There’s something for everyone in the lineup of can’t-miss happenings in and around Detroit. Whether you want to groove to live jazz downtown, take in local street art, or step back in time at the Renaissance Festival, this season is packed with ways to get out and celebrate Michigan’s culture. We’ve rounded up a curated list of festivals across the Detroit area so you can plan your weekends with ease.

Michigan Renaissance Festival Step into a 16th-century village filled with jousting knights, belly dancers, and turkey legs. The Michigan Renaissance Festival transforms Holly into HollyGrove, a realm of fantasy and fun. Costumes are encouraged, fun is guaranteed. From 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 28 (plus Monday, Sept. 1 and Friday, Sept. 26); 12600 Dixie Hwy., Holly; michrenfest.com. Tickets are $18.95. Credit: Courtesy photo
Hazel Park Art Fair This community-driven event is a grassroots celebration of creativity and connection, featuring local artists, live music, and a laid-back park setting. Come for the art, stay for the good vibes. From 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 24; Green Acres Park, Hazel Park; hpart.org. No cover. Credit: Courtesy photo
Michigan State Fair A modern take on a classic fair that includes livestock and agriculture exhibits, a farmers market, carnival rides and games, a 5k run, a BMX and Motocross stunt show, and racing pigs, among many more family-friendly attractions. Don’t miss the butter cow! From 11 a.m.-8 p.m. from Thursday, Aug. 28-Friday, Aug. 29, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30-Monday, Sept. 1; Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi; michiganstatefairllc.com. Tickets start at $10. Credit: Shutterstock
Arts, Beats & Eats A longtime downtown Royal Oak happening, this family-friendly fest brings together national music acts, mouthwatering food from local restaurants, and hundreds of artists in a juried art show. Some of the bigger acts booked for this year include Sugar Ray, Hoobastank, Vanilla Ice, and Thornetta Davis, among others. From 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29-Sunday, Aug. 31 and 11 am-9 pm. Monday, Sept. 1; downtown Royal Oak, Royal Oak; artsbeatseats.com. Tickets start at $7. Credit: Shutterstock
Detroit Jazz Festival The largest free jazz festival in the world, this downtown Detroit event draws global jazz legends and rising stars alike. Spanning multiple stages, it’s a Labor Day weekend tradition for music lovers at an incredible waterfront setting. Highlights on the bill include 2025 Artist-In-Residence Jason Moran and Jeff Mills with special guest jessica Care moore, Chucho Valdés and Paquito D’Rivera Reunion Sextet, Allen Dennard Quartet, Marion Hayden and Legacy with special guest Kamau Kenyatta, among many others. Starts at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31, and noon on Monday, Sept. 1; Hart Plaza, Campus Martius, and other venues, Detroit; detroitjazzfest.org. No cover. Credit: Len Katz
Hamtramck Labor Day Festival This beloved block party mixes live music, kielbasa, and carnival rides with Hamtramck’s unique multicultural flair. Catch the famous Hamtramck Yacht Race where local businesses race push carts down Joseph Campau Avenue. It’s a quirky, high-energy way to close out summer. From noon-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30-Monday, Sept. 1; Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; hamtownfest.com. No cover. Credit: Konrad Maziarz
Arts & Apples Festival This annual fall tradition showcases more than 250 artists in scenic Rochester Municipal Park. Beyond art, enjoy cider, doughnuts, and family activities in a picturesque autumn setting. It’s one of the top fine art fairs in the country. From 2-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, 10-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7; Rochester Municipal Park, Rochester; pccart.org/festival. No cover. Credit: Paint Creek Center for the Arts, Facebook
Brighton Smokin’ Rock-N-Blues Festival This two-day festival brings live music and hot barbecue to downtown Brighton. It’s the perfect way to wind down the summer. From 5-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5 and noon-10:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6; Main Street, Brighton; brightoncoc.org. No cover. Credit: Explore Brighton Howell Area, MI, Facebook
Dally in the Alley Detroit’s longest-running independent festival, Dally in the Alley is a funky blend of music, art, food, and people-watching. This one-day event channels the spirit of the Cass Corridor like nowhere else. Expect a lively mix of counterculture and community spirit. From 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 7; Cass Corridor, Detroit; dallyinthealley.com. No cover. Credit: Mike Pfeiffer
BLKOUT Walls Street Art Festival A celebration of Black street art and culture, BLKOUT Walls turns Detroit’s North End into an outdoor gallery and block party. Watch live mural painting from artists like Sydney G, James while enjoying music, food, and workshops. From Thursday, Sept. 4-Sunday, Sept. 14; North End, Detroit; blkoutwalls.com. No cover. Credit: Lamar Landers, BLKOUT Walls
