In Detroit
July 10–12
African World Festival: Join the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History for this 42nd annual cultural fest featuring live entertainment and shopping from more than 100 vendors selling food, clothing, art, and more. Hart Plaza, 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit; thewright.org.
July 11
Light Up Livernois Fashion, Art, and Design Festival: This event celebrates the creative influence along Livernois Avenue. Shop from more than 300 merchants, watch live comedy, check out art galleries, and try local eateries. Along the Avenue of Fashion, between Six Mile and Eight Mile roads, Detroit; lightuplivernois.com.
July 19
Detroit Festival of Books: Shop used, rare, and unusual books, vinyl records, comic books, artwork, vintage board games, and much more at Detroit’s ninth annual book festival. Eastern Market, 2934 Russell St., Detroit; detroitbookfest.com.
Aug. 1-2
Arab & Chaldean Festival: Explore and celebrate Arab and Chaldean culture in the art gallery or at the fashion show. Shop the on-site vendor booths and enjoy music and dance performances as well as kids’ activities. Hart Plaza, 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit; arabandchaldeanfestival.com.
Sept. 5-7
Hamtramck Labor Day Festival: Kiss summer goodbye with a weekend of music, food, vendors, carnival rides, games, special events, and more. Traditionally takes place Labor Day weekend. Joseph Campau Historic District; hamtownfest.com.
Sept. 12
Dally in the Alley: This annual community event celebrates life in the Cass Corridor with vendor booths, music performances, art displays, food, and fun. Cass Corridor, Detroit; dallyinthealley.com.
In the Suburbs
May 23–25, May 30–31, June 6–7
Canterbury Village Medieval Faire: Take a step back in time to when knights, jesters, and princesses ruled the land. There will be roaming entertainment, including musicians, minstrels, pipers, and fire-breathers. Plus, you’ll find plenty of food in the Gaelic pub, including turkey legs. Canterbury Village, 2325 Joslyn Court, Lake Orion; canterburyvillage.com.
May 29–31
Grosse Ile Islandfest: This festival features activities like live music, helicopter rides, a petting zoo, the Macomb Street Parade, the arts and crafts show, and a carnival. Grosse Ile Municipal Airport, 9601 Groh Road, Grosse Ile Township; grosseileislandfest.com.
June 5–7
The Original Michigan Lavender Festival: This is the event to attend if you love lavender. Here you’ll find more than 200 artists and makers, food trucks, lavender-infused treats, and educational workshops. Eastern Michigan State Fairgrounds, 195 Midway St., Imlay City; themichiganlavenderfestival.com.
June 6
Ann Arbor African American Downtown Festival: For 29 years, this event has celebrated the contributions of Ann Arbor’s historic Black Business District. Expect live jazz, pop, and dance music performances, mascot characters, and tons of vendors. Downtown Ann Arbor; facebook.com/AnnArborAADF.
June 6–7
Lyon Township International Kite Festival: Watch gravity-defying kite stunts performed by professional flyers and enjoy live entertainment, food, and kids’ games and crafts. James F. Atchison Memorial Park, 58000 Grand River Ave., New Hudson; lyonevents.org.
June 12–14
Motor City Irish Fest: Don your favorite green garb to enjoy Irish-inspired music, shop Irish retail and food, taste some Irish whiskey, and more. Greenmead Historical Park, 20501 Newburgh Road, Livonia; motorcityirishfest.com.
June 12–14
Opa! Fest: The 33rd annual festival celebrates all things Greek through authentic cuisine and folk dancing, cultural events, church tours, cooking demonstrations, a kids’ play area, and more. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 760 W. Wattles Road, Troy; opafest.org.
June 13
Michigan Summer Beer Festival: Michigan’s finest breweries will be on-site with samples of hundreds of Michigan beers. Food and live music by local bands are also on hand. Riverside Park, 2 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti; mibeer.com.
June 20
Madison Heights Juneteenth Celebration: This event celebrates freedom with free concerts along with food trucks, vendor booths, educational exhibits, and fun activities like a climbing tower and bounce houses. Civic Center Park, 360 W. 13 Mile Road, Madison Heights; madisonheightsjuneteenth.com.
June 25–28
Taylor Summer Festival: Chase Rice, Zach John King, and The Family Tradition Band will perform during this annual summer soiree. Plus, there will be a carnival, fireworks, food, and more. Heritage Park, 12111 Pardee Road, Taylor; cityoftaylor.com.
June 26–28
Michigan Challenge Balloonfest: This 41st annual event features a carnival and an open-air market, along with hot-air balloon rides and displays, fireworks, hands-on activities, food, and much more. Howell High School, 1200 W. Grand River Ave., Howell; michiganchallenge.com.
June 26–28
Trenton Summer Festival: Kick off the summer with hundreds of crafters, vendors, and musicians. The event features family-friendly activities, a beer tent, fireworks, and more. Downtown Trenton; trentonmi.org.
