Ann Arbor Jaycees Summer Carnival

Event Summary

Date(s): Thursday, June 18, 2026
Time: 4:00pm-9:00pm
Venue: Pioneer High School
Jump to Event Details

Event Description

The Ann Arbor Jaycees Summer Carnival is back for 2026!

The Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival is an Ann Arbor tradition. It is held each June in the Pioneer High School parking lot. The Carnival includes rides, games, and food. For my daughter, the highlight of the Carnival is the rides. She has loved rides from the first time I took her to the Jaycees Carnival at 18 months old.

The Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival is a locally run event! Proceeds from the carnival stay in the Ann Arbor community and benefit the Jaycees and local charitable causes like SafeHouse Center and Habitat for Humanity.

Apple Playschools
Mud Day Celebration & Fundraiser

Saturday, June 27 10a-12:30p

FREE Youth Match Pass for Kids 13 & Under - AFC Ann Arbor Mascot Nutmeg, a squirrel, sits with a child who has a bag of chips

AFC Ann Arbor – Get your Free Youth Match Pass

Games May 16-July 11

My daughter has been willing to try any ride since she was 4. I remember only her having the ride wristband and wanting to ride The Tornado – a high flying, spinning ride. She barely made the height cut-off so we let her ride alone. After riding we discovered it was a 4 ticket ride, but she thought the 4 meant it was for 4 year olds. Don’t worry she loved it.

2026 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival

Skerbeck returns as the ride operator for the 2026 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival. Ride wristbands are available for $35/day with tickets available as well. Wristbands can be bought online in advance or with cash at the gate. Tickets will be available at the gate. Tickets may be a better bet for small children who are too short for many of the rides (and their rides use less tickets).

There is a minimum purchase to enter the carnival. You have to spend $10/person or $20/family. You can show proof of a wristband purchase, buy ride tickets or buy midway bucks for food or games. They added the minimum purchase after disruptive incidents years ago. The minimums used to apply only later at night, but are now listed for the entire carnival.

Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Schedule

	Date/Time	Event
💙🎟	June 18 4:00pm-9:00pm	Ann Arbor Jaycees Summer Carnival at Pioneer High School, Ann Arbor Michigan The Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival is an Ann Arbor tradition. It is held each June in the Pioneer High School parking lot. The Carnival includes rides, games, and food.
💙🎟	June 19 4:00pm-9:00pm	Ann Arbor Jaycees Summer Carnival at Pioneer High School, Ann Arbor Michigan The Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival is an Ann Arbor tradition. It is held each June in the Pioneer High School parking lot. The Carnival includes rides, games, and food.
💙🎟	June 20 12:00pm-10:00pm	Ann Arbor Jaycees Summer Carnival at Pioneer High School, Ann Arbor Michigan The Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival is an Ann Arbor tradition. It is held each June in the Pioneer High School parking lot. The Carnival includes rides, games, and food.
💙🎟	June 21 12:00pm-10:00pm	Ann Arbor Jaycees Summer Carnival at Pioneer High School, Ann Arbor Michigan The Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival is an Ann Arbor tradition. It is held each June in the Pioneer High School parking lot. The Carnival includes rides, games, and food.

What to Bring to the Jaycees Carnival

Sunscreen – The carnival is in the full sun at Pioneer.
Water Bottles – It is often hot at the carnival. Make sure to stay hydrated.
Cash – The carnival only accepts cash at the ticket booth and most food vendors. There is an ATM, but it is better to be prepared than to pay ATM fees
Confirmation if you purchased your wristband online.
Friends – Definitely plan to bring your child’s friends or meet up there. My daughter has found that some rides require 2 riders, plus it is always more fun with friends.

Past Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Reviews

We love the Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival. We have traditionally partnered with the Jaycees to do a video walkthrough of the Carnival on the first day.

Check out our reviews from past years.

Thrills & Delights: Ann Arbor’s Carnivals 2026

The 2026 Ann Arbor Carnival & Fair season is back! Carnivals are always a great source of family fun with games and rides and entertainment. My daughter loves rides, so carnivals and fairs that bring rides to town have always been a big hit with her. The Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival at Pioneer High School […]

Event Details