Hosting a Medium-Sized Event in Detroit

Story by Max White

After more than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, major events are returning throughout metro Detroit and Downtown Detroit, with spaces booking quickly.

No matter what you’re hosting, from corporate events to larger gatherings among friends and family, below you’ll find the best spots to host an event for groups of 500-1,500 people.

Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center

No matter the size or the type, the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center has everything you’d need to host an event.

In all, there are 38 event rooms with over 96,000 square feet of space available, with the largest capacity of 2,200 people.

The Marriott features an AV technician, projectors, TVs, and videoconferencing, and also has services that include security guards, a decorator, a translator, lighting, and much more.

To get started planning an event at the Ren Cen, visit their website at marriott.com.

Detroit Marriott Ren Cen, banquet hall. Image courtesy of IDSA.org

Detroit Institute of Arts

The Detroit Institute of Arts might be one of the most beautiful spots to hold an event in the City of Detroit, with historic art all around you.

There are several different options for hosting an event. The Detroit Film Theatre Auditorium can host up to 1,100 people seated, and the Walter B. Ford Great Hall can host up to 500 people strolling.

It also has an in-house caterer with a customizable menu upon request.

For more information and to reach out about an event, visit their website at dia.org or email catering@dia.org.

Premium Event Services at the Detroit Institute of Arts

Eastern Market

If you’re looking to spend some time outdoors and see one of Detroit’s historic districts, Eastern Market is a great spot to host an event.

The market has three different options for event spaces – shed three, which is the most flexible choice, can host up to 1,891 people with tables; Shed 5 can host 1,128 people with tables, and Shed 2 can host up to 1,590 people with tables.

All of the sheds have undergone renovations in recent years.

Events can be held at Eastern Market on Mondays, Tuesdays except for mid-June through the end of October, Wednesday-Friday and Sundays except June 1 through the last Sunday in September, and during Detroit Lions home games. Saturday events are not possible due to the year-round market.

For more information on how to book, fill out the event inquiry form on the Eastern Market website.

Detroit Historical Museum

The Detroit Historical Museum will give you an opportunity to show off the history of the Motor City while also providing a great space for your guests.

The museum has several private spaces with the option to set it up throughout the entire museum and can host parties with up to 1,000 people.

Rentals include four hours of event time with time beforehand to decorate, free parking, use of the museum’s tables and chairs with linens available to rent, general admission during events that happen during hours, and much more.

For more information, visit the museum’s website, or you can call 313-833-1456 for a free consultation.

Detroit Historical Museum, Bill Bowen

The Fillmore Detroit

One of Detroit’s most legendary and beautiful concert venues is also a great spot to host your corporate or other private events. They host corporate events, fundraisers, private concerts, weddings, receptions, and more.

The space can accommodate small parties or up to 1,946 guests in the heart of Downtown Detroit and the District Detroit.

The Main Floor can host 540 people in a banquet style or 1,500 people in a reception-style event.

Live Nation, which owns The Fillmore, will also help produce your event and offer custom menus and food offerings, craft beer bars, and much more.

For more information, visit the website or call 313-230-2602.

The Icon

Bedrock Detroit’s newest property is along the Detroit Riverfront. The 360-degree terrace features 13,578 square feet of space, while the auditorium features 25,889 square feet of space.

You can rent out the Riverfront Atrium and Garden, offering beautiful views of the Detroit River, Belle Isle, and Windsor, Ontario, Canada for an event hosting up to 1,000 people strolling or 650 people seated.

The atrium is three stories and just outside is 800 feet of riverside frontage for outdoor events. There’s a large prep kitchen, hundreds of parking spots, multiple conference rooms, and more.

You can learn more information and contact for booking on the website.

Wayne State University

The campus of Wayne State University in the heart of Detroit’s Midtown neighborhood has a variety of buildings available for rental, with some incredible architecture as well.

The Student Center is one of the largest spaces available to rent, with more than 15,500 square feet of flexible meeting spaces throughout multiple levels. The 5,150 square foot ballroom can host up to 560 people with theatre-style seating.

The Community Arts Center Auditorium can host large events like a lecture series for up to 560 guests, and General Lectures can host up to 750 people.

For more information, visit the university’s Community Outreach and Engagement department on their website or call. 313-577-4585.

Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts

The Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts is a fully restored theatre that is nearly 100 years old and has a variety of areas that can seat up to 1,701 people.

There’s the main hall and main lobby that can be rented, an outdoor amphitheater, and Aretha’s Jazz Café that can be rented out for social events, corporate meetings, graduations, receptions, benefits, fundraisers, and more.

The main floor can seat up to 747 people, with the balcony able to seat another 336 people, plus 12 box seats for anyone looking for a fancier experience.

You can also get house tables and chairs, house lighting, marquee signage, and more.

For more information, you can email karenm@musichall.org or call 313-887-8520.

One Campus Martius 16th Floor Event Space

Sitting at the top of One Campus Martius, Bedrock’s OCM 16th Floor Event Space offers beautiful, sweeping views of Downtown Detroit. The main event area offers 7,800 square feet of space that can be used as one or divided into smaller rooms, and then you can add a 5,500 square foot outdoor, wrap-around terrace.

The terrace shows off the Central Business District, and it can host 350 people plus 250 strolling on the terrace.

OCM also has several audio and video capabilities and offers fully-furnished spaces, removable stages, private greenrooms, motorized blinds, and more.

For more information, you can contact an event manager at the Bedrock website.

Masonic Temple Jack White Theatre

The Masonic Temple’s Jack White Theatre is located in the heart of Detroit and offers a world-class stage with sound and lighting available for use.

The flexible seating and event space can host up to 1,586 people and is great for celebrations, galas, receptions, private concerts, and more.

There is also a place for dressing rooms, plus catering and beverage service to help make your event stand out.

For more information on renting The Masonic Temple, fill out the contact form on the website.

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