2024’s Most Crowd-Pleasing Fairs, Festivals & Carnivals in Michigan
Fairs, festivals, and carnivals are coming in hot in west Michigan!
It’s no wonder that they’re one of the best things to do in the summer.
Local carnivals are loaded with parades, festival food and of course, fireworks! Many will have markets boasting incredible handmade items from local artisans. Find animals and wild rides at the county fairs.
But what really makes Michigan carnivals unique are all the crazy themes that an entire festival is planned around. Who else has a pirate fest? Or a cereal festival?
We love celebrating everything from the Coast Guard to hot air balloons.
And yes, we even have a surf festival. No ocean needed – the Great Lakes can handle this, thank you.
Enjoy this list of the best festivals, fairs and carnivals for families in Michigan.
Check for up-to-the-minute details on the Facebook page or website of any fair or festival before heading out to avoid surprises.
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Michigan Festivals, Fairs and Carnivals
April 2024 – Michigan Festivals, Fairs, Festivals & Carnivals
Grand Rapids Lantern Festival
John Ball Zoo, 1300 W Fulton St, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
April 10 – June 16, 2024
Wednesday – Sunday, 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM
John Ball Zoo is the first and only place you can see these incredible works of art in Michigan.
The lantern festival features handcrafted Asian lantern displays that illuminate the Zoo and tell the intersecting story of wildlife and Asian culture.
The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival is a truly breathtaking experience for all ages.
Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival
Shepherd, Michigan 48883
April 25 – 28, 2024
Head to Shepard, the “sweetest” little town anywhere around, for the annual Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival.
Festivities include a 5K walk/run, arts & crafts show, classic car & truck show, parade, pancake eating contest and so much more.
May 2024 – Festivals, Carnivals and Fairs in Michigan
Tulip Time Festival
Downtown Holland, MI 49423
May 4 – 12, 2024
One of the earliest flower-themed festivals in Michigan.
Millions of tulips, walking tours, tall ship tours, yoga in the tulips, concerts, carnivals, arts and food take over downtown Holland every May.
Come for the riot of colors, local attractions, and wooden shoes as Holland, MI, celebrates its Dutch heritage.
Kite Festival of Grand Haven
Grand Haven State Park, 1001 Harbor Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417
May 18 – 19, 2024
The sky over Grand Haven State Park will be filled with kites galore.
Head to the kite arena to catch kite teams performing choreographed routines flown to music.
Bring your own kite to fly on the open flying field.
Fruitport Old-Fashioned Days
Pomona Park, S 3rd Ave, Fruitport, MI 49415
May 23 – 27, 2024
The annual Fruitport Old-Fashioned Days festival is a Memorial Day Weekend tradition.
Tons of events for the whole family: a carnival, circus, ox roast, music, food, and TWO nights of fireworks! (Friday, May 24 and Sunday, May 26)
Plus a Petting Zoo, and Memorial Day parade too.
June 2024 – Michigan Festivals, Fairs & Carnivals
Festival of the Arts
Downtown Grand Rapids, MI 49503
June 7 – 9, 2024
A Grand Rapids staple, this is one of the festivals in Michigan that has been going on for a long time.
With stages across the city and a street lined with Cultural food booths, the Festival of the Arts is a delight for your senses.
Many hands-on art experiences are also available for all ages. Kids Paint In is an enduring favorite.
Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival
Downtown Frankenmuth, MI 48734
June 6 – 9, 2024
Michigan’s largest celebration of Bavarian Heritage is the Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival.
Come celebrate German heritage through Bavarian music played by authentically dressed German bands, watch two parades, enjoy the local schuhplattler dancers Da Frankenmuda Fratz’n, and dance music.
Venues sell many varieties of German foods and desserts, along with imported and domestic beer. Fireworks, Bavarian Festival Olympics and so much more.
Also visit Zehnder’s Waterpark while you’re in town!
Mackinac Island Lilac Festival
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
June 7 – 16, 2024
The 10-day lilac festival is the first summer event of the season on Mackinac Island.
Kite flying, parades, a poster contest, kids races, walking tours, cruises, and special tours of Fort Mackinac are all part of this festival.
National Asparagus Festival
16 S State St, Hart, MI 49420
June 8, 2024
The National Asparagus Festival of Oceana County, Michigan, is a fun event promoting the famous local asparagus industry.
The 3-day festival is held annually during the 2nd weekend in June.
Some of the many events include the Taste of Asparagus (formerly known as the Food Show), Asparagus Queen’s Pageant, Arts & Crafts Fair, Farm Tour, Kidz Zone, Joan Glover Royale Parade, Ryan Walsworth Spear-It 5K, live music and much more!
