13 Michigan Festivals and Events You Can’t Miss This September
Usually not too hot. Usually not too cold.
September is one of the best months of the year to get out and about in Michigan, and the Mitten State has no shortage of events to keep you and your family entertained.
Here are 13 festivals and events happening in Michigan this September that you won't want to miss.
Michigan Renaissance Festival
Grab a turkey leg and prepare to hear "Huzzah!" approximately 400 times.
The Michigan Renaissance Festival continues weekends through October 4 in Holly, with jousting, costumes, comedy, food, drinks, and plenty of people who take their medieval weekends very seriously. Honestly, that's half the fun.
Michigan State Fair
Labor Day weekend means it's State Fair time. The Michigan State Fair returns to Novi September 3 through 7 with carnival rides, livestock, entertainment, fair food, and all the other ingredients required for a proper Michigan fair.
Go hungry. Nobody goes to the State Fair looking for a salad.
Michigan Chicken Wing Festival
There are festivals devoted to art, music and culture. Lansing also understands the importance of chicken wings.
The Michigan Chicken Wing Festival happens September 5 and 6, bringing together wings, entertainment and plenty of flavors. My advice? Bring friends, order different sauces and conduct some extremely important research.
Mackinac Bridge Walk
One of Michigan's coolest Labor Day traditions returns September 7. The Mackinac Bridge Walk gives you the chance to experience the Mighty Mac in a way you normally can't — on foot.
It's five miles of spectacular Michigan scenery, fresh air, and eventually wondering exactly how much farther you have to go.
Charlotte Frontier Days
Charlotte goes full-on frontier September 9 through 13 for Charlotte Frontier Days. This longtime community celebration packs several days with activities, entertainment, and plenty of hometown festival atmosphere.
If you like the kind of event where seemingly everybody in town shows up at some point, Frontier Days belongs on your September calendar.
International Fireworks Championship
Apparently, regular fireworks weren't impressive enough. The International Fireworks Championship lights up Traverse City September 11 and 12, with world-class pyrotechnic teams showing what they can do over northern Michigan.
It's basically competitive fireworks, which is a concept I fully support. Expect big colors, big booms, and some serious sky-watching.
The Oktoberfests
You don't have to fly to Germany to get your Oktoberfest fix, and as a matter of fact, you don't even have to wait until October.
Several Oktoberfest events are planned across Michigan in September, including Lansing Oktoberfest September 11 and 12, and Frankenmuth Oktoberfest September 17 through 20.
READ MORE: Michigan's 11 Best Concerts This September Are Absolutely Loaded
Get ready for lots of German music, dancing, food, and beer. Practice your polka and accept that you'll probably be going home with pretzels.
U.P. Fall Beer Festival
Beer tastes better in the U.P. I'm pretty sure that's science.
The U.P. Fall Beer Festival happens September 12 in Marquette, bringing Michigan breweries and beer lovers together for an afternoon of sampling.
Add some crisp Upper Peninsula September weather and you've got a pretty convincing excuse for a road trip.
Michigan BluesFest
Old Town Lansing gets the blues September 16 through 19, and that's a good thing. Michigan BluesFest brings multiple days of live blues music to the state's capital city.
Whether you know every legendary blues guitarist or just appreciate great live music, this is an easy addition to your September plans.
517 Hispanic Heritage Weekend
Lansing celebrates Hispanic culture September 17 through 20 with 517 Hispanic Heritage Weekend. Expect several days highlighting the music, food, traditions, and people that make Mid-Michigan's Hispanic community special.
Come hungry, bring the family, and enjoy one of those events that gives Lansing a chance to celebrate together.
Michigan Irish Music Festival
Michigan goes green in Muskegon from September 17 through 20 for the Michigan Irish Music Festival. The weekend celebrates Irish and Celtic music, food, culture, and of course, a pint or two.
Even if your family tree contains absolutely zero Irish branches, nobody's checking genealogy at the gate. You'll fit right in.
ArtPrize
Grand Rapids basically becomes one enormous art gallery when ArtPrize returns September 18 through October 3. You'll find artwork popping up throughout downtown in traditional galleries and some decidedly non-traditional spaces.
The best part is wandering around and discovering something you never thought you'd see.
Downtown Howell Hoedown
Break out your boots! The Downtown Howell Hoedown takes over Howell September 19 for a country-flavored celebration downtown.
Expect music, activities, and plenty of reasons to embrace your inner cowboy or cowgirl. And considering my closet already contains more Western wear than the average Michigander, I'm clearly not judging anybody here.
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