Detroit’s arts and culture scene was nothing but eventful this year. 

From the openings of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park and the Museum of Illusions, the cancellation of Noel Night and the creation of its replacement, to the debut of the AfroFuture festival there was a lot of good (and sometimes disappointing) news in 2025. 

Next year is promising to be just as exciting, with Detroit continuing to prove that it’s one of the country’s top destinations when it comes to arts and culture. 

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. 

Here are six arts and entertainment news and events to keep in mind for 2026: 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Big music acts coming to Detroit for 2026 concerts 

Popular artists from New Edition to Ed Sheeran are touring next year and of course, they couldn’t skip over visiting the Motor City. 

Fans of 1980s and 1990s R&B will get the opportunity to see three of the biggest acts during that time period together in concert–New Edition, Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton. “The New Edition Way” tour is coming to Little Caesars Arena on Feb. 20. 

The following month, rapper Cardi B is coming to Little Caesars Arena on March 15 as part of the “Little Miss Drama” tour. 

For the summer, Sheeran’s “Loop” tour is coming to Ford Field on Aug. 29, while My Chemical Romance will be performing next door at Comerica Park on Aug. 21 for its “Long Live: The Black Parade” tour. The concert will include a special guest: Michigan native Iggy Pop, who is playing his first Detroit show in a decade.

Another band going on a stadium tour in 2026 are the Foo Fighters.The rockers are hitting Ford Field on Aug. 6, with Queens of the Stone Age as the opener for their “Take Cover” tour. 

Other anticipated concerts throughout the year include Halsey at The Fillmore Jan. 17 and 18, October London and Eric Benet at the Fox Theatre on Feb. 13, Florence + the Machine on April 13, Demi Lovato on April 29, Rush on Aug. 26 and 28 and Doja Cat on Oct. 1. All shows are taking place at Little Caesars Arena. 

The Aretha Franklin Amphitheater has also released a partial lineup of its 2026 summer concert season, featuring artists like PJ Morton, Robert Glasper, Juvenile and Charlie Wilson. 

Broadway productions coming to the Fisher Theatre 

Broadway in Detroit’s 2025-26 season continues in the new year with the Tony-winning musical “Monty Python’s Spamalot” from Jan. 27-31 at the Fisher Theatre. This is followed by “The Phantom of the Opera” from Feb. 4-15 at the Detroit Opera House and “Kinky Boots” from Feb. 5-8 at the Fisher. 

Other highlights throughout the season include the musical adaptation of the classic S.E. Hinton novel, “The Outsiders” running from March 2-15 at the Fisher, “The Lion King” from March 12-April 5 at the Opera House, jukebox musical “& Juliet” from March 31-April 12 and the Broadway phenomenon “Hamilton,” which runs from April 29-May 17.  

Final phase of Motown Museum expansion 

The Motown Museum’s ongoing $75 million expansion project, called the Motown Experience, is set to be finished by October 2026, reported the Detroit Free Press. A grand opening is scheduled for spring 2027. 

The museum, located on West Grand Boulevard in New Center, will expand to a 50,000-square-foot entertainment and education tourist destination. The new building will feature exhibits, a professional recording studio, a performance theater and a cafe.