Welcome to your weekly rundown of the best weekend events around Michigan.

Highlights include marathons in both of the state’s biggest cities, a film festival Up North, and some opportunities to get your scary on.

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).

No Kings events slated for this weekend (Michigan Advance): Michigan organizers with the No Kings movement are planning 78 rallies, marches, and community gatherings Saturday to encourage residents to register and vote early ahead of the Nov. 3 election. The events mark a shift from large-scale protests towards a focus on voter participation.

167K Michiganders lose SNAP (Bridge Michigan): More than 167,000 Michiganders, including over 53,000 children, have lost SNAP food assistance since summer 2025 as new work requirements and paperwork hurdles make it harder to keep benefits. The decline is leaving families struggling to afford groceries and shifting more pressure onto food pantries.

Mackinac Island ferry rates to be decided by voters (WCMU): Mackinac Island residents will vote in November on whether the island should gain control over ferry services and related prices. The vote will settle a long-running dispute with the company that owns its two major ferry lines.

Click the map to explore each location. (Google My Maps)

West Michigan

🍻 DeutscheMarques Oktoberfest, Color Tour & Market

Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Gilmore Car Museum (6865 W. Hickory Road, Hickory Corners)

“It’s back again – a fun fall gathering for the entire family! We are hosting Oktoberfest at the Gilmore Car Museum! There will be German food, German beer and the ever popular Oom-Pah band. And – of course – your beautiful German cars. You’re encouraged to dress the part as well! There will be trophies for the best traditional-dressed, child, couple, gentleman and lady. Fun for the entire family”

🏃‍♀️‍➡️ Grand Rapids Marathon

Sunday, Oct. 18, race begins at 8 a.m.

475 Lake Michigan Drive, Grand Rapids

“Founded in 2004, the Grand Rapids Marathon delivers a fun, highly personal, authentic race experience, particularly for runners who value a well-organized, personal experience over the chaotic, crowded fields of ‘big city’ races through ‘concrete canyons.’”

Northern Michigan/UP

🎬 Fresh Coast Film Festival

Oct. 15-18

221 W. Washington St., Marquette

“The Fresh Coast Film Festival is the first of its kind: a documentary film festival celebrating the outdoor lifestyle, water-rich environment and resilient spirit of the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest. The festival will gather the best in environmental and cultural filmmaking from around the world while creating a venue for, and building a culture of, Great Lakes storytelling.”

🧙‍♀️ Witches Night Out

Saturday, Oct. 17, 5-9 p.m.

116 E. Front St., Traverse City

“Downtown Traverse City will transform into a Halloween-themed evening of magic, mischief, shopping, dining, costumes, and community. Gather your coven, grab your broomsticks, and dress like a witch — costumes are highly encouraged! Witches Night Out is a downtown-wide event, with participating businesses welcoming witches and magical creatures into their shops throughout the evening. Each business gets to create its own experience, so you never quite know what you’ll discover around the next corner.”

Mid/South Michigan

🎸 5th Annual Earthworm Festival

Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

10161 S. Beyer Road, Birch Run

“Come down to 5Heart Earthworm Farm for a FREE, exciting, and educational event for the whole family! Our 5th Annual Earthworm Festival is a special celebration – we’ve finally hit 5 years! This year includes a variety of activities and entertainment.”

🐈‍⬛ Witches on the Town 2026

Saturday, Oct. 17, 12-6 p.m.

148 East Ash St., Mason

“Calling all witches, warlocks and those alike!! You have been summoned to attend our 9th Annual Witches on the Town in downtown Mason. Put on your pointy black hat, grab your broom and fly on over for lots of spooks and fun with all our local businesses. Leave your little “monsters” at home for bewitching event. There will be 5 different contests this year, so dress in your best! This year we will have Food Trucks and Vendors for shopping all things witches!”

Southeast Michigan/Thumb

🏃‍♂️‍➡️ Detroit Free Press Marathon

Oct. 16-18

Detroit

“Every October, runners from Michigan, across the United States, Canada, and around the world come to Detroit for something truly unique. This is the only international marathon in North America where participants cross into Canada over the Ambassador Bridge at sunrise, then return to the United States through the Detroit–Windsor Tunnel — watching the city come alive as they run between two countries. It’s loud, it’s electric, and it’s pure Detroit.”

🍂 Cider in the City 2026

Oct. 17-18

Beacon Park (1903 Grand River Ave., Detroit)

“All the fall-time fun of a cider mill returns to Downtown Detroit for Beacon Park’s annual Cider in the City! This seasonal fall festival features city views, parkside dining, live entertainment, family activities, an open-air tent and exciting food options including fresh hot cider, pumpkins, tasty caramel apples and more courtesy of Blake’s Farms. Food trucks will be onsite, and Lumen Detroit, the park’s flagship restaurant, will feature its fall cocktails, craft beer and cider selections.”

Want deeper coverage of Michigan politics? Our free Thursday newsletter, This Week in Michigan Politics, breaks down what’s happening in Lansing and Washington—clearly and without the jargon.

With the midterms approaching, we’ll keep you informed on what could affect your day-to-day life.

Interested?

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega and edited by Crystal Niforos.

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