Best time to visit Michigan

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Michigan

Best time of year to visit Michigan

The best time to visit Michigan runs all the way from May to October. These months are warm and bright, and there are numerous balloon and music festivals to choose from, all across the state. However, summer is also the most crowded time of the year, so plan your trip well in advance, or opt for a late spring or early fall visit. Late fall and winter in Michigan can be chilly with an abundance of snow. This is good news for skiers, snowboarders, and budget travelers looking for great deals. Early spring is still cool and snowy in many parts of the state. This is when you can enjoy lower hotel rates, fewer people on the streets, and the astonishing Ice Shards on the Great Lakes.

12 THINGS TO DO IN MICHIGAN (SEPTEMBER 16 - SEPTEMBER 25)

Northern Lights

Northern Lights

August–April (all year round) • nature

Go on an exciting aurora borealis chase in Northern Michigan

Upper Peninsula Fall Colors

Upper Peninsula Fall Colors

late September–early October • nature

Take in the explosion of yellow, orange, and crimson

Stargazing

Stargazing

all year round (best in March–early December) • nature

Shrouded with lakes, Michigan offers an unparalleled dark sky experience

St. Joseph County Grange Fair

St. Joseph County Grange Fair

September 15-21, 2024 • event

One of the top five fairs in Michigan

Michigan Renaissance Festival

Michigan Renaissance Festival

August 17–September 29, 2024 (selected dates) • event

A magical 16th-century Medieval village and plenty of entertainment

Lake of the Clouds Fall Colors

Lake of the Clouds Fall Colors

late September–mid-October • nature

The most iconic fall spot in the Porcupine Mountains and entire Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Kayak to Turnip Rock

Kayak to Turnip Rock

March–mid-November  • activity

This wonder of nature on Lake Huron is one of the best weekend getaways in Michigan

The Nordhouse Dunes

The Nordhouse Dunes

April–November • activity

Ancient dunes by Lake Michigan represent a unique eco-system

Apple Harvest and Cider Season

Apple Harvest and Cider Season

mid-September–mid-November • activity

Apples, cider, and donuts—orchards and cider mills in the Ann Arbor area have it all

Kitch-Iti-Kipi (The Big Spring)

Kitch-Iti-Kipi (The Big Spring)

March–November • nature

Michigan’s largest freshwater spring is a geological phenomenon and a great fishing spot

Detroit Masonic Temple

Detroit Masonic Temple

all year round (1st & 3rd Sunday of the month) • activity

Visit the world's largest Masonic Temple built in an impressive neo-gothic style

Fairy Doors of Ann Arbor

Fairy Doors of Ann Arbor

all year round • activity

Discover the magic world of the tiny ornate doors

66 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Port Huron Float Down

Port Huron Float Down

out of rangeAugust 20, 2023 • event

Summer water fun event in Michigan

Hash Bash

Hash Bash

out of rangeApril 6, 2024 • event

The celebration of all things cannabis on the first Saturday of April

Michigan State Fair

Michigan State Fair

out of rangeAugust 29-September 2, 2024 • event

See the second oldest state fair in the United States

Woodward Dream Cruise

Woodward Dream Cruise

out of rangeAugust 19, 2023 • event

The largest one-day classic car event in the world

Electric Forest

Electric Forest

unconfirmedlate June 2024 • event

Join in the forest family and feel the vibes and energy of this exuberant music festival in Rothbury, Michigan

Detroit 4th of July Events & Fireworks

Detroit 4th of July Events & Fireworks

out of rangeJune 24–July 4, 2024 • event

Detroit celebrates America's birthday: from big-city parties to community gatherings

Jackson Hot Air Jubilee

Jackson Hot Air Jubilee

out of rangeJuly 19–21, 2024 • event

One of the oldest ballooning events in Michigan

Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival

Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival

out of rangeJuly 3–7, 2024 • event

America's largest festival combining air show and hot air balloons

Howell Balloon Fest

Howell Balloon Fest

out of rangeJune 28–30, 2024 • event

Howell Balloon Fest is a family-friendly event in the Howell area, also known as Michigan Challenge Balloonfest

Frankenmuth Balloons over Bavarian Inn

Frankenmuth Balloons over Bavarian Inn

out of rangeMay 24–27, 2024 • event

Hot air balloons and more fun in Michigan's little Bavaria

Holland Tulip Time Festival

Holland Tulip Time Festival

out of rangeMay 4–12, 2024 • event

Fun and flowers! Skim the cream off in Holland during the tulip festival

Tecumseh's Appleumpkin Festival

Tecumseh's Appleumpkin Festival

out of rangeOctober 14–15, 2023 • event

One of the best community festivals in Lenawee County

Plymouth Ice Festival

Plymouth Ice Festival

unconfirmedearly February 2024 • event

Skilfully carved ice sculptures line the streets of downtown Plymouth

Hummingbirds in Michigan

Hummingbirds in Michigan

out of rangeMay–August • nature

You can easily seduce a couple of tiny nectar drinking birds to your backyard with feeders or suitable blooms

