Hour Detroit Opens Voting for 2026 Best of Detroit Awards

Hour Detroit kicked off the finalists ballot for its 2026 Best of Detroit awards on Feb. 9. Votes pour in until 11:59 p.m. on March 9.

The contest bars ballot stuffing. Mass voting from the same IP addresses won't fly either. Hour Detroit can toss out any nomination or vote that doesn't match the contest's intent and they'll strip out duplicate entries.

The magazine wants businesses and groups to tell customers, clients, family, and friends about the awards. But they don't allow discount offers or freebies for votes.

Eight categories make up the awards: Food, Drink, Retail, Community, Sports & Recreation, Arts & Entertainment, Services, and Health & Beauty. Writers can add comments in each section to back up their picks.

Those who write reasons for their choices might see their words in the Best of Detroit issue. The ballot lets people explain why they chose a specific business, group, or person.

Winners and finalists get their moment at a May 29 party held at the Westin Book Cadillac. Results also land in the June issue of Hour Detroit.