Baseball and Billie Jean don’t usually share the same field, but UWM Field is about to change that this weekend. On Saturday, September 26, the Utica ballpark is swapping fly balls for four strings as Candlelight brings the music of Michael Jackson onto the infield for an open-air tribute.
There’ll be thousands of candles, but will you be keeping score?
Tickets are almost sold out. The last ticket options remaining for the 8pm performance are in the grandstand. In a concert venue, the nosebleed section. But here, views are as far as the eye can see. And the best prices, too. Prices from just $20.50.
12 November 2026 18:30 + more dates
Sanctuary Church Birmingham
UWM Field is minutes from downtown
Just around 30 minutes from downtown Detroit, UWM Field is normally home turf for the USPBL’s Utica Unicorns, Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers, Eastside Diamond Hoppers and Westside Woolly Mammoths. Once the candles come out, though, the scoreboard and turf get a very different supporting role.
The King of Pop reimagined
The tentative program runs through several eras of Jackson’s catalogue, from the disco glide of “Rock With You” and that unmistakable “Billie Jean” bassline to “Smooth Criminal,” “Bad” and “Black or White.” Things slow down for “Human Nature,” “Man in the Mirror,” “Heal the World” and “Earth Song”, all reworked for string quartet.
And yes, “Thriller” has made the cut. Leading into October and the spooky season. It would feel slightly criminal otherwise.
The string quartet has plenty of room to move between funk, pop, balladry and some seriously familiar hooks.
This is not exactly your standard night at the ballpark. But, this is not the first Candlelight Open-Air tribute held at UWM Field. This September night out first hit a home run last year. If you struck out then, you don’t want to miss this last chance in 2026.
Otherwise, bated breath for its return in 2027.
