Things To Do in Detroit in June

Story By: Amelia Ritter | Photos By: Comerica Park Fireworks, @liptak_daniel

June is the perfect time to visit Detroit and celebrate summer!

There is so much to explore and tons of exciting events happening all around Detroit and the metro area. Mark your calendar with a few of these events as you plan your next visit.

Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear in Downtown Detroit – June 2-4

The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear will return home to the Streets of Downtown Detroit, June 2-4, 2023.

The event will feature the cars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES racing in the Chevrolet INDYCAR Grand Prix, the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, INDY NEXT by Firestone and the Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli.

The event is collectively referred to as the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear.

Motor City Pride Festival at Hart Plaza – June 10-11

Motor City Pride is Michigan’s largest pride celebration with over 40,000 participants.

Motor City Pride traces its roots back to June 1972 when the first march was held downtown Detroit to protest homophobic laws and to work for the recognition of LGBTQ Rights and Equality.

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Motor City Pride

Juneteenth Celebrations

The Juneteenth Freedom Fest takes place at Eastern Market on June 18th and features food, vendors, music, and dancing. Downtown Pontiac is also hosting the Juneteenth Freedom Day Event with food, entertainment, fireworks, and more! The Juneteenth Mobility Stroll and Roll Weekend in Dearborn will have an Homage to Black Excellence, an essay contest, a Black Girl Art Exhibit, 50 years of Hip Hop tribute, and more! There will also be programming all month long at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club – June 27 – July 2

Metro Detroit welcomes back the Rocket Mortgage Classic for the 5th time to the Detroit Golf Club! The tournament has received early player commitments for the event, including Collin Morikawa, last year’s champion Tony Finau, and Rocket Mortgage ambassador Rickie Fowler.

Back on the Block at All Things Detroit Marketplace – June 3-4

Ten small businesses and one food truck will pop up on the sidewalk at 1600 block of Michigan Avenue. They include women-owned local businesses like Custom Jewelry by Dana Ashli, Reiki energy-enhanced candles by Luna Rose Candle Co., tee shirts and accessories by I am a Detroit Girl, and much more!

Water Lantern Festival at Kensington Metropark – June 3

As the sun begins to set on the evening sky, the Water Lantern Festival begins to shine with the launch of the lanterns onto the water as we Light The Water together. Watch your unique lantern drift out into the water as it joins other lanterns carrying hope, love, happiness, healing, peace, and connection. It’s a night that you’ll never forget.

Speaking of fireworks...

The Salute to America at Greenfield Village kicks off on June 30 and runs through July 3. Catch fireworks as well as live music and food.

You can also catch the Ford Fireworks on the Detroit Riverfront on June 26. For more spectacular shows, check out this article on where to find fireworks all summer long.

June is also the perfect time to explore art and culture in Detroit! Catch art fairs and performances like the Woodward Ave Summer Art Fest, Concert of Colors in Mexicantown, Detroit’s Palmer Park Art Fair, Pewabic Pottery House and Garden Show, and the Michigan Glass Project.

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Ford Fireworks
Credit: Colin McConnell

Celebrate a Tigers win at Comerica Park, catch a concert at The Fox, and enjoy endless entertainment options on your visit to Detroit.

June is the perfect time to see live music in Detroit. Catch acts like Taylor Swift, Santana, Weezer, John Mellencamp, Charlie Puth, The Cure, Bryan Adams, Dave Matthews Band, Paramore, and more!

Get your play on at the Monroe Street Midway, where you can enjoy art installations from Sheefy McFly, Tony Whlgn, Olivia Guterson, India Solomon, Marlo Broughton, and David Rubello.

Rent skates for the roller rink, play basketball, try your hand at the putt-putt course, and soak up the sunshine in downtown Detroit!

Soak up the sunshine and get outside in Detroit!

Take the Dequindre Cut Greenway and enjoy the graffiti artwork along the way.

Skip the walk and rent a scooter to maximize your time downtown and get around a little quicker. Learn everything you need to know about renting a scooter (and get a few ideas of hidden gems to explore) here.

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Dequindre Cut
Credit: @_lovelychanel

Bring out your inner trailblazer on your next trip to metro Detroit!

Whether you get out by bike, on foot, or on skates, you can explore the growing network of trails in southeast Michigan. Expand your journey from one coast to another with these metro Detroit trails on the Great Lake-to-Lake Trail Route 1, which stretches from South Haven to Port Huron.

June is also the perfect time to get out on the water in Detroit, whether by kayak, sailboat, or out for a swim!

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Credit: Detroit River Sports

With all of the non-stop fun, you’ll surely work up an appetite.

Stop by one of our favorite patios in the city and make the most of the long summer days. If you need a reprieve from the heat, try a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts, Henry Ford Museum, or the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

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Atwater in the Park in Grosse Pointe Park
Credit: Emily Berger

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