2025 Michigan Fall Festivals
As summer fades and trees blaze gold and crimson, Michigan comes alive with festivals that celebrate the state's heritage, creativity and seasonal delights
U.P. Fall Beer Festival (September)
Beer lovers unite on the shore of Lake Superior for the U.P. Fall Beer Festival. More than 80 Michigan breweries from all over the state gather in Marquette, offering an astounding 500-plus craft beers to taste – including 3-ounce pours of everything from hoppy IPAs to rich stouts.
Michigan Irish Music Festival (September)
Muskegon's Michigan Irish Music Festival is a four-day celebration of Irish and Celtic music and culture. Hosted at Heritage Landing, the festival showcases traditional Irish, folk and contemporary Celtic music on multiple stages. More than just concerts, the festival also includes Gaelic folk dance shows, hearty Celtic food, beers, spirits, an Irish market and an entertaining Wee Ones Area for children.
Paul Bunyan Days (September)
An annual tradition for over 45 years, Paul Bunyan Days is a weekend filled with old-fashioned fun, featuring logging competitions and demonstrations, live music, artisan crafters, and plenty of stick-to-your-ribs food. The festivities take place at Furtaw Field in Oscoda, under the gaze of a 13-foo-tall statue of Paul Bunyan himself.
Frankenmuth Oktoberfest (September)
Frankenmuth, Michigan's Little Bavaria, pulls out all the stops for Oktoberfest. The first Oktoberfest outside of Munich to be sanctioned by the mayor of Munich himself, Frankenmuth's Oktoberfest continues to uphold an authentic German atmosphere. Thousands gather to enjoy Bavarian beer, traditional schuhplattler dancing, live polka music, classic German fare like bratwurst and schnitzel, and crowd-favorite activities like the famous Wiener Dog Races.
ArtPrize (September to October)
ArtPrize is Grand Rapids' famed international art competition and citywide cultural festival. The event draws over 800,000 visitors, as thousands of artists display sculptures, installations, paintings and videos across downtown. Strolling through parks, museums, storefronts and restaurants, visitors will encounter awe-inspiring artworks at every turn. Anyone 13 years and older can vote to support their favorite works.
Fall Fudge Festival (October)
Celebrate autumn on Mackinac Island with a sweet twist. At the island's Fall Fudge Festival, visitors can watch fudge-making demonstrations, sample seasonal fudge flavors and even become an honorary fudge maker. Between fudge tastings, enjoy the island's other fall festivities, like walking tours and scavenger hunts, or rent a bike to take in the brilliant foliage around the island's perimeter.
Fall Fest (October)
Downtown Holland celebrates autumn with a festive Fall Fest weekend. This family-friendly event includes professional pumpkin-carving demonstrations where you can watch master carvers turn giant pumpkins into intricate works of art. There's also a farmers market overflowing with seasonal produce, an artisan market featuring over 75 local artisans, street performers and kids activities, like hayrides.
Canal Colors Festival (October)
Debuting this year in the Keweenaw Peninsula, the Canal Colors Festival is a brand-new fall celebration designed to showcase the U.P.'s spectacular foliage. Held along Houghton's waterfront on the Portage Canal, the two-day fest celebrates the exact spot where Upper Peninsula fall colors first peak. With live music, a craft-beer block party that supports the local Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw, food trucks, a Color Run and plenty of plaid, this new festival embraces the best of Upper Peninsula culture and fall scenery.
American Speed Festival (October)
The American Speed Festival, held at the M1 Concourse just outside of Detroit, is a three-day celebration of motorsports, featuring historic race cars and modern engineering marvels. From timed track races and vintage exhibition laps to the elegant Checkered Flag Ball charity gala, the American Speed Festival is a blend of nostalgia and performance that captures the heart of automotive culture.
Charlevoix Apple Fest (October)
Nothing says autumn like an apple orchard, and the Charlevoix Apple Fest has remained a beloved Northern Michigan harvest celebration for decades. More than 30 varieties of locally grown apples are on hand, along with a cornucopia of local produce at the farmers market and pumpkins, jams, maple syrup and baked goods from area farms. With live music, kids activities, and an arts and crafts show rounding out the weekend, this festival offers bushels of autumn spirit.
UP200 Dryland Dash (October)
Ever wondered what sled dogs do before the snow flies? Held at Negaunee Township Park near Marquette, the UP200 Dryland Dash is free for spectators and features teams of Alaskan and Siberian huskies pulling bicycles, scooters and wheeled rigs down a 2-mile trail through the colorful woods. It's a thrilling way to embrace the season, complete with food trucks, vendor booths and family-friendly activities.
Detroit Fall Beer Festival (October)
Michigan's craft beer celebrations continue in late October with the Detroit Fall Beer Festival, a massive all-Michigan beer tasting event. It's held at Detroit's Eastern Market, one of the nation's oldest farmers markets and an area rich in brewing history. Sample stouts, porters, sours, ciders and more while enjoying food vendors and a talented line-up of local musicians.
Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival (November)
Just as the crisp fall air starts to grow cold, Grand Rapids warms things up with the Midwest's largest culinary festival. The Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival transforms the DeVos Place Convention Center into a foodies playground. Featuring more than 1,200 beverages from around the world, alongside an eclectic selection of gourmet foods prepared by some of West Michigan's finest restaurants, everyone will find something to delight the senses and toast the season.
Hungry for more? Search up Michigan’s Fairs and Festivals all year round.