October in Michigan is pure magic. The air takes on that unmistakable cider-and-bonfire scent, trees trade green for blazing shades of amber and crimson, and small towns brim with harvest energy. It’s the kind of month that invites you to slow down and savor: drive winding country roads just to chase the colors, spend a Saturday wandering a pumpkin patch, or duck into a cozy café as the first real chill settles in.
Whether you’re a lifelong Michigander or visiting for the first time, autumn here offers a rare mix of natural beauty and local tradition. From the wine country of the Leelanau Peninsula to the vibrant streets of Detroit and the rugged shores of the Upper Peninsula, October is when the state shows off every side of itself, celebrating art, food, history, and the great outdoors.
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 1-12 Disney's Beauty And The Beast – Detroit
Be Our Guest at BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Disney’s first North American touring production of the beloved musical in over 25 years. This enchanting and timeless tale, filled with the romance and grandeur audiences know and love, has been brought to life like never before, with spectacular new sets and dazzling costumes. The show boasts the Oscar®-winning and Tony Award®-nominated score, including the classic songs “Be Our Guest” and “Beauty and the Beast.”
October 1-19 Copper Peak Fall Color Ride – Ironwood
The Copper Peak Adventure Ride lets visitors rise to the same heights as the athletes who have flown down the hill in years past. After an 800-foot chair lift ride to the crest of the hill, a 360-foot copper-bearing volcanic outcrop, visitors take a thrilling 18-story elevator to the main observation deck. From there, the truly fearless can walk an additional 8 stories to the top starting gate. Once at the top, visitors can enjoy the highest, most awe-inspiring, unobstructed vista in the Midwest overlooking over 2500 square miles, 3 states and even Canada on a clear day. The Copper Peak Adventure Ride is an opportunity not to be missed!
October 2-4 Mackinac Island Fall Fudge Festival – Mackinac Island
Experience the magic of autumn at the newly reimagined Fall Fudge Festival on Mackinac Island, taking place October 2-4. This year's festival blends the island’s iconic fudge with fall-themed festivities sure to delight the biggest fall and fudge fanatics. Wander the charming streets lined with fall decor, enjoy scenic bike rides through vibrant foliage, and savor the sweet flavors that make Mackinac Island famous. Whether you're a fudge foodie or simply looking for a cozy fall getaway, this weekend promises unforgettable memories.
October 2-26 Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village – Dearborn
Step into a world of enchantment and imagination at Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village, Michigan's premier outdoor October celebration, showcased in the bewitching setting of the village after hours. From lantern-lit streets and glowing jack-o'-lantern paths to shadowy historic homes and spellbinding tales, bring your family and friends for an evening where autumn lore mingles with things that go bump in the night. Encounter more than 50 costumed characters, from the Headless Horseman and the Grim Reaper to Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and other childhood hallmarks, alongside dramatic literary vignettes, live musical performances, fall treats and village-wide lighting and sound effects that grow spookier as twilight falls. Drawing from centuries of harvest customs, Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village blends the spirited charm of 18th- and 19th-century traditions with the wonder, magic and mischief of the season. Designed to delight visitors of all ages, this one-of-a-kind program conjures a memory-making evening for all.
October 4 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 18 Bourbon on the Boat – Saugatuck
Join us for a 90-minute cruise while a rep from New Holland Spirits provides samples and information on a selection of their spirits. $65 per person, 21 years and older. Valid ID required. No discount for non- drinkers. Sit back and relax – listen to the water running off the paddlewheels as you gently glide down the Kalamazoo River. See Saugatuck from the water, a totally different view from what you see on land, and take in the majesty of Lake Michigan.
October 18-26 Scarecrow Fest – Frankenmuth
Celebrate fall in Michigan’s Little Bavaria during Scarecrow Fest, with a fun family-friendly festival at Frankenmuth River Place Shops and special scarecrow displays throughout downtown Frankenmuth! Taking place across two weekends in October, Scarecrow Fest includes special fall-themed activities for everyone in the family. Saturday and Sunday, both weekends from noon – 6 pm, try your hand at the pumpkin launcher and see how far you can launch a pumpkin! Other fun fall-themed activities include pumpkin bowling, arts and crafts, pumpkin painting, inflatables, and riding Grandpa Tiny’s Barrel Train! Some activities have a small fee; there is no entry fee for the Scarecrow Fest event.
October 19 World's Best Putter Competition – Three Oaks
Could you be the World’s Best Putter? Put your skills to the test at Welter’s Folly for Journeyman’s Annual World’s Best Putter Competition. Players will be randomly paired for matchups between 11AM–4PM. The competition takes place on Welter's Folly, an 18-hole putting course that was inspired by the famous Himalayas Putting Green at St. Andrews in Scotland. The fee is $22, with 50% of the entry money going into a payout pot for the top finishers. Rain or shine, game on!
October 24-26 Tattoo Fest Grand Rapids – Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids' tattoo festivals are unlike any tattoo event you have ever attended. The Grand Rapids Tattoo Festival offers a selection of over 200 of the best artists from all over the world for three days of tattooing, art making, merch selling, and much more. At the Festival, attendees will have the opportunity to get tattooed from traveling and local artists alike. Many artists will book the festival in advance, but there will be opportunities each day to find artists that are taking walk up tattoos on a first come first serve