Michigan’s can’t-miss festivals, shows, and events in 2024

Say goodbye to 2023 and hello to 2024, a year promising dozens of exciting events in your home state. 

Whether you’re hoping to sing your heart out during Madonna’s world tour, attend the NFL draft, or experience the ever-magical Disney on Ice, there’s sure to be an event on our extensive list that’s right up your alley. 

Sporting Events

Harlem Globetrotters

Photo courtesy of Harlem Globetrotters via Facebook

When: Jan. 4 (Kalamazoo), Jan. 27 (Auburn Hills), Jan. 28 (Grand Rapids), Jan. 29 (Saginaw)

Where: Wings Event Center, Kalamazoo; OU Credit Union O’rena, Auburn Hills; Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids; The Dow Event Center, Saginaw

How Much: Starting at $28

The Original Harlem Globetrotters stop off in four Michigan cities during their 2024 world tour. See the basketball stars perform their myriad tricks live as they take on the Washington Generals and interact with the crowd. 

2024 Winter Games

When: Feb. 16-18 (Grand Rapids), Feb. 9-11 (Marquette)

Where: Various venues

How Much: Entry fees vary by sport

The State Games of Michigan’s Winter Games will be held on both peninsulas in 2024. Locals are welcome to participate in any of the sports, including archery, pickleball, bowling, snow volleyball, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, and more.

Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls

When: April 11

Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit

How Much: Starting at $25

Local NBA fans won’t want to miss the Pistons facing their long-time rivals on their home turf. You can purchase tickets online ahead of the game. 

2024 NFL Draft

When: April 25-27

Where: Downtown Detroit (Campus Martius, Cadillac Square, Monroe Street Midway, and Hart Plaza)

How Much: Free

Detroit will host the highly anticipated 2024 NFL draft, showcasing top talent in various downtown locations. The Detroit Sports Commission and Visit Detroit are spending a whopping $10 million on the event, which will include tons of free activities and experiences. 

Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix

Photo courtesy of Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear via Facebook

When: May 31-June 2

Where: Various locations in downtown Detroit

How Much: Starting at $40 (free general admission seating Friday)

Every year, the Detroit Grand Prix is one of the biggest events in the Motor City. Visitors can enjoy three full days of activities and viewing the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDY NXT, and IMSA Weathertech Sportscar Series. Sign up now to reserve your spot.

2024 NASCAR Cup Weekend

When: Aug. 16-18

Where: Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn

How Much: Starting at $39

Close out your summer by watching drivers fight for the Michigan Heritage Trophy at the Michigan International Speedway. The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series weekend offers camping, kids’ pricing, concerts, and more. 

Concerts

‘The Godfather’ in Concert

When: Jan. 5

Where: DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids

How Much: Starting at $22

If “The Godfather” is one of your favorite movies, you won’t want to miss hearing the Grand Rapid Symphony perform the score live. Snag your tickets here.

Madonna: The Celebration Tour

Photo courtesy of Madonna via Facebook

When: Jan. 15

Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit

How Much: Starting at $110

Catch the Queen of Pop herself during the Michigan stop of her Celebration Tour, which covers her entire four-decade discography. Hurry up and buy your tickets before they sell out.

Jon Batiste: Uneasy Tour

When: Feb. 26

Where: The Fillmore, Detroit

How Much: Starting at $82

Michiganders have a chance to see the multi-Grammy Award-winning musician Jon Batiste live during his 2024 tour. Find tickets here. 

Orchestre de Paris

When: March 14

Where: Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor

How Much: Starting at $20

The best orchestra in all of France is only coming to four U.S. cities in 2024, and Ann Arbor is lucky enough to be one of them. University of Michigan (UM) students can take advantage of special pricing for the performance, while regular tickets can be found here.  

Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour

When: March 23

Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit

How Much: TBA

Pop singer Olivia Rodrigo hits Detroit before taking her tour worldwide, and you’ll want to be there to sing and swoon with your besties. Keep track of ticket sales here. 

