75+ Awesome Summer Festivals in Michigan to Attend
Would you like to save this full guide?
We'll email this article to you, so you can come back to it later!
If you’re looking for fun things to do this summer in Michigan, attending a festival (or several) has to be at the top of your to-do list.
Summer festivals in Michigan offer something for everyone and honor the state’s cultural and agricultural heritage with mouthwatering food, art, music, and much more.
Early summer events highlight breathtaking displays of nature, fun-filled summer bashes celebrate everything from cheeseburgers to fruit to movies to the paranormal, and end-of-summer extravaganzas — like the Michigan State Fair — offer a good time wherever you go.
If you don’t know where to go and when to see some of the best summer festivals in Michigan, here’s a list to get you started.
June Festivals in Michigan
Gizzard Fest | Potterville
June 4-6, 2026
Gizzard Fest is one of Michigan’s quirkiest small-town celebrations, bringing thousands of visitors to Potterville for three days of food, carnival rides, live music, vendors, and good old-fashioned community fun.
The 2026 festival theme is “Beach Party,” with events planned along West Main Street and throughout town.
Along with plenty of fried gizzards, the weekend activities typically include the Gizzard Fest Pageant, downtown parade, Another Clucking 5K, pancake breakfast, car show, cornhole tournament, line dancing, live music, and a Saturday night fireworks display at Potterville High School.
Brave festival-goers can even take on the Gizzard Eating Contest, where competitors race to finish 2 pounds of freshly fried gizzards.
Kirtland’s Warbler Festival | Roscommon
June 5-6, 2026
The Kirtland’s Warbler Festival celebrates one of Northern Michigan’s most special birds while spotlighting the jack pine ecosystem that makes Roscommon part of “Kirtland’s country.”
The weekend begins with a Friday kickoff at Marguerite Gahagan Nature Preserve, followed by a social evening with a keynote speaker, tastings, appetizers, and a live art auction.
Saturday’s festival at the CRAF Center brings together birding, art, education, and family-friendly activities, including field trips, bird banding, nature presentations, live animals, vendors, a featured artist and author, kids’ activities, a young artists’ contest, and a Children’s Entrepreneur Market.
Michigan Lavender Festival | Imlay City
June 5-7, 2026
The Michigan Lavender Festival returns to the Eastern Michigan State Fairgrounds in Imlay City, filling the weekend with lavender growers, handmade goods, live music, food trucks, and plenty of fragrant summer fun.
Festivalgoers can shop at more than 200 vendors, browse the Lavender Marketplace, and connect with Michigan lavender farms and growers from around the state.
Along with all things lavender, the weekend includes local musicians, festival apparel and swag, specialty food vendors, lavender lemonade, ice cream, and room to sit and enjoy treats from the food trucks under the large dome.
Frontier Days | Carson City
June 5-7, 2026
Carson City Frontier Days returns for a small-town summer celebration built around the 2026 theme “Lifting Community Spirits.”
The long-running festival brings the community together with a mix of traditional favorites and newer activities, including hot air balloons, parades, live entertainment, a community picnic, family-friendly fun, and creative drop-in activities.
Activities usually include the 21st annual Hot Air Balloon Shoot-Out, the Buckaroo Parade and Grand Parade, a Frontier Marketplace Craft Show, food trucks, a 5K Glow Run/Walk, kids’ activities, an antique tractor show, and more ways to enjoy downtown Carson City.
Alpena Flower Festival
June 5–7, 2026
Downtown Alpena turns into a walkable garden party during the Alpena Flower Festival, with three days of floral displays, interactive photo ops, live music, kids’ activities, and flower-themed vendors bringing extra color to the start of summer.
The festival is designed to be explored throughout the downtown district, with installations and activities spread among local shops, restaurants, and public spaces.
Festival highlights include more than 35 creative floral installations, bouquet bars and flower trucks, live painting, family-friendly crafts, outdoor music, floral-inspired shopping, and downtown dining specials.
Note: Admission is free, making this an easy June weekend stop for anyone who loves flowers, small-town charm, and a lively downtown atmosphere.
Lilac Festival | Mackinac Island
June 5-14, 2026
Mackinac Island is already storybook-pretty in June, but the annual Lilac Festival makes it feel even more magical.
This 10-day celebration has been a beloved island tradition since 1949, honoring the lilacs that have become such a beautiful part of Mackinac’s history, charm, and springtime identity.
The 2026 festival theme is “Stop and Smell the Lilacs,” with a full lineup that includes the Lilac Queen coronation, official poster reveal, 10K run/walk, lilac walking tours, planting seminars, live music, family activities, and the Grand Parade.
With fragrant blooms, horse-drawn charm, and plenty of ways to enjoy the island, this is one of Michigan’s sweetest ways to welcome summer.
Sturgeon Festival | Port Huron
June 6, 2026
The Sturgeon Festival gives visitors two memorable ways to experience the “Giant of the Great Lakes” — by shore and by ship.
Each year, thousands of lake sturgeon gather beneath the Blue Water Bridges to spawn, making Port Huron one of the most fascinating places in Michigan to learn about this ancient Great Lakes fish.
On shore, festivalgoers can get up close at a live sturgeon touch tank, meet biologists, enjoy hands-on activities, browse nature-focused vendors, grab food from local trucks, and catch live music.
The ship experience adds a narrated cruise on the St. Clair River and Lake Huron, complete with a live sturgeon aquarium experience and activities connected to Great Lakes conservation work.
Craft Beer Festival | Mt. Pleasant
June 6, 2026
The Mt. Pleasant Craft Beer Festival brings Michigan-made beer, cider, seltzer, food, music, and community spirit together in Downtown Mt. Pleasant.
