Coming September 6-15, 2024
CityFEST
A Celebration of Spirited Dining!
ABOUT CITYFEST
Welcome to the 9th Annual Cityfest! 2024 promises to be a banner year to “Celebrate Spirited Dining” in Midtown Detroit. Bourbon & Bacon, or Bees in the D, Champagne & Lobster or Absinthe & Ghost stories, Cityfest will be the center of the Detroit culinary universe from September 6th through the 15th. Great experiences AND Great causes. Last year Cityfest raised over $10,000 for our charity partners.
Scroll down to review all 2023 Cityfest Events!
SundAY 9/17
Tailgate Brunch 10:00a-12;30p
Mansion Tea 1:30p-3:30p
Meet, Greet & Eat 5:00p-10:00p
GranD Premier
A Complete Day of Cityfest Finale Events
Premiere Mansion Tea Experience: Hosted by Phyliss Barkey, The Whitney Executive Chef and our Pastry Team, this is the Hyper-Elegant side of Mansion dining. Enjoy Tea driven cocktails or Champagne upon arrival, relax over a delightful 4-course Tea experience, and learn about the History of The Iconic Whitney.
$59 ticket includes All food and provided beverages, Tax, Gratuities, and Mansion Tour. Valet parking is additional.Meet, Greet & Eat, The Cityfest Grand Finale:
Meet: Select your arrival time, 5:00 or 6:30. Check-in upon arrival and .... Meet the team transforming The Food and Beverage experience at The Whitney.
Greet: Stroll The Gardens and enjoy Sommelier selections from our wine list, taste and test our new appetizer and canape selections.
Eat: Get comfortable in The Mansion and enjoy a fabulous 3 course dinner, showcasing our new menu features and wine selections.
$100 ticket includes all food and selected beverages, Tax, Gratuity and special memento. Valet Parking Additional. Tickets are transferable, but not refundable. Tickets are Transferable, but non-refundable
Wednesday 9/13
6:00 - 9:00pm
2023 Vegan Experience
To Benefit the Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary
Wine and vegan hors d’oeuvres, meet & greet “Bunny” reception at 6:00pm on the patio.
Menu inspired by local author Vicki Brett-Gach, and her book "The Plant-Based for Life Cookbook”. Vicki will also be on hand during the event signing books.
Vegan wines provided by The Youngblood Winery, specially selected and paired by Jessica Youngblood.
Passed Vegan desserts and live entertainment with Jen Sygit
$89/person includes vegan dinner, selected vegan wines, live entertainment, special memory gift bag, charitable contribution, tax, and gratuity. 10% of all ticket sales benefit the Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary.
Tickets are transferable, but non-refundable.
Wednesday 9/13
6:30 - 10:30pm
Dinner with The Whitneys
You’re invited to the Dinner Party of the season.
Black Tie optional, Jackets are required for gentlemen.
Elegance and etiquette is the order of the evening.
Formal cocktail and hors d'oeuvre reception and 3 courses served on the Mansion's main floor, then retire to the basement for 2 courses with the "staff" in the basement.
Gentlemen will retire after dinner for fireside Brandy,
Ladies will enjoy tea and pastries.
Live piano will set the mood and our staff will set the table for a very special dining experience.
Due to the nature of this event, menu preferences and dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated. This event is limited to 14 guests, Invitations are $149 and include Dinner, selected wine and beverages, Tax and Gratuity. Valet additional.
Tickets are Transferable, but non-refundable
Thursday 9/14
6:30 - 10:30PM
B-4
th Annual Celebration of Bourbon, Bacon, Beer & BBQ
Beer, Bacon, and Bourbon welcome reception featuring “The Ghost of David Whitney” signature beer, Mansion Reserve Bourbon, and a variety of bacon appetizers.
Three-course BBQ and Bourbon dinner (bibs optional)
Special Musical Guest – The Wild Honey Collective
“Smoking & Joking” Cigar afterglow in The Garden featuring the triumphant return of Fango the Clown
$125/person includes dinner, selected beverages, live entertainment, tax, and gratuity. This event is for guests 21+.
Due to the nature of this event, menu preferences and dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated. Tickets are transferable, but non-refundable.
