Local 2013 Festivals

This is Greater Lansing, Michigan. An area so rich with local festivals, fairs and events we're known as Michigan's Festival Capital! Whether you're looking for ethnic food and music from around the world or arts and crafts or maybe a great big classic car show, you'll find it here. Browse our calendar of events, choose an event that suits your style and pack your bag! You're about to enjoy an event to remember! 

February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

FEBRUARY

16 Frost Fest
Downtown Lansing  •  (517) 487-3322    •   http://www.frostfest.org/
Chill out at the only winter celebration in the Greater Lansing region-Frost Fest! The event features delicious microbrews, great live music and plenty of frosty entertainment - including a "Cold Butt" Euchre Tournament.

MARCH

15-16 St. Patrick's Day Celebration
Grand Ledge   •   (517) 627-8360   •  http://www.glstpats.org
This annual celebration is set in historic downtown Grand Ledge and consists of two nights of Irish dance performances, lots of Irish music, a grand parade and more.

APRIL

11-14 Capital City Film Festival
Downtown Lansing   •   (517) 483-4058  •   http://www.capitalcityfilmfest.com
The CCFF exposes Mid-Michigan movie lovers to international and local films, engaging seminars, and unique musical performances in a four day festival taking place in several venues across Lansing.

26-28
Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival
Vermontville   •   (888) 482-8780    •   www.vermontvillemaplesyrupfestival.org
Home of the original Maple Syrup Festival in Michigan. Enjoy pancakes with real maple syrup, rides, talent show, arts and crafts, flea market, two parades, petting zoo, princess pageant, fireworks, displays, games and free entertainment. Syrup producers are located through-out the village selling syrup, candies, crème and the ever-popular maple syrup cotton candy.

MAY

2-5 Spring Fling Festival
Mason  •   (517) 676-1046  •   www.masonchamber.org
Come to Mason to experience all that Spring Fling has to offer. Includes a 5K run, craft show on the courthouse square, pie sale, duck race and much more-there's something for everyone.

4  Victorian Festival
Grand Ledge   •   (517) 627-5170  •   www.victoriandays.org
Salute spring and the Victorian era with a maypole dance, teddy bear tea and high tea, Civil War encampment, quilt show, May baskets and period craft demonstrations.

18-19 Michigan State University Spring Arts and Crafts Show
East Lansing   •   (517) 355-3354    •   www.uabevents.com/artsandcrafts
The 49th annual show, held on the MSU Union grounds, is one of the largest spring arts and crafts shows in the state. Admission is free and there is ample free parking close to the show.

18-19 East Lansing Art Festival
East Lansing   •   (517) 319-6804  •   http://www.elartfest.com/
Fine artists from Michigan and beyond will line downtown East Lansing's streets to exhibit and sell original works of fine art and fine crafts. Free live music, children's hands-on arts activities and special events to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the East Lansing Art Festival.

24-26 Cristo Rey Fiesta 2013
Lansing   •   (517) 394-4639   •   http://www.cristoreylansing.catholicweb.com/
This annual fiesta features authentic Mexican folkloric dancing as well as dancing in the evenings to live Tejano and Salsa Merengue bands. Proudly serving the finest in homemade Mexican dishes.

31 The Board of Water & Light Chili Cook-Off
Lansing • (517) 702-6377 • www.lbwl.com
Over 40 local businesses compete annually to win the hearts, palates and votes of attendees. Competitors showcase culinary skills at a riverside party with 1,500 gallons of chili, cold beer, margaritas and live bands.

JUNE   

1 Be A Tourist In Your Own Town
Community-wide   •   (517) 487-6800   •   www.lansing.org/batyot
Explore a world of possibilities in Greater Lansing from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Purchase a "passport" for $1
to get free admission to over 50 attractions. Enjoy interactive activities and giveaways for the kids! Special CATA Be A Tourist bus routes provide transportation to most of the attractions for just 50 cents. Collect 10 stamps in the "passport" to be eligible to win great prizes!

7-9 Gizzard Fest
Potterville   •   (517) 645-2313   •   www.gizzardfest.com
GIZZARD FEST-with a name like that you can count on it definitely being FUN! This 14th annual festival is world renowned and includes a classic car show, 3-on-3 basketball, arts and crafts, carnival and lots more.