Hosted by the Mt. Pleasant Jaycees, this adults-only festival gives guests a chance to sample craft beverages from across the state while enjoying a lively Central Michigan summer atmosphere.
The festival is also a fundraiser with a local impact, helping the Jaycees support charitable organizations throughout the Mt. Pleasant community. Since the event began in 2014, proceeds have helped generate more than $300,000 in donations for local causes.
International Kite Festival | Lyon Township
June 6-7, 2026
Lyon Township’s International Kite Festival brings a bright, breezy weekend of family-friendly fun. Hosted each year by Lyon Events Organization, the festival has been a local tradition since 2009 and continues to draw the community together for one of the most colorful weekends of the early summer season.
The 17th annual festival includes opportunities to shop local vendors, enjoy food, and take part in a volunteer-powered community event that supports Lyon Events Organization’s mission of creating fun, family-friendly events and recreational opportunities in Lyon Township.
NASCAR Cup Series – FireKeepers Casino 400 | Brooklyn
June 7, 2026
The FireKeepers Casino 400 brings NASCAR Cup Series excitement back to Michigan International Speedway for a high-energy summer race day in Brooklyn.
Fans can watch some of the sport’s biggest names take on one of NASCAR’s fastest tracks, with 400 miles of speed, strategy, and crowd-roaring moments.
Race weekend options include reserved seating, camping, hospitality experiences, travel packages, and add-ons like pre-race access with close-up views of pit road, driver introductions, and entertainment.
Tips: For fans who want to make a whole weekend of it, the broader Summer NASCAR Weekend also includes additional racing events leading up to Sunday’s Cup Series race.
Spring Lake Heritage Festival
June 8-12, 2026
The Spring Lake Heritage Festival helps kick off summer on Michigan’s west side with a week of community fun, family activities, food, history, and small town celebrations.
This annual festival brings locals and visitors together for a classic early-summer lineup in the Grand Haven area.
Festival highlights include the Spring Lake Wooden & Classic Boat Show, Senior Day, an Artisan Market, Family Fun Night, a food truck event, and a car show.
It’s an easygoing way to enjoy Spring Lake’s community spirit while making the most of a June week near the lakeshore.
Bridgefest | Houghton
June 11-14, 2026
Bridgefest celebrates the Portage Lake Lift Bridge and the Houghton-Hancock communities it connects, bringing a full weekend of family-friendly fun to the Keweenaw Peninsula.
The 2026 festival marks the 66th anniversary of the bridge’s dedication.
Festival highlights include helicopter rides, live music, fireworks, a parade, water activities, a classic car show, and Touch-A-Truck. It’s a lively summer tradition with a strong Copper Country feel, built around one of the Upper Peninsula’s most recognizable landmarks.
Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival
June 11-14, 2026
The Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival brings Michigan’s Little Bavaria to life with a full weekend celebrating German heritage, music, dancing, food, and community tradition.
The festival is known as Michigan’s largest celebration of Bavarian heritage, with plenty of dirndls, lederhosen, polka bands, German beer, and festive energy throughout town.
The lineup of events includes the raising of the Maypole, opening ceremonies, keg tapping, the Friday Night Street Party, and the Kindertag Parade.
On top of that, attendees can enjoy family activities, a cornhole tournament, a Duck Race, and the beloved Bavarian Festival Parade to close out the weekend.
National Asparagus Festival | Hart
June 12-14, 2026
The National Asparagus Festival is one of Michigan’s most wonderfully specific summer traditions, celebrating Oceana County’s asparagus harvest with a full weekend of small-town fun.
Held the second weekend in June, this Hart festival has been celebrating asparagus for more than 50 years and is known as the longest-running asparagus festival in the country.
Festival highlights include the Spear-It 5K, Arts & Crafts Show, farm tour, Kidz Zone, Taste of Asparagus, Joan Glover Royal Parade, live music, food trucks, a quilt show, car show, and the crowning of the Asparagus Queen.
National Cereal Festival | Battle Creek
June 13, 2026
Battle Creek leans all the way into its Cereal City roots during the National Cereal Festival, a sweet summer tradition that celebrates the city’s place in breakfast history.
The free festival has been drawing visitors for more than 50 years and centers around one of its most beloved traditions: free cereal, milk, and juice served downtown.
The festival includes live music, entertainment, vendors, children’s activities, games, competitions, and plenty of cereal-themed fun.
Note: The celebration kicks off the night before with the National Cereal Parade, complete with favorite cereal mascots and community groups rolling through Downtown Battle Creek.
Three Free Weekend (Fishing, ORV & State Park Entry) | Statewide
June 13-14, 2026
Three Free Weekend is one of the easiest excuses to get outside in Michigan, with free fishing, free ORV riding, and free entry to state parks and boating access sites all lining up on the same June weekend.
During the Free Fishing Weekend, residents and out-of-state visitors can fish Michigan’s inland and Great Lakes waters without a fishing license, though regular fishing regulations still apply.
For off-road adventures, Free ORV Weekend allows residents and visitors to ride Michigan’s 4,000 miles of ORV trails and routes, along with the state’s six scramble areas, without buying an ORV license or trail permit.
It’s a budget-friendly way to explore Michigan’s outdoor spaces, whether you’re casting a line, hitting the trails, or planning a state park day.
Hamburg Family Fun Fest
June 17-20, 2026
Hamburg Family Fun Fest returns with four days of classic summer fair fun for all ages. This Brighton Howell Area tradition features carnival rides, midway games, fair food, fireworks, a laser show, kids’ activities, and special attractions that give the whole event a big, festive feel.
The schedule typically includes BMX stunt shows, comedy magic, exotic reptiles, a petting zoo, championship wrestling, a cornhole tournament, disc golf, a bicycle giveaway, and plenty of Wade Shows midway rides.
