17 Michigan events to check out this weekend (Aug. 1-3)

You can help break the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of Merpeople at Oscoda's Pirates and Mermaids Festival this weekend. (Image via Getty Images Signature/Canva)

By Karel Vega

August 1, 2025

This story was first published in The ’Gander’s daily newsletter. Sign up here.

Welcome to your Michigan weekend itinerary.

Our highlights include various county fairs, a jazz festival in the state capital, and a nautical festival Up North (that’s also trying to break a world record).

As always, I’d love to hear your suggestions! If you know of an upcoming event you want me to highlight, send me a note here (please send suggestions at least one week before the event).

Michigan events to check out this weekend

West Michigan

🎄 Saugatuck Venetian Fest

July 25-26

Coghlin Park (60 Griffith St., Saugatuck)

🛥️ Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival

July 25-Aug. 3

Various locations (Grand Haven)

🌿 Leilapalooza

Saturday, July 26, 12-11:30 p.m.

Leila Arboretum (928 Michigan Ave. W, Battle Creek)

🎡 Tamarack Music Fest

July 25-26

4125 170th Ave., Morley

Northern Michigan/UP

⛵ Marinafest

Saturday, July 26, 2-9:30 p.m.

Escanaba Marina (17 Water Plant Road, Escanaba)

🫐 Marquette Blueberry Festival

Friday, July 25, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

West Washington and South Front streets (Marquette)

🛤️ Shay Days

July 25-26

Shay Park (East Main Street, Harbor Springs)

Mid/South Michigan

🚘 Car Capital Auto Show

Saturday, July 26, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

R.E. Olds Transportation Museum (240 Museum Drive, Lansing)

🥁 Saginaw Chippewa Powwow

July 25-27

The Hill Campground (7525 E. Tomah Road, Mt. Pleasant)

🪕 Marshall Bluegrass Festival

July 21-26

Calhoun County Fairgrounds (720 Fair St., Marshall)

🎡 Fowlerville Family Fair

July 21-26

8800 West Grand River, Fowlerville

Southeast Michigan/Thumb

🏙️ Arab and Chaldean Festival

July 26-27

Hart Plaza (1 Hart Plaza, Detroit)

🖼️ Sterlingfest Art & Music Fair

July 24-26

City of Sterling Heights campus (40555 Utica Road, Sterling Heights)

🥔 Munger Potato Festival

July 24-27

48 E. Munger Road, Munger

🥪 Yale Bologna Festival

July 24-27

Various locations (Yale)

🎶 Sounds & Sights Festival

July 25-26

The Social Commons (304 S. Main St., Chelsea)

🍺 Summer Beer Festival

July 25-26

Riverside Park (2 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti)

Author

Karel Vega

Karel Vega is The ’Gander’s newsletter editor. Coming from a long background in public radio, Karel strives to find stories that inform and inspire local communities. Before joining The ’Gander, Karel served as managing editor at WKAR, the NPR affiliate in East Lansing, Michigan.

Have a story tip? Reach Karel at [email protected]. For local reporting in Michigan that connects the dots, from policy to people, sign up for Karel’s newsletter.

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