16 Michigan events to check out this weekend (Oct. 17-19)

Enjoy fresh apple butter, cider, and much more in the capital city at Fenner Nature Center's Apple Butter Festival. (Matheus Cenali/Unsplash)

By Karel Vega

October 17, 2025

Welcome to your weekend game plan!

This week’s highlights include marathons in two major cities, fall fun, and even a festival dedicated to the humble earthworm.

We’re also debuting a new feature this week—a numbered map that shows you the location of each event on our list.

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

1. New Buffalo Arts & Crafts Festival

Saturday, Oct. 18, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

New Buffalo High School (1112 E. Clay St., New Buffalo)

2. EGR Harvest & Beer Festival

Saturday, Oct. 18, 12-6 p.m.

Gaslight Village (661 Croswell Ave. SE, Grand Rapids)

3. Black Cat Bazaar

Saturday, Oct. 18, 7-11 p.m.

Speciation Artisan Ales (928 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids)

4. Grand Rapids Marathon

Sunday, Oct. 19, 6 a.m.-3 p.m.

David D. Hunting YMCA (475 Lake Michigan Drive, Grand Rapids)

Northern Michigan/UP

5. Fresh Coast Film Festival

Oct. 16-19

Marquette

6. 19th Annual Peak2Peak Mountain Bike Classic

Saturday, Oct. 18, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Crystal Mountain (12500 Crystal Mountain Drive, Thompsonville)

7. Archaeology Fair

Saturday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Marquette Regional History Center (145 W. Spring St., Marquette)

8. Witches Night Out

Saturday, Oct. 18, 5-10 p.m.

Downtown Traverse City

Mid/South Michigan

9. Central MI Annual Gem, Mineral, Fossil, Lapidary & Jewelry Show

Oct. 17-19

Ingham County Fairgrounds (700 E. Ash St., Mason)

10. Fenner Apple Butter Festival

Oct. 18-19

Fenner Nature Center (2020 E. Mt. Hope Ave., Lansing)

11. Flavor Wars

Saturday, Oct. 18, 5-8:30 p.m.

Lansing Shuffle

Southeast Michigan/Thumb

12. Detroit Free Press Marathon

Oct. 17-19

Downtown Detroit

13. 4th Annual Earthworm Festival

Saturday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

5Heart Earthworm Farm (10161 S. Beyer Road, Birch Run)

14. Equine Escape Halloween on the Farm

Saturday, Oct. 18, 3-9 p.m.

Equine Escape (5880 Brigham Road, Goodrich)

15. Detroit Bourbon Fest

Saturday, Oct. 18, 1-3:30 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Detroit Historical Museum (5401 Woodward Ave., Detroit)

16. Macomb County Harvest Fest

Oct. 18-19

Freedom Hill County Park (14900 Metro Pkwy, Sterling Heights)

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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