MTU Winter Carnival

MTU Winter Carnival

out of rangeFebruary 7–10, 2024 • event

One of the largest annual winter festivals in the U.S. takes place on the campus of the Michigan Tech University

Motor City Comic Con

Motor City Comic Con

out of rangeNovember 10–12, 2023 • event

Detroit's biggest fan convention

Thunder Over Michigan

Thunder Over Michigan

out of rangeJuly 20-21, 2024 • event

Two days, four performances, tons of emotions—it's all about air show in Michigan

Frankenmuth Christmas

Frankenmuth Christmas

out of rangeNovember 24–December 10, 2023 • event

Frankenmuth Christmas lights make this Bavarian village an ultimate Christmas destination in Michigan

Fire & Ice Festival

Fire & Ice Festival

unconfirmedmid-January 2024 • event

Enjoy the pleasant ambiance during one of the premier winter events in Michigan

Cherry Blossoms in Michigan

Cherry Blossoms in Michigan

out of rangemid-May • nature

Capture the beauty of cherry blossoms in Michigan

Luna Pier 4th of July Fireworks, Festival & Shows

Luna Pier 4th of July Fireworks, Festival & Shows

out of rangeJuly 1, 2023 • event

Don't miss this spectacular Independence Day celebration

Detroit Christmas Lights

Detroit Christmas Lights

out of rangelate November–mid-January • event

Get into holiday spirit with tree lightings and festivals

Detroit Water Lantern Festival

Detroit Water Lantern Festival

out of rangeSeptember 7, 2024 • event

The magic of hundreds of illuminated lanterns in Michigan

International Cherry Pit-Spitting Championship

International Cherry Pit-Spitting Championship

out of rangeJuly 1, 2023 • event

Anyone can take part in this competition, which promises great fun for the whole family

Selfridge Open House and Air Show

Selfridge Open House and Air Show

out of rangeJuly 9–10, 2022 • event

Appreciate the remarkable capabilities of the US Air Forces

Munger Potato Festival

Munger Potato Festival

out of rangeJuly 27–30, 2023 • event

Plenty of free potato and lots of fun are waiting for you!

Metro Cruise

Metro Cruise

out of rangeAugust 23-24, 2024 • event

Don't miss the biggest car event in the state

Zehnder’s Snowfest

Zehnder’s Snowfest

out of rangeJanuary 24 - January 28 • event

One of the top snow sculpting events in North America held in Frankenmuth, MI since 1990

Labor Day Events

Labor Day Events

out of rangeSeptember 1–4, 2023 • event

The weekend full of outdoor concerts, picnics, and BBQs wraps up the summer season in Michigan

Midland Area River Days Festival

Midland Area River Days Festival

out of rangeAugust 1–4, 2024 • event

Get a birds-eye view of the Tri-Cities region in Central Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 4th of July Fireworks, Parades & Shows

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 4th of July Fireworks, Parades & Shows

out of rangeJune 14–July 4, 2024 • event

This city has no shortage of things to do during the 4th of July weekend

Detroit International Jazz Festival

Detroit International Jazz Festival

out of rangeSeptember 1–4, 2023 • event

One of the largest jazz festivals in the US brings world-class music to the masses

Michigan Nordic Fire Festival

Michigan Nordic Fire Festival

out of rangeFebruary 21-23, 2025 • event

Ship burning and various fun activities at the Viking Encampment

Michigan Summer Beer Festival

Michigan Summer Beer Festival

out of rangeJuly 26-27, 2024 • event

A large outdoor beer brewers event near Detroit

Burning Foot Beer Festival

Burning Foot Beer Festival

out of rangeAugust 24, 2024 • event

With the barefoot entry and camping on the beach, this beer fest is definitely not an ordinary one

Hudsonville Balloon Days

Hudsonville Balloon Days

out of rangemid-June 2024 • event

Balloon flights and countless other activities over two days

Sandhill Crane Migration

Sandhill Crane Migration

out of rangeOctober–November  • nature

Tens of thousands of cranes fly south from Michigan after breeding over the summer

Posen Potato Festival

Posen Potato Festival

out of rangeSeptember 8–10, 2023 • event

Potato, potahto...learn all about this veggie at this annual potato fest!

