Things to do in Detroit this weekend, Nov. 12 to 15
Polka Floyd is real, and it plays the Magic Bag Sunday
By Lou P. and the Detroit Loop editors. Thursday, November 12, 2026
Southfield hosts a Native American Heritage Celebration on Saturday, and neighbors are planting trees in Piety Hill that same morning. Step Afrika! and Patti LaBelle take the big stages. On Thursday evening, admission to the Detroit Historical Museum is free.
IF YOU ONLY DO ONE THING
Native American Heritage Celebration
The Native American Heritage Celebration runs Saturday from 11 a.m. at the Southfield Pavilion, and it only happens once this weekend.
A family-friendly celebration of Native American culture with hourly dance, song and storytelling from the Red Tribe Nation Dance Troupe. Browse artisan vendors and try traditional cuisine, sold on site. Admission is free.
Saturday at 11 am · SOUTHFIELD PAVILION, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield, MI, 48076
FREE THIS WEEKENDcosts nothing
Free Admission at the Detroit Historical Museum
Thursday at 5 pm
DETROIT HISTORICAL MUSEUM, 5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48202
Free evening admission for all ages as part of the Detroit Historical Society's Quad Anniversary celebration. Kids can wander the Streets of Old Detroit, check out the model trains and learn about the city's auto history.
WITH KIDSbring them
Gingerbread House Decorating Competition
Sunday at 12 pm
Grosse Pointe War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, 48236
Teams or solo builders get three hours to make a gingerbread house, with a kit and a selection of sprinkles and candy included. Any extras you bring must be edible. The winner gets a free table of four at Breakfast with Santa.
Guardian + Child Workshops
Saturday at 11 am
PEWABIC POTTERY, 10125 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, 48214
A one-hour hands-on workshop where a guardian and child each make a tile from terracotta slabs, clay and colored slips. Pewabic fires the pieces, and you pick them up later. For kids ages 7 to 15 with an adult.
THE WEIRD ONE with Lou P.
Reverend Guitars & RockCity Music Present: Polka Floyd
Reverend Guitars and RockCity Music present Polka Floyd, Sunday afternoon at the Magic Bag.
Sunday at 1:30 pm · The Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, MI, 48220
OUTSIDEfresh air
McDuffy Park/Piety Hill Community Tree Planting
Saturday at 10 am
821 Hazelwood Street, Detroit, MI, 48202, United States
Help plant trees with Greening of Detroit, rain or shine. Training and tools are provided, and gloves are available on site. Wear closed-toe boots and layers, and bring water and a snack. Register through Eventbrite.
Belle Isle Park - SOMi Sauna
Saturday to Sunday
Belle Isle Park, Detroit, 48207
A hand-built, wood-fired cedar sauna sits steps from the Detroit River on Belle Isle's beach. Book a 75-minute session for heat cycles and an optional cold plunge. It holds up to 10 people. Advance registration is recommended.
DATE NIGHTfor two
The Body Electric / The Body Erotic Documentary Release
Sunday at 6 pm
Vander, 626 Harper Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48202, United States
A release party for a documentary about poet Bernadette Mayer and the New York poetry scene, with a screening and readings. Red Rover founder Jen Karmin, who studied and wrote with Mayer, reads, joined by local poets.
Paradise Theatre Big Band
Friday at 8 pm
Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI
Trumpeter and arranger Kris Johnson leads a big band of Detroit musicians, named for the Paradise Theatre, which was Orchestra Hall's name from 1941 to 1951. Expect inventive arrangements and genre-bending, hard-hitting playing.
BRING A TOTEmarkets and sales
Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Record Show
Sunday at 11 am
TSDMAAC, 15701 James Couzens Fwy. , Detroit, MI, 48238
An annual record show at The Sanctuary with 30 vendors selling vinyl, cassettes, VHS, vintage T-shirts and posters. Entry is free, and reserved paid parking is available. All ages are welcome.
Antiques & Collectibles Market
Sunday at 8 am
Royal Oak Farmers Market - 316 E 11 Mile Road Royal Oak MI 48067
BIG SHOWSyou've heard of these
- SAT 8 PMStep Afrika!, Detroit Opera House
- SUN 7:30 PMPATTI LABELLE - The 80/65 Tour, Music Hall Center
- THU 7 PMBlack Violin, Jack White Theatre at the Masonic Temple - Detroit
PLAN AHEAD
WHAT DID WE MISS?
We do our best to read every calendar in Detroit, and we still miss good stuff. The church supper, the band at the corner bar, the block party your neighbor is throwing. If you know about something, tell us. Just write hello@loopcities.com. We read every note.
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