Michigan Wine & Beer Festivals to Put on Your 2023 Calendar

Whether you’re a wine aficionado or craft beer connoisseur, you’ll want to snag a ticket to one or more of these 13 fun-filled festivals

With more than 400 craft breweries and 140+ wineries, it’s safe to say Michigan loves its adult beverages. But you can visit one of those businesses any day. The most fun comes when booze-loving locals come together for a day or entire weekend of imbibing on tasty brews, grooving to live music, and playing a game or two of cornhole. 

From barefoot beach camping to a high-brow international wine event, these 13 beer and wine festivals in the Mitten State have something for everyone. 

Great Lakes Beer Festival

When: August 19

Where: Dow Diamond

Cost: $45-$85 (designated driver: $15)

Photo courtesy of Great Lakes Beer Festival via Facebook

The annual Great Lakes Beer Festival is your one-stop shop for learning about and enjoying the Michigan craft beer scene. The event occurs at Dow Diamond’s ballpark, with all your typical game-time concessions available for purchase (peanuts and Cracker Jack, anyone?). Plus, the outfield will become the site of this year’s Michigan Cornhole tournament, one of the most exciting aspects of the festival. The competitive division will set you back $10, but the social division is free.  

A general admission ticket grants you entry for live music, on-field activities, and 10 samples. In contrast, a VIP ticket will get you all of that plus suite-level access with a buffet, A/C, and exclusive restrooms, as well as a souvenir glass, 15 sampling tickets, and early entry. 

Suds on the Shore

When: August 19

Where: Ludington

Cost: $50 (designated driver tickets available at the gate, though price is unclear)

Western Michigan’s premier craft beer and wine festival takes place on the third Saturday of August. Around 2,000 Michiganders are expected at Ludington’s Rotary Park for the event, which will be a hub for local beers, wines, and meads. 

Tickets include a sampling glass and nine tasting tokens. Although there are DD ticket options, all attendees must be 21 and up—well-behaved pups being the only exception. 

Even if you live on the other side of the state, this festival is a great excuse for a day (or weekend) trip, as nothing beats cracking open a cold one on the stunning shores of Lake Michigan. If you know, you know. 

Keweenaw Brewfest

When: August 19

Where: Houghton

Cost: $50-$60

Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Houghton via Facebook

As if the decision wasn’t hard enough, there is a third iconic Michigan beer festival to choose from on Aug. 19.  

The 11th annual Keweenaw BrewFest will take over Houghton’s brand new Downtown  Waterfront Pier from 1-5 p.m. This is another festival that’s just for those who are old enough to legally imbibe, and a ticket gets you a tasting cup in addition to 12 tasting tokens to try out at the 50+ breweries that will be present.

So, at which festival will you choose to spend Aug. 19? We don’t envy you for having to make such a tough call.

Burning Foot Beer Festival

When: August 26-27

Where: Muskegon

Cost: $60-$150 (designated driver: $40)

Photo courtesy of Burning Foot Beer Festival via Facebook

As its name implies, shoes aren’t permitted at this festival. That’s right—at Burning Foot Beer Festival, there’s no choice but to go barefoot and feel the sand between your toes while drinking pints, playing cornhole, dancing to the live music, swimming at Pere Marquette Beach, and camping under the stars. 

To make the most of the event, pitch a tent for the weekend. Camping costs $75 in advance and $95 on the day-of, although the price is higher for RVs. Otherwise, there are shuttles that run from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. from three different locations. 

Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival

When: September 8-10

Where: Paw Paw

Cost: Free entry (although some events cost money)

Photo courtesy of Paw Paw Wine & Harvest via Facebook

If you’re not a fan of beer, you’re in luck: The Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival is all about vino. This family-friendly gathering is chock-full of fun events, including a turtle derby, rubber ducky race, ax-throwing, pickleball tournament, kayak race, parade, fireworks over Maple Lake, auto show, carnival, and—of course—wine tasting. There’s truly something for everyone. 

U.P. Fall Beer Festival

When: September 9

Where: Marquette

Cost: $50-$60

Photo courtesy of Michigan Brewers Guild via Facebook

Michigan Brewers Guild hosts some of the state’s best beer events, two of which we’ve included in this list. The first is the Upper Peninsula Fall Beer Festival, which will be held at Mattson Lower Harbor Park in the gorgeous, lakeside city of Marquette. 