July 2–5
Royal Oak Taco Fest: Start your summer off with a healthy helping of tacos, cerveza, and tequila. The street-food fair will offer eats from more than 50 taquerias and other eateries, plus margaritas, a kids’ area, and five stages of live entertainment. Downtown Royal Oak; royaloaktacofest.com.
July 10–11
Michigan Celtic Festival: The fun kicks off on Friday with live entertainment, a beer garden, jousting, and art demonstrations. Saturday brings more live entertainment, including pipe and drum bands and the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic. Find Highland games and dance competitions, a carnival, food, and kids’ activities. Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor; mi-celtic.org.
July 10–19
Oakland County Fair: An off-road derby, micro wrestling, a rodeo, and monster truck displays are among the grandstand events at this year’s fair. Various types of games, a petting zoo, carnival rides, live entertainment, and other attractions will also be available. Springfield Oaks County Park, 12451 Andersonville Road, Davisburg; oakfair.org.
July 16–18
Farmington Founders Festival: Entertainment includes the Fido Festival dog agility event, a crafters market, kids’ activities, a parade, a beer tent, and a farmers market. New this year is a 5K run. Downtown Farmington; foundersfestival.com.
July 17–19
Festa Italiana: At this three-day celebration of Italian heritage, enjoy authentic Italian food, wine, and beer, along with national and local entertainment, kids’ activities, fireworks, and much more. Freedom Hill County Park, 14900 Metro Parkway, Sterling Heights; facebook.com/festaitalianami.
July 23–25
Sterlingfest: Tackle carnival rides, play midway games, shop the vendor market, and enjoy live entertainment in celebration of the arts. Dodge Park, 40620 Utica Road, Sterling Heights; facebook.com/sterlingfest.
Aug. 2
Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise: This summertime tradition sees a wide variety of classic cars drive along Gratiot Avenue. In addition to the cars, there is also a Family Fun Zone, with food and art vendors, crafts, inflatables, and live entertainment. Clinton Township; ctgratiotcruise.com.
Aug. 7–9
Dearborn Homecoming Festival: The 45th go-round of this annual community celebration will offer a carnival, musical performances, a beer tent, vendors, food trucks, art installations, and two days of fireworks displays. Ford Field Park, 22051 Cherry Hill St., Dearborn; dearbornhomecoming.com.
Aug. 7–8
Dexter Summer Festival: Formerly known as Dexter Daze, this event will include art for sale, vendor booths, live music, activities for kids, and more. Monument Park, Dexter; dextersummerfestival.com.
Aug. 7–9
Milford Memories Summer Festival: Among the activities and attractions at this small town’s big three-day extravaganza are a cornhole tournament, 5K races, the Art in the Village art fair, a beer tent, live music, and plenty of kids’ activities. Downtown Milford; milfordmemories.com.
Aug. 7–9
St. Rafka Church Summer Festival: At this celebration of Middle Eastern and American culture, expect to enjoy dancing, American and Arabic music, kids’ activities, and plenty of food, including falafel and Middle Eastern pastries. St. Rafka Maronite Catholic Church, 32765 Lyndon St., Livonia; saintrafkafestival.com.
Aug. 13–16
Howell Melon Festival: It’s all things melon at the 66th annual melon festival. Race in the 49th Melon Run, enjoy live music and entertainment at the main-stage concerts, and taste the signature Howell melon ice cream. Downtown Howell; howellmelonfestival.com.
Aug. 17–23
Armada Fair: At this year’s weeklong fair, expect a 4-H show and livestock sale, grandstand events including a monster truck show and demolition derby, midway games and rides, live entertainment, and much more. Armada Fairgrounds, 74280 Fair St., Armada; armadafair.org.
Aug. 21–23
GreekFest 2026: Taste popular Greek food and pastries, enjoy music and dance performances, and shop at a vendor fair. Adults age 21 and up can enjoy the taverna, while families will find kids’ games, rides, and more. Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 21800 Marter Road, St. Clair Shores; assumptionfestival.com.
Aug. 25–29
Chelsea Community Fair: Take on some fun fair rides and watch traditional grandstand events such as the figure 8 derby, demolition derby, tractor pulls, and more. There will also be animal displays and shows, a parade, and other activities. Chelsea Community Fairgrounds, 20501 W. Old U.S. Highway 12, Chelsea; chelseafair.org.
Aug. 28–30, Sept. 5–7
Blake’s Sunflower Festival: Cut your own sunflowers, take Insta-worthy photos, and shop from more than 100 artisans. Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill, 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada; blakefarms.com.
Sept. 2–6
Saline Community Fair: Elliott’s Amusements will be on-site with its best rides and games for fairgoers to enjoy alongside livestock and animal displays, live entertainment, and grandstand events like the tractor pull. Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor; salinefair.org.
Sept. 3–7
Romeo Peach Festival: This festival has been a Labor Day weekend tradition for more than 90 years. There will be tons of peach treats and goods, of course, plus a parade, a carnival, live entertainment, and more. Downtown Romeo; romeopeachfestival.com.
This story originally appeared in the May 2026 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
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