October in Michigan is a magical time when the fall colors reach their peak and the crisp autumn air invites everyone to embrace the season. From scenic drives to pumpkin patches, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the beauty and charm of Michigan this month. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, these 12 activities will help you make the most of the month.
Oct 1-31 (weekdays only) The Hunt for Reds of October – Leelanau Peninsula
What a wonderful time of year it is to soak up yellow, orange, and of course, reds, on the glorious Leelanau Peninsula. Thankfully, this fantastic opportunity to discover many of Michigan’s best red wines is back. For only $35 a person, participants can enjoy a pour of red wine hand-selected by the wine makers themselves, along with $10 in cork cash, which can be used at any of the participating wineries.
The Hunt is on, on weekdays throughout October. Brighten up a Mopey Monday, delight your palate on Tasty Tuesday, or relax on Wine Down Wednesday. Perhaps you’ll want to welcome the weekend early on Thirsty Thursday, or wait and celebrate that TGIF feeling. There’s never a bad day to discover a Michigan red.
October 1-15 Fall Color Sail – Bay City
Perhaps you’ve tried a chairlift or train ride in October, but have you ever considered setting sail to take in some fall foliage? Step aboard the Appledore IV this month and cruise on the Saginaw. Each 2-hour voyage will take passengers upriver and back for a unique opportunity to enjoy autumn splendor and perhaps even spot some wildlife.
Tickets are $45 each for adults and $35 each for children 18 and under. Though the sails may not be raised, this is still a rare chance to sail on one of these magnificent vessels, while also taking in the magnificence of nature that comes with fall in Michigan.
October 4-31 Skeletons Are Alive – Northville
This has become one of Metro Detroit’s favorite fall traditions. It kicks off with a special celebration on Friday October 4, featuring a skeleton stilt walker, balloon twisters, face painting, a photo booth, and live pumpkin carving. Ghostbusters will be on site to thwart any scary spirits, while Social Bones rocks Town Square. Costumes are welcome, and even encouraged.
The streets will be filled with 120 life-sized skeletons with various themes. Don’t worry if you can’t make the Launch Party, those skelly selfie opps abound until the end of the month. The kids will have a blast discovering them, and adults can scare up a little fun of their own in the town’s social district.
October 5 Red Flannel Day – Cedar Springs
One of the quirkiest and also oldest festivals in Michigan, this event got it’s start to ride a wave of local publicity. Back in a very wintery 1936, a New York feature writer complained that there were no red flannels to buy. The Cedar Springs Clipper, owned and edited by Nina Babcock and Grace Hamilton answered the writer with an editorial stating, “Just because Sak’s Fifth Avenue does not carry red flannels, it doesn’t follow that no one in the country does. CEDAR SPRINGS’ merchants have red flannels!” Orders came flying in.
In 1939, the small town decided to capitalize on its new-found fame by creating a fun event called Red Flannel Day. The tradition has continued ever since. Don some red, or flannel (preferably both) and join in on the flapjack breakfast, children’s parade, tractor pull, car show, carnival, grand parade, and more.
October 5 Skitoberfest – Boyne Mountain
Skitoberfest is BACK! This Oktoberfest-style party is a time to raise a stein to the season ahead. Head to the great Bier Hall, filled with craft brews, delicious eats, and a rockin’ tent with live music. Don't miss our favorite fall activities - stein hoisting, keg throwing, spouse-carrying competitions, pond pedaling, and more!
No Skitoberfest is complete without our Pray for Snow Bonfire, summoning a winter filled with endless powder days, cozy après-ski gatherings, and the thrill of carving turns.
October 11-12 Fall on the Island Festival – Drummond Island
For a real autumn treat, hop on a car ferry for a short 10-15 minute trip across the St. Mary’s River to Drummond Island. Soak in all of the autumn splendor along the way. Once there, music, food, drinks, and family entertainment, await. This annual event includes some wonderful traditions like pasty-eating and pumpkin-carving competitions, as well as a pie-baking battle and chili cook-off.
You can start the weekend off in a 9-hole golf tournament. Then participate in cornhole and pong tournaments, shop for crafts, or take in a dueling piano show, among other live entertainment.
October 11-13 Apple Festival – Charlevoix
Autumn means apples all around the state. Set against the stunning beauty of Charlevoix, this popular event has become an annual tradition. Aside from stocking up on fall’s favorite fruit, guests can hit the farmers market for local products like pumpkins, mums, squash, jam, maple syrup, pies, bagels, mustard, crepes, cider, honey, meats, eggs, soups, and a variety of baked goods.
Bring a bag or two and your appetite because you’ll also find delicious soup and chili, hot dogs, kielbasa, apple flappens and Irish apple cake, available to eat on site. In addition to the food a plenty, you can get a jump on unique holiday gift shopping with the arts & crafts show in East Park and on Mason Street.
October 12-13 Appleumpkin Festival – Tecumseh
Apples and pumpkins are the ultimate fruits of a fall harvest, so why not celebrate both equally? That’s what our friends in Tecumseh do, and it makes for an incredibly fun event. Catch a ride, via monster truck, helicopter, or a good old fashioned carnival midway. There are also lots of games, live performances, arts & crafts, dining, and shopping opportunities. If you’re feeling gutsy, you can even bungee jump.
While in the area, take a short drive, or take the free shuttle, out to Kapnick Orchards and enjoy fresh apples, cider and donuts. Wagon rides, a petting zoo and over 80 craft booths add to the fall fun there.
October 18 Eastern Market Harvest Gala – Detroit
In 1891, the first sheds were built on the current Eastern Market site, and it has been a Detroit institution event since. It’s all about food, fun, and promoting the best of our local flavors. Eastern Market’s Gala is celebrating its 11th anniversary this month with premier Detroit chef Sarah Welch of Marrow providing the cuisine.
Enjoy an exquisite farm-to-fork dinner, wine, cocktails, live music, and dancing in Shed 3. This benefit is one of the city’s best nights out of the year.
October 19 Detroit Fall Beer Festival – Detroit
The 15th annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival will be held at Detroit's historic Eastern Market. General Admission is 1-6pm, with the gates opening at Noon for a VIP hour for Enthusiast Members. The Michigan Brewers Guild's Detroit Fall Beer Festival at Eastern Market in October is one of the largest all-Michigan beer tastings around. Attendees can enjoy food from Detroit area restaurants (available for purchase) and listen to a talented line-up of local musicians while sipping fresh, local beers from Michigan breweries.
Tickets are $60 per person in advance, plus service fees, and $70 the day of or at the gate. Your ticket includes a sample cup and 15 tokens for beer samples. Additional tokens are available for purchase at the Merchandise tent.
October 17-20 Fresh Coast Film Festival – Marquette
When you live in Michigan, you develop a deep appreciation for fresh water, especially when spending time in the Yoop. That’s what makes Marquette the perfect host for this event. The feast of flicks features the best in environmental and cultural filmmaking from around the world. It’s also home to some of the most profound Great Lakes storytelling.
Of course, you can’t go to Marquette only to watch movies inside, you have to get out there and soak it all in. That’s why attendees are able to spend their mornings exploring the pristine countryside on their own, or by joining one of several guided tours. Then, as the sun goes down, the screens light up.
October 25-27 Mackinac Island’s Halloween Weekend – Mackinac Island
Halloween comes earlier on Mackinac Island – the weekend of October 25-27! This weekend typically marks the last big weekend before most island businesses close for the season. Celebrate Halloween with the Great Turtle Trail Run, trick-or-treating for kids through downtown shops, and Halloween costume parties for adults throughout island establishments in the evening.