It’s a lively June outing for families looking for rides, entertainment, and that first real taste of summer festival season.
Three Rivers Water Festival
June 18-20, 2026
The Three Rivers Water Festival returns with a full slate of small-town summer fun. The weekend often includes arts and crafts vendors, commercial and nonprofit booths, concerts, a midway, Kids Zone, fireworks, and the Water Festival Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Show.
The 2026 festival theme celebrates America’s 250th birthday, with a street parade helping kick off the community tradition.
It’s a classic June festival with plenty to explore downtown and throughout the community.
Lansing Juneteenth Celebration Weekend
June 19-20, 2026
The Lansing Juneteenth Celebration brings the community together for a meaningful weekend honoring freedom, history, culture, and the strength of the African American community.
Since 1993, it has been part of the capital city’s summer calendar with festivities like the Juneteenth Freedom Festival and African American Parade.
The weekend features a powerful mix of celebration and community connection, including live music, vendors, children’s activities, a health fair, job and community resources, and a car show.
It’s both a joyful gathering and a thoughtful way to recognize Juneteenth’s lasting significance in Lansing.
Hudsonville Balloon Days
June 19-21, 2026
Hosted at the Hudsonville Fairgrounds, the Hudsonville Balloon Days festival will take place again this June. The three-day weekend event is full of balloon launches, food vendors, crafts, and live entertainment.
The festival is free to attend, thanks to the event sponsors, asking only for a donation for parking.
CheeseTown Festival | Pinconning
June 19-21, 2026
Pinconning celebrates its cheesy claim to fame during CheeseTown Festival, a three-day community tradition filled with carnival rides, live entertainment, family-friendly attractions, and small-town summer fun.
Possible activities include the Skerbeck Family Carnival, a magic show, petting zoo, and more throughout the weekend.
Also, the festival includes the 41st CheeseTown Challenge Races, with options for a 5-mile race, 2-mile fun run/walk, Iron Cheese, and Little Meeces Race for kids ages 8 and under. It’s a fun way to lean into Pinconning’s local flavor while enjoying a classic June festival weekend.
Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival | New Baltimore
June 24-28, 2026
The Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival brings five days of summer fun to New Baltimore’s waterfront, drawing big crowds for one of the area’s signature community celebrations.
The 61st annual festival features a midway, festival tent entertainment, the Miss Bay-Rama Queen’s Pageant, kids’ activities, fireworks, a parade, and plenty more throughout the week.
Beyond the festival fun, Bay-Rama is a volunteer-powered nonprofit with a strong community focus.
Fun Fact: Proceeds from the annual Fishfly Festival have helped contribute more than $2.1 million to New Baltimore and its residents, making this lively June tradition both a celebration and a fundraiser for the local community.
Charlotte Bluegrass Festival
June 25-27, 2026
The Charlotte Bluegrass Festival brings three big days of bluegrass tradition to Charlotte.
Known as Michigan’s premier bluegrass festival, the event blends top-tier entertainment with a welcoming festival atmosphere built around camping, jamming, workshops, and plenty of music-loving community.
The festival promises award-winning bluegrass talent, classic “parking lot pickin’,” and the kind of easygoing summer energy that makes this long-running Michigan event a favorite for bluegrass fans.
St Stan’s AC Polish Festival | Bay City
June 25-28, 2026
St. Stan’s AC Polish Festival brings Polish heritage, food, music, dancing, and community pride to the South End of Bay City for a festive summer weekend with deep local roots.
This longtime Mid-Michigan tradition is known for its lively atmosphere, family-friendly activities, and plenty of ways to celebrate Polish culture.
Festival highlights often include Polish and American food, polka music, carnival rides and games, bingo, raffles, and dancing.
Additionally, attendees can expect to experience community traditions, such as Family Day, an outdoor heritage mass, a chicken dinner, and the St. Stan’s Polish Festival 5K Run/Walk.
Soo Locks Engineers Day | Sault Ste. Marie
June 26, 2026
Soo Locks Engineers Day gives visitors a rare chance to experience one of Michigan’s most impressive engineering landmarks up close.
For this special one-day event, guests can walk across the Soo Locks walls, explore the observation area, and get a closer look at the massive freighters and lock system that help connect Lake Superior with the lower Great Lakes.
The broader Engineers Weekend may include activities such as a U.S. Coast Guard open house, access to Lake Superior State University’s Center for Freshwater Research and Education, family-friendly activities, arts and crafts, and other community events around Sault Ste. Marie.
It’s a standout June event for anyone who loves Great Lakes history, huge ships, and behind-the-scenes access to Michigan’s maritime story.
Michigan Challenge Balloonfest | Howell
June 26-28, 2026
Michigan Challenge Balloonfest fills the Howell sky with colorful hot air balloons for one of the area’s most eye-catching summer traditions.
Along with balloon launches, the weekend brings a lively festival atmosphere with family activities, entertainment, an open-air marketplace, and carnival fun.
Festival highlights may include fireworks, a Saturday night balloon glow with more than 20 hot-air balloons, downtown activities, a Family Fun Tent, a classic car show, and plenty of food and drink options.
It’s the kind of June weekend that feels made for families, balloon lovers, and anyone who wants a bright, festive start to summer in Michigan.
Marquette Trails Fest
June 26-28, 2026
Marquette Trails Fest is a weekend built for runners, mountain bikers, and anyone who loves the rugged beauty of Upper Peninsula trail country.
Held on the Noquemanon Trail Network (NTN) South Trails, it also serves as a fundraiser for the NTN, which works to secure, develop, maintain, and promote trail access throughout the Central Upper Peninsula.
Race options and festival activities may include mountain bike events, such as dual slalom, enduro, downhill, criterium, and cross-country races. Plus, there could be trail-running options, such as the Twin Peaks Half Marathon, 5K Trail Run, and youth events.
