.16.png)
Crisp air, peak color, and packed calendars make fall the season to explore Michigan like a local, whether you’re living in Michigan or moving to Michigan. This month-by-month guide for September, October, and November highlights kid-friendly weekends and date-night ideas with practical details that matter to families and savvy locals, including dates, times, addresses, ticket ranges, and official links. You’ll find easy picks near Detroit and Ann Arbor, road-trip options Up North, and smart add-ons like cider mills, scenic drives, Halloween outings, and holiday markets. Skim for quick plans or dive deep to build an itinerary that fits your schedule and budget, with insider tips on parking, crowds, and weather. Use this as your trusted checklist to make the most of Michigan’s signature season.
If you want to pair a festival with peak color, map one of these 12 fall drives
Michigan Renaissance Festival, Facebook
September
Michigan Renaissance Festival
Date: Weekends Aug 16–Sept 28
12600 Dixie Hwy, Holly, MI 48442
Tickets: Adults from about $27.95 | kids $18.95 | parking fee applies
Website: Michigan Renaissance Festival
The 16th-century village of Hollygrove packs in jousts, stages, and a dense artisan market that rewards slow wandering. Themed weekends change the crowd and the costumes, so check the calendar if you want something specific like Highland Fling or Harvest Huzzah. Buy tickets and parking in advance to skip lines. Mornings are great for families, afternoons lean festive, and evenings bring the pageantry.
Frankenmuth Oktoberfest
Date: Sept 18–21, 2025
Harvey Kern Pavilion, Heritage Park | 601 Weiss St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734
Tickets: $10 Thu–Sat, kids 15 and under free, Sunday free
Website: Frankenmuth Oktoberfest
Michigan’s Little Bavaria throws a sanctioned Munich-style party with real German bands, dancing, and steins under the pavilion. Thursday has room to roam, Friday and Saturday are peak energy, and Sunday is a quieter cap with families and day-trippers. Parking fills fast; consider park-and-walk if you’re arriving at prime time. Pretzels, polka, and people-watching are the draw, but make time for town before or after your session.
ArtPrize
Date: Sept 18–Oct 4, 2025
Downtown Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids 49503
Tickets: Free
Website: ArtPrize
Grand Rapids turns into a walkable gallery for two weeks, with installations across downtown, live events, and crowds that feel like a street festival. The experience is choose-your-own-adventure, so plan a loop that blends public pieces with a few indoor venues. Weeknights are lighter if you want space to linger, while Saturdays bring peak energy and pop-up happenings. Start early, wear good shoes, and build in time to eat downtown between clusters.
International Festival of Holland
Date: Sept 27, 2025
Holland Civic Center Place | 150 W 8th St, Holland, MI 49423
Tickets: Free
Website: International Festival of Holland
A compact, high-quality evening that blends main-stage performances with food stalls and makers from around the world. It sits right at the Civic Center, so parking and wayfinding are easy, and you can roll straight into downtown for dessert. Bring kids for the Children’s Fiesta and hands-on activities, then stick around for the finale sets. This one is bite-size and well run.
October
Boathouse Beer Festival
Date: Oct 1, 2025
Belle Isle Boat House lawn | Belle Isle Park, Detroit, MI 48207
Ticket: GA $45 | VIP $65
Website: Boathouse Beer Festival
A scenic tasting day on Belle Isle that doubles as a fundraiser for restoration efforts at the historic Boat House. Expect fall seasonals, a tented pavilion, and Detroit River views with the downtown skyline in the background. Keep an eye on the site for the official date and session times. Consider a rideshare drop at the bridge for an easy entrance.
Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village
Date: Oct 2–5, 9–12, 16–19, 23–26, 2025
Greenfield Village | 20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI 48124
Tickets: Timed tickets, add-on Hallowe’en Express train $5
Website: Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village
Lantern-lit streets, costumed vignettes, and a perfectly paced trail through the Village make this a can’t-miss fall night. Tickets sell out in waves, so buy early and book a train time if you want the full experience. Layers are your friend once the sun drops. Parking and entry flow improve when you arrive 20–30 minutes before your time slot.