A ticket will get you entry to the festivities, which will include 15 beer tokens, live music, food trucks, and more. Enthusiast Members get additional perks, including early ticket sales and early entry. 

Frankenmuth Oktoberfest

When: September 14-17

Where: Frankenmuth

Cost: Free-$10

Photo courtesy of Frankenmuth Oktoberfest via Facebook

If you’re hoping to celebrate Oktoberfest in the Mitten State, Frankenmuth is the place to be. Back in 1996, Lord Mayor Christian Ude and the German Parliament declared the event “the first Oktoberfest to operate with the blessing of the original Oktoberfest in Munich.” Following the special proclamation, the famous Hofbrauhaus Brewery of Munich exported its beer to the United States for the first time in history. So, yeah—this festival is kind of a big deal. 

The 2023 event will feature wiener dog races, a killer setlist of live German music, authentic German cuisine and beer, Oktoberfest souvenirs, and tons of family-friendly fun. Show up and get instantly transported to Bavaria. 

Cadillac’s Craft Beer Festival

When: September 23

Where: Cadillac

Cost: $30-$75 (designated driver: $10)

Photo courtesy of Cadillac’s Craft Beer Festival via Facebook

At this festival, being called a geek is a good thing. VIP ticket-holders, aka “Beer Geeks,” get early entry, a super cool T-shirt, and 10 extra tasting tickets. If you ask us, it’s definitely worth the extra 30 bucks.

Regardless, every attendee will enjoy the beauty of fall at Lake Cadillac, in addition to food trucks, live music, and beer from more than 20 craft breweries. Every year it brings in bigger and bigger crowds. 

Brew, Brats, and Bands at the Barn

When: September 23

Where: Canton

Cost: $45 (designated driver: $15)

Photo courtesy of Canton Leisure Services via Facebook

This one’s pretty self-explanatory. The event details are all laid out in the name itself. If you like brews, brats, and bands, head to Canton. 

A ticket for this charitable event will get you a commemorative tasting mug; seven samples of beers, ciders, and seltzers; a make-your-own pretzel necklace; two grilled brats (with a vegetarian option); chili cookoff tastings; live music; and more. 

Artisan and Wine Walk

When: October 20

Where: Suttons Bay

Cost: Free

Photo courtesy of Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce via Facebook

Forget peanut butter and jelly, Barbie and Ken, or macaroni and cheese—our favorite iconic pairing is art and wine. Suttons Bay’s annual Artisan and Wine Walk is the perfect way to stroll through the unbelievably charming Michigan village. You just need to snag a walking guide to help you through this self-guided tour of participating wineries, breweries, restaurants, and artisans, all offering special deals.

Last year, there was a gourd-carving extravaganza and a chance to win $150 in gift cards, and you never know what surprises are in store for 2023. 

Detroit Fall Beer Festival

When: October 28

Where: Detroit

Cost: $55-$65

Photo courtesy of Michigan Brewers Guild via Facebook

Michigan Brewers Guild’s second autumnal event is the famed Detroit Fall Beer Festival. One of the largest beer-tasting events in the state, the 21-and-up festival features some of the best food, music, and craft beer Michigan has to offer. Plus, it’s located at the historic Eastern Market, one of the oldest farm markets in the country. 

Beer aficionados in or around the Motor City won’t want to miss this one.

International Wine, Beer, and Food Festival

When: November 16-18

Where: Grand Rapids

Cost: $20 per day

While there are plenty of events on this list that focus on local food and beverages, this one takes your palate on a trip around the globe. No wonder Forbes deemed it one of the Best Fall Wine Festivals in North America You Don’t Want To Miss.

The event features more than 1,200 wines, ciders, beers, and spirits from numerous countries in addition to educational seminars, live music, and more. For just $20, you can feel like a cultured globe-trotter. That feeling alone makes it worth every penny. 

Whiskey and Wine Fest

When: December 9

Where: Royal Oak

Cost: $24-$69

Photo courtesy of RO Social Events via Facebook

Closing out the 2023 calendar of Michigan beverage events is the one and only Whiskey and Wine Fest. Celebrate two of the most time-honored elixirs by snagging a ticket, which will get you 10 samples, a commemorative glass, live entertainment, games, and a keepsake photo. The VIP ticket upgrade includes five more drink tickets and expedited entry. 

Oh, and the whole event benefits K9 Charities, so it’s all for a great cause. 

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