13-15 Lansing Juneteenth Celebration
Lansing   •   (517) 394-6900   •   www.lansingjuneteenthcelebration.org
Commemorating the end of slavery in the United States by celebrating the joys of liberty, educating the community about our heritage and by promoting positive cultural interaction. This three-day event includes music, dance, entertainment, education and celebration.

15 Annual Oldsmobile Homecoming
Lansing  •  www.reolds.org
This is the largest one-day Oldsmobile-only car show and swap meet in the world. Oldsmobiles will range in age from 1903 to the last cars built. Find over 500 show cars and 100 car related swap meet and vendor spaces.  And don't miss the pre-event cruise-in in downtown Dimondale the day before!

20-22 Yankee Doodle Days
Grand Ledge  •  (517) 627-2383   •   www.grandledgechamber.com
This is the 30th annual celebration in downtown Grand Ledge, featuring fun for the entire family with a parade, fireworks and entertainment tent with live music.

21-22 Summer Solstice Jazz Festival
East Lansing   •   (517) 319-6980   •   www.eljazzfest.com
A free 2 day Jazz Festival in the heart of Downtown East Lansing, featuring high-caliber local, regional, and national talent. Presented by the City of East Lansing, Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, and the Michigan State University College of Music

16-22 Red Cedar Jubilee
Williamston  •  (517) 655-3831
The Red Cedar Jubilee features parades as well as craft shows, a enduro derby, lawn mower races, a duck drop and a food and beverage tent with live music. While in town visit the antiques district.

21 Festival of the Moon
Old Town Lansing   •   (517) 485-4283   •   www.festivalofthemoon.com
Make one of the shortest nights of the year count at Festival of the Moon. Cool off on a warm summer night with a glass of cold craft-brewed beer while listening to rockin' regional and national bands. View the sculptures made of recycled materials created during the "Scrapfest" competition. (www.oldtownscrapfest.com)

22 Festival of the Sun
Old Town Lansing   •   (517) 485-4283  •   www.festivalofthesun.com
Celebrate the summer solstice with the Festival of the Sun, a premier beer, wine and gourmet food-tasting festival. Enjoy fine wine, craft-brewed beer and the Lansing area's best cuisine and entertainment on two stages. View the sculptures made of recycled materials created during the "Scrapfest" competition. (www.oldtownscrapfest.com)

22 Dam Festival
Eaton Rapids • (517) 663-3288 • www.damfestival.net
Good food, music, crafters, a car show and tours of the multiple dams of Eaton Rapids. This festival celebrates the history and culture of Eaton Rapids. (635 State St. on Miller Farm)

23 Delta Rocks! Family Festival
Delta Township  •  (517) 323-8555
A free family festival featuring clowns, inflatable attractions, games, kids' make-it and take-it crafts, music, live animals, super slingshot, face painting, turtle racers, trackless train, concessions and more.

JULY

7-13 Eaton County Fair
Charlotte   •   (517) 543-4510  •   www.eatoncountyfair.com
Whether you enjoy tractor and truck pulls, motor-cross races or demolition derbies, you can find it all at the Eaton County Fair.

8-14 Common Ground Music Festival
Lansing   •   (517) 267-1502   •   www.commongroundfest.com
The Common Ground Music Festival is an annual week-long music celebration. National headlining artists mix with regional and local favorites to create the summer's hottest seven nights. Enjoy rock, country, blues and more along the scenic Grand River.

20 Taste of Downtown
Lansing • (517) 487-3322 • www.tasteofdowntown.org
Enjoy a summer afternoon in Downtown Lansing by sampling a variety of various cuisines and food specialties from Downtown's finest restaurants. Plenty of food sampling, wine tasting from over 100 varieties of wine from around the world, and live music Downtown on Washington Square!

27 Car Capital Celebration
Lansing   •   (517) 372-0529  •   http://www.reoldsmuseum.org/
This free car show celebrates Lansing's automotive history and features over 200 classic cars, muscle cars and collectible vehicles. All makes and models welcome. Food Vendors, Exhibitors and DJ on site.

