Hey Detroiters, welcome back to Culture Canvas.
With Christmas and Kwanzaa coming up in a few days, I want to wish you all happy holidays!
Since the new year starts next week, I’ve been thinking about all the fun and interesting arts and culture things that are happening in Detroit for 2026.
Institutions like the Heidelberg Project are celebrating a milestone anniversary in 2026, the Movement festival has released a partial lineup that includes many Detroit techno giants, and the Motown Museum is set to complete its years-long expansion by the end of the year.
While my full list is up on the BridgeDetroit website, here are three arts and entertainment news and events to keep in mind for 2026:
1. Two Detroit arts institutions celebrating milestone anniversaries
Outdoor art installation The Heidelberg Project is entering its 40th year in 2026, while the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) is celebrating 20 years in Midtown. When interviewed by BridgeDetroit in September, Heidelberg Project founder Tyree Guyton and former Heidelberg President and CEO Jenenne Whitfield didn’t have much to say about the organization’s plans for its anniversary, except that there will “probably be lots of celebratory events” on the streets in Detroit’s McDougall Hunt neighborhood. In addition, Heidelberg has been hosting its “Second Saturdays” series where people can get together for a day of art and live entertainment. That is expected to continue into 2026, Whitfield said. Lately, Guyton is focused on his newest exhibition, “Heidelbergology: Is It Art Now?,” which is showing at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The display is open until Feb. 15.
Meanwhile, MOCAD’s main building has been closed since August as it undergoes renovations. The project will focus on infrastructure upgrades, including HVAC improvements, and will feature a redesigned Woodward Avenue facade with a new public window display, said Jova Lynne, MOCAD’s co-director/artistic director. The project is expected to be completed early next year, with the museum set to reopen on April 24. The anniversary year will feature exhibitions from artists Carole Harris and Martha Mysko, along with the first museum retrospective of Detroit artist Olayami Dabls, the founder of MBAD African Bead Museum.
2. Movement teases 2026 lineup
Detroit’s largest techno festival returns to Hart Plaza Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25. A sample of next year’s lineup is already up on Movement’s website, which includes Detroit techno legends Carl Craig, Kevin Saunderson, Carl Cox and Richie Hawtin. Additionally, Detroit rapper Danny Brown is set to perform, along with Italian hard/acid techno duo 999999999, Brazilian DJ Anna, Scottish DJ Barry Can’t Swim, among others.
3. New exhibits coming to the DIA
The Detroit Institute of Arts is premiering multiple exhibits next year, with the first one coming March 21. Titled “Caravaggio’s Models,” the display looks at the art of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610), who often used his friends, lovers and fellow artists as the models for his paintings. “Caravaggio’s Models” traces how the artist wove Biblical and mythological themes into lifelike scenes through a series of case studies into the lives and identities of the models themselves. Featuring approximately 25 paintings, it is the largest presentation of his works to be held in North America in several decades.
On Sept. 13, the DIA will open the exhibit, “Georgia O’Keeffe: Architecture,” which will showcase 35 architectural paintings created from the 1920s to the 1960s by the acclaimed painter. Throughout her long career, the artist found inspiration through close observations of her surroundings, both natural and manmade. Some of those works include Manhattan skyscrapers, the broad sides of rural barns and the adobe homes of New Mexico.
Also coming in 2026 is the 5th Annual Wayne County High School Art Exhibition. The show will feature the artwork of students in grades 9-12 throughout Wayne County, encompassing photography, painting, textiles, sculptures and more. A date for the exhibit has not been announced yet.
As always, have a great week!
Until next time,
Micah
313 Scene
- BridgeDetroit reporter Malachi Barrett wrote about “PPL MOVIN,” a collaborative project between bandmates Layla McMurtrie, 24, and Deonte Bell, 29, and visual artist Nxkflix, 34, who met Bell at a fashion show. The idea for a talk show was floated casually in the band group chat but the pieces came together quickly. A few months later, dozens of interviews with local artists and changemakers are up on multiple social media platforms and the group is working on securing a filming permit in the new year.
- A downtown Detroit restaurant and nightclub is facing a civil rights lawsuit after an employee says he was subjected to racist and homophobic slurs, physically assaulted by a coworker on the job, and then fired after complaining that management failed to protect him. The lawsuit, filed in Wayne County Circuit Court by Marko Law, was brought on behalf of Rashard Mason, a Black gay man who worked at The Greek/Level Two, a popular downtown Detroit restaurant and nightclub owned by Plaka Restaurant, L.L.C. (Detroit Metro Times)
- A Detroit-born, fast-casual restaurant that started out selling its nutrient-dense sandwiches packed in brown paper bags at Detroit gyms is branching out. In less than five years, Breadless has grown from a pop-up to brick-and-mortar locations, and now has announced plans to franchise. Scaling Breadless, which opened its first location in 2022, to franchise is the next layer for growth of the brand, CEO Marc Howland recently told the Free Press. (Detroit Free Press)
- Detroit Opera announced that the historic organization and its current artistic director, Yuval Sharon, have mutually agreed to end his contract at the close of the 2025-26 season, ending a six-year collaboration of highs and lows that broadened the company’s reach and pushed the boundaries of American opera. (Detroit Free Press)
- Snoop Dogg won’t be alone when he presents his “Holiday Halftime Party” during the Detroit Lions’ Christmas Day game. The legendary rapper will be joined by country music star Lainey Wilson and the KPop Demon Hunters — well, their voices at least, as Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, the singing voices behind chart-toppers HUNTR/X, will make an appearance during the show. (The Detroit News)
- Loved ones and friends of the owner of a popular Detroit deli who died in 2021 gathered Dec. 19 as the street in front of his establishment was renamed in his honor. A blue “Greg Mudge St” sign now hangs above Brooklyn Street right near the deli he started, Mudgie’s Deli & Wine Shop, just west of downtown in the city’s Corktown neighborhood. (The Detroit News)
What’s Going on in the D?
- Michigan Central’s “Winter at the Station” event is back for its second year. Guests can enjoy festive decor, performances from local artists, hands-on activities, as well as curated food, drinks and gifts. “Winter at the Station” runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday until Dec. 28. Most days are free, but tickets are required on select dates. On Tuesday, Michigan Central is showing screenings of “Frozen II” and “The Polar Express.” Friday includes screenings of “White Christmas” and “Prep and Landing,” while Saturday and Sunday will feature performances by Detroit techno artist Shigeto.
- The Tony Award-winning musical comedy “Shucked,” opens at the Fisher Theatre Tuesday, running until Jan. 4. The play takes place in the fictional small town of Cobb County, which is known for its wall of corn. Suddenly, the corn begins to die, and farmgirl Maizy ventures out to the big city to find a “corn doctor.” Tickets start at $46.
- The Pat Prouty Trio, featuring Detroit’s composer laureate Patrick Prouty, is performing at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Aretha’s Jazz Cafe. The trio will perform Vince Guaraldi’s classic album, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” in its entirety for the first set at 7:30 p.m. The second set at 9 p.m. will feature classic jazz Christmas standards. Tickets are $20 on Eventbrite.
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra, the group known for its rock versions of Christmas classics, is coming to Little Caesars Arena Saturday for two shows: 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets begin at $55 on Ticketmaster.