Detroit's Grand Old Theaters Come Alive For The Holidays

Each December, some of the most beautiful rooms in Detroit fill with light and sound. The city's grand historic theaters — ornate palaces from an earlier golden age, many painstakingly restored — host their busiest season during the holidays, drawing crowds into spaces that are half venue, half time machine.

The rooms themselves

Part of the draw is the architecture. These theaters were built in an era of extravagant craftsmanship, and stepping into one is an event before the show even begins. Their survival and restoration is a Detroit success story — buildings that could have been lost, saved and returned to grand use.

"The building is half the ticket," said theater manager Estelle Barr. "People gasp when they walk in. That never gets old."

The holiday peak

December is when these venues shine brightest, hosting a packed calendar of concerts, classic productions, and seasonal shows that make them a centerpiece of the city's holiday life. The theaters connect present-day Detroit to its opulent past, and the holiday crowds — dressed up, wide-eyed, out for a special night — complete the picture. For a few weeks, the old palaces do exactly what they were built to do.