Birmingham Street Art Fair This juried art fair features 100 artists from around the country in elegant downtown Birmingham. From 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14; downtown Birmingham; theguild.org. No cover. Credit: Common Ground's Birmingham Street Art Fair, Facebook
FrankenFest A mashup of science fiction, horror, and other oddities, FrankenFest celebrates the weird and wonderful in a festival atmosphere. Highlights include more than 100 art vendors, aerial shows, food trucks, and more. From 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13; Historic Fort Wayne, 6325 W. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; frankenfest.com. No cover. Credit: FrankenFest, Facebook
Murals in the Market After spreading to other parts of the city, this world-famous street art festival celebrates its 10th anniversary by returning to its home in Detroit’s Eastern Market. Muralists will breathe new life into the district, and the fest is rounded out with artist talks, exhibitions, and a block party. Hours TBA, Monday, Sept. 15-Monday, Sept. 22; Eastern Market, Detroit; muralsinthemarket.com. Admission is free. Credit: Sal Rodriguez
DIY Street Fair Independent makers, musicians, and brewers are the stars of this festival. Expect handcrafted goods, eclectic local bands, and a strong focus on community creativity. From 6-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21; Nine Mile Road east of Woodward Avenue; ferndalediy.com. No cover. Credit: Leigh Miller
Funky Ferndale Art Fair This juried art fair features work from over 140 contemporary artists. It runs alongside the DIY Street Fair, giving Ferndale an extra-artsy weekend. From 4-7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21; Nine Mile Road west of Woodward Avenue; funkyferndaleartfair.com. No cover. Credit: Courtesy photo
Victorian Festival Since 1989, Northville’s historic downtown hosts this charming celebration of local heritage, including a parade, live entertainment, vintage baseball, traditional food, and more. From 5-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21; downtown Northville, Main St., Northville; northvillevictorianfestival.com. No cover. Credit: Northville Chamber of Commerce, Facebook
Romulus Pumpkin Festival You can celebrate fall with a small-town twist at this family-friendly fest. The parade of pumpkins, classic car show, and live music make it a seasonal favorite. Bring the kids for hayrides and games. Hours TBA Friday, Sept. 19-Sunday, Sept. 21; Romulus Historical Park, 11147 Hunt St., Romulus; romulusgov.com/pumpkinfestival. No cover. Credit: Romulus DDA Pumpkin Festival, Facebook
Nostalgia Nationals and Car Show This retro car fest features vintage drag racing, a classic car show, a swap meet, and more. A must for car enthusiasts. Saturday, Sept. 20; Milan Dragway, 10860 Plank Rd., Milan; milandragway.com. Tickets are TBA. Credit: Joe Maroon
Frankenmuth Fire Arts Festival Celebrate fire-inspired arts like glassblowing, blacksmithing, and ceramics in Michigan’s Little Bavaria. Live demonstrations, artist booths, and hands-on activities highlight fiery creativity. It’s hot stuff for art lovers. From 2 p.m.-11 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26-Saturday, Sept. 27; Heritage Park, 601 Weiss St., Frankenmuth; frankenmuthfire.org. No cover. Credit: Frankenmuth Arts Council, Facebook
Michigan Fall Festival Celebrate all things autumn with pumpkins, cider, and fall decor in a storybook village setting. Expect family-friendly attractions, themed weekends, and Halloween flair — a great way to soak in seasonal spirit. From 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 3; Canterbury Village, 2359 Joslyn Ct., Lake Orion; michiganfallfestival.com. Advance tickets start at $5 (veterans and active-duty members get in free with military ID, plus children under 5). Credit: Michigan Fall Festival 2024, Facebook
Detroit Fall Beer Festival Celebrate Michigan’s brewing scene with dozens of craft beers from local breweries. Held in Eastern Market, this is a must-attend for beer lovers looking to sample seasonal and rare brews. Food vendors and DJ sets make it a perfect autumn vibe. From 1-6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25; Eastern Market, Shed 5, Detroit; mibeer.com. Tickets start at $60. Credit: Courtesy of Michigan Brewers Guild
Youmacon Detroit’s premier anime and gaming convention blends cosplay, culture, and creativity across two downtown venues. With dance parties, panels, and celebrity guests, it’s a four-day immersive experience, whether you’re into J-pop, gaming, or just people-watching. Hours vary, Thursday, Oct. 30-Sunday, Nov. 2; Huntington Place, 1 Washington Blvd., Detroit; youmacon.com. Tickets start at $69.98. Credit: Josh Justice
Motor City Comic Con Michigan’s biggest comic con brings stars from TV, film, and comics to meet fans for a weekend of cosplay and collectibles. With panels, photo ops, and a massive vendor hall, there’s something for every fandom — the ultimate geek-out. Hours vary, Friday, Nov. 14-Sunday, Nov. 16; Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi; motorcitycomiccon.com. Tickets start at $30. Credit: Shutterstock

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Leyland “Lee” DeVito is the editor in chief of Detroit Metro Times since 2016. His writing has also been published in CREEM, VICE, In These Times, and New City.