The Movement Festival is Detroit’s annual electronic music celebration held each Memorial Day weekend (May 24–26) at Hart Plaza, the birthplace of techno and home to six distinct stages showcasing both legendary artists and rising global talent. With over 115 acts performing across stages like the Movement Stage, Waterfront, Pyramid, Detroit, Stargate, and the underground bunker, Movement pulses with the city’s enduring musical spirit

This event is deeply tied to Detroit’s cultural legacy—originating in 2000 as the Detroit Electronic Music Festival to honor the city’s pivotal role in the evolution of electronic music and techno. Produced by Detroit-based Paxahau since 2006, the festival blends Detroit’s history with groundbreaking programming and immersive experiences, including the Artist in Residence mural program and “Respect the Architects” exhibition honoring unsung local heroes

Attendees can expect a carefully curated mix of performances—from internationally renowned DJs to hometown legends—and a vibrant festival ecosystem that includes mouthwatering food vendors, large-scale art, and citywide after parties at venues like Marble Bar, Magic Stick, TV Lounge, and more . Festival goers and Detroit locals alike often describe the experience as transcendent, saying the festival feels like a heartbeat of the city itself and has the power to “send Detroit to another dimension”

Whether you're revisiting a dynamic musical legacy or discovering fresh sounds and experiences, Movement Festival is Detroit’s premier showcase of sound, culture, and community.