20 TOP Fall Festivals in Michigan
Fall festivals in Michigan are the best way to celebrate the arrival of autumn, which is arguably the prettiest season in our state.
All of the leaves are changing colors, the air is crisp and fresh, and the family-owned fruit stands along M-22 and other scenic highways are starting to switch out the berries and jams for apple cider and fresh vegetables.
Fall festivals in Michigan include pumpkin patches, apple harvests, arts and crafts, and much more.
Check out this list to find an amazing fall festival near you. Have fun exploring these 25 top Michigan fall festivals!
Michigan Fall Festivals in September
Posen Potato Festival
10898 Michigan Ave, Posen, MI 49776
When: September 9th – 11th
This 71st Annual Posen Potato Festival is a celebration of the Native and Polish populations in northern Michigan, and it’s a great opportunity to authentically experience these two cultures. Check out their program to see their packed schedule full of many activities to choose from. Between the Polka Dances, demo derby, carnival rides and games, and parades – you’ll have plenty to keep you entertained and busy.
Ellwood A Mattson Lower Harbor Park
200 N Lakeshore Blvd, Marquette, MI 49855
When: September 10th, 1 pm – 6 pm
This particular festival is perfect for adults who can appreciate some quality beer. All day there will be vendors showcasing local Michigan beers that you can only get in the UP. Be sure to get there a day early so you can hike around Canyon Falls and check out the Black Rocks Cliffs in Presque Isle Park before picking your new favorite ale or IPA.
Yooper Fest
Downtown Escanaba, Ludington St, Escanaba MI 49829
When: September 10th, 10 am – 8 pm
This free festival is held in true Yooper style – plenty of music and good times all day long. Stop by for local vendors, live music, games for the whole family, and excellent food. Not only is this a guaranteed good time, it’s also for a great cause. All proceeds from this festival will go toward the End the Silence Walk which supports suicide prevention and mental health awareness.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park Harvest Festival
41382 W. M 123, Paradise, MI 49768
When: September 24th, 8 am – 7 pm
Known as one of the best sites to see in all of the Midwest, Tahquamenon Falls also hosts a magical fall festival every year. You and your family can expect many activities including trick or treating, site decorating, and hayrides at the Portage Lake Campground at the Lower Falls. Be sure to check out Tahquamenon’s Facebook page for a full schedule before planning a fun weekend getaway.
Pentwater Village Green
327 S Hancock St, Pentwater, MI 49449
When: September 24th – 25th
Visit the beautiful town of Pentwater for the fall festival and enjoy their arts and crafts, artisan vendors, local artists, and more. Since Pentwater is on the southwest side of Huron-Manistee National Forests, it’s the perfect autumnal getaway so you can see all of the fall colors on the trees – plus, this is a very popular place for those famous family-owned fruit stands on the side of the road which are perfect for homemade jams, apple cider, and more.
Ludema’s Fall Festival
3408 Eastern Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508
When: September 24th 9am – 4am
Ludema’s Floral and Garden in Grand Rapids, MI, hosts their fall festival every year to welcome autumn in style. They offer patio potting classes, kid’s crafts, fall plants, snacks, and more. Be sure to stop by with the family for this free, pet-friendly event. Check their website for more details as the date approaches.
Red Flannel Festival
18 S. Main, Cedar Springs, MI 49319
When: September 30th – Oct 1st
Cedar Springs is a small town just a little ways outside of Grand Rapids, and is home to one of the coolest back stories about a festival in all of Michigan.
In 1936, during a very hard winter, someone in New York wrote a story in the newspaper about how there were no red flannels in the US to go with the old-fashioned winter everyone was experiencing. Luckily, two women in Cedar Springs saw that article, and retorted that there were plenty of red flannels, but they were in Cedar Springs.
Sure enough, the whole country began putting orders in with store owners Jack and Ann Pollock, who filled these orders and thus began the Red Flannel Festival. For the 71st Red Flannel Festival this year, you can expect events unique to Cedar Springs along with excellent food and games.
Family Funfest
12330 James St., Holland, MI 49424
When: September 24th, 12pm – 6pm
Holland Town Center and Nelis’ Dutch Village come together every year to host Holland’s Family Funfest, which started as just a truck show and has grown into much more. The motivation behind the truck show came from the “Grant Me Hope” organization who wanted to spread awareness of the need for foster and adoptive homes in the US.
