March

Butterflies in Bloom (Mar 1 - Apr 14) Featuring thousands of brilliantly colored butterflies from all around the world, experience the winged beauties emerging, feeding, and flying amidst a lush tropical environment in the Dow Gardens conservatory. Witness a butterfly in flight, and enjoy visits on your hands and shirts when the beautiful creatures land.

Bay City St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Races (Mar 17) Join thousands of spirited folks in the streets at this full-blown celebration of the Irish and the Irish-at-heart! Watch the parade with pipe bands, marching bands, and floats — and have fun!

April

Saginaw on Stage Music Festival (Apr 6) Experience live music and top-notch local talent, with performers across three levels and eight separate stages throughout the historic Saginaw Club!

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour (Apr 12 - 13) While this traveling festival is in town, witness coveted mountain films that showcase the spirit of people who live in, play in, and love mountainous areas.

Bringin' Back the 80s Fest (Apr 19 - 20) Tease your hair high, peg your stonewashed jeans, and dance your way through reliving the 80s! Go wild with live cover “hair bands,” best-dressed contests, and the Retro Rec Room — an 80s dream of games like Nintendo, Atari, and Sega, and displays including a “totally rad” DeLorean.

Shipshewana on the Road (Apr 27 - 28) Shop with fellow enthusiasts at this traveling show, and discover some of the most unique trinkets and treasures under the sun! Find creative clothing, gifts, goods, and foods — it’s all in Frankenmuth for two days, and then it’s gone!

May

Cinco De Mayo (May 4) Celebrate the largest Hispanic parade in Michigan, and enjoy family festivities at the outdoor Jolt Credit Union Event Park! Taste authentic fare and experience live music and Hispanic dancing.

World Expo of Beer (May 17 - 18) With more than 350 beers from around the globe, experience one of Michigan's largest beer sampling events! Dance to live music and whet your whistle with selections from dozens of breweries, alongside local food vendors. Shuttle buses are hopping throughout this festival, and admission includes a souvenir sampling mug!

The Great Lakes Market (May 18) Tucked in a barn away from the elements, come rain or shine to enjoy local food trucks and live musicians as you shop jewelry, art, crafts, clothing, and flowers at this “part salvage hunt, part maker center, part culinary adventure.”

April 5, 2024 is Opening Day to catch a Great Lakes Loons Minor League Baseball game, and their season lasts well into the summer! Look for Thirsty Thursdays (half-off draft beer), Feast Fridays for $2 hot dogs, Saturday evening Fireworks Loontaculars, Sunday games where kids eat free and can run the bases, and special Star Wars-themed nights.

Speaking of “Opening Day,” when can you stroll through local farmers markets to purchase produce, fresh-cut flowers, and baked goods? When will the animals at the Saginaw Children’s Zoo and Wilderness Trails Zoo make their seasonal debuts? And when can we officially board boat tours for the season? Spring over to our full list of upcoming events and see!