Zeeland Pumpkinfest
Date: Oct 2–4, 2025
Downtown Zeeland | Main St at State St, Zeeland, MI 49464
Tickets: Free
Website: Zeeland Pumpkinfest
A classic downtown festival with a big Saturday parade, live music, runs, and plenty of family programming. Thursday evening kicks off with community activities, Friday adds music in the Social District, and Saturday is the all-day anchor. The footprint is tight and walkable; arrive early for parade curb space. Local eateries fill quickly around lunchtime.
American Speed Festival
Date: Oct 3–5, 2025
M1 Concourse | 1 Concourse Dr, Pontiac, MI 48341
Ticket: $50 for adults, with a $5 fee
Website: American Speed Festival
A high-octane weekend at M1’s 1.5-mile circuit with time-attack runs, exhibition laps, and car culture on display. Saturday and Sunday are the action days, with Friday programming and special experiences. Ear protection for kids is a smart move, and grandstand angles change the feel of the day. Freeway-close, easy in and out compared with bigger metro events.
Pulaski Days
Date: Oct 3–5, 2025
Polish halls across Grand Rapids; start at 5th St Hall | 701 5th St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Ticket: $180 per person (double occupancy) • $260 per person (single occupancy)
Website: Pulaski Days
The West Side’s Polish halls open their doors for three days of bands, dancing, and the best pierogi plates you’ll find in the city. Think hall-to-hall hopping, friendly crowds, and a neighborhood feel. Use the official club map to plan your route and build in time for the parade. Ride-share is the smart move if you’re making a night of it.
Detroit Zoo, Facebook
Zoo Boo
Date: Oct 4–5, 10–12, 17–19, 24–26, 2025
Detroit Zoo | 8450 W 10 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067
Tickets: $21–$25, timed entry
Website: Zoo Boo
A “merry, not scary” evening with trick-or-treating stops, performances, and a big-park stroll under lights in Royal Oak. Weeknights sell slower if you want room to breathe; weekend slots go first. Costumes encouraged and layers recommended for later entry times. Parking patterns and shuttle options are posted on the Zoo’s site.
Charlevoix Apple Fest
Date: Oct 10–12, 2025
East Park and downtown | 106 E Antrim St, Charlevoix, MI 49720
Tickets: Free
Website: Charlevoix Apple Fest
Northern Michigan’s definitive apple weekend, with growers, crafters, and downtown humming from open to close. Friday morning is best for serious shoppers, Saturday for the full festival atmosphere. Treats travel well, and the lake breeze keeps everything crisp. Pack a cooler for pies and cider.
Frankfort Fall Festival
Date: Oct 11, 2025
Open Space Park | 727–800 Main St, Frankfort, MI 49635
Tickets: Free
Website: Frankfort Fall Festival
A one-day, everything-fall Saturday on the bayside green with craft booths, a parade, and family games. It’s easy to park once and walk, then cap the day with a lighthouse stroll. The set-up is stroller-friendly and packed without feeling cramped. Small-town charm, no filler.
Oktoberfest, Pentwater
Date: Oct 11, 2025
Downtown Pentwater, MI 49449
Tickets: Free entry
Website: Oktoberfest, Pentwater
A downstate-meets-lakeshore Oktoberfest with a morning 5K Stout Stumble, a classic car and hot rod show, and live music along Hancock Street. It’s casual, walkable, and easy to pair with leaf views on nearby dune overlooks. Families do well in the late morning; music fans and car folks can linger into the afternoon. Grab a coffee and take the side streets to avoid closures.
Tecumseh Appleumpkin Festival
Date: Oct 11–12, 2025
Downtown Tecumseh | 100 E Chicago Blvd, Tecumseh, MI 49286
Tickets: Free entry | rides and select activities ticketed
Website: Tecumseh Appleumpkin Festival
A two-day downtown takeover with crafts, midway rides, live music, and easy shuttle connections to Kapnick Orchards. Saturday morning is best for shopping, afternoons are for rides and music. Bring a tote for the maker booths, and plan a warm cider break between blocks. Parking is free downtown and at the high school with shuttles.
