Warm apple cider on cool, crisp days. Wooded walks & colorful country drives, spiced lattes & cinnamon sugar donuts. Getting lost in corn mazes and searching for the perfect pumpkin. Now’s the time to take part in autumn’s quintessential activities and truly celebrate the season of fall!
Gather together for the harvest season at huge auto fests and homemade craft shows, big country get-downs and cozy, intimate events. Explore extravagant markets, sample street fare, and raise your glasses in a toast to autumn at these festivals in Pure Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region!
Frankenmuth Auto Fest (September 8 - 10) Jumpstart fall festival season at this year’s Frankenmuth Auto Fest, where you’ll find more than 2,500 classic cars, street rods, and muscle cars! Marvel over an impressive array of polished-to-perfection icons representing Michigan’s automotive heritage, and don’t miss the Big Block Party on Main Street.
The Great Lakes Market at Uptown Bay City (September 8 - 9) Celebrating the thrill of the hunt and discovery of new treasures, find your fall faves at the annual, two-day autumn edition of The Great Lakes Market. Discover unique treasures, trinkets, and handmade art from more than 70 artists and makers, listen to live music, and enjoy foods and flavors of fall.
Annual Country Craft Show (September 9 - 10) Fall simply isn’t complete without a trip to Leaman’s Green Applebarn for cider slushies and the Annual Country Craft Show! Apples are ripe for the picking and so are hundreds of handmade items at this two-day event with artisan jewelry, wood art, metal crafts, candles, clothing — and, of course, fresh apple cider & donuts!
Funtown Chowdown Food Truck Festival (September 14) Fans of street foods and unforgettable flavors can sink their teeth into 20 food trucks at Funtown Chowdown Food Truck Festival in Frankenmuth this fall! Discover a variety of eats, desserts, live music, craft beer (and non-alcoholic beverages). There might be a chill in the air, but there’ll be plenty of heat coming out of these trucks — enjoy!
Japan Festival (September 17) Experience Japanese performing arts and a wide variety of cultural demonstrations and entertainment at Japan Festival in Saginaw this fall. Amidst acres of seasonal gardens in fall color, learn Japanese arts of bonsai, ikebana, and origami. Enjoy mesmerizing performances of Taiko drums by Great Lakes Taiko Center and a Japanese harp (koto) ensemble by Miyabi, and partake in a Japanese tea ceremony.
Hell’s Half Mile Film & Music Festival (September 21 - 24) Connecting filmmakers and musicians with festival-goers, experience community through four days and nights of independent film, live music, and eclectic fun in Downtown Bay City. View genuinely independent films and meet their makers, listen to original music in genres from punk to folk to synth pop, and mix & mingle with fellow festival-goers.
River of Time Festival (September 22 - 24) Travel back in time to see history alive this fall! Feel the rumblings and sounds of the past with hundreds of historical re-enactors, dressed in period clothing and living the parts of Native Americans, Colonists, French voyageurs, and Civil War-Era soldiers. Marvel at skill demonstrations and period musical performances, watch meal preparations and taste history, and listen to historic voices from the past.
Michigan Antique Festivals (September 23 - 24) Visit hundreds of high-quality dealers, spread out across 80 acres, all in one sprawling place that is the Michigan Antique Festival in Midland! A fall staple for more than five decades, discover one-of-a-kinds, antiques, shabby chic, primitives, and more. Bring your classic car out and show it off, or simply take a gander at one of Michigan's longest-running car shows. Stay for the day, or the weekend — event camping is available!
Frankenmuth Fire Arts Festival (September 23 - 24) The fall weather might be brisk, but the heat is on at Frankenmuth Fire Arts Festival! Learn to use fire and heat to create keepsakes in professionally presented workshops, or experience the artistry of amateur makers in competition. Eats from food trucks and live entertainment (including a fire dancers' troupe) make this hot festival a cool can't-miss!
Michigan's Big Country Fest (September 29 - 30) Slip on cowboy boots and saunter your way into the annual Michigan’s Big Country Fest in Frankenmuth. Swing your partner to live music by Shiatown, Waylon Hanel, and more. Enjoy food trucks on-site, sample craft beer flights (and a fantastic Bloody Mary Bar), and learn how to line dance at this boot-scootin’ festival for all ages!
Northwood University International Auto Show (October 6 - 8) Get a glimpse into the automotive future at the Northwood University International Auto Show, the largest outdoor new car show in North America! Experience a modern campus and bleeding-edge display of auto and truck models, with more than 500 vehicles from 65 manufacturers.
Scarecrow Fest (October 14 - 15 & October 21 - 22) Celebrate fall during Scarecrow Fest, a family-friendly event at Frankenmuth River Place Shops with special scarecrow displays throughout Frankenmuth! Enjoy themed weekend activities, launch the ever-popular pumpkin catapult, hop into a barrel train ride, shop arts & crafts, and “fall” into fun!
With colors of crimson & gold all around — and craft fairs, concerts & festivals underway — take part in the season at more upcoming events! More Events +
Find yourself sampling at apple orchards, sauntering through pumpkin patches & corn mazes, and enjoying delicious mulled wine with friends. Whether you hike, bike, or sit back and sip cider together, discover the best of fall in Pure Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region!
Read More +With pumpkin patches & corn mazes ready — and fresh apple cider & donuts waiting at orchards & farms — read on to discover what to do this season to make family memories that'll last a lifetime!
Read More +By: Jen W. O'Deay | Updates: Go Great Lakes Bay | Jen is a Saginaw native and owner of Feel These Words, an independent copywriting studio & home to the free "5 Day Website MiniBoost". Jen specializes in writing that connects, delivered through website copy, branded content articles, and WingWoman writing services. You'll find Jen camping with her family, laughing, and at feelthesewords.com