Throughout the year, there are a number of opportunities to Celebrate Another Culture in Ann Arbor.
Annual Cultural Festivals and Events
Experience another culture is a great experience for kids. Check you these annual festivals and events celebrating different cultures. They are arranged in order of start date from date of publication.
African American Downtown Festival
The Ann Arbor African American Downtown Festival is held the first Saturday in June in the Old 4th Ward/Kerrytown area. This was historically the black business district. There is a Kids Corner with kid-friendly activities.
Ya’ssoo Greek Festival
The Ya’ssoo Greek Festival is held the second weekend in June. It has never worked out for us to attend…but this year, my husband and daughter are both deserting me that weekend. I am planning to go alone.
Ann Arbor Japan Week
Each year the UM Center for Japanese Studies hosts Ann Arbor Japan Week each year. The 2018 week is June 17-23. There are various celebrations of Japanese culture by different groups around town during this week. The celebration is designed to introduce children and families to Japanese culture.
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 💙🎟 | June 11 3:00pm | Howl's Moving Castle at Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor MI |
| 💙🆓 | June 14 2:00pm-3:00pm | Teru Teru Bozu: Japanese Weather Dolls at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 17 2:00pm-3:00pm | Japan Week Concert: Miyabi Koto Shamisen Ensemble at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🎟 | June 22 7:30pm | Spritied Away at State Theater, Ann Arbor Michigan |
German Park Picnics
Each summer there are three German Park Picnics featuring traditional German food and music.
Saline Celtic Festival
The Saline Celtic Festival is held each July. It starts with a Friday night pub celebration. The main festival is Saturday. The Saline Celtic Festival features Highland Games, jousting, kids activities on Wee Folks Island, and more.
The 2023 Saline Celtic Festival schedule:
Ann Arbor Russian Festival
The Ann Arbor Russian Festival is held every September.
Dance for Mother Earth Powwow
The Dance for Mother Earth Powwow is held each March/April. It is a celebration of multiple Native American cultures. The 2019 dates have not yet been announced.
Ann Arbor Latin American Festival
There was previously an Ann Arbor Latin American Festival that was last held in 2016. Their Facebook page has not been updated since late 2016 and their website is no longer active. Other celebrations of Latin American culture include Fiesta de la Familia and El Dia de Los Ninos y Libros Cultural Celebration.
Ann Arbor Celebrations of Culture
Our calendar has an entire category called “Cultural Celebrations”. The events in this category celebrate cultures around the world through music, crafts, and more. Events are added continuously through the year.
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 💙🆓 | May 17 1:00pm-1:30pm | Arabic Storytime at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | May 17 3:00pm-4:00pm | The Sounds and Stories of Africa with Fishmonger Stories at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | May 24 11:00am-11:30am | Ojibway Storytime at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | May 31 11:00am-4:00pm | AADL Welcomes | Jewish American Heritage Month: Culture and Arts Fair at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 13 3:00pm | Reggada Dance Workshop with The Leila at Riverside Arts Center, Ypsilanti MI |
| 💙🆓 | June 15 2:00pm-3:30pm | Japan Week | Clay Totoro & Friends at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 15 6:00pm-7:00pm | Japan Week | Sakura Instrumental Group + Calligraphy Performance at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 16 2:00pm-3:30pm | Japan Week | Make a Print Inspired by Japanese Art with UMMA at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 16 5:00pm-7:30pm | Top of the Park KidZone: Japan Week - Japanese Crafts at Top of the Park, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 17 11:00am-11:30am | Japan Week | A Japanese Classic Tale Omusubi Kororin (Tumbling Riceballs) at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓🎟 | June 18 7:30pm-9:05pm | Japan Week - Okko's Inn Film Screening at Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor MI |
| 💙🆓 | June 19 6:00pm-7:00pm | Japan Week | Sushi Demo with Chef Nakano at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 20 11:00am-11:30am | Japan Week | Japanese Storytime with Momo Kajiwara at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 20 6:00pm-7:00pm | Japan Week | The Sounds of Japan at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 21 6:30pm-8:45pm | Dragon and Lion Dance Parade - Top of the Park Spectacle at Top of the Park, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 21 7:30pm-9:45pm | Afro Brazilian Capoeira Parade at Top of the Park, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙 | July 10 5:00pm-11:59pm | Michigan Celtic Festival
at Washtenaw Farm Council Fairgrounds, Ann Arbor Michigan The Michigan Celtic Festival, formerly the Saline Celtic Festival, returns to Washtenaw Farm Council Fairgrounds after moving there in 2023. The Michigan Celtic Festival begins at 5p on Friday with an expanded program that is family friendly instead of the traditional beer night. The main event is Saturday. Don't miss...Read More |
| 💙 | July 11 10:00am-11:30pm | Michigan Celtic Festival
at Washtenaw Farm Council Fairgrounds, Ann Arbor Michigan The Michigan Celtic Festival, formerly the Saline Celtic Festival, returns to Washtenaw Farm Council Fairgrounds after moving there in 2023. The Michigan Celtic Festival begins at 5p on Friday with an expanded program that is family friendly instead of the traditional beer night. The main event is Saturday. Don't miss...Read More |
Celebrate Another Culture in Ann Arbor
Did we miss your favorite Ann Arbor cultural celebration? Let us know in the comments and we’ll add it.
Comments are closed.