It’s a high-energy June weekend in Marquette with plenty of fresh-air challenges and community support behind it.
Marshall Blues Fest
June 27, 2026
Marshall Blues Fest brings a full day of free live blues music to Downtown Marshall, filling Michigan Avenue with a lively summer soundtrack and a welcoming community feel.
The festival features Michigan-based blues acts, along with food vendors, local restaurants and bars, festival merchandise, and a beer tent with additional live music between main stage performances.
It’s an easygoing event for blues fans, downtown wanderers, and anyone looking for a free summer festival with a strong Michigan music focus.
Lakeshore Art Festival | Muskegon
June 27-28, 2026
Lakeshore Art Festival turns Downtown Muskegon into a vibrant summer destination for art lovers, families, and casual weekend wanderers.
With nearly 250 juried fine art and specialty craft exhibitors, the festival offers a wide variety of pieces to browse, from polished gallery-style work to handmade goods with a local maker feel.
Beyond the artist booths, festival activities may include interactive art, street performers, a Children’s Lane, artisan food, and family-friendly creative experiences. It’s an easy way to spend a June weekend downtown while enjoying Muskegon’s lakeshore energy.
Michigan Summer Festivals in July
Bay City Fireworks Festival
July 2-4, 2026
The Bay City Fireworks Festival turns Independence Day into a full summer celebration along the Saginaw River, with multiple nights of fireworks leading up to the biggest show on the Fourth of July.
The festival brings together live entertainment, carnival rides, concessions, games, and family-friendly fun in the heart of Bay City.
During the day, visitors can make their way through the Skerbeck Family Carnival or browse Trader’s Alley Marketplace for items such as handmade goods, apparel, candles, and other festival finds.
By evening, the focus shifts to the sky, where the fireworks displays make this one of Michigan’s most memorable Fourth of July traditions.
Manistee National Forest Festival
July 1-5, 2026
The Manistee National Forest Festival brings a full Independence Day celebration to the Lake Michigan shoreline, with several days of community events, family activities, and classic summer fun.
Centered around Manistee’s longtime holiday tradition, the festival draws both visitors and returning residents for a busy week of small-town celebration.
Festival highlights include events such as the carnival, artisan fair, Independence Day Parade, fireworks over Lake Michigan, lumberjack shows, chainsaw carving, a petting zoo, gel-ball tag, and other entertainment in and around Douglas Park.
Families can spend the day exploring the festival grounds, then stay into the evening for the lakeshore energy that makes Manistee feel especially alive for the holiday.
Battle Creek Field of Flight Balloon Festival & Air Show
July 1-5, 2026
The Battle Creek Field of Flight Balloon Festival & Air Show fills the holiday week with sky-high entertainment at the Battle Creek Executive Airport. The festival celebrates flight in just about every form, from hot-air balloons and jet demonstrations to kites, fireworks, and a Ferris wheel.
Guests can plan around highlights such as the air show, hot-air balloon launches and illumes, Skerbeck Carnival, live music, military displays, food vendors, fireworks, a drone show, Kid’s Day, Military Day, and the Field of Rock concert series.
Note: Balloon events are weather-dependent, but the illume nights offer a colorful evening experience with tethered balloons lighting up after dark.
Berrien Springs Pickle Festival
July 4, 2026
Berrien Springs Pickle Festival adds a playful twist to the Fourth of July, bringing downtown Berrien Springs together for a celebration built around community fun, quirky contests, and plenty of pickle-themed charm.
The event traces its personality back to the village’s connection to the Christmas pickle tradition, which helped give Berrien Springs its pickle-loving reputation.
Festival highlights include activities such as the Vendor Market, Tasting Room, Big Wheel Race, Pickle Fling, Pickle Parade, games, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities throughout the day.
Visitors can expect a lighthearted small-town celebration with enough sweet, sour, and classic dill energy to make this one of Michigan’s most unusual Independence Day stops.
National Cherry Festival | Traverse City
July 4-11, 2026
Traverse City’s National Cherry Festival brings a full week of summer celebration to the shores of West Grand Traverse Bay, with cherries at the center of everything from food events to family activities.
Festival Open Space Park serves as a lively hub throughout the week, with the Cherry Farm Market, Kids Club, midway rides, souvenir tent, and other festival favorites on the schedule.
The event calendar includes activities such as air shows, parades, fireworks, orchard tours, cherry pie-eating contests, cherry pit spit contests, races, live concerts, art projects, and community competitions.
With a mix of classic festival fun and only-in-Traverse-City cherry traditions, this is one of Michigan’s signature summer celebrations.
Maritime Festival | Harbor Beach
July 8-12, 2026
Harbor Beach’s Maritime Festival brings free summer fun to the Lake Huron shoreline, with music, beach access, and festival energy set right along the water.
What began as a celebration connected to the Harbor Beach Lighthouse has grown into a waterfront tradition with family activities, entertainment, fireworks, and plenty of reasons to linger near the harbor.
With the festival grounds located at Judge James H. Lincoln Park, this is an easy event to pair with a beach day, a walk through downtown Harbor Beach, or a summer trip along Michigan’s Thumbcoast.
Blissfield River Raisin Festival | Blissfield
July 9-11, 2026
Blissfield’s River Raisin Festival brings free family fun to the banks of the River Raisin, with festival activities spread between Ellis Park and Bachmayer Park.
The setting gives the event a charming small-town feel, with the river, parks, vendors, entertainment, and community traditions all coming together for a summer weekend in Lenawee County.
Upper Peninsula Championship Rodeo | Iron River
July 10-11, 2026
Iron River’s Upper Peninsula Championship Rodeo brings PRCA rodeo action to the Iron County Fairgrounds for a weekend rooted in Western tradition and Yooper hospitality.