Hippie Fest
Treetoad Family Farm, 10834 W Willard Rd, Trufant, MI 49047
June 8 – 9, 2024
It’s Groovy, Baby!
Hippie Fest is a family-friendly music and arts festival featuring vibrant entertainment for all ages.
The festival features one-of-a-kind artists and vendors, bohemian shopping, and family-friendly entertainment.
Free admission for kids ages 10 and under.
South Haven HarborFest
South Haven Riverfront, MI 49090
June 14 – 15, 2024
Head down to South Haven for carnival rides and games, craft show, live music and a food fest.
Plus, 44-foot Dragon Boats return to the festival. Teams of up to 25 people paddle the big boats at the South Haven HarborFest.
Note: As of 5/1/24, the mermaids will not be at the festival this year.
Berlin Youth Fair
2008 Berlin Fair Dr, Marne, MI 49435
June 17 – 22, 2024
Michigan’s longest-running fair- since 1855!
With an emphasis on youth and agriculture, they provide the community with a financially sound fair that educates, entertains, and allows for community involvement with a wholesome family atmosphere.
Horse pulls, livestock auctions, carnival rides, and more.
Montcalm County Fair
8784 Peck Rd, Greenville, MI 48838
June 23 – 29, 2024
Events offered include 4-H livestock, small animals, and still exhibits on display.
A carnival by Maple Leaf Amusements, Grandstand events, and more!
Michigan Challenge Balloonfest
Howell High School, 1200 W Grand River Rd, Howell, MI 48843
June 28 – 30, 2024
The Michigan Challenge Balloonfest is a family-friendly festival.
Activities include carnival rides, kid attractions, fireworks, and balloon launches, fly-ins, and evening glow.
$5.00 per person, per day – CASH ONLY
Children 3 & under admitted free.
Parking is free.
Grand Haven Arts Festival
Downtown Grand Haven, MI 494
June 28 – 30, 2024
The Grand Haven Art Festival transforms the downtown main street into a chic art gallery where you can buy beautiful artwork from your favorite artists.
The Art Festival provides the community and visitors with a unique opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind art, directly from the artist.
Michigan Lavender Festival
Eastern Michigan Fairgrounds, 195 Midway St, Imlay City, MI 48444
June 28 – 30, 2024
They are the largest lavender festival on the east coast and showcases Michigan’s top lavender farms, growers, and producers along with more than 175 artists & makers.
Many of the lavender farms in Michigan are represented at this event.
There’s also a Food Truck Gathering with Metro-Detroit’s BEST Food Trucks.
Guests can learn about the many benefits of lavender, including growing, harvesting, cooking, and crafting, along with medicinal and aromatic uses for this beloved herb.
National Cherry Festival
Downtown Traverse City, MI 49684
June 29 – July 6, 2024
The beloved cherry festival in Traverse City dates back to 1910 when cherry growers in the Grand Traverse area began to hold informal “blessing of the blossoms” and the crowning of the first queen in 1925. It became a week long festival in 1968.
Over 150 events and activities throughout the week, including classic car cruise, sand sculpture contests, parades, food, races, concerts, midway, arts & crafts fair, and plenty of cherries. Virtual events include Cherries Got Talent and Very Cherry Porch Parade.
July 2024 – Festivals, Carnivals & Fairs in Michigan
Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival
15551 S Airport Rd, Battle Creek, MI 49015
July 3 – 7, 2024
Voted one of the Best Air Shows in North America several years running.
Awesome Air Show, balloons, entertainment, fireworks, carnival, and SO MUCH MORE for the whole family!
Bay City Fireworks Festival
Saginaw River near Veterans Memorial Bridge
July 4 – 6, 2024
One of the greatest firework shows/festivals in Michigan!
Three nights of fireworks, pageants, a family carnival, live entertainment, trader’s alley, and a VIP viewing area are all things that make this the number one stop for Independence Day celebrations in Michigan.
Lowell Riverwalk Festival
Downtown Lowell, MI 49331
July 11 – 13, 2024
This three-day event includes many activities for you and your family to enjoy including a community parade, crafts, food, duck raffle, concerts, fireworks, and more!
Ionia Free Fair
317 S Dexter St, Ionia, MI 48846
July 11 – 20, 2024
Carnival rides with Arnold Amusements Midway (get a super fun pass for unlimited rides), fair food, musical acts, a monster truck showdown, 4H animals, and camping during the week-long event.
Special Days include kids day, dog day and ladies’ day.
Ann Arbor Art Fair
Downtown Ann Arbor, MI 48103
July 18 – 20, 2024
The Ann Arbor Art Fair is one of Michigan’s finest summer traditions and one of the largest outdoor art fairs in the nation.