Bad Bunny: The 2024 Most Wanted Tour

When: April 6

Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit

How Much: Starting at $132

Bad Bunny has become so big that he held the No. 1 spot for most-streamed artists on Spotify three years in a row. Hear him IRL instead of from your earbuds during his Most Wanted tour.  

Andrea Bocelli

When: April 14

Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit

How Much: Starting at $81

Fans of Andrea Bocelli are sure to be blown away hearing the Italian tenor perform live. Get your tickets for the spring show now. 

Philadelphia Orchestra

When: April 20-21

Where: Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor

How Much: Starting at $14

One of the best orchestras on the continent, the Philadelphia Orchestra, is making its way to UM for two unique performances. Find more information about both events here. 

Lauren Daigle: The Kaleidoscope Tour & Ellie Holcomb

When: May 29

Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit

How Much: Starting at $24.50. 

Contemporary Christian singer Lauren Daigle is continuing her popular Kaleidoscope Tour in 2024, and the Detroit stop will include Ellie Holcomb as the opener. If you act fast, you can get tickets to the show at a great price point. 

Tim McGraw: Standing Room Only Tour

Photo courtesy of Tim McGraw via Facebook

When: June 1

Where: Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids

How Much: Starting at $59.50

Calling all Tim McGraw fans—the country singer is headed to Grand Rapids for his Standing Room Only Tour featuring three-time Country Music Award-winner Carly Pearce. Tickets are sure to sell out so act fast.

Tyler Childers

When: June 11

Where: Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston

How Much: Starting at $114

Tyler Childers is still relatively new to the country music scene, but he’s certainly taken it by storm, as evidenced by his five 2024 Grammy nominations. Secure your tickets to see the singer-songwriter live in the great outdoors.

George Strait, Chris Stapleton, Little Big Town

When: July 13

Where: Ford Field, Detroit

How Much: Starting at $320

Nicknamed the King of Country Music, George Strait has been dominating the scene for decades. Whether you’re a longtime fan or want to catch him live for the first time, you won’t want to miss seeing him at Ford Field alongside Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town. Find tickets here.

Kenny Chesney: Sun Goes Down Tour

When: Aug. 10

Where: Ford Field, Detroit

How Much: $70 and up

Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, Megan Moroney, and Uncle Kracker—can you name a better lineup of live country music touring next year? This massive event will feel like a full-on festival (without the lack of showering). Find tickets here. 

Festivals

Ann Arbor Folk Festival

When: Jan. 26-27

Where: Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor

How Much: Starting at $47.50

The 47th Annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival will feature some of the biggest names in folk music, including Old Crow Medicine Show and the one and only Emmylou Harris. The two-night event supports The Ark, a nonprofit for folk, roots, and acoustic music. 

Tulip Time

When: May 4-12

Where: Various locations in Holland

How Much: Free (with some events requiring tickets)

Now in its 95th year, Tulip Time will celebrate this year’s bloom with a Scotty McCreery concert, a day-long motorcoach tour, an artisan market, gigantic gardens, and more. The festival has been named one of the top 20 events in the world by the International Festival and Events Association. 

Electric Forest Festival 

When: June 20-23

Where: Rothbury

How Much: Starting at $520

The biggest music festival in the state, Electric Forest draws in huge crowds of audiophiles each year. The 2024 lineup includes Nelly Furtado, Ludacris, The String Cheese Incident, and dozens more artists. 

National Cherry Festival

Photo courtesy of National Cherry Festival via Facebook

When: June 29-July 6

Where: South Union Street, Traverse City

How Much: Free (with some events requiring tickets)

Considering Traverse City is known as the Cherry Capital of the World, it makes sense that it hosts the National Cherry Festival each year. The 2024 festivities include parades, contests, big-name concerts, rides, cherry-centric food, and more. 