As Michigan’s only PRCA-sanctioned rodeo, it’s a standout summer event for visitors who want something a little different from the usual festival circuit.
Rodeo fans can expect events such as bull riding, bronc riding, roping, steer wrestling, and barrel racing, along with community extras like vendor areas and parade festivities.
Note: Performances continue rain or shine, making this a lively U.P. tradition worth building a summer weekend around.
Plymouth Art In The Park
July 10-12, 2026
Plymouth Art In The Park fills Downtown Plymouth with hundreds of artists from across the country, turning the city into a walkable summer art fair with paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, fiber, glass, woodwork, photography, folk art, and more.
Beyond the artist booths, visitors can enjoy food, entertainment, and family-friendly creative stops, including opportunities to support young artists near Kellogg Park.
The downtown setting gives the whole weekend an easy, browse-at-your-own-pace feel for anyone who loves art, shopping, and a lively summer atmosphere.
Blissfest | Harbor Springs
July 10-12, 2026
Blissfest brings folk, roots, and world music to a 200-acre Festival Farm in rural Northern Michigan, creating a summer weekend built around music, art, culture, and community.
The setting is part of the experience, with open lawns, shaded woods, camping areas, and the Lake Michigan breeze giving the festival a relaxed, outdoorsy feel.
Visitors to Harbor Springs can expect a multi-generational celebration with inspiring performances, creative gathering spaces, vendors, and plenty of room to settle in for the weekend.
Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff & Block Party | St. Joseph
July 10-12, 2026
Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff brings more than 170 professional artists to Lake Bluff Park, pairing handmade artwork with Lake Michigan views and the walkable charm of Downtown St. Joseph.
Visitors can browse pieces from artists across the country while enjoying one of Southwest Michigan’s most beloved summer art traditions.
The weekend begins with a community Block Party at Krasl Art Center, with food, drinks, entertainment, and a chance to connect with exhibiting artists before the fair opens.
Donations from the art fair support Krasl Art Center’s year-round arts access, including exhibitions, public sculpture, scholarships, and community programs.
Lavender Harvest Festival | Milan
July 11-12, 2026
Milan’s Lavender Harvest Festival invites visitors to Lavender Lane Farm for a fragrant summer weekend surrounded by 10,000 lavender plants in bloom.
The festival blends the calm of a lavender field with family-friendly fun, giving guests a chance to wander the farm, take photos, and enjoy the scent and color of the season.
Festival experiences may include U-pick lavender, artisan vendors, lavender lemonade, potted plants, field photo spots, and kid-friendly activities.
Visitors can also extend the outing with a stop at Lavender Lane on Main in Downtown Milan, where lavender-inspired gifts, wellness products, and specialty items continue the theme beyond the farm.
ScrapFest | Lansing
July 11-12, 2026
ScrapFest brings a creative, repurpose-focused art festival to Old Town Lansing, where scrap metal is transformed into one-of-a-kind sculptures and displayed along Turner Street.
The event began as a sculpture competition and has grown into a celebration of upcycled art, community creativity, and the surprising beauty that can come from reused materials.
Festival experiences may include eco-art vendors, live music, family activities, food, a Refashion Show, and the chance to view or bid on sculptures created by participating artists.
With its industrial-meets-artistic spirit, ScrapFest gives visitors a completely different kind of summer festival experience in Michigan.
Gaylord Alpenfest
July 14-18, 2026
Gaylord Alpenfest brings Alpine tradition to Downtown Gaylord, filling the city’s Alpine Village with a festive mix of music, food, family activities, and community pride.
The celebration reflects Gaylord’s Swiss-inspired identity and gives visitors a lively reason to spend a summer week in Northern Michigan.
Festival favorites may include carnival rides and games, craft booths, Ethnic Alley, live entertainment, a parade, kids’ activities, and the World’s Largest Coffee Break.
Sunflower Festival | Mayville
July 16-19, 2026
Mayville’s Sunflower Festival brings a full community celebration to Michigan’s Thumb, with a sunflower theme rooted in the area’s local history.
What started as a small summer event has grown into one of the region’s larger festivals, supported by local volunteers, donations, sponsorships, and community traditions.
Festival experiences may include a parade, flea market, kids’ activities, car shows, concerts, fireworks, a 5K, and the popular Bump and Run Derby.
Hot Air Jubilee | Jackson
July 17-19, 2026
Jackson’s Hot Air Jubilee brings colorful balloon launches, family fun, and a festive summer atmosphere to Ella Sharp Park. The event was created as a community celebration centered on hot air balloons, and that focus still gives the weekend its signature sense of wonder.
Beyond the balloons, visitors may find festival favorites, such as craft booths, vendors, kids’ activities, and an auto show, with nearby opportunities to explore places like Hurst Planetarium, Ella Sharp Museum, and the mini-golf course while at the park.
Michigan Brown Trout Festival | Alpena
July 17-26, 2026
Alpena’s Michigan Brown Trout Festival celebrates freshwater fishing on the waters of Thunder Bay, bringing anglers and visitors to the Alpena Marina for one of the Great Lakes’ longest-running fishing tournaments.
The festival includes multiple tournament opportunities, daily prize chances, weigh-ins, and a leaderboard featuring species such as brown trout, walleye, steelhead, salmon, and lake trout.
Beyond the fishing, visitors may find live music, family activities, and a lively tent atmosphere that gives the waterfront event a community feel throughout the week.
Michigan Honey Festival | Corunna
July 18-19, 2026
The Michigan Honey Festival brings a sweet, educational weekend to the Shiawassee County Fairgrounds in Corunna, welcoming everyone from longtime beekeepers to curious visitors who simply love honey.
