Whether you want a weekend filled with music or eating a bunch of great food, this week’s lineup has something for you.
Highlights include a taco and tequila festival in Grand Rapids, live music in the Upper Peninsula, and a massive carnival in Livonia.
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Trump endorses James in governor’s race (Bridge Michigan): President Donald Trump endorsed Republican US Rep. John James in Michigan’s governor’s race, giving his campaign a major boost ahead of the August primary. State Sen. Aric Nesbitt dropped out and backed James, while rivals Perry Johnson and Mike Cox vowed to stay in the race.
FEMA denies aid to Michigan following March tornadoes (WOOD-TV): Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is appealing FEMA’s denial of federal disaster aid for residents affected by the deadly March tornado outbreak in Southwest Michigan. The storms killed four people and damaged infrastructure across several counties.
DNR reminds Michiganders to kill this bug (WLNS): Michigan officials are urging residents to kill and report spotted lanternflies, which can damage trees and other plants. The pest has been found in several southeast Michigan counties and was spotted in Jackson County last year.
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Click the map to explore each location. (Google My Maps)
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1. Kalamazoo Caribbean Festival
June 26-27
Arcadia Creek Festival Place (145 E. Water St., Kalamazoo)
“Join us for the biggest Caribbean Fest in the Midwest on June 26 & 27 at Arcadia Creek Festival Site. You’ll find the same amazing island retail vendors and the phenomenal food you know and love! Come wine and lime with us…it’s going to be sweet, rhythmic, and full of island joy!”
2. Holland Waterfront Celtic Festival and Highland Games
June 26-27
Ottawa County Fairgrounds (1286 Ottawa Beach Road, Holland)
“The Holland Waterfront Celtic Festival & Highland Games is an annual celebration of Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and other Celtic nations’ culture, music, dance, food, history, sports, and more!”
3. Grand Haven Art Fest
June 26-28
Washington Avenue, Grand Haven
“The Grand Haven Art Festival invites nearly 80 artists from across the country to transform Washington Avenue into a chic, outdoor, art gallery. “
4. Grand Rapids Taco, Tequila and Margarita Fest
Saturday, June 27, 4-8 p.m.
Riverside Park (3061 Monroe Ave. NE, Grand Rapids)
“This festival features 15+ Food Vendors, 100+ different tequilas, margaritas, beers & ciders. The festival also features live music, vendors and food trucks.”
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5. St. Ignace Car Show Weekend
June 25-27
St. Ignace
“For half a century, St. Ignace has roared to life each summer with one of the most iconic automotive celebrations in the Midwest. In 2026, we mark 50 years of chrome, engines, music, and memories on the shores of Lake Huron.”
6. Soo Locks Engineers Day
June 26-27
Soo Locks Park (329 W. Portage Ave., Sault Ste. Marie)
“Join us on June 26, 2026 for Soo Locks Engineers Day! It’s a day full of celebration and amazement. It’s your chance to enter the Soo Locks park to get up close to the freighters and learn about the Soo Locks complex.”
7. Dam Jam 2026
June 26-27
Calumet Lions Park (North End of Waterworks Street, Calumet)
“The Dam Jam is a charity event founded in 2016. Our mission is to bring original music and art to the Calumet area in a safe and fun environment. Year after year we blend local recording artists with nationally touring acts.”
8. Escanaba LogJam Music Festival
Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m.- 10 p.m.
1025 Ludington St., Escanaba
“We are flooding the streets with music (despite the construction) with 10 musical performers, timber show, arts and craft vendors and lumberjack contests. The Escanaba LogJam Music Festival is a free event for the community, celebrating Escanaba’s timber and rich music history.”
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9. Charlotte Bluegrass Festival
June 25-27
Eaton County Fairgrounds (1025 S. Cochran Road, Charlotte)
“The Charlotte Bluegrass Festival is delighted to present a week of camping, jamming, workshops, and three big days of top-tier entertainment with some of the biggest award-winning names in bluegrass.”
10. Summer Solstice Jazz Festival
June 26-27
Downtown East Lansing
“The Summer Solstice Jazz Festival (SSJF) welcomes the official start of summer with a free, multiple-stage, live outdoor music experience.”
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11. Livonia Spree
Through June 28
33841 Lyndon St., Livonia
“Family, Fireworks and Fun! Each year the people of Livonia celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the City with a week-long birthday party.”
12. Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival
June 24-28
Downtown New Baltimore
“The Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival is a fun-filled five-day event attended by over 80,000 people in downtown New Baltimore.”
13. Taylor Summer Festival
June 25-28
12111 Pardee Road, Taylor
“Look for great live music, carnival rides and fireworks as the Taylor Summer Festival returns to Heritage Park.”
14. FrankenFest
Saturday, June 27, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
2802 Omar St., Port Huron
“FrankenFest features mad, magical and mystical artwork from the area’s most intriguing vendors stitched together with a showcase of literary guests, haunt aficionados and paranormal experts.”
15. Porch Fest
Saturday, June 27, 1-5 p.m.
Port Austin
“Port Austin comes alive with music on one magical day in June. With more than eight years in, we can say our community music festival continues to get better and better.”
16. 41st Annual Michigan Challenge Balloonfest
June 26-28
1200 W. Grand River Road, Howell
“This community event has activities planned for everyone – from carnival rides, kid attractions, and the always-popular balloon launches, fly-ins, and evening glow.”
17. St. Clair Art Fair
June 27-28
201 N. Riverside Ave., St. Clair
“Featuring over 120 visual and performing artists along one of the largest freshwater boardwalks in the world-Paintings, photographs, sculptures, woodwork and more will be on display throughout the St. Clair River and the Riverview Plaza.”
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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega and edited by Crystal Niforos.
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