29-August 3 Ingham County Fair
Mason   •   (517) 676-2428   •   www.inghamfair.org
Celebrating 159 years, the fair offers something for everyone including hundreds of exhibits, the excitement of the grandstand events, large midway, a petting zoo and more!

AUGUST

2-3 Bath Days Festival
Bath  •  (517) 281-9635   •   www.bathdaysfestival.com
Home of the "International Bath Tub Races," this family-friendly festival includes craft and car shows, rides, fireworks, a children's entertainment and play area, parade and of course the main feature-bath tub races down Main Street!

2-3 Lansing JazzFest
Old Town Lansing   •   (517) 371-4600   •   www.jazzlansing.com
Lansing JazzFest is a FREE festival that brings great jazz artists from across the country and state, music clinics, ethnic food, a beverage tent, and fun for all ages to the streets of Old Town Lansing.

3 Island Art Fair
Grand Ledge   •   (517) 627-9843   •   www.ledgecraftlane.com
The 40th annual Island Art Fair features over 100 artists, plus food and live music on the Second Island in downtown Grand Ledge. Grand Princess boat rides available.

9-11 Great Lakes Folk Festival
East Lansing   •   (517) 432-GLFF (4533)   •   http://www.greatlakesfolkfest.net
The MSU Museum presents this three-day celebration of culture, tradition and community. Find music, dance, food and more with the roots, the rhythms and the richness of cultures across America and around the world.

9-11 St. Johns Mint Festival
St. Johns   •   (989) 224-7248   •  www.clintoncountychamber.org/mint
Each year the mint farming heritage is celebrated at the St. Johns Mint Festival. Arts and crafts, flea market, food concessions, parade, five sports tournaments, free entertainment, quilt show, car show and tons of activities for kids.

15-17 Renegade Theatre Festival
Old Town Lansing   •   (517) 927-3016  •   www.renegadetheatrefestival.org
Three days of free theatre showcased in Lansing's most artistic district-Old Town; featuring a wide range of performance styles from comedy, puppet shows, musicals, improv, staged readings and more!

15-17 DeWitt Ox Roast
Downtown DeWitt  •   www.dewittoxroast.net
For over 65 years DeWitt has celebrated on the banks of the Looking Glass River with an arts and crafts show, food and beverage tents, a parade, classic car show, entertainment, fireworks at dusk and more!

21 Old 27 Motor Tour
Lansing   •   (517) 881-2329   •   www.old27tour.com
View hundreds of classic cars as they tour nostalgic old US 27 from Coldwater to Cheboygan on a five-day tour, stopping in Lansing mid-tour (Aug. 21). This is one of the premier classic car events.

24 Michigan Pride March, Rally & Festival
Lansing • www.michiganpride.org
A statewide celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer community, as well as straight allies. The festival kicks off Friday night in Old Town with a White Party. Saturday, take part in a march to the Capitol, a rally on the East Lawn, then return to Old Town for all-ages entertainment, vendors and a beverage tent.

23-24 Mason Sun Dried Music Fest
Downtown Mason  •  (517) 244-6332  •   www.masondda.com
This free music event features many bands, food vendors, a beer and wine refreshment tent and a variety of items for sale. Located in the streets of Mason, next to the Ingham County Courthouse, downtown shops and restaurants will open their doors to you!

30-Sep. 1 Michigan Mosaic Music Festival
Lansing  •  (517) 371-4600   •   www.michiganmosaic.org
Michigan Mosaic Music Festival is a FREE festival celebrating diversity and unity on Labor Day weekend in Michigan's Capital City. Activities include live bands, multicultural dance, ethnic cuisine, beverage tent, labor displays and much more.

SEPTEMBER

1 Capital City Dragon Boat Race
Lansing  •  (313) 731-2628   •   www.capitalcitydragonboat.com
Don't miss cheering on your favorite team during the Capital City Dragon Boat Race as paddlers race in timed trials to capture their flags on the Grand River at Adado Riverfront Park.

