Celebrate Summer in Metro-Detroit’s Backyard!
For many Metro-Detroit families, summertime means family fun on the lake — and at The War Memorial, that means SummerFest! Our annual summer fun series returns this year with family-friendly concerts on our lakefront lawn.
All SummerFest events are free and open to everyone from everywhere! Bring your lawn chair, blanket, or enjoy the festival from your boat. Concerts are rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, outdoor concerts will take place in the War Memorial Ballroom. While tickets are free, we do ask that you register with us at the link below.
The finale of our SummerFest Concert Series!
Motown Museum presents Drey Skonie & the Klouds for a showstopping Motown performance.
Drey is a multifaceted artist from Detroit, Michigan, known for his work as a singer, songwriter, producer, and audio engineer. In 2023, Skonie's dynamic performance of the Miracles' "Ooo Baby Baby" earned him the title of Artist of the Year at the Motown Museum's "Amplify: The Sound of Detroit" competition
Get ready for an unforgettable night of soul, rhythm, and pure Motown magic at SummerFest with Motown Museum Hitsville Arts Drey Skonie & The Klouds! This talented ensemble brings the sounds of Motown to life, paying homage to the legendary hits that made Detroit the heartbeat of American music.
Free and open to all — registration is requested
6:30pm: Grounds open for seating, food stand & bar open for service
7:30pm: Concert Begins
VIP Tickets Now Available
New this year! While SummerFest concerts are completely free to the public, you can support The War Memorial’s commitment to providing low-cost family friendly programming by purchasing a VIP ticket! VIP tickets are only $40-50 each and include reserved seating areas on either our balcony or on the lawn near the front of the stage, padded chairs, a private bar, and a complimentary beverage. We appreciate your support!
No summer festival would be complete without awesome eats, and SummerFest features a mouth-watering menu from The War Memorial’s own hospitality team, led by Chef Joe Paxton, delivering our own spin on classic Americana.
Please note, while picnics, picnic blankets and chairs are welcome, no outside beverages are permitted.