Planning a mill stop after the festival? Here’s our ultimate Metro Detroit cider mill guide
Frankfort Film Festival
Date: Oct 15–19, 2025
The Garden Theater | 301 Main St, Frankfort, MI 49635
Tickets: individual tickets cost $12, while an opening party ticket was $25
Website: Frankfort Film Festival
A strong indie slate in a beautifully restored single-screen theater, easy to pair with leaf-peeping and lake walks. Locals grab the pass, but single-day picks work if you’re in town. Expect documentaries, foreign gems, and a few buzzy dramas. Seating is comfy, concessions are solid, and Main Street is steps away.
Legend of Sleepy Howell
Date: Oct 18, 2025
Downtown Howell, Howell, MI 48843
Tickets: Free
Website: Legend of Sleepy Howell
Livingston County’s marquee Halloween event packs downtown with trick-or-treating, costume contests, hayrides, and the evening Headless Horseman run. Families can hit the early candy lanes, then linger for entertainment and the race. The footprint is compact, but parking fills quickly; plan a short walk from outer lots. Dress for a cooler night if you’re staying through the 5K.
Detroit Fall Beer Festival
Date: Oct 25, 2025
Eastern Market | 2934 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207
Tickets: $60 advance, $70 day-of
Website: Detroit Fall Beer Festival
One of the state’s biggest all-Michigan beer tastings, set among the market sheds with food from top Detroit vendors. Entry includes a sample cup and tokens, and the scene swings from casual tasting early to full party later. Rideshare or plan a designated driver, then build in a post-fest meal in nearby Eastern Market or Brush Park. Lines move, but prime breweries draw crowds.
Detroit Harvest Fest & Food Truck Rally
Date: Oct 25–26, 2025
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park | 1801 W Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
Tickets: Typically free entry, food purchases a la carte
Website: Detroit Harvest Fest & Food Truck Rally
This year the beloved food truck rally doubles as the grand opening celebration for Detroit’s new west riverfront park. Expect a bigger footprint, live stages, family activities, and the same deep bench of trucks that made this a fall favorite on the Dequindre Cut. Watch the site for set times and entrance maps as the weekend approaches. Street parking will be tight, so consider a garage and a short walk.
Niles Scream Park, Facebook
November
Black Out at Niles Scream Park
Date: Nov 7–8, 2025
855 Mayflower Rd, Niles, MI 49120
Tickets: From about $32 for Black Out packages
Website: Black Out at Niles Scream Park
The park shuts off the lights and hands your group a glow stick for a final weekend of pitch-dark scares. It’s an adults-leaning night and a very different feel from October’s regular shows, so plan for limited visibility and amped-up surprises. Expect lines and chilly temps after sundown. Buy online to lock a time.
Women in the Arts Festival, East Lansing
Date: Nov 7–8, 2025
Edgewood United Church | 469 N Hagadorn Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823
Tickets: $25 Public | $20 Ten Pound Fiddle Members | $5 Students
Website: Women in the Arts Festival
A long-running, community-driven festival that centers regional women artists with concerts, an artist market, poetry, and workshops. It’s intimate and purposeful, great for gift shopping with a story behind each table. Check the schedule for featured performers and plan your visit around set times. Parking is on-site and nearby.
Flapjack & Flannel Festival
Date: Nov 15, 2025
Timber Ridge Resort | 4050 Hammond Rd E, Traverse City, MI 49686
Tickets: $40 when purchased online in advance | $50 at the door for adults and $15 for kids
Website: Flapjack & Flannel Festival
Traverse City leans into the season with flapjacks, craft pours, live music, and lumberjack vibes. It’s a friendly afternoon window that pairs well with a winery stop or downtown shopping. Dress warm, bring an appetite, and plan a driver if you are sampling. Nearby hotel packages make a good weekend out of it.
Luminary Festival
Date: Nov 21, 2025
Downtown St. Joseph, MI 49085
Tickets: Free
Website: Luminary Festival
Thousands of luminaries line downtown sidewalks for a simple, beautiful evening stroll. This is a shop-and-sip night with a strong local merchant presence and a cozy, small-town feel. Dress for lake air and wander at your own pace. Parking is easier on the hill, then walk down.
Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival
Date: Nov 21–22, 2025
DeVos Place | 303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Tickets: $25 per person
Website: Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival
Michigan’s premiere tasting event brings hundreds of wines, beers, ciders, spirits, and restaurant plates under one roof. Even if you’re not a connoisseur, it’s an easy way to explore styles and producers in a controlled, indoor setting. Go early on Friday for lighter crowds. Plan transit or rideshare and grab dinner reservations nearby.
Kerstmarkt-Holland, Facebook
Kerstmarkt
Date: Nov 21–Dec 20, 2025
Civic Center Marketplace | 150 W 8th St, Holland, MI 49423
Tickets: Free
Website: Kerstmarkt
An outdoor, European-style market with artisan gifts, food, music, and visits from Sinterklaas. Go early Saturday for easy browsing or later for lights and live performers. Pair it with downtown shopping and a warm sit-down meal within walking distance. Free to enter, which keeps the atmosphere relaxed.
Holiday Glow & Christmas Market
Date: Nov 22, 2025
Main Street | Downtown Brighton, MI 48116
Tickets: Free
Website: Holiday Glow & Christmas Market
Main Street turns into a holiday corridor with a market, live entertainment, kid favorites like the Jollie Choo-Choo, and a festive tree lighting. It’s a perfect kickoff for families who want one big, well-organized afternoon. Plan your route to include Santa photos and a cocoa stop. Parking spreads around the downtown grid, so build in a short walk.
Festival of Trees
Date: Nov 22–23, 2025
Rochester Community House | 816 Ludlow Ave, Rochester, MI 48307
Tickets: Free
Website: Festival of Trees
Designer trees, wreaths, and centerpieces are displayed and auctioned to support The Big, Bright Light Show in Rochester. It’s a great browse for early gift inspiration and a low-stress outing with kids or grandparents. Rochester Municipal Park next door gives you a nature break if you want one. Free admission, easy parking.
Fantasy of Lights
Date: Nov 28, 2025
Downtown Howell, MI 48843
Tickets: Free
Website: Fantasy of Lights
Downtown lights up the night with an old-fashioned parade, 5K, and kid-friendly activities that launch the holiday season. Stake out a viewing spot before dinnertime and expect a festive crowd along Grand River. Families can do the early activities, grab hot cocoa, and settle in for the floats. Parking is scattered, so arrive early.
Holly Dickens Festival
Date: Nov 29–30, 2025
Downtown Holly, MI 48442
Tickets: Free
Website: Holly Dickens Festival
Victorian street theater, carolers, and horse-drawn charm make this the longest-running Dickens fest in the country. Opening weekend is busy and full of performances; later weekends offer a slightly looser pace. Dress warm and wander through Battle Alley shops between shows. The lighted parade info posts on the site as the date nears.
Craving more spooky fun after the Village or Zoo Boo? Check our top Halloween displays around Metro Detroit
If you want this turned into a downloadable table with dates, addresses, ticket ranges, “what to know” notes, and a Google Map layer you can embed on your blog, say the word and I’ll spin it up. If you’re planning neighborhood-specific guides for Metro Detroit readers, we can also carve this down into “Near Detroit,” “West Michigan,” and “Up North” minis for social and email.
Looking to buy or sell while you’re out exploring? Reach out for hyper-local insights on timing, school zones, neighborhood comps, or a quick property strategy session. I work where I play, and fall is a great time to make your next move.
For location and Directions, please see the interactive map below
DON'T KEEP US A SECRET - SHARE WITH A FRIEND OR ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
THINKING OF MOVING TO Michigan, OR LOOKING TO RELOCATE IN THE AREA? VIEW A LIST OF CURRENT HOMES FOR SALE BELOW.
Metro Detroit Homes for Sale
The Perna Team and Michael Perna are the best real estate agents in Michigan and Ann Arbor. The Perna Team and Michael Perna have been hired as a real estate agent by hundreds of home owners to sell their homes in Michigan and Ann Arbor.
The Perna Team were steady, responsive, and genuinely supportive from beginning to end. If you're buying or selling a home anywhere in Metro Detroit, Noah is the kind of agent who shows up with professionalism, care, and your best interest at heart.
Posted by Michael Perna on
Leave A Comment