BEST 2025 Michigan Music Festivals: Pop, Rap, Jazz, Classical, Rock and More

by Molly Grossman

Best Summer Music Festivals in Michigan

Music festivals are a must-do activity for any lover of the summer months, and Michigan’s music scene is hot! Cites across Michigan offer plenty, all covering a different genre and fitting into a unique niche.

Musical fests offer a great opportunity to kick back and enjoy the Michigan outdoors. Read on for more than 15 top music festivals to keep your eye out for when making your summer plans in Michigan.

June Michigan Music Festivals

Nor-east’r Music and Arts Festival – June 13 – June 15, 2025
Where: Oscoda County Fair Grounds in Mio, MI

The Au Sable Valley Nor-East’r Association of Folk is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting creative and performance folk arts across Northeast Michigan. Each year they host the Nor-east’r Music and Arts Festival, a celebration of Michigan roots music.
In addition to their several live performances, as well as bonfires, a midnight lullaby, and a drum circle.

Electric Forest – June 19 – June 22, 2025
Where: Rothbury MI

Electric Forest isn’t just a music festival—it’s a full-on immersive experience tucked into the woods of Rothbury, Michigan. Known for its vibrant light displays, art installations, and a lineup that blends electronic, jam bands, and indie acts, Electric Forest transforms the forest into a surreal, otherworldly playground. Whether you’re there for the music, the creativity, or the sense of community, this festival is one of Michigan’s most unforgettable summer events.

Hippie Fest – June 7 – 8, 2025
Where: Treetoad Family Farm in Trufant, MI

Hippie Fest is a family-friendly music & arts festival for all ages. Featuring hippie tribute bands, acres of bohemian vendor booths, vintage hippie car show, delicious munchies, drum circles, DIY tie-dye, far-out sideshow performers, and more. It’s groovy baby!

Buttermilk Jamboree – June 13- 15
Where: Delton, MI

Held each June at Circle Pines Center, the Buttermilk Jamboree is a family-friendly, three-day music and arts festival featuring regional performers, workshops, swimming, dancing, and a dedicated kids’ area. With rustic camping, local food and craft vendors, and a laid-back, welcoming vibe, it’s a perfect weekend escape for music lovers of all ages. Camp out or grab a day pass and soak up the fun.

Alpena Blues Festival – June 15th, 2025
Where: Alpena County Fairgrounds in Alpena, MI

Celebrate the soul of the blues at the Alpena Blues Festival, an annual event that honors the genre’s deep roots and community spirit. Featuring talented musicians from near and far, this free concert—held in memory of Maggie Lamb—offers a welcoming, music-filled day in one of Michigan’s most scenic towns. This Alpena fun fest is one of my favorite summer festivals, and offers a great opportunity to explore this cool city on the shores of Lake Huron!

Spirit of the Woods – June 21, 2025
Where: Brethren Michigan

This popular folk festival in northern Michigan is a one-day festival bringing in both top national and local folk performers. Set beneath the trees in a quiet park in Brethren, the Spirit of the Woods Folk Festival is a free, one-day celebration of folk music, crafts, and community. Held each June near the Manistee National Forest and Lake Michigan (about an hour south of Traverse City) , it’s the perfect stop on a summer adventure up north. While there’s no camping on-site, plenty of campgrounds are just a short drive away.

Charlotte Bluegrass Festival – June 19-21, 2025
Where: Charlotte MI

This bluegrass festival north of Battle Creek features both national and local acts. The Charlotte Bluegrass Festival, in Charlotte, Michigan, is delighted to host an annual weekend of music with some of the biggest names in bluegrass.

Michigan Summer Music Festivals in July

Upheaval Festival – July 18-19, 2025
Where: Belknap Park in Grand Rapids, MI

Michigan’s biggest rock festival takes over Grand Rapids each summer with two days of hard-hitting live music at Belknap Park. Upheaval Festival brings together top rock and metal acts—past lineups have included Godsmack, Killswitch Engage, and Bad Omens—for an unforgettable weekend. If you love high-energy shows and big festival vibes, this one’s for you

Faster Horses Country Music Festival – CANCELLED FOR 2025

Beaver Island Music Festival – July 17-19, 2025
Where: Beaver Island Hideaway Campground in Beaver Island, MI

Set on one of Michigan’s most remote and beautiful islands, the Beaver Island Music Festival offers a peaceful, unplugged escape each July. Surrounded by nature, this laid-back festival blends great music with community spirit—and a true getaway vibe. If you are interested in attending this event, plan ahead. The only ways to get to Beaver Island are by plane or ferry. Fortunately, there are ticket packs which provide shuttling to the island.

Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival – July 18 -20, 2025
Where: Tourist Park in Marquette, MI

The annual Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival in Marquette, hosted by the Hiawatha Music Co-op, brings a variety of music to the largest city in the Upper Peninsula. Cajun, Bluegrass, and Celtic are only a few of the genres covered at this family friendly event.

Michigan Music Festivals in August

Grateful Bear Campout – August 15 – 18, 2025
Where: Smiling Acres Campground in Trufant, MI

A weekend of music, camping, and good vibes, the Grateful Bear Campout draws fans from across the U.S. and Canada to Smiling Acres in Trufant—just northeast of Grand Rapids. Expect a laid-back scene filled with live music, local vendors, and a welcoming crowd of new and longtime festival-goers.

Breakaway Music Festival – August 15-16, 2025
Where: Belknap Park in Grand Rapids, MI

Breakaway Festival returns to Belknap Park with two days of high-energy hip-hop, pop, and EDM. Featuring major acts like Zedd, Rezz, and Gryffin, this all-ages event combines music, city views, food trucks, a silent disco, and more. General admission and VIP options available—don’t miss one of Michigan’s biggest summer parties.

Hoxeyville Music Festival – Date TBD in Wellston, MI

This multi-day festival features a diverse lineup of live music performances across various genres, including bluegrass, folk, Americana, rock, and more. The festival is known for its scenic outdoor setting, often held in the Hoxeyville Campgrounds located in the Manistee National Forest.

AfroFuture Detroit – August 16-7, 2025
Where: Brewster-Douglass site in Detroit, MI

AfroFuture brings the pulse of Africa to downtown Detroit with two days of music, fashion, art, and culture at Bedrock’s Douglass Site. This vibrant festival goes beyond music—it’s a full-sensory celebration of global creativity and community you won’t want to miss.

White Lake Chamber Music Festival – July 18-26, 2025
Where: Whitehall MI

This popular festival is now in it’s 17th year presenting an array of classical music performances and recitals for adults and children.

September Music Festivals in Michigan

Arts, Beats and Eats – August 19 – September 1, 2025
Where: Downtown Royal Oak, MI

Part music, part arts and craft festival, this Labor Day weekend festival a celebration of culture and creativity, providing a dynamic experience for visitors to engage with the arts, enjoy live music, and savor delectable food. Art Beats and Eats is a celebration of culture and creativity, providing a dynamic experience for visitors to engage with the arts, enjoy live music, and savor delectable food in the vibrant setting of Royal Oak.

Wheatland Music Festival – September 5-7, 2025
Where: Remus, MI

This three-day festival in Mid Michigan is held every year the weekend after Labor Day. One of the oldest and most well-known traditional music festivals in the state, this mostly-folk festival celebrates and showcases a wide range of traditional music genres, including folk, bluegrass, old-time, Celtic, and more.

Dally in the Alley – September 6, 2025
WhereL Detroit’s Cass Corridor

This fun mix between a block party and music and beer festival is a much-anticipated event in Detroit.

Be sure to keep your eye out for the return of Michigan music festivals like the Common Ground Music Festival. One of the more popular country and pop festivals in Mid Michigan, Common Grounds was last held in 2021. Also, the Mo Pop Festival in Wayne County, a top Detroit Jazz Festival, is currently on hiatus from their annual event.

Things to Remember About Attending Michigan Music Festivals

Summer music festivals are a fun time for people of all ages, but be sure to ask yourself some of the following questions:

• How do I obtain my ticket/pass?
• Will I be able to stay hydrated during this event?
• Is there a safe way for me to get back home/to my hotel/to my campground?
• Are people that I know going to be at the concert?
• Is there someone to pick me up in case of an emergency?
• What am I allowed to take into the festival?
• Are my bags going to be checked at the gate?
• Can I keep my personal belongings (phone, keys, wallet, medical equipment, etc.) safe?
• Doing so will guarantee a safe and fun time while you dance and sing the day away. Remember to make some new friends, be open to new experiences, and cherish the exciting memories that you’ll make!

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• 30 BEST Michigan Fairs and Carnivals
• 21 Best Day Trips in Michigan
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