From virtual speed dating to socially-distanced outdoor events, fill your calendar this month with these safe — and fun! — things to do around Metro Detroit
By Chelsie Dzbanski
Featured photo via glassacademy.com
Oct 1-31
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant October Tours

Various tour times available
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
461 Piquette St, Detroit
Sign up to tour the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant throughout the month of October. Get an up close and personal view of a Model-T and learn about the history behind Detroit’s autmotive industry. Tickets range from $0-$15 per person. For groups of 10 or more you must contact the museum directly to book a private tour. Tickets are available for purchase at fordpiquetteplant.org.
Oct 1-31
Glass Pumpkin Fest 2020

Various time slots available
Glass Academy
25331 Trowbridge St, Dearborn
Enjoy the Glass Pumpkin Fest online or in person this year with a variety of options. Custom order your own one-of-a-kind pumpkin and watch it being made live in-studio or virtually on Facebook and Youtube, every Tuesday and Friday. Registration for custom pumpkin orders is available online. Various time slots and days are available. Visit glassacademy.com for more information.
Oct 3
Howell Nature Center Glow Zip!

7 – 8 p.m.
Howell Nature Center
1005 Triangle Lake Road, Howell
Experience the thrill of soaring through the night sky on the Howell Nature Center’s 500 foot long zip line! Glow sticks, neon face paint and festive treats top off the experience. This event is suitable for children 5+ years of age and the max weight limit is 250 pounds. Proper sanitization is being implemented between each ride and masks are required to be worn by all employees. Guests are encouraged to wear masks when not riding the zip line and to practice social distancing. Pre-registration is required and tickets cost $25. Register here.
Oct 3
Detroit Symphony Orchestra at HAVEN

12- 1 p.m.
HAVEN
801 Vanguard Drive, Pontiac
Watch the Detroit Symphony Orchestra perform live, for free, in the HAVEN parking lot! To ensure proper social distancing, there are only 30 spots available for registration. Chairs will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Save your spot on eventbrite.com today!
Oct 4 – 28
Social Distanced Yoga in the Park

Evening and morning times available
Whittier Park
Decompress with socially distant yoga at Whittier park lead by Wellness with Sara. Drop in on Vinyasa Flow on Wednesday and Friday evenings and Yin on Sunday mornings. Classes are free but you may tip the instructor on Venmo. Sign up on eventbrite.com.
Oct 7, 14, 21, 28
313 Comedy
8 p.m.
Detroit Shipping Company
474 Peterboro St, Detroit
Get in a good laugh at 313 Comedy’s free standup-comedy showcase every Sunday at 8 p.m. Take in the show in a safe outdoor environment where proper social distancing protocols have been put in place.
Oct 8-10
Rocky Horror Picture Show with DATC Shadow Cast
7 – 11 p.m.
Beacon Park
1903 Grand River, Detroit
Watch this Halloween cult classic, shadow cast style, as a troupe of actors act, mimic and dance in front of a screen broadcasting the film. The show will take place under an open-air tent and distanced seating will be provided. The show is free to attend but online registration is required and space is limited. Save your spot on eventbrite.com.
Oct 10, 19, 27
Detroit Virtual Speed Dating
7 p.m.
speeddatingdetroit.com
Are you struggling to make a love connection these days? Ditch the dating apps and virtually connect with singles looking to mingle during Detroit Virtual Speed Dating! With the assistance of a host, privately chat with a new dater every 7 minutes or so. Interested in getting to know someone on a deeper level? Have your top picks’ info emailed to you later that evening. Various event dates cater to a variety of ages ranging from 24-39 years old. Tickets can be purchased for $22-$24 at speeddatingdetroit.com.
Oct 16
Detroit Bourbon Fest

Boat House on Belle Isle
E Picnic Way, Detroit
With more than 100 whiskeys to pick from, get your drink on at the Detroit Bourbon Fest. Taste test during two sessions (5-7:30 p.m. or 8:30-11 p.m.) while enjoying snacks from a food truck, live music and more. Tickets are $50 for general admission, which includes a souvenir tasting glass and 10 tasting tickets. VIP tickets are $100 and include access to the high-end bottle selections, 20 tasting tickets and more. Tickets can be purchased at detroitbourbonfest.com.
Oct 17
Backwoods & Bonfires – October Fest 2020
4 p.m. – 1 a.m.
The Barn House
3733 McKinnley, Detroit
Experience a day and night packed with fun, music, art, Halloween activities and more! Light up a bonfire and check out local and national musical acts, live artwork, DJs and food. This event will be following Michigan state COVID-19 guidelines; more safety information will be provided at the gate. Tickets are available online for $29.99 for general admission and $500 for a VIP booth.
Oct 18
Bark Bash 2020
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Royal Oak Memorial Park
3559 Coolidge Hwy, Royal Oak
Join the second annual Bark Bash to help raise funds and awareness for Dod Aide, Bark Nation, Friends of Detroit Animal Care & Control and Bark Bark Wag. Expect raffle prizes, a “doggo smooch booth,” face painting, kids crafts and adoptable dogs on-site. And don’t forget to dress your dog up for the doggy costume contest! This event will also be running virtually on Facebook Live for those not comfortable attending in person. Tickets can be purchased for $5 on eventbrite.com.
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