The Ann Arbor area hosts a number of great events every year. While these events have always been on our calendar, we’ve gathered dates for each event and our reviews from past years all in one place.
If you are planning a visit to Ann Arbor, these dates can help you plan the best time to visit. Or, if you’re local it can help you decide when you want to be home or away.
- Ann Arbor January Events – Get Downtown & MLK Day
- February Events in Ann Arbor – Wintry Fun and LEGO
- March Events in Ann Arbor: Holidays & Spring Break
- April in Ann Arbor – Bring out the Fools, Celebrate the Earth, and Football?
- Ann Arbor May: Comics, River, Music & More
- June Events for Families – Festivals, Concerts, & More
- Celebrate July at these Ann Arbor Family Events: July 4th, Fairs & Festivals, & More
- August Events: Concerts, Festivals, & LEGO
- September Events in Ann Arbor – End of Summer, Fall, & Football
- Boo! Celebrate Halloween at these Ann Arbor October Events
- November Family Events – Thanksgiving and Theater
- Ann Arbor December Events
Ann Arbor January Events – Get Downtown & MLK Day
January kicks off with Restaurant Week. An incentive to brave the cold weather and head downtown! We love exploring new restaurants and some old favorites during Restaurant Week. There are also a number of MLK Day events in the area every year highlighted by the UM MLK Children & Youth Day.
- Ann Arbor Restaurant Week (Winter)
- 2026 Dates – January 18-23
- Martin Luther King Jr Day Events – January 19, 2026
February Events in Ann Arbor – Wintry Fun and LEGO
Every February is the Ice Carving Festival at County Farm Park. Skyline High School’s Brick Bash was also in February in recent years.
- Ice Carving Festival – County Farm Park – FREE
- 2026 Date: February 28
- Brick Bash – Skyline High School
- 2026 Date: February 28 & March 1
- Brick Bash 2017 Review
- Brick Bash 2014 Review
- Lego Brick Bash 2012 Report
March Events in Ann Arbor: Holidays & Spring Break
Easter events move between March and April. While Easter was April 5 in 2026, events were split between the last weekend of March and Easter weekend. In 2027, Easter will be on March 28, so all events.
- Shamrocks & Shenanigans – Downtown Ann Arbor
- 2026 Date – March 8
- Dance for Mother Earth Pow Wow – Skyline High School
- 2026 Date – March 28 & 29 – traditionally the first weekend of AAPS Spring Break.
Starting in 2018, spring break moved to the last week of March.
April in Ann Arbor – Bring out the Fools, Celebrate the Earth, and Football?
Top April events include FestiFools and the Michigan Spring Game. Of course there is also the Earth Day Festival.
- FoolMoon & Festifools – Downtown Ann Arbor – FREE
- 2026 Date – Friday, April 10 & Sunday, April 12
FOOTBALL in April? Yes, the UM Spring Game (a practice) is typically held in early-mid April. Or, get a chance to run on the field of the stadium with the Big House 5K.
- Big House 5K: Trail to the Victors – Finishes inside Michigan Stadium
- 2026 Date – Sunday, April 12
- Tip – get your tickets early before it sells out.
- Michigan Spring Game – Michigan Stadium – FREE
- 2026 Date – Saturday, April 18
- Earth Day Festival – Leslie Science & Nature Center – FREE
- 2026 Date – Sunday, April 19
- Review – 2017 Earth Day Festival Report
Ann Arbor May: Comics, River, Music & More
In 2018, Huron River Day moved from July to May and is now on our must do list. Of course, we always make time for Free Comic Book Day. We have good news for 2027 – UM graduation will be a week later and not on Free Comic Book Day.
And don’t miss end of the school year events like Picnic Pops or the Burns Park Run.
- Free Comic Book Day – Various Comic Shops – FREE
- 2026 Date – Saturday, May 2
- Burns Park Run – Burns Park School
- 2026 Date – Sunday, May 3
- Picnic Pops – Pioneer HIgh School – FREE
- 2026 Date – Sunday, May 17
- Huron River Day – Riverside Park – FREE (has traditionally been held at Gallup Park)
- 2026 Date – Sunday, May 17
June Events for Families – Festivals, Concerts, & More
Summer is the best time in Ann Arbor! There are so many great events. We loves sampling local food at Taste of Ann Arbor. Hanging out at Top of the Park and the Jaycees Carnival. Also, note that many local fireworks are typically in June and not July.
