The annual Ann Arbor Huron River Day Celebration is held by Ann Arbor Parks. This year it has a new location, and a new format. It moves to Ann Arbor’s Riverside Park (1000 Canal St).
Huron River Day is a day of celebrating our community’s unique and special resource. The Huron River flows through our city and provides so many benefits to our community and our environment. This scenic river is a source for drinking water, a home for the wildlife and a place for recreation, including kayaking and fishing.
This event encourages partnerships among government, private and non-profit organizations and educates citizens about water quality and Huron River preservation.
Be a Huron Hero – Huron River Day Morning Activities
This year they are hosting morning activities before the Festival. You will have the chance to become a Huron Hero! Sign up to attend one of their activities, speaker sessions, or cleanups. Several of the options are family-friendly:
9-11a: Park Cleanup – RIverside Park, Gallup Park, & Bandemer Park (minors must be accompanied by a guardian)
10-11:30a: Turtle Craft – For kids in grades K-5 – Island Park
10-11:15a: Turtle Walk & Learn – Bandemer Park (recommended ages 14+) – Requires sunny, warm weather.
10-11a: Rain Garden Hike & Learn – Veterans Park (may be impacted. by continued cleanup from the April storms)
10:30a & 11:30a: Huron River Day Microplastics Exhibit Tour – UM Museum of Natural History. No signup, limited to 30 per tour
11a-1p – Ann Arbor Police & Fire 2026 Open House – Fire Station 1, 111 N. Fifth Ave.
Kids will love to meet live animals from LSNC, explore the kids area with inflatable games, and make fun crafts. They can even meet a river mermaid!
Noon-4p – Visit Booths, Kids Zone, Craft Area, Food Trucks, Face Painting & Entertainment Tent
Noon – Live Music by Hullaballoo Band
1p – Belly Dance Performance
2p – Live Music by Margo Solomon teen band from Neutral Zone
3p – Variety Act Performance
However frequent attendees of Huron River Day may miss our favorite Huron River Day activity – kayaking.
Exhibitors
Ann Arbor District Library
City of Ann Arbor Environmental Education
City of Ann arbor Flood Plain/Emergency Management
City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation
Common Cycle
DTE
Ecology Center
Ferncliff Studio
H.E.H. Human Electric Hybrids
Huron-Clinton Metroparks
Huron River Watershed Council
Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative
Legacy Land Conservancy
Leslie Science & Nature Center and Hands On Museum
Michigan Geocaching Organization
Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation
Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioners Office
Food
Plan for lunch by bringing a picnic or buying food from a local food truck.
2026 Food Trucks/Carts:
Tacos El Panda
The Grill Father BBQ
Vegano Italiano
Washtenaw Dairy
Getting to Huron River Days
Parking is available at several UM parking lots. Check out Lot M50 and Lot M40 on either side of the Kellogg Eye Center, or the Wall Street Garages (M93 & M99). Overflow parking will be available at all three Fuller Park lots.
Past Huron River Days
While the kayaking and stand up paddleboarding were always one of my daughter’s favorite activities at Huron River Day, she still enjoyed the other events. I love the addition of the morning activities.
What to Wear & What to Bring to Huron River Days
Sunscreen
Water Bottles
Dress for the weather, we suggest layers if it is cool.
Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be cancelled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, or we can make mistakes.