The festival blends hands-on learning with family-friendly fun, creating an approachable way to explore the world of bees, beekeeping, and local honey.
Visitors may find experiences such as live hive demonstrations, honey extraction, honey tasting, children’s activities, shopping, food trucks, and a honey judging event for beekeepers.
Charlevoix Venetian Festival
July 18-25, 2026
Charlevoix Venetian Festival brings a week of waterfront celebration to one of Northern Michigan’s most beautiful harbor towns.
What began with a simple candle-lit boat parade has grown into a community tradition filled with music, fireworks, boat and street parades, beachfront activities, carnival fun, and other festival events.
The setting adds to the experience, with Lake Charlevoix, Round Lake, and Downtown Charlevoix creating a scenic backdrop for a summer celebration built around connection, community, and time by the water.
AuSable River Fest | Grayling
July 18-26, 2026
AuSable River Fest brings Downtown Grayling together for a full week of community events celebrating the Au Sable River and the AuSable River Canoe Marathon.
Festival experiences may include a craft show, car show, kids’ activities, main stage entertainment, and river-centered traditions that showcase Grayling’s Rivertown spirit.
With events leading up to marathon night, the festival gives visitors plenty of reasons to explore downtown, enjoy the local atmosphere, and experience one of Northern Michigan’s signature summer weeks.
Open Gate Garden Club Garden Tour | Fenton
July 19, 2026
Fenton’s Open Gate Garden Club Garden Tour offers a peaceful summer day of wandering through seven private gardens in and around Fenton, Linden, and Holly.
The tour highlights a mix of urban, suburban, and rural spaces, giving visitors a chance to explore how different gardeners bring their own style, creativity, and personality to the landscape.
Stops include gardens with features such as Mackinac Island-inspired plantings, waterfront views, raised beds, roses, hydrangeas, climbing flowers, and colorful perennials like coneflowers, geraniums, and hostas.
Along the way, guests can enjoy labeled plants, garden guides, light refreshments, merchant discounts, and opportunities to ask questions and gather ideas for their own outdoor spaces.
Marshall Bluegrass Festival
July 22-25, 2026
The Marshall Bluegrass Festival brings a week of bluegrass, country, gospel, and folk music to the Calhoun County Fairgrounds, with stage shows and campground jamming giving the event an easygoing, music-filled feel.
It’s especially welcoming for festivalgoers who want to settle in, listen, play along, and enjoy the camaraderie that builds around acoustic music.
Beyond the performances, festival experiences may include workshops, vendors, children’s activities, games, and other relaxed extras that help make the event feel family-friendly and community-focused.
National Baby Food Festival | Fremont
July 22-25, 2026
Fremont’s National Baby Food Festival leans into the city’s identity as the Baby Food Capital of the World with several days of family-centered summer fun.
The celebration brings residents and visitors together for parade energy, live entertainment, carnival rides, food, kids’ activities, and the kind of community tradition that feels right at home in a small West Michigan city.
Festival experiences may include the Kids Expo, Marketplace Days, Special Friends Day, the parade, and food trucks, with more schedule details typically added as the event gets closer.
Antique-Tractor Engine & Craft Show | Boyne Falls
July 23-26, 2026
The Northern Michigan Antique-Flywheelers bring old-fashioned machinery, craft vendors, and hands-on history to their showgrounds in Boyne Falls for a summer event built around preserving the past.
Visitors can explore antique tractors, stationary engines, diesel engines, and working displays that showcase the power and ingenuity of earlier farm and industrial equipment.
Show features may include demonstrations and displays such as a saw mill, grist mill, blacksmith shop, shingle mill, threshing, antique autos, arts and crafts, a flea market, children’s activities, and the Steam Engine Spark Show, weather permitting.
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal National Powwow | Mt. Pleasant
July 24-26, 2026
The Saginaw Chippewa Tribal National Powwow welcomes visitors to the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Reservation in Mt. Pleasant for a weekend of Indigenous culture, dance, drumming, singing, food, and art.
The gathering begins with the lighting of the sacred fire and includes Grand Entry, with dancers ranging from youth to elders.
Visitors may also find Indigenous food such as fry bread, handmade beadwork, arts and crafts, and other opportunities to experience and support Native traditions in a respectful community setting.
Maawanji’iding Pow Wow | Baraga
July 24-26, 2026
Maawanji’iding Pow Wow brings dancers, singers, drummers, and community members together at Ojibwa Campgrounds in Baraga for a weekend of Indigenous culture and gathering.
The event includes Grand Entry, dance specials, invited drums, and other powwow traditions, creating a meaningful opportunity to experience Native art, food, music, and community in the Keweenaw Bay area.
Visitors are welcome to experience this event while honoring the traditions and cultural significance behind it.
Ugotta Regatta | Harbor Springs
July 24-26, 2026
Harbor Springs’ Ugotta Regatta brings sailboats and racing crews to Little Traverse Bay for a summer weekend on one of Michigan’s most scenic waterfronts.
Hosted by Little Traverse Yacht Club, the regatta draws competitive sailors to race in the bay after the Mackinac races, making it a standout event for anyone who loves boating, harbor views, and Northern Michigan’s sailing culture.
Race watchers can follow the action from the water or take in the scene from nearby shoreline spots, such as Petoskey State Park or Sunset Park in Petoskey.
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival
July 24, 2026 – August 2, 2026
The Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival honors the men and women of the United States Coast Guard with a 10-day celebration along the city’s waterfront.
The festival blends patriotic tradition with classic summer fun, bringing together concerts, parades, family activities, and community events in one of Michigan’s most recognizable beach towns.
Festival highlights may include ship tours, fireworks, a drone show, Kids Day, Senior Day, waterfront entertainment, and other family-friendly events throughout the week.