Wayne County Lightfest

Wayne County Lightfest

out of rangeNovember 16–December 24, 2023 • event

A Christmas fantasy drive-through not far from Detroit

Greater Lansing Balloon Festival

Greater Lansing Balloon Festival

on holdSeptember 26, 2020 • event

Enjoy the celebration of colorful balloons in Southern Michigan

Grand Haven Winterfest

Grand Haven Winterfest

out of rangeJanuary 23-26, 2025 • event

A fun winter celebration on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan

Hunter Ice Festival

Hunter Ice Festival

out of rangeJanuary 13–15, 2023 • event

An exciting winter event in Niles, Michigan

Four Flags Area Apple Festival in Niles, MI

Four Flags Area Apple Festival in Niles, MI

out of rangeSeptember 26-29, 2024 • event

Indulge in apple pastries, cookies, pies, and cider and have fun at Niles Apple Festival Fairgrounds

Grand Rapids Comic Con

Grand Rapids Comic Con

out of rangeApril 12–14, 2024 • event

Celebrate comic books and popular arts in G-Raps twice a year during the spring and fall comic cons

Battle Creek Christmas Parade

Battle Creek Christmas Parade

out of rangeNovember 18, 2023 • event

A must-visit Christmas event to get in the holiday mood

Clinton Fall Festival

Clinton Fall Festival

out of rangeSeptember 22–24, 2023 • event

A fun-filled fall weekend in a historic village

Christmas Lights in Michigan

Christmas Lights in Michigan

out of rangeNovember 24-December 30, 2023 • event

Millions of lights illuminate the holiday season in Michigan

Frankenmuth Dog Bowl

Frankenmuth Dog Bowl

out of rangeMay 25-26, 2024 • event

If you love hot-air balloons just as much as you love dogs, this fest is for you!

Ice Shards on the Great Lakes

Ice Shards on the Great Lakes

out of rangemid–February–late March • nature

The ice cover gets shattered to knife-sharp pieces as spring takes over winter

Nashville Hot Air Balloon Festival

Nashville Hot Air Balloon Festival

overMay 6–8, 2022 • event

Enjoy panoramic hot air balloon flights in Barry County

Wings Over Flint

Wings Over Flint

canceledJune 24–25, 2023 • event

An air show with rich history is making a comeback

Romeo Peach Festival

Romeo Peach Festival

out of rangeAugust 31–September 4, 2023 • event

Community's favorite Labor Day Weekend tradition that will leave you speechless

Skiing and Snowboarding

Skiing and Snowboarding

out of rangelate November–mid-April • activity

Hit the slopes at one of the best ski destinations of the Midwest

National Cherry Festival Air Show

National Cherry Festival Air Show

out of rangeJune 28–30, 2024 • event

One of the best annual events of the Grand Traverse region

Petoskey 4th of July Parade & Fireworks

Petoskey 4th of July Parade & Fireworks

out of rangeJuly 4 • event

A traditional small-town celebration on Lake Michigan

OCIA Air Show & Open House

OCIA Air Show & Open House

out of rangeAugust 11, 2024 • event

An amazing festival, featuring aircraft performances, static displays, rides, and more family-friendly activities in Waterford, Michigan

U.P. Fall Beer Festival in Marquette, MI

U.P. Fall Beer Festival in Marquette, MI

out of rangeSeptember 9, 2023 • event

A large event for beer enthusiasts in Michigan

Michigan Lavender- Festival

Michigan Lavender- Festival

out of rangeJune 28–30, 2024 • event

A summer festival that combines a relaxing retreat and participating in interesting workshops

Pictured Rocks Winter Hike

Pictured Rocks Winter Hike

out of rangeDecember–February  • nature

Winter has its special power to create majestic landscapes. And the area of Pictured Rocks in Michigan during winter period turns into a real ice and snow masterpiece

Christmas Lights in Grand Rapids

Christmas Lights in Grand Rapids

out of rangelate November–early January • event

Take a stroll through America’s Jolliest City

Bad Axe Christmas Parade

Bad Axe Christmas Parade

unconfirmedNovember 25, 2023 • event

Downtown Bad Axe transforms into a winter wonderland. Check it out with your own eyes!

Fairy Festival

Fairy Festival

unconfirmedlate April 2024 • event

A family-friendly event in downtown Jackson

Donuts and Beer Festival

Donuts and Beer Festival

out of rangeMay 6, 2023 • event

Plenty of mouth-watering donuts and lots of beer are waiting for you at Donuts and Beer Festival

Wings Over Muskegon

Wings Over Muskegon

out of rangeAugust 9-11, 2024 • event

Exciting aerobatics, adventure airplane rides, and plenty of ground displays to explore

Warrior Dash Michigan

Warrior Dash Michigan

overJuly 27, 2019 • event

Go through water, fire, air and earth to prove you're a true warrior

Saline Celtic Festival

Saline Celtic Festival

out of rangeJuly 12-13, 2024 • event

Jousting, Highland games, and a marketplace at the most popular annual event in Saline

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