After dark, Elmwood Cemetery transforms into an immersive celebration of the season, memory, and art.
2026 Featured artists: Cyrah Dardas, Dylan Curtis, Gabriel Hall, Gerald Collins, Pat Bird, Patrick Ethen, Sean Hages, and Tryst Red.
PLAYGROUND DETROIT is curating awe-inspiring after-dark experience from October 1-3, illuminating our historic cemetery with light, sound, and art, all designed to evoke reflection and wonder. Walk the grounds as night descends and experience this 180-year-old Detroit landmark in a new light.
- Immersive lighting displays showcasing Elmwood’s architecture, monuments, and landscape
- Guided tours of our art installations and Timescapes history
- Art installations and experiences by Metro Detroit-based artists, curated by PLAYGROUND DETROIT
- Contemplative sound and music throughout the grounds curated by Technically, Yeah
Among the sculpture, light and projection installation highlights, Gabriel Hall’s Eternal Hour projects luminous stained-glass clocks across the mausoleum, each moving to its own rhythm.
ABOUT ELMWOOD ALIGHT
Founded in 1846, Historic Elmwood Cemetery brings together Detroit’s history, architecture, and natural beauty. Elmwood Alight was made possible this year by an ingenious, imaginative, and hard-working team of artists, musicians, designers, producers, technicians, hospitality partners, and volunteers.
Thank you to Midtown Strings, Technically Yeah, Eddie Logix, Ian Fink, Salākastar, Ancient Language, Byrdie Bar, Deutschtroit, Playground Detroit, INVNT, Bluewater, and Geoff George.
Thank you also to sponsors, whose financial support helped bring Elmwood Alight to the next level: Apartment Services, Beckett & Raeder, Carrico Maldegen Insurance Agency, Daniels Building Co, Great Oaks Landscape, Inch Memorials, James Candler Jr, JP Morgan Wealth Management, Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, the McMillan Family and the Rivertown Business Association.
And a big thank you to everyone who attended Elmwood Alight this year. We were blown away by the response to this year’s event—over 2000 of you came through.