5-8 Frontier Days
Charlotte   •   (517) 543-3325   •   www.charlottefrontierdays.com
Pioneer-Spirited guests will enjoy this annual event featuring one of Mid-Michigan's largest parades, a championship rodeo, flea market, arts and crafts, an old-fashioned saloon with live music, kids events, living encampment and more!

19-22 Down Home Days
Mason   •   (517) 676-1046  •   www.masonchamber.org
Check out fall colors and join Mason folks for an outdoor concert Thursday, family activities on Friday, Saturday's 150-vendor craft show on the historic Ingham County Courthouse Square and so much more!

20-21 Old Town BluesFest
Old Town Lansing   •   (517) 371-4600   •   www.oldtownbluesfest.com
Old Town BluesFest brings together the best blues artists from Lansing and across the country. Music workshops, a beverage tent and ethnic food. This FREE community festival is a tradition in Old Town, where community, creativity and culture thrive.

OCTOBER

4-5 Oktoberfest
Old Town Lansing   •   (517) 485-4283   •   www.oldtownoktoberfest.com
Old Town Oktoberfest, Lansing's only German-style festival, features all things German, including live polka, German fare and, of course, wonderful German beers in souvenir mugs to remember the event.

11-13 Color Cruise and Island Festival
Grand Ledge   •   (517) 627-2383   •   www.grandledgechamber.com
Take a trip down memory lane in an old-fashioned covered wagon or glide down the scenic Grand River on a riverboat. Pioneer demonstrations include black kettle caramel corn, folk music, fur traders, cider pressing, car show and more.

12-13 Apple Butter Festival
Lansing/Fenner Nature Center  •  (517) 483-4224   •   www.mynaturecenter.org
Treat yourself to old-fashioned family fun. Help to stir the enormous kettle of apple butter, crank the cider press, taste different apple varieties and observe heritage craftspeople demonstrating their skills. Great food, live music and beautiful fall colors abound!

19-20, 26-27 Boo at the Zoo
Lansing   •   (517) 342-2710   •   www.potterparkzoo.org
Little ghouls and boys will enjoy two weekends of spooktacular fun. Noon to 4 p.m. Lots of fun for the whole family including a  straw maze, hayrides, the Boo Tunnel and more!

NOVEMBER

6-14 East Lansing Film Festival
East Lansing   •   (517) 993-5444   •   www.elff.com
Celebrating its 16th year, this world-class film festival showcases independent features, documentaries and shorts as well as offering tributes, seminars, premieres and parties.

22  Silver Bells in the City
Downtown Lansing   •   (517) 487-3322   •   www.silverbellsinthecity.org
The premiere holiday event for the state of Michigan, Silver Bells in the City brings over 100,000 people to Lansing each year to enjoy the Electric Light Parade followed by the lighting of Michigan's official Christmas tree and a fireworks show over the State Capitol.

Nov. 29-Dec. 29 Wonderland of Lights
Lansing   •   (517) 342-2710   •   www.potterparkzoo.org
Potter Park Zoo is transformed into a magical winter wonderland with thousands of holiday lights and extraordinary displays Thursdays-Sundays 5-8 p.m. only!

DECEMBER

7 Old Town Dickens Village
Old Town Lansing   •   (517) 485-4283   •   www.oldtownfestivals.com
This free event starts the holiday season by celebrating Old Town's Victorian heritage. Enjoy family-friendly activities such as horse-drawn carriage rides, puppet shows, a holiday market, carolers and more.

7 Winter Glow
East Lansing  •  (517) 319-6927
Enjoy magical, family-friendly winter activities, including the lighting of luminaries throughout downtown East Lansing.

7-8 MSU Arts & Crafts Holiday Show
East Lansing   •   (517) 355-3354   •   www.uabevents.com/artsandcrafts
The 50th annual show will be held at the MSU Union on the corner of Grand River Ave. and Abbot Rd. in East Lansing. Four floors of booths make this show one of the largest holiday arts and crafts shows in the state.

7-8 Holiday Traditions Tour
Grand Ledge   •   (517) 627-5170   •   www.gdledgehistsoc.org
Travel to holidays past as you visit historic Victorian homes and the museum. Also stop by and see the 1928 Barton Theater organ, the Holiday Market, festive tables and decorated trees at the Opera House.