Nightmare on Auburn Road to Give Downtown Utica Businesses a Boost
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Last year's Nightmare on Auburn Road event
By:
Evan Sery
Posted:
1:06 AM, Oct 03, 2026
and last updated:
1:06 AM, Oct 03, 2026
Evan Sery
Evan Sery is your community reporter for Utica, Shelby Twp., Sterling Heights, Macomb Twp., Clinton Twp., Chesterfield Twp., Harrison Twp., and Mount Clemens. Connect with him at [email protected].
UTICA (WXYZ) — A Halloween tradition is bringing more than costumes and candy to downtown Utica this weekend.
Nightmare on Auburn Road is expected to draw thousands of people Saturday for a day of Halloween activities, and local business owners say the annual event has become an opportunity to introduce new customers to downtown shops and restaurants.
For State Farm owner Alisha Alef, this year's event will be especially meaningful. For years, Alef operated her business on Sterritt Street, tucked away in a business plaza behind a gas station. This year, she relocated to Auburn Road in the heart of downtown Utica.
"Being local in all the action has been super exciting for us," Alef said.
The event is now in its fourth year and has become one of downtown Utica's biggest celebrations.
"It's one of the most exciting events in downtown Utica," Mayor Gus Calandrino said.
Auburn Road will be closed for the event, which will feature costume contests, live music, a craft beer tent, and trick-or-treating at participating businesses.
For downtown businesses, however, the impact can continue long after the Halloween decorations come down.
"Businesses tell us it's their best day of the year," Connect Macomb CEO Stacy Ziarko said. Ziarko said thousands of visitors are expected to pack Auburn Road, giving people an opportunity to discover restaurants, stores, and other businesses they might not otherwise visit. She recalled one restaurant having a line until 9:30 p.m. during a previous Nightmare on Auburn Road. She said some visitors have also returned to businesses they first discovered during the event.