All of the trucks in the truck show have decal stickers that promote this cause, and the proceeds from this awesome festival go toward Grant Me Hope as well. On top of the truck show there is also a car and motorcycle show, plus the Nelis’ Dutch Village rides, games, shops and exhibits. This is a great outing for the family, pland to spemd some time exploring downtown Holland, MI, too.
Bay City Fall Harvest Festival
3582 State Park Dr, Bay City, MI 48706
When: September 23rd – 25th
Every fall season Bay City State Park and surrounding campgrounds decorate their campsites and pack every weekend with fun activities, and it all starts on September 23rd. You can expect trick or treating, amazing and festive decorations, and plenty of games. Check their website for more information about booking your campsite today.
Frankenmuth Fire Art Festival
534 N Main St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734
When: September 23rd – 24th
Everyone knows that Frankenmuth is the best place to visit in the winter and holiday seasons, but not everyone realizes that it is a magical place in fall, too. This festival has free admission for most of the events, and there is truly something for everyone here. You can expect workshop classes, art vendors, food, music, fire wing competition, a chance to win $1500 in an art competition, and much more.
PRO-TIP: You can’t leave Frankenmuth without trying a world-famous chicken dinner. Use our Guide to the Best Restaurants in Frankenmuth to help you decide where to eat!
Midland Antique and Collectible Festival
6905 Eastman Ave, Midland, MI 48642
When: September 25th @ 9 am
This particular festival is so unique that you’ll never find another like it anywhere else. Midland’s Antique and Collectible festival has over 80 acres of treasures in 7 different buildings for you to find, all from the very best antique dealers. Midland has perfected this festival in the last 54 years with over 300 vendors and items of all kinds.
Fall Harvest Festival
2545 S Charlton Park Rd, Hastings MI 49058
When: September 23rd – 25th
Located in south central Michigan, Hastings is home to the charming Fall Harvest Festival and Tractor Show. This event is always a huge hit with both kids and adults since there is something for everyone. The festival shows people authentic harvest techniques and activities from the early 1900s, and has a hayride and other games for the kids.
Four Flags Area Apple Festival
1740 Lake St, Niles MI 49120
When: September 29th – October 2nd
Stop by Niles this fall for the one and only Niles Apple Festival (AKA the Four Flags Area Apple Festival) where you can find all sorts of carnival rides, food vendors, and other free entertainment. But the thing that makes this festival stand apart from the rest is their apple contest. Local farmers will showcase their apple harvests to let the public decide which is best – and it is a very close call every year.
Artisan Weekend at the Square
313 N Cass St, Berrien Springs, MI 49103
When: September 24th, 10am – 5pm
This all-day event in Berrien Springs is hosted by the Berrien County Historical Organization. The BCHO is passionate about bringing the public tangible examples of the historic traditions and artistry from “back in the day” that has influenced life today. As educational as this event is, it’s also a great time and excellent entertainment. Come ready to have fun and learn a bunch.
PRO-TIP: Berrien Springs in Southwest Michigan is right in heart of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine trail. Discoversome the excellent southwest Michigan wineries while you’re in the area!
Oktoberfest
104 W. Michigan Ave, Saline MI 48176
When: September 25th – 26th
When people think of fall festivals, Oktoberfest is probably one of the first things that come to mind. Oktoberfest in Saline really packs a punch as this little town is transformed into an American-German hybrid for the weekend. You can expect live German rock and folk music, a playground (or “kinderplatz”) for the kids, both German and American food, a beer garden, a cornhole tournament, and a “tapping of the golden keg” to get the festivities started.
Fall Fest Saturdays Kickoff
10743 US-31 Ellsworth, MI 49729
When: September 24th, 10am – 5pm
Although Ellsworth can feel like the middle of nowhere, it is definitely the place to be during their Fall Fest Kickoff event. This is possibly the most action-packed festival on this list and it includes (among many things): bounce houses, giant apple slingshot, wagon rides, u-pick apples, obstacle courses, yard games, caramel and candy apples, homemade chili, homemade cider, local food from local vendors.
Fall Craft Fair
32777 Five Mile Rd, Livonia MI 48154
When: September 24th, 10am – 3pm
The Bennett Civic Center Library hosts a charming fall craft fair every year for the city of Livonia and other guests. Stop by so you can try your hand at creating seasonal crafts and other artworks. There are crafts suitable for all ages, so the whole family will have a great time.
