’s free to attend, but register in advance to claim your spot.

DanceAbility

Robert C. Valade Park
Aug. 4
Free

DanceAbility creates supportive space to celebrate bodies and explore one’s relationship to disability. This workshop in the Shed at Valade Park starts at 11 a.m. with musician AnJelic, led by facilitator Cara Graninger. Dance freely in a creative space promoting connection and accessibility. DanceAbility offers online options over Zoom on Fridays, too.

Community Yoga with Citizen Yoga

Capitol Park
Aug. 5
Free

Take a deep breath and stretch with a certified instructor from Citizen Yoga in Downtown Detroit’s Capitol Park. All skill levels are welcome for this hour of community yoga starting at 6 p.m.

Detroit turns 325 this Friday, and there’s loads of different ways to get out and live it up this weekend! Celebrate diversity in the D with different cultural festivals, like the Chinatown Block Party or the Greek Heritage Festival. LGBT Detroit is back with Hotter Than July to welcome Black LGBTQ+ folks to get together across the next four days. 

For those looking for a slower pace, there’s gardens to tour in Wyandotte, and a lantern festival in Rochester ready to give you a chance to craft and reflect. 

Upcoming events (July 23-30)

Hotter Than July

Various locations
July 23-26
Ticket price varies by event

It’s the 30th anniversary of Detroit’s longest running Black LGBTQ+ Pride event! Join a number of events running from Thursday, July 23 to Sunday, July 26. The event kicks off with a candlelight vigil at Palmer Park, followed by a candidate forum then a bar crawl. Check the schedule to see which events stand out to you. Offerings this weekend include a picnic, an art and film fest, worship service and plenty of opportunities to party.

Detroit Historical Museum Block Party

Detroit Historical Museum
July 24
Free

On the 325th birthday of Detroit, Detroit Historical Museum also celebrates 75 years. The block party includes food trucks, a classic car show, live music, face painting and more. Note that the museum parking lot will be closed. Street parking is available, along with university parking lots and the DIA lots. Join the party anytime between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Chinatown Block Party 

Cass Ave and Peterboro St.
July 18- July 19
Free

From noon to 8 p.m., celebrate Asian-American heritage in the heart of Detroit’s returning Chinatown. There will be a food court, a film screening, a Little Dumplings kids station with crafts, games, live performances and more. 

Wyandotte Garden Walk

Downriver Council for the Arts
July 17- July 19
$15

Explore gardens across Wyandotte, from bursts of bright flowers, vegetable gardens, pollinator-friendly landscapes and more. Tickets support the local garden club and city beautification efforts. Check-in is at the Downriver Council for the Arts building at 81 Chestnut street, and the tour goes from 9 a.m. to noon.

Greektown Heritage Fest

Monroe St. in Detroit
July 25
Free

Monroe Street comes alive with traditional Greek dancers, music, vendors and the famous street-side lamb roast. The all-day event starts at noon and goes until 9 p.m. Plenty of Greek restaurants and cafes will be open and ready for business too.

Water Lantern Festival

Stony Creek Baypoint Beach
July 25
$32+

The Water Lantern Festival in Rochester is an opportunity to bring friends, family and the greater community together to reflect. Everyone gets a lantern to decorate and send off, glowing and gently floating down the river, taking your wishes and words with them. The event opens at 6 p.m. with vendors, music and a scavenger hunt. It runs until 10 p.m., with lanterns collected further down the water way to prevent pollution. Buy tickets in advance! At-the-door tickets go up to $58.

Taco Showdown

Eastern Market Shed 5
July 26
$12+

Show up and chow down at this culinary event with 12 different taquerias and restaurants representing the best tacos Detroit has to offer. From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., enjoy food, drinks, dance, games and more. You receive three complimentary tacos and five margarita samples with the cost of general admission.

Since we last spoke to food critic Melody Baetens, new restaurants have opened, Detroit’s culinary scene has the opportunity to gain national and international attention, and the summer food festival calendar has rounded into shape. 

Melody is a restaurant critic and dining reporter at the Detroit News. She joined the show to catch us up. 

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