Part 1: Candlelight Concert in Detroit — Romantic Getaways Near Me
- Jennifer Wilson
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Part 1: Romantic Getaways Near Me — A Candlelight Concert in Detroit, Michigan
There are experiences that stay with you forever — the kind that slow time, quiet your thoughts, and remind you how beautiful life can be. This trip to Detroit was definitely one of those moments. For my birthday this year, my husband Kyle planned three incredible surprises- all in Detroit, Michigan, and the first was something I didn’t even realize I needed: a romantic Candlelight concert held inside the breathtaking Christ Church Detroit.
It was completely unexpected. It was shockingly emotional. And it completely blew me away.
A Historic Church That Sets the Scene
Christ Church Detroit is one of those places that immediately makes you pause when you walk inside- you know, the places that make you look straight up when you walk in. Built in the 1860s in American Gothic style, it’s one of Michigan’s oldest churches still standing on its original site. The gorgeous ceilings soar overhead, drawing your eyes upward. The stained glass windows are stunning — intricate, colorful, and rich with history. Even the hand-carved wooden pews feel intentional and reverent, like they’ve held generations of stories, church service and of course I imagined beautiful wedding ceremonies.
Before a single note was played, the candlelit space felt sacred.
Thousands of Candles and Complete Silence
What helped make the night truly unforgettable was the lighting — or rather, the lack of it. There were no overhead lights or any lights at all. The entire church was illuminated only by what must have been thousands of flickering candles. Every wall glowed with soft, flickering light.
When we entered the room it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. That kind of silence — deep, collective, intentional — is rare. It felt like everyone in the room instinctively understood they were about to witness something truly special.
When the Music Began
The musicians — the Kalkaska Quartet — took their places and introduced themselves: two violinists, one violist, and one cellist. As soon as they began to play, the beautiful sound filled the entire church. Not loudly — but completely. The acoustics wrapped around you, almost like the music was breathing with the room, hugging you, touching your soul.
They performed string arrangements of songs by Coldplay and Imagine Dragons, and even though that’s not typically my go-to genre of music, it didn’t matter one bit. The way these songs were reimagined through strings made them feel entirely new to me as if I were hearing these popular songs for the first time in my life.
It was beautiful. Captivating. Emotional in a way that’s hard to put into words.
Radioactive — A Moment I’ll Never Forget
One of the many powerful moments of the night was their performance of “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons.
There’s a part in the song where the musicians take a deep breath in and slowly let it out — that long, audible ahhhhh - I'm sure you can hear it as you read this. And hearing the musicians do it together, in perfect unison, was chilling in the best way. In that candlelit silence, it felt like the entire church was breathing in and out with them.
That single moment gave me full-body chills, and you could hear and feel everyone in the room experiencing the same awe.
Listening With My Eyes and Ears
One of my favorite things about this amazing experience was how intentional my listening became. I found myself watching one musician at a time, forcing my ears to follow just their part- every stroke of the bow. I’d focus on a violin line, hear their part, then shift to the viola, then to the cello — listening to each instrument carry their own voice while still blending into something bigger.
I loved the sound of the strings, but I was equally fascinated by the musicians themselves and the way they used their hands — not just bowing, but tapping the strings to create rhythm, almost like percussion woven into the music. It added depth and texture, giving the performance an unexpected edge that made it feel modern and alive like the beat of a heart.
Emotion You Can Feel
This wasn’t just music. This was the kind of performance that pulls you fully into the moment. I had chills from head to toe the entire time. It was emotional — almost tear-inducing — and a completely immersive, wonderful experience.
The combination of flickering candlelight, deafening silence, breathtaking architecture, and live music created an atmosphere that felt intimate and grand at the same time. It reminded me how powerful live music can be when it’s done thoughtfully, intentionally, and with heart.
A Perfect Birthday Gift
This experience- along with the other two highlights of my trip- was a birthday gift from my husband Kyle, and it was perfect. Romantic without being over the top or cheesy. Thoughtful without being expected. It was one of those birthday gifts that says, I know you.
Music has always been part of my life. I played saxophone as a kid, and now both of our daughters- Kylee and Khloe play piano, so I’ve always appreciated musicianship and performance. But this night reminded me why I fell in love with music, and of course my husband, in the first place — because it makes you feel something real.
Why This Is One of the Best Romantic Getaways Near Me
When people search for romantic getaways near me, they often think of long weekends, hotels, far-away destinations or over the top gestures. But sometimes the most meaningful getaways are closer to home than we realize.
This Candlelight concert felt like a true romantic escape — right here in beautiful Detroit, Michigan. It was an experience that made us slow down, be present, and connect not just with each other, but with the city itself in a way I've never experienced before.
Seeing Detroit in a New Light
Of course like all Michiganders I've been to Detroit many times before for concerts, shows, casino trips, shopping, photo shoots.. But this experience helped me see Detroit differently. It made me notice the beauty I may have taken for granted before — the history, the architecture, the culture, and the artistry. This night, and the other birthday surprises Kyle planned, helped me fall in love with Detroit, Michigan in a new way.
A Global Experience, Right at Home
What made this experience even more special to me was knowing that these Candlelight concerts happen all over the world — in iconic locations like the Eiffel Tower, aquariums, libraries, and stunning chapels across the globe. As a frequent traveler I would love to experience this in other countries.
This visit to Detroit was a reminder that magic doesn’t always require a passport. Sometimes it’s no further than your own backyard (yes, I'm a huge Wizard of Oz fan too). And this night was a reminder that there are beautiful moments surrounding you, waiting patiently for you to experience them.
An Unforgettable Beginning
This Candlelight concert was Part 1 of my birthday celebration in Detroit — and what a way to begin. It set the tone for everything that followed and gave me a memory I’ll cherish forever.
If you’re searching for "romantic getaways near me", and want to expereience something unique, emotional, and unforgettable, this is it.
Part 2 coming soon. ✨
Jennifer Wilson, Owner of Celestial Farms Wedding Venue
Photo by Angela's Angles Photography, LLC.
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