National Blueberry Festival

When: Aug. 8-11

Where: South Haven 

How Much: Free

The 2024 National Blueberry Festival is four days of immense fun including a pie-eating contest, a parade, kid rides, live music, a 5K, and more. Considering Van Buren County is the nation’s most prolific producer of highbush blueberries, there will also be plenty of berries to go around. 

Live Shows

Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars

When: Feb. 1-4 (Grand Rapids); Feb. 15-18 (Detroit)

Where: Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids; Little Caesars Arena, Detroit

How Much: Starting at $25

Fortunately, there are several opportunities to see the Disney on Ice crew perform in Michigan in 2024—and in two different cities, no less. Snag tickets for you and your kiddos here. 

Matt Rife ProbleMATTic World Tour 2024

When: Feb. 8 (Grand Rapids), Feb. 9-10 (Detroit)

Where: Devos Hall, Grand Rapids; The Fillmore, Detroit

How Much: Sold out

The die-hard fans who are sticking with Matt Rife amid his recent controversy can see him work the crowd live during his world tour. He’ll be making two stops in Michigan, but they’re already sold out, so you’ll have to keep an eye on resale tickets. 

‘Dancing with the Stars’ 

When: Feb. 13

Where: DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids

How Much: Starting at $65

The 2024 “Dancing with the Stars” tour will take the hugely popular TV show on the road, and the pro dancers will stop in Grand Rapids the night before Valentine’s Day. Find tickets for you and your Valentine here. 

‘To Kill a Mockingbird’

Photo courtesy of To Kill a Mockingbird on Broadway via Facebook

When: March 5-17 (Detroit), April 23-28 (Grand Rapids)

Where: Fisher Theater, Detroit; DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids

How Much: Starting at $33

Aaron Sorkin’s nationally touring stage adaptation of “To Kill a Mockingbird” is stopping in Detroit and Grand Rapids. The show has already won tons of accolades, with “60 Minutes” calling it “the most successful American play in Broadway history.” 

Paw Patrol Live: Great Pirate Adventure

When: March 12-13

Where: DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids

How Much: Starting at $20

“Paw Patrol” is all the rage these days, so gifting a little one the chance to see their favorite characters come alive is better than anything you could put in wrapping paper. 

Wanda Sykes: Please & Thank You Tour

When: May 17

Where: The Fillmore, Detroit

How Much: Starting at $64

In spring 2024, comedian Wanda Sykes is heading out on her Please & Thank You Tour, and she’ll be stopping in Detroit smack dab in the middle. Get your tickets and get ready to laugh until it hurts. 

Hobby Shows & Conventions

Michigan International Auto Show

When: Feb. 1-4

Where: Devos Place, Grand Rapids

How Much: Children: $5, Adults: $12

Manufacturers from around the world will bring their shiny new vehicles to the Michigan International Auto Show. Some of the cars aren’t even on the market yet, so you’ll get an exclusive first look. 

2024 Ultimate Sport Show

When: March 7-10

Where: DeVos Place, Grand Rapids

How Much: Children: $5, Adults: $12

The Ultimate Sport Show is “Michigan’s finest tradition for the avid fisherman, hunter, or outdoor loving family,” and it’s headed to Grand Rapids in 2024. There will be tons of exhibitors, seminars, and a 110,000-gallon indoor lake. 

Art Exhibits

Regeneration: Black Cinema, 1898-1971

When: Feb. 4-June 3

Where: Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit

How Much: Free with admission

The Detroit Institute of Arts is kicking off the new year with a new exhibit called Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971, which celebrates the legacy of African American filmmakers and actors during the early days of cinema. Admission to the museum is free for residents of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. 

The Detroit Pancakes & Booze Art Show

Photo courtesy of The Pancakes & Booze Art Show via Facebook

When: Feb. 16

Where: Tangent Gallery, Detroit

How Much: Free

Experience one of the biggest pop-up art movements on the continent right here in Michigan. At the Detroit Pancakes & Booze Art Show, visitors not only get free pancakes, but they also get to see work by some of the country’s best emerging artists.