Community Events

Fall/winter hours begin on October 1. Gates are open from 8:30 – 4:00 daily. Summer hours will resume in May.

Join us for a tour of Detroit's first certified Arboretum in its autumn splendor! You'll learn more about the history of Elmwood Cemetery, its landscape (Frederick Law Olmsted was here), and the 90+ species of trees in this serene, green oasis in the heart of the city. Certified master arborist Todd Fleishans co-leads this tour to share information about Elmwood's notable trees and teach some tree ID basics. Sunday, October 6 at 10 a.m. Learn more and register here.

Join the Detroit Bird Alliance and the Historic Elmwood Foundation for a birding walk at the cemetery. We will walk the grounds to identify the species we see throughout the cemetery and discuss bird migration, habitats and highlights of Elmwood's history. Tours begin at 8:30 a.m. Bring your own binoculars or Detroit Bird Alliance will have some on-hand to borrow. We will gather in the chapel following the walk for refreshments and discussion.

To register, visit the Detroit Bird Alliance's Eventbrite or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details. Photo courtesy Karl Overman.

Le Run for Le Rouge returns to Elmwood Cemetery! This 5K run/walk kicks off at the Detroit City Fieldhouse and loops through our gorgeous grounds. Proceeds support Detroit City FC's youth soccer programs. Learn more and sign up here! 

This event has been rescheduled! Join us on Thursday, October 17 at 4 p.m.: Join author Jack Dempsey of the Michigan Civil War Association and historic Elmwood Cemetery for the launch of a ground-breaking book telling the stories of African Americans during the Civil War. The book features the story of William Dollarson, a self-emancipated Underground Railroad conductor and Civil War participant who is buried at Elmwood. A discussion about the book will be followed by a walk to Dollarson's gravesite, weather permitting. Learn more and sign up here.

The Outlier Collective and the Historic Elmwood Foundation are thrilled to present Girls in the Graveyard! Enjoy a stroll through Elmwood's beautiful grounds while we highlight the lives of some of the exceptional women who are buried here. Then enjoy refreshments provided Sister Pie and peruse hand-picked on-theme books for sale from woman-owned Source Booksellers. More information and tickets available here. 

Free public walking tours of Elmwood Cemetery are held every month from March to October. In October, we'll talk about the symbolism of memorial art and how to decode the meaning of obelisks and urns, palm fronds and oak leaves, upside-down torches, angels, fraternal markers and more. Sunday, October 20 at 10 a.m. Learn more and register here.

Elmwood's annual public Veterans Day celebration will be held in partnership with Detroit Public Schools and the Detroit Historic Civil War Society.

Join us as we honor those currently serving and those who have served our country. Special recognition is given to the members of the Civil 102nd U.S. Colored Troops, the first Black regiment to fight for the Union from Michigan.

More details to be confirmed in summer 2024.

Extended hours for grounds access beginning May 1 are through September 15, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.