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Annual Festivals & Events

 

From kicking off the New Year with the North American International Show to closing it out with a Breakfast with Santa at the Zoo, the Detroit metropolitan area has an action-packed calendar full of festivals and events.  Whatever your taste, and whatever time of year, Detroit has a celebration for you!

 

 

 

 

January

 

North American International Auto Show

The global automotive industry's premier event, showcasing next-generation vehicles and concept cars.

 

Plymouth Ice Festival

Local, national, and international carvers create spectacular and intricate designs.

 

Ann Arbor Folk Festival

Hosted by the influential and decades-old musical venue the Ark.

 

Ferndale Metro Blues Festival

Charity event held in "Fashionable Ferndale", one of the

hippest parts of town.

 

February

 

Detroit Boat Show

Boats for fishing, skiing, cruising, pontooning, and everything in between.   Perfect event for the state with the most boats in the Midwest and rivaling Florida and California for most in the nation.

 

Oudoorama

A hunting, fishing, and camping extravaganza featuring over 300 exhibitors.

 

Autorama

Wilder and crazier first cousin of the North American

International Auto Show held in January.

 

March

 

MetroTimes Blowout

Over 200 of metro Detroit's influential, unique and celebrated musical artists.

 

Michigan Home & Garden Show

Products and services from flooring to rooftops are on

display at this popular exhibition.

 

April

 

Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress

Conference that brings together vehicle manufacturers,

suppliers, government, and academia from around the world for the exchange of ideas on the state of advanced automotive technology and business.

 

Detroit Tigers Opening Day at Comerica Park

The "boys of summer" arrive in the spring!

 

Detroit Music Awards

Honors Detroit area musicians working on a national,

regional and local level.

 

May

 

Downtown Hoedown

Country music extravaganza that kicks off the season of events at Hart Plaza.

 

Selfridge Air Show

Showcases aerial displays by a variety of military and

civilian aircraft at Selfridge Air Force Base.

 

Motor City Music Conference

Networking opportunity for industry professionals,

musicians, and fans as well as 400 bands from around

the world performing in over 40 Detroit venues.

 

 

St. Mary's Polish Country Fair

Proclaimed the nation's largest high school fair held on the grounds of acclaimed St. Mary's Preparatory.

 

MOVEMENT:  Detroit's Electronic Music Festival

Celebrating the world of electronic music including Techno, the unique sound invented in Detroit.

 

June

 

Detroit Festival of the Arts

Outstanding visual and performing artists from around the world performing in Detroit's Cultural Center.

 

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Detroit

Thousands of Detroiters doing their part in the search for the cure.

 

Art in the Park (Taylor)

Over 100 artists, an entertainment series, food and

more in Heritage Park.

 

Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival

World-class musicians performing classic and

contemporary chamber music in beautiful venues.

 

Belleville National Strawberry Festival

Over 200,000 people visit for the free entertainment,

attractions, and every type of strawberry treat imaginable.

 

Cruisin' Gratiot

Celebration of cruising along one of Detroit's primary boulevards.

 

Dearborn Arab International Festival

Carnival, arts, crafts, entertainment, and food in one of the largest Arab neighborhoods outside of the Middle East.

 

Jazz on Jefferson

Celebrate the jazz and blues heritage of East Jefferson.

 

Michigan Challenge BalloonFest

State Championship hot air balloon competition and

festival.

 

Cruisin' Downriver

More than 500,000 car buffs and enthusiasts enjoy the

sights and sounds along Fort Street.

 

International Freedom Festival & Fireworks

Celebration of the Detroit / Windsor friendship headlined

by an awe-inspiring fireworks display.

 

Detroit Grand Prix

A great Detroit tradition is back with over $7 million in improvements to the Belle Isle track.

July

 

Art in the Park (Plymouth)

Over 400 artists and some of the finest contemporary art and crafts available in the United States.

 

Michigan Elvisfest

That's right, Elvis is alive and well in Ypsilanti.

 

Meijer All-American Jam at the Taylor Summer Festival

Great music, a carnival, fireworks, and fun for the entire family.

 

Common Ground Music Festival

Top-shelf, national musicians performing Country, Classic Rock, New Rock, and R&B in the state capitol.

 

Detroit APBA Gold Cup

Experience the thunder of hydroplane racing on the Detroit Riverfront.

 

Michigan Jazz Festival

A variety of free day-long jazz performances.

 

Ann Arbor Street Art Fair

Recently named the number one art fair in the country by an AmericanStyle magazine readers' survey.

 

Farmington Area Founders Festival

Great artwork, food, and music are staples of this festival originally created to recognize the state's first Quaker settlement.

 

Quake on the Lake

Hear the roar of the inboard hydroplanes on Sylvan Lake.

 

Bayview Mackinac Race

One of the greatest freshwater long distance yacht races in the world.

 

Telegraph Cruise

Another major Detroit cruisin' boulevard celebrates its heritage.

 

 

August

 

Great Lakes Folk Festival

Unique fusion of arts fair, music festival, county fair, and multi-ethnic festival.

 

Michigan State Fair

Century-old fair in a new location featuring great music, food, theater, and amusement rides.

 

Michigan Renaissance Festival

Step back in time to a medieval world complete with

full-contact armored jousting.

 

Woodward Dream Cruise

The coup-de-grace of Detroit's cruise festivals.  Over a million participants and spectators annually celebrate along legendary Woodward Avenue.

 

Fash Bash

Fundraiser that includes a strolling supper, live auction, fashion show extravaganza, entertainment and afterglow parties.

 

 

September

 

Detroit Jazz Fest

The largest free music event in North America -- over 120 bands in Detroit's Hart Plaza.

 

Ford Arts, Beats, & Eats

Art, cuisine, music, and humanity in downtown Pontiac.

 

Art & Apples Festival

Ranks among the best art fairs in the U.S. according to Sunshine Artist magazine.

 

Northville Heritage Festival

Enjoy the art, history, and romance of the 1800's amid Northville's historic homes and tree-lined streets.

 

Dally in the Alley

Awesome music festival in Detroit's Cass Corridor.

 

October

 

Detroit Free Press / Talmer Bank Marathon

Ranked one of the best marathon venues in North America by Marathon and Beyond Magazine.

 

International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum Induction and Awards

Annual ceremony honoring the legends of gospel.

 

 

November

 

Meadow Brook Hall Holiday Walk

One of Detroit's Great Estates hosts an annual Holiday Walk through its amazing 110-room mansion.

 

Turkey Trot & Mash Potato Mile

Michigan's largest 10K run takes place just prior to the start of the America's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

 

America's Thanksgiving Parade

Getting Detroiters into the holiday spirit since 1924.

 

December

 

Noel Night

Celebrate the city’s diverse holiday traditions amid premier arts and cultural institutions, historic churches, and area galleries.

 

Breakfast with Santa at the Zoo

No milk and cookies for the big guy, but maybe some bacon and eggs.

 

Radio City Spectacular

The world-famous Rockettes strut their stuff at the Fox Theatre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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