Midland Area River Days & Hot Air Balloon Festival
July 30, 2026 – August 2, 2026
The Midland Area River Days & Hot Air Balloon Festival brings a free four-day summer celebration to Downtown Midland, with events centered around The Tridge in Chippewassee Park and Main Street.
The festival pairs riverfront fun with hot air balloons, music, food, family activities, and community gathering spaces in the heart of the city.
Festival experiences may include balloon shows, local performers, kids’ activities, river activities, art and maker displays, and downtown food and drink options.
Frankenmuth Flower Festival
July 31, 2026 – August 2, 2026
Frankenmuth Flower Festival brings the height of floral season to Grandpa Tiny’s Farm, where more than 25 acres of sunflowers create one of Michigan’s brightest summer backdrops.
General admission includes access to the flower fields and one sunflower to take home, making it an easy outing for photos, strolling, and soaking up the farm setting.
Festival experiences may include sunflower U-pick, flower-themed vendors, food trucks, crafting, yoga in the sunflowers, a color run, and special dining events in the fields of Frankenmuth.
Bologna Festival | Yale
July 31, 2026 – August 2, 2026
Yale’s Bologna Festival brings three days of small-town celebration to Main Street, with the downtown area transformed into a lively festival space for entertainment, music, food, drinks, vendors, and community fun.
Activities are spread throughout town, giving both kids and adults plenty to enjoy during one of Yale’s signature summer traditions.
August Festivals in Michigan
Monroe County Fair | Monroe
August 2-8, 2026
Monroe County Fair brings a full week of classic fair fun to Monroe, with midway rides, merchant buildings, and a busy lineup of grandstand entertainment.
Festival highlights may include favorites such as demolition derby action, super cross, rodeo, tractor pulls, monster trucks, live music, and family-friendly extras throughout the fairgrounds.
Magic Get Together | Colon
August 5-8, 2026
During Magic Get Together, Colon becomes a gathering place for magicians, fans, and curious visitors who want to experience the town’s deep connection to the art of illusion.
The event blends ticketed stage shows and lectures with a dealer room, close-up performances, street magic, and community extras such as magic-history experiences, making it one of Michigan’s most unusual small-town celebrations.
Take an Enchanting Michigan Day Trip To the “Magic Capital of the World”
Elk Rapids Harbor Days | Elk Rapids
August 5-8, 2026
Elk Rapids Harbor Days gives this Northern Michigan harbor town a true summer-homecoming feel, centered on the waterfront, River Street, and the community spirit that keeps the celebration going.
Along with signature traditions such as the Grande Parade and fireworks, the event may include a car show, carnival midway, farmers market, arts and crafts vendors, Harborun races, and family-friendly activities, with local nonprofits benefiting from the week’s festivities.
National Blueberry Festival | South Haven
August 6-9, 2026
South Haven’s National Blueberry Festival turns the city’s signature crop into a lakeshore celebration with sweet treats, hometown traditions, and reasons to explore beyond the beach.
Visitors can expect blueberry-centered fun — such as farm visits, a pie social, a parade, youth ambassador programming, and a 5K run/walk with views of Lake Michigan, the Black River, and Downtown South Haven.
Dexter Summer Festival | Dexter
August 7-8, 2026
The Dexter Summer Festival brings the community into Downtown Dexter for a lively summer weekend with food vendors, local participation, and a parade planned with a playful, creative spirit.
Kids can get in on the fun through activities, such as bike decorating and family-focused festival areas, giving visitors an easy reason to stroll, snack, and enjoy the town.
Ironworkers Festival | Mackinaw City
August 7-9, 2026
Mackinaw City’s Ironworkers Festival celebrates the trade with a weekend that lets visitors watch skilled ironworkers compete in challenges rooted in the work itself.
The event is open to the public and may include competitions, such as knot tying, rod tying, rivet toss, spud throw, and column climb. Guests can also enjoy a parade, kids’ activities, live music, and an awards ceremony.
Antique Yard Sale Trail: M29 & M25 | Thumbcoast Region
August 7-9, 2026
The Antique Yard Sale Trail turns Michigan’s Thumbcoast into a miles-long treasure hunt with antiques, yard sales, and unexpected finds scattered along the region’s lakeshore communities.
Because participating stops vary, part of the fun is following the route, leaving room for spontaneous discoveries, small-town browsing, and a road trip that feels different from one stretch to the next.
My Awesome Summer Road Trip Itinerary Up Michigan’s Thumbcoast
Mint Festival | St. Johns
August 7-9, 2026
St. Johns celebrates its mint-farming heritage with a hometown festival rooted in the community’s “Mint City USA” identity.
Mint Festival weekend may include a Grand Mint Parade, craft show, food trucks, garage sales, live entertainment, kids’ activities, sporting events, and plenty of mint chocolate chip ice cream woven into the fun.
Nautical City Festival | Rogers City
August 11-16, 2026
Rogers City’s Nautical City Festival celebrates the community’s Lake Huron identity with a summer lineup built around music, family fun, and classic festival traditions.
Visitors may find live entertainment, amusement rides, a car show, arts and crafts vendors, parade festivities, and other community events that bring the city’s waterfront spirit into the celebration.
Howell Melon Festival | Howell
August 13-16, 2026
Howell Melon Festival gives Downtown Howell a sweet summer flavor, celebrating the city’s agricultural roots and its famed local cantaloupe.
Between Howell Melon Ice Cream, the Melon Run, live music, food vendors, artisan and craft booths, farmers market finds, and family activities, the festival brings a playful mix of small-town tradition and melon-themed fun.
