7 Michigan Festivals Not to Miss This October

What do you think of when you think of fall in Michigan? Cooler temperatures, colorful leaves? While those things are very much part of the autumn experience in Michigan, so is family fun at a variety of enticing festivals!

Here are 7 Michigan festivals happening this October you shouldn't miss.

Mackinac Island Fall Fudge Festival

Summer on Mackinac Island is synonymous with fudge. So why return for the Mackinac Island Fall Fudge Festival?

In addition to bike rides and hikes amongst the fall foliage, several shops will be offering season-specific flavors such as pumpkin spice fudge — not to mention all the apple cider you can drink.

Follow the clues to find the treasure box as part of Fudge Quest, take a picture with the Michigan Sugar Queen and her court, and be part of the ceremonial tapping of the keg to kick off Macktoberfest!

READ MORE: When Will Peak Fall Colors Happen in Michigan This Year?

Ludington Lumber Days

Ludington was built on the lumber industry, and Ludington Lumber Days pays homage to that rich history with a full weekend of themed activities.

Highlights include a logging encampment reenactment, the Plaidurday Pub Crawl, and a "Lumber Days Workout" featuring log rolls, axe swings, and stump jumps.

Tecumseh's Appleumpkin Festival

Apples or pumpkins? You don't have to choose at Tecumseh's Appleumpkin Festival!

The two-day event includes a wide variety of arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, helicopter rides, carnival rides, and plenty of live entertainment.

Legend of Sleepy Howell

Wait... isn't it the Legend of Sleepy Hollow? Not in Michigan!

The Legend of Sleepy Howell is a tradition that features trick-or-treating with many downtown Howell businesses and the Headless Horseman 5K.

Apple Butter Festival

Fenner Nature Center in Lansing has been hosting its Apple Butter Festival every fall since the 1970s.

It's a free event (although donations are encouraged). Attendees can walk the trails, try tasty treats, paint pumpkins, enjoy local music, and more.

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Frankenmuth Scarecrow Fest

Scarecrows will be on display throughout downtown Frankenmuth throughout the latter half of October as part of Scarecrow Fest, but the fun doesn't end there.

The two weekend event features a pumpkin launcher (how far can you launch a pumpkin?), pumpkin bowling, arts and crafts, pumpkin painting, inflatables for the kids, a barrel train, and lots more fun. Look for most of the activities at the Frankenmuth River Place Shops.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Michigan Fall Bucket List — 10 Things You MUST Do

Jack O'Lanterns Unleashed

Beginning October 3 and continuing through Halloween, over 5,000 hand-carved jack o'lanterns will be on display at the Ingham County Fairgrounds and Exhibition Center in Mason as part of Jack O'Lanterns Unleashed.

Kids 12 and under are admitted free at this family-friendly Halloween-themed event, but tickets are required for adults and teens. Depending on the night, you might even be able to bring your dog to enjoy the fun! Take a look at the full schedule here.