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This winter, Valade Park (2670 Atwater) on the Detroit International Riverfront will be a go-to spot for Detroiters and visitors alike. The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s Winter at Valade opened on Dec. 10, offering visitors a chance to warm up by oversized outdoor fires, enjoy hot seasonal alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, make s’mores, sled, play ice games, and more.  

Until Feb. 27, 2022, Winter at Valade will be open Fridays through Sundays, from 4-9 p.m. on Friday, noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday.  

 Winter at Valade will also feature free weekly programming, offering activities for people of all ages and interests. Currently on the lineup are Polar Fitness Classes with Urban Science, Hustle Fitness Classes, Self-Care Sunday Strolls, Intro to Winter Birding with Detroit Audubon, Winter Pack Walks with Canine to Five, and Winter Wildlife with Huron-Clinton Metroparks. Learn more about the programming here. 

 In addition to the weekly programming, Winter at Valade will feature special themed weekend events. The first special themed event was opening weekend, Dec. 10-12: Holly Jolly Riverfront. Attendees enjoyed a Santa photo-op, holiday wreaths, ice sculptures, and live Christmas music. The other themed weekends will be Jan.14-16, Jan. 28-30, Feb. 11-13, and Feb. 25-27. 

Special Event Weekends 

• Jan. 14-16: Enjoy a weekend of medieval fun during Winter at Valade Fire and Ice Weekend. While Renaissance-themed characters roam the fair, attendees can participate in a LARP meet up and ice carving competition, enjoy oversized fires, take a picture on a six-foot-tall Iron throne made of ice, watch blacksmith and glass blowing demonstrations, enjoy period music, and more.  
• Jan. 28-30: Learn about cultures around the world on an international riverfront at Winter Around the World Weekend at Valade. Enjoy international food trucks and live music, sign up for a curling tournament, have fun salsa dancing, and enjoy a special kid’s parade of nations, where kids will walk around the park waving flags or wearing apparel representing their heritage. 
• Feb. 11-13: Cuddle up by the fire with your favorite people at Motown Love Weekend at Valade. You can also enjoy live Motown music from some of Detroit’s best local acts, take a ride in horse-drawn carriages, take a selfie by ice sculptures, and warm up with hot drinks.  
• Feb. 25-27: Get a taste of the Caribbean and Louisiana at Mardi Gras at Valade. Enjoy live music from the Gabriel Brass Band, kids’ activities, beads, Creole-inspired food, hurricanes and sazeracs at the bar, and more. 

For more information on Winter at Valade, visit detroitriverfront.org/winteratvalade. 

Written by Krishaun Burns, Let’s Detroit