Saturday 9/16
Noon - 3:00pm
Autumn & Apples Tea
Hosted in the beautiful Whitney Gardens by Tea Director Phyllis Barkey
Taste hot cider cocktails curated by General Manager Tony Muzzi. Enjoy autumn canapes, hot hors d’oeuvres, and pastries presented by Chef Christian. Due to the nature of this event, menu preferences and dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated.
Special gifts for ALL!
Live piano by Joel Seah
$89/person includes hot cider cocktails, scones, hors d’oeuvres, pastries, a very special gift, tax, and gratuity. Valet parking additional. Limited tickets available for this event.
Tickets are transferable, but non-refundable.
Sunday 9/10
Noon- 2:00pm
Ultimate Bloody Mary Garden Party
For everybody who starts their Sunday morning after noon! Our beverage team will help craft your perfect Bloody Mary… Sea salt or Cajun spices, salami or celery, let your imagination create a personal classic from a WIDE variety ingredients! Passed Brunch Bites AND Champagne are available for those who prefer a morning Mimosa!
Special Musical Guest – DJ Mike Ross
$59/person includes live entertainment, two breakfast cocktails, and passed “Brunch Bites”. Valet parking additional. Guests must be 21 and over. Tickets for this event are limited.
Tickets are transferable, but non-refundable.
Sunday 9/10
6:00 - 10:00pm
Special edition Paranormal dinner adventure
Spirited Wining, Dining and Discovery
Remote dining throughout the Mansion Estate and paranormal experience guided by “The Haunt Investigators of Michigan”.
Start the evening with a Witching Hour welcome reception. Wine and Dine in the Basement Coal Bin, Carriage House Stables, and Elevator overlook.
$200/person includes dinner, selected beverages, tour and haunting presentation, afterglow, tax, and gratuity. Seating for this event is VERY limited.
Due to the nature of this event, menu preferences and dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated. Tickets are transferable, but non-refundable.
Tuesday 9/12
6:30 - 9:30pm
HoneyBee Dinner - SOLD OUT
To Benefit “Bees in the D”
Sweet Bee-ception with plated Honey-Hive Appetizers, Sparkling wine, and a tour of The Whitney hives.
Three-course dinner curated by Chef Natasha Vitti and hosted by Peninsula Cellars Winery
Bee “created” gifts
$99/person includes dinner (vegan & gluten free menu available), selected beverages, tax, gratuity, charitable contribution to Bees in the D, and special gift. Valet parking additional.
Tickets are transferable, but non-refundable.
Friday 9/8
8:30-10:30PM
Explore Absinthe - SOLD OUT
A Celebration of Spirited Dining
Hosted by Whitney Historian, Stephen, Absinthe enthusiast Jordan and Tony, and paranormal tour guide Deb. Enjoy the hypnotic tastes of Absinthe while touring the mansion and tasting small plates along the way. Finish your evening with a Flaming Strawberry VanGogh and a visit to the Carriage House.
$99/person includes private tasting and tour, small plate dinning, flaming dessert, tax, and gratuity. Valet parking additional. Tickets for this event are very limited.
Due to the nature of this event, menu preferences and dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated.
Tickets are transferable, but non-refundable.
Friday 9/8
6-9PM
Cass community “Back east Feast”
8th Annual Lobster Bake to benefit Cass Community Social Service Center
Satisfy your seafood cravings and join us for our Back East Feast! Sip champagne and dive into our seafood bar upon arrival, followed by dinner.
Complete "Back East Feast" includes Chowder, Cole Slaw, Lobster, Crab, Mussels, Corn on the Cob, Redskin Potatoes, selected Domestic Beer, & House Wine. Conclude the evening with Strawberry Shortcake.
Special Musical Guest - TBD
$139/person ticket includes dinner, non-alcoholic beverages, selected beer and wine, tax, and gratuity.
$20 per ticket sold will be donated to Cass Community Social Services Center.
Due to the nature of this event, menu preferences and dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated.
Tickets are transferable, but non-refundable.
Thursday 9/7
5:30-9PM
Special Edition Garden party
Join us in our beautiful gardens to celebrate The Whitney's 6th Annual Cityfest!
2023 Special Guest - Jill Jack
$20/person ticket includes VIP reserved patio seating for parties of 2, 4, or 6.
$15/person ticket includes general seating on the deck for parties of 2, 4, 6, or 8.
All food and beverage are additional.
This event will be held under the "Big Tents" rain or shine!
Tickets are transferable, but non-refundable.