Pasty Fest | Calumet
August 14-16, 2026
Calumet’s Pasty Fest celebrates one of the Upper Peninsula’s most beloved foods with a downtown gathering built around pasties, local flavor, and Copper Country pride.
Visitors may find pasty vendors, bake-off competitions, a pasty eating contest, live music, a car show, farmers market vendors, and playful kids’ activities that give the weekend a fun, proudly local feel.
Cheeseburger in Caseville | Caseville
August 14-23, 2026
Cheeseburger in Caseville brings a tropical twist to Michigan’s Thumb, filling the lakeshore town with burger stands, island-inspired music, vendors, and playful community traditions.
The celebration may include favorites such as the Parade of Tropical Fools, cheeseburger contests, beach activities, craft vendors, family games, and plenty of laid-back summer energy.
Rubber Ducky Festival | Bellaire
August 15, 2026
Bellaire gets delightfully playful for the Rubber Ducky Festival, when thousands of numbered ducks take to the river as the centerpiece of a community-wide celebration.
Along with the Grand Parade and duck race, the day may include kids’ activities, an art and craft show, merchant sidewalk sales, live music, and other cheerful ways to enjoy Downtown Bellaire.
Northern District Fair | Cadillac
August 16-22, 2026
The Northern District Fair brings Cadillac a classic fair week shaped by midway rides, grandstand excitement, agriculture, and community exhibits.
Visitors may find rodeo and demolition derby action, livestock barns filled with youth projects, and exhibits showcasing skills such as baking, canning, flowers, photography, artwork, sewing, crafts, and homegrown produce.
Upper Peninsula State Fair | Escanaba
August 17-23, 2026
The Upper Peninsula State Fair brings together the culture, agriculture, and community pride of all 15 U.P. counties in one big Escanaba celebration.
Along with grandstand entertainment and exhibitor showcases, visitors may find animal-focused experiences such as the Miracle of Life Pavilion, outdoor activities at the DNR Pocket Park, and classic fair fun across the grounds.
Brighton Street Art Fair | Brighton
August 21-23, 2026
The Brighton Street Art Fair fills Main Street with jury-selected artists in a downtown setting close to shops, restaurants, and Mill Pond.
Along with browsing fine art, visitors may find live music and hands-on art activities that make the fair feel easy to enjoy as part of a relaxed downtown outing.
Kalamazoo Balloon Fest | Richland
August 22-24, 2026
Kalamazoo Balloon Fest brings a colorful sky show to Gull Meadow Farms with hot air balloons lifting off and glowing after dark as weather allows.
Around the farm, visitors may find family activities, food, market browsing, a car show, and chances to meet balloon pilots, making the event feel both relaxed and memorable.
Michigan Renaissance Festival | Holly
August 22, 2026 – October 4, 2026
Michigan Renaissance Festival transports visitors into the village of Hollygrove, where costumed characters, artisan shops, stage entertainment, contests, and medieval-inspired food create an immersive step back in time.
Across the grounds, guests may find experiences such as sword-fighting comedy, music, dance, pub crawls, themed marketplace booths, and special dining events like the Feast of Fantasy.
Cedar Polka Festival | Cedar
August 27-30, 2026
The Cedar Polka Festival celebrates the town’s Polish heritage with four days of music, dancing, food, and small-town energy under the big tent.
The weekend may include polka bands, Polish food, kids games, Run 4 The Kielbasa, an arts and craft fair, a parade, dog-jumping events, and a car show.
Metamora Country Days & Hot Air Balloon Festival | Metamora
August 28-29, 2026
The Metamora Country Days & Hot Air Balloon Festival pairs small-town festival fun with the colorful sight of hot air balloons rising over the village.
Visitors may find local food, music, art, crafts, a parade, family activities, and balloon launches that give the weekend its signature big-sky feel.
Porcupine Mountains Music Festival | Ontonagon
August 28-29, 2026
Porcupine Mountains Music Festival pairs live music with one of the Upper Peninsula’s most scenic state park settings, bringing performers and festivalgoers to The Porkies for a relaxed outdoor weekend.
The family-friendly event may include music across multiple stages, a Busking Barn, children’s activities, and the kind of natural backdrop that makes the experience feel distinctly U.P.
Rendezvous at the Straits Powwow & Indigenous Art Show | St. Ignace
August 28-30, 2026
The Rendezvous At The Straits Powwow and Indigenous Art Show brings visitors to St. Ignace for a meaningful gathering centered on Indigenous culture, community, and creative expression.
The event may include traditional dancing, drumming, singing, vendor demonstrations, handcrafted arts, Native American cuisine, and an art show featuring Indigenous artists from Northern Michigan and beyond.
Everything You Need to Know to Visit a Michigan Powwow This Summer
Novi Taco Fest | Novi
August 28-30, 2026
Novi Taco Fest brings a flavorful weekend to town with dozens of taco trucks, an artisan market, and plenty of lively entertainment.
Between live Latin music, Lucha Libre wrestling, family games, Folklorico dancing, and spicy contests, the festival has a high-energy, food-first feel without losing its easygoing community atmosphere.
Dozens of Summer Festivals in Michigan Await
As you can see, there’s no shortage of summer festivals in Michigan. All of them offer plenty of fun and chances to make memories, whether you’re by yourself or out with your family.
No matter if you live in the Upper Peninsula, in Metro Detroit, or anywhere in between, you’re never far from a summer festival.
You can see some amazing handmade art, get your groove on at a Michigan summer music festival, sample yummy fair food, and get back to nature. There’s a good chance Michigan has a summer festival dedicated to just the thing you’re looking for.
So, hit the road this summer in Michigan, and make your way to the nearest festival. Or, travel all around the state to soak in the festival atmosphere. No matter where you are in the Mitten State, you’re guaranteed to have a great time!
Sounds like a lot of fun