- African American Downtown Festival – Downtown Ann Arbor – FREE
- 2026 Date – June 6
- Dexter-Ann Arbor Race & Taste of Ann Arbor – Race ends on Main St, Taste is on Main Street.
- 2026 Date – Sunday, May 31 (very rare that it is in May
- Sonic Lunch – Liberty Plaza – FREE
- 2026 Dates -June 4-August 27
- Ya’ssoo Greek Festival of Ann Arbor – St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
- 2026 Dates – June 5-7
- Ann Arbor Airport Pancake Breakfast – Ann Arbor Aiprort
- 2026 Date – Sunday, June 14
- Ann Arbor Summer Festival (Top of the Park) – Ingalls Mall – FREE (donations appreciated)
- 2026 Dates – June 12-28
- Ann Arbor Civic Band Concerts – Burns Park – FREE
- 2026 Dates – June 17-July 22
- Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival – Pioneer High School
- 2026 Dates – June 25-28
Celebrate July at these Ann Arbor Family Events: July 4th, Fairs & Festivals, & More
July is a great month with the 4th of July parade, Michigan Celtic Festival, Rolling Sculpture Car Show, and of course Ann Arbor Art Fair.
- Fireworks
- Sonic Lunch – Liberty Plaza – FREE
- 2026 Dates -June 4-August 27
- A2 Civic Band Concerts – Burns Park – FREE
- 2026 Dates – June 17-July 22
- 4th of July Parades – Ann Arbor & Ypsilanti – FREE
- 2026 Date – July 4th
- Ann Arbor Jaycees Fourth of July Parade Tips
- Michigan Celtic Festival – Washtenaw Farm Council Fair Grounds
- 2026 Dates – July 10 & 11
- 5 Tips for Saline Celtic Festival
- Rolling Sculpture Car Show – Main Street Area – FREE
- 2026 Date – July 10
- 4H Youth Show – Washtenaw Farm Council Fair Grounds – FREE
- 2026 Dates – July 19-24
- 2017 Report
August Events: Concerts, Festivals, & LEGO
Our favorite August events is the AADL LEGO Contest
- Sonic Lunch – Liberty Plaza – FREE
- 2026 Dates -June 4-August 27
- Saline Summerfest
- 2026 Date – August 7 & 8
- Firetruck Muster – Riverside Park, Ypsilanti – FREE
- 2026 Date – TBD. We didn’t see it in 2025. Hopefully it returns this year.
- Dexter Summer Festival – Monument Park, Dexter – FREE
- 2026 Dates – August 7&8
- AADL LEGO Contest – Sheraton Ann Arbor – FREE
- 2026 Date – Sunday, August 2
September Events in Ann Arbor – End of Summer, Fall, & Football
With UM football season, there are a few less events on September weekends. Be sure to check our Fall Guide for fall fun beyond the calendar like apple picking, cider mills, and corn mazes.
- Saline Fair – Washtenaw Farm Council Fair Grounds
- 2026 Dates – September 2-6
- Monarch Migration Festival – Leslie Science & Nature Center
- 2026 Date – September 13
Of course, a UM game can be a great experience for a family.
Boo! Celebrate Halloween at these Ann Arbor October Events
Ann Arbor loves Halloween! Our two favorite Halloween events are the Halloween Treat Parade and the Main Street Treat Parade. We always loved the UM Museum of Natural History Family Halloween Party, but that did not carry over when the museum moved.
- Trick or Treat on the River – Gallup Park
- 2026 Date – not yet announced, 2025: October 12
- 2019 Review
- Main Street Treat Parade – Main Street Area – FREE
- 2026 Dates – Sunday, October 25
November Family Events – Thanksgiving and Theater
November is always a transition month between Halloween and Christmas events with a few Thanksgiving events like Turkey Trots. It is also a popular time for High School theater, and of course the end of the UM Football season.
- Ann Arbor Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day
- 2026 Date: (As of 7/7, the website is down). Typically on Thanksgiving Day.
Ann Arbor December Events
- KindleFest and Midnight Madness – Kerrytown & Main St Area
- 2026 Date – Friday, December 4
- Saline Christmas Parade – Michigan Ave – FREE
- 2026 Date – not yet announced. 2025 – Saturday December 6