Michigan Fall Festivals in October
Beulah Fall Festival
Downtown Beulah, MI
When: October 1
Loacted in downtown Beulah on the shores of Crystal Lake, this one-day fall festival includes something for everyone. From sidewalk chalk art, kids games, face painting and more for kids, to a classic car and motorcycle show and horse-drawn wagon rides, you’ll have blast celebrating fall at this town near Frankfort, MI.
2022 International Festival of Holland
Holland Civic Center & Downtown Locations
When: October 1
Head over to West Michigan to celebrate and learn about different culturs at this unique fall festival. The Holland Civic Center Place will serve as the Festival main stage featuring live music and dance performances by award-winning artists representing the cultures of Cuba, Spain, India, Japan, the Caribbean, and Ireland. The Festival’s Mercado will offer ethnic foods from West Michigan restaurants and a variety of international arts, crafts, and goods from various vendors and organizations. At the Children’s Fiesta, local arts organization CultureWorks will offer hands-on art activities exploring pattern making in Greek, Indian, African, and Mexican cultures.
Fall on the Island Festival
29935 E Pine St., Drummond Island, MI 49726
When: October 7th – 9th
If you haven’t had a chance to visit Drummond Island then you’re in luck, this festival is a great opportunity to experience everything the island has to offer. This festival has plenty to keep the family busy all weekend: live music, corn hole tournaments, a pub crawl, a kid’s fun run, arts and crafts, and more. The best part? The theme of the festival this year is MAS*H, and will include a “Klinger” dress up contest, trivia from the show, and field medic demos.
Fall in Love with Northern Michigan Health and Fitness Retreat
Boyne Falls
When: October 7th – 9th
Boyne Falls, home of Boyne Mountain Resort, is an iconic destination in northern Michigan. As a premier skiing destination in the winter, it’s also a sight to see in the fall when all of the trees on the mountain are turning vibrant shades of red and orange. This fall festival focuses on physical and spiritual wellness by hosting activities like hiking, trail running, kayaking, yoga, and much more. You won’t want to miss this festival.
Ichabod Crane Days
Sleepy Hollow State Park, 7835 E. Price Road, Laingsburg, Michigan, 48848-9438
When: October 8, 8 am – 10 pm
Open to campers at the park and their visitors, this fun event includes full day of fall fun. You’ll find a Chili Cook-Off, horse-drawn wagon rides, pumpkin bowling, a spider toss, and more. Dress up and decorate your campsite at this halloween-themed Michigan fall festival.
Oktoberfest in Pentwater
Pentwater, MI
When: October 8
Pentwater, between Silver Lake Sand Dunes and Ludington on the shores of Lake Michigan, is the home of this fun west Michigan fall festival. Oktoberfest events include the Classic Car & Hot Rod Show, Stout Stumble 5K Walk & Run, C.O.V.E. Home Tour, Live Music, Seasonal Beverages, Yard Games, Food Trucks and more. In addition to the fantastic activities, stroll through the town for fantastic sales and specials at the unique shops and restaurants.
Annual Harbor Springs Fall Festival
Marina Park in Downtown Harbor Springs
When: Oct 8, 11:00 2:00 pm
Head to Harbor Springs to celebrate fall in Michigan, when the crisp smell of leaves and apple cider fill the air. Come down to the Marina Park near Lake Michigan in Harbor Springs, listen to live music, play some corn hole and join the donut eating contest this weekend. Small Batch at the Cupola will have their Hot Dog Cart available for those who want a bite to eat. The Farmers Market will be in full swing that morning prior to the festival!
Charlevoix Apple Fest
47-57 Van Pelt Place, Charlevoix, MI 49720
When: October 14th – 16th
Charlevoix the Beautiful’s Apple Fest is a huge hit every year, and they’ve been perfecting their craft for 43 years. The Apple Fest supports local farmers, orchards, and non-profit organizations while also giving all the visitors excellent memories of celebrating the arrival of autumn. Their festival typically has craft shows, apple picking, a small petting zoo, and a farmer’s market – perfect fall festivities.
Explore Fall in Michigan at Michigan Fall Festivals
Have we missed one of your favorite fall festivals in Michigan? Use the comment section below to let us know about your favorite Michigan fall festival!
More Michigan Fall Fun Things to Do
About the Author-
Casey Johanson is a Content Writer at My Michigan Beach and is passionate about writing and reading. An avid traveler around Michigan, Casey enjoys gardening and running. Her favorite places are typically the hidden beaches and secret scenic overlooks throughout Michigan that most people don’t know about. She loves trying to find places that people haven’t been before and loves writing about those places even more.