Winter Blast to last over four weekends in January and February

Detroit’s post-holiday winter festival is extending its stay next year. Winter Blast will run over four weekends in January and February, offering free family activities in downtown Detroit.

The first weekend is a holiday weekend for MLK Day and will run three days from January 19-21. The festival then picks up again January 25-27, skip a week for the Super Bowl, then return February 8-10 and 15-17.

The early part of the festival coincides with the North American International Auto Show.

The name is also changing to reflect its main sponsor and schedule: Quicken Loans Winter Blast Weekends.

“From the annual tree lighting in Campus Martius Park to the North American International Auto Show, and activities at The Cadillac Lodge in Cadillac Square, Quicken Loans Winter Blast Weekends builds on the amazing lineup of existing downtown winter programming,” said Jon Witz, Quicken Loans Winter Blast Weekends festival producer. “Our expansion to four weekends entices visitors to experience Detroit not just one or two weekends a year, but to return again and again.”

Woodward Avenue and the Qline will remain open during the festival.

Activities include ice skating, ice sculptures, marshmallow roasting, live music, zip lining, carnival rides, and the Winter Slide.

The downtown Detroit markets will still be running at this time, adding more to do for visitors.

The festival attracts about 100,000 people downtown each year. A full schedule can be found here.