Michigan has a great lineup of events this weekend, with food, music, and unique happenings in every corner of the state.
Highlights include a massive celebration of Mexican culture in Grand Rapids, a beer festival in the UP, blues and BBQ in Metro Detroit, and much more.
As always, I’d love to hear your suggestions! If you know of an upcoming event you’d like me to highlight, please send me a note here (suggestions should be submitted at least one week before the event).
West Michigan
1. Silver Lake Sand Dunes Apple and BBQ Festival
Sept. 11-12
Golden Township Park (8711 W Silver Lake Road, Mears)
“Bring your appetite — and your bib — to the sizzling Apple BBQ Festival in Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Michigan! This annual fall event near Hart in Oceana County kicks off autumn with two unforgettable days of live music, a lively beer tent, mouthwatering BBQ, and freshly baked apple pies. Explore 140+ arts and crafts vendors, enjoy family-friendly activities, and admire classic cars on display at one of the top Silver Lake Sand Dunes attractions.”
Sept. 11-13
Calder Plaza (320 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids)
“Three days. Calder Plaza. Mariachi from the main stage, folklórico in the street, forty-some vendors, and El Grito on Saturday night. Bring the family.”
3. Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival
Sept. 11-13
Paw Paw
“The Wine and Harvest Festival offers something for everyone including tastings and tours for wine enthusiasts, a 5k, the ever popular grape stomping competition, kayak race, and other contests for the active members of your family, four stages of entertainment for music-lovers, and carnival rides, fireworks, parade for all ages.”
4. Kalamazoo Scottish Festival
Saturday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Kindleberger Park (122 N Riverview Drive, Parchment)
“This free, family friendly event has been a staple of Kalamazoo for 30+ Years – in fact, this year (2026) marks the 34th year! You can meet the clans, hear the pipes roar, learn more about your Scottish roots, and have a grand time. Admission is FREE!”
Northern Michigan/UP
5. 2026 International Fireworks Championship
Sept. 11-12
Turtle Creek Stadium (333 Stadium Drive, Traverse City)
“Watch the night sky become transformed into a canvas of colors and shapes in Traverse City, MI. SIX teams, TWO nights of amazing shows!”
Sept. 11-13
Bay Harbor Village (4000 Main St., Bay Harbor)
“This is the most uplifting event of the fall season in northern Michigan, with thousands of spectators who come to witness the balloon launches and night glows, as well as family fun activities held throughout the weekend.”
Sept. 11-13
Posen
“For 75 years, the Posen Potato Festival has been a proud tradition that brings our community together through family-friendly entertainment, celebration, and fellowship. Generations of families, friends, and visitors of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities have made the festival a place where everyone is welcome.”
Sept. 11-13
Mattson Lower Harbor Park (200 N Lakeshore Blvd., Marquette)
“Your ticket includes entry into the festival, live music, and a sample cup to sample beer from some of the state’s best breweries.”
Mid/South Michigan
Sept. 9-13
Eaton County Fairgrounds (1025 Cochran Ave., Charlotte)
“The First Annual Charlotte Frontier Days festival featured a parade, queens contest, outdoor club rodeo, and an arts and crafts show. Keeping with tradition, Charlotte Frontier Days continues to offer many of these same activities and so much more. The unlimited activities, fun for all ages, and the great community are what keep this festival alive!”
Sept. 11-12
Adado Riverfront Park (201 E Shiawassee St., Lansing)
“Lansing Oktoberfest is all ages and welcome to all! The event features Imported German Beer, Food, Games and Live Music.”
Sept. 11-13
601 Weiss St., Frankenmuth
“Join us for the Annual Frankenmuth Auto Fest, a 3-day event full of food, fun, music, and cars. It started years ago in the St. Lorenz Parking Lot. Over the years, it grew into an event with over 150,000 people visiting. Friday night is the Big Block Party on Main Street. It is welcome to all ages of show cars to park up and down the streets of Main Street. We have live bands playing different types of music all-night-long. Saturday is a day full of cars with over 2500 classic cars registered each year. Sunday, we end the show with another car show, an award ceremony, and a tribute to the Veterans. Fun for all ages.”
Southeast Michigan/Thumb
12. Smokin’ Rock-N-Blues Festival
Sept. 11-12
306 W Main St., Brighton
“This festival combines the best of live jazz music, soulful blues tunes, and a mouthwatering barbeque. Smokin’ up Main Street in downtown Brighton, attendees can experience award-winning barbeque from various vendors. Don’t forget about the tasty sides! Feast on your favorite sides to pair with your BBQ. The event also features a lively music scene. On Friday night, sway to the soul of blues music. On Saturday, you can headbang to your favorite Rock N Roll jams!”
Sept. 11-13
Downtown Plymouth
“The Plymouth Fall Festival brings together great food, live entertainment, and activities for all ages.”
14. 60th Art & Apples Festival
Sept. 11-13
Rochester Municipal Park (400 6th St., Rochester)
“Since 1965, the Art & Apples Festival® has transformed the 30-acre Rochester Municipal Park into one of the nation’s top fine art fairs, bringing together 200+ fine art exhibitors, a wide range of food trucks and tents, stage entertainment and art demonstrations, and art activity stations for the three-day weekend.”
Saturday, Sept. 12, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Cass Corridor, Detroit
“A street fair held in the Cass Corridor, Detroit, on the Saturday after Labor Day since 1978. Sponsorship-free and run by volunteers from the North Cass Community Union, this one-day event features local music, food, beer, art, vendors, and a kids fair.”
16. Westland Craft Beer & Wine Festival
Saturday, Sept. 12, 5-10 p.m.
Central City Park Pavilion (1901 N Carlson St., Westland)
“Check out over 200 Craft Beers and lots of Michigan-produced Wine at this year’s 5th Annual Westland Craft Beer & Wine Festival. This event is perfect for beer aficionados, wine lovers, and casual beer/wine drinkers to sample the most popular and unique brands. There will also be live music, games, and food trucks.”
