Community Events

Elmwood Cemetery has been integrated since its founding in 1846, making it one of the oldest integrated cemeteries in the Midwest and a rich site of Detroit’s Black heritage. Join Jamon Jordan, Official Historian for the City of Detroit, for a tour of that heritage on August 8 at 11 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.

Free public walking tours of Elmwood Cemetery are held every month from March to October. In August, we'll foucs on notable women of Elmwood: activists, artists, politicians, philanthropists, journalists, suffragists and more. Sunday, August 25 at 10 a.m. Learn more and register here.

Elmwood Cemetery is proud to be a significant site on the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. In honor of International Underground Railroad Month, join Jamon Jordan, Official Historian of the City of Detroit, for a tour of Elmwood Cemetery that will explore the history and context of the Underground Railroad in Detroit and Michigan. September 15 at 11 a.m. Learn more and register here.

Fall/Winter Hours begin. Grounds access from 8:30 – 4:00 daily.

Free public walking tours of Elmwood Cemetery are held every month from March to October. In September, we'll focus on memorial art, architecture and design at the cemetery, including works by Randolph Rogers, Rudulph Evans and Marshall Fredericks, and get to know some of the artists at rest here. Sunday, September 22 at 10 a.m. Learn more and register here.

Adorn your loved one’s grave with a wreath this winter. They are made from natural, freshly cut evergreen boughs decorated in seasonal colors. Wreaths are 18” in diameter with a beautiful all weather red bow and 5 pinecones, on a stand. Contact our office by calling 313/567-3453. Elmwood's grounds crew will place the wreath on your loved one's grave.

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.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.

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.