The streets of Ann Arbor will be transformed into an art lover’s paradise and you can experience and enjoy original works of art, street performances, culinary treats, and a variety of sidewalk sales.
Create your own works of art in the Art Activity Zone (family-friendly art projects are open to all ages), peek into the creative process, and create and/or re-create a magnificent piece of Chalk Art.
Charlevoix Venetian Festival
Charlevoix, MI 49720
July 20 – 27, 2024
This week-long festival plays host to numerous events: concerts, street & boat parades, venetian games (pickleball, cornetian corn toss, beach volleyball), Aquapalooza beach & boat party, fireworks, a block party, and kids day.
Kids day includes a petting zoo, bubble land, yard games, and a giant coloring mural. With a $10 armband, kids get access to pony rides, crafts, jump houses, and a mechanical bull.
Carnival rides are also available via Arnold Amusements.
Ottawa County Fair
1286 Ottawa Beach Rd, Holland, MI 49424
July 22 – 27, 2024
The Ottawa County Fair brings youth, young families, and adults of all ages together for agricultural education, affordable family fun and recreation within a safe and friendly environment.
Carnival games and rides, attractions, Grandstand Events and 4H animals.
Eastern Michigan State Fair
195 Midway St, Imlay City, MI 48444
July 23 – 27, 2024
The Eastern Michigan State Fair bring hours of fun to Imlay City every summer.
Admission includes unlimited rides, Grandstand events, petting zoo and free parking.
August 2024 – Michigan Festivals, Fairs & Carnivals
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival
Downtown Grand Haven, MI 49417
July 26 – August 4, 2024
The Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival is an annual celebration of all things Coast Guard. Parades, memorials, picnics, carnival rides, fireworks, car show, craft fair and the list goes on.
Kent County Youth Fair
13801 Cascade Rd SE, Lowell 49331
July 29 – August 3, 2024
The Kent County Youth Fair is centered on developing character and leadership traits in young people with an interest in agriculture.
Special themed days throughout the week include Heroes Day and Auction Day. Tuesday is always Reading for Rides Day. Kids earn free rides for a completed reading log.
Whether you’re catching a show or taking a walk through the barns, you’ll enjoy every minute of your visit to fair.
Magic Get Together
Colon, MI 49040
July 31 – August 3, 2024
This family-oriented festival features magicians from all over the world.
Magicians perform in the streets, restaurants and bars. Be sure to visit the annual craft fair on Friday and Saturday. Visit the Colon Historical Museum for a special Magic adventure or take a cemetery tour.
Each of the four days ends with a world class magic and variety show held in the air-conditioned Colon High School Auditorium. These are not your average birthday party magicians and each show is different, with comedy, large illusions, variety acts, and much more.
Boyne City Pirate Fest
Boyne City, MI 49712
August 8 – 10, 2024
The Pirate festival where you are the pirates! Dress up and be part of the fun!
Real pirate street theater, kids games and workshops, a beverage tent with musical entertainment, boat parade and landing pageant, parade, costume contests, treasure hunts, and a pirate river race, reenactment of the famous and historic Great Lakes Battle of the Boyne City VS “Sadie The Goat” and her crew of profiteers (that some say never happened), to name some of the revelry.
National Blueberry Festival
South Haven, MI 49090
August 8 – 11, 2024
South Haven’s signature event since 1963.
Highlight events include Farm Day (visit blueberry farms, meet the owners and have an immersive blueberry experience), pie eating contest and 5K. Purchase your favorite blueberry products and visit the craft fair.
Great Lakes Surf Festival
Pere Marquette Beach, 1601 S Beach St, Muskegon, MI 49441
August 10, 2024
A festival at Pere Marquette Beach in Muskegon celebrating all aspects of surfing and playing on the Great Lakes.
They welcome all SUPers, Surfers, Kiteboarders, Kayakers, Windsurfers, Artists, and Yogis.
Upper Peninsula State Fair
2401 12th Ave North, Escanaba, MI 49829
August 12 – 18, 2024
Since 1928, the Upper Peninsula State Fair has provided a place for folks from across the nation to experience and celebrate the unique culture and heritage of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Enjoy free family fun all week: try fishing or shooting, visit animals, watch amazing woodworking chainsaw carvers, check out gorgeous sand sculptures, play games, enter contests and so much more.
Grandstand entertainment includes concerts and racing.
Michigan Fiber Festival
150 Douglas St, Allegan, MI 49010
August 14 – 18, 2024
This Michigan Festival is the largest fiber festival in the state.
Come out and explore the work of artisans in fiber arts competitions, workshops, and vendor booths (over 100). Activities for kids include an Antique Tractor Display, a Historic Village, and live music in the Carousel. Camping available.
Animal Shows include Angora Rabbits, Mohair Fiber Goat, Pygora, and Sheep.
Danish Festival
210 S Lafayette St, Greenville, MI 48838
August 16 – 18, 2024
The Danish Festival is held the 3rd full weekend in August, in beautiful Greenville, MI.
The Danish Festival’s mission is to host a festival that celebrates the homecoming of family and friends and the area’s Danish heritage.
Enjoy the Grand Dansk Parade, main stage entertainment, an artisan fair & boutique.
Hudsonville Community Fair
5235 Park Ave, Hudsonville, MI 49426
August 19 – 24, 2024
The Hudsonville Community Fair represents the last hurrah of summer.
The 4-H exhibits at the Hudsonville Community Fair reflect the strong agricultural roots of the community.
HCF is full of family-friendly fun including concerts, magic shows and midway rides. Also Grandstand events including truck & tractor pulls, off-road derby, monster trucks and more.
Be sure to visit western Michigan’s “Biggest Little Fair in the State”!
September 2024 – Festivals, Carnivals & Fairs in Michigan
Michigan festivals aren’t just for summer. Keep having fun at fall festivals and fairs.
Michigan State Fair
46100 Grand River Ave, Novi, MI 48374
August 29 – September 2, 2024
The original event was one of the first statewide Fairs to emerge in the continental USA!
The Michigan State Fair is a private produced event. The Fair’s aim is to celebrate and encourage the fresh new direction of the Michigan Agriculture Industry, while also maintaining the beloved traditions of our grand old State Fair.
With so many events to explore and things to do, you will never be bored.
Attractions include baking contests, beer garden, nearly 20 different fun contests like watermelon seed spitting, live music, shrine circus, toddler area, Thursday night fireworks and so much more.
Romeo Peach Festival
150 Allegan Co. Fair Dr, Allegan MI 49010
August 29 – September 2, 2024
The Romeo Peach Festival is the second oldest festival in the state.
In addition to appearances of the Peach Queen, this yearly festival also includes parades, craft shows, car shows (include a night show), carnival rides, a 5K and a golf classic.
Allegan County Fair
150 Allegan Co. Fair Dr, Allegan MI 49010
September 6 – 14, 2024
Allegan County Fair is one of the largest fairs in the State of Michigan,
This yearly county fair regularly hosts large music acts, animal shows, Taste of the Allegan County Fair, off-road demo derby, harness horse racing, midway carnival rides & concessions, as well as a rodeo and monster truck show.
A tractor pull and demolition derby are also part of the fun.
Michigan Renaissance Festival
12600 Dixie Hwy, Holly, MI 48442
Weekends August 17 – September 29, 2024 + Labor Day & Festival Friday September 27
Dress up as a Viking, pirate, wizard or another fantasy character and head to an English-themed village modeled after the movie “All’s Faire in Love.”
Expect sword fight shows, knights on horses, bagpipers, highland games, juggling acts, arts and craft vendors, and food booths as well.
For the kids: face painting, rides, listening to music, food, unicorns & ponies.
Holiday Festivals in Michigan
Holly Dickens Festival
Historic Downtown Holly, MI 48442
Lighted Dickens Parade 6 PM, Friday, November 29
November 30 & December 1, December 7 & 8, December 14 & 15
The oldest, longest-running Dickens Festival in the United States!
Step back in time this holiday season to the days of Charles Dickens’ and become part of “A Christmas Carol.”
Stroll the streets, visit the unique shops, and dine the eateries. Sample roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate, and maybe some gruel.
Sing carols, shop the shops, enjoy the entertainment.
Local Festivals & Fairs Happening Now
While the big festivals might have fanfare, there are even more festivals around West Michigan to bring a smile to your face.
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Maritime Festival, Harbor Beach July 8-11.
Music, car shoe, book sale, food, kids carnival. Bocce, Corn Hole, Volleyball, Sandcastle, and Jet Ski contests. Fireworks and a lighted boat parade. And more
Do you have any information on the Ogemaw county fair in West branch Michigan?
has anyone heard anything on the Cass County Fair?
Start of Summer Celebration in Rockford June 13-16, 2019
Sparta town and country days – July 18-22
Kent County Youth Fair in Lowell is August 6-11!
Lakeshore Art Festival in Muskegon, July 7-8
Dutton Days parade, June 25
Thank you for the info! I’ve got it added!
-Betsy
Ionia Free Fair
July 14-23
Thank you for the info! I’ve got it added!
-Betsy
I have been hearing of several county fairs either considering canceling or possibly may have already canceled can anyone verify this ??
The National Baby Food festival in Fremont runs from July 20 through July 23. Lots of activities for kids and families with a huge parade on the last day.
Lori,
Thank you for the info! I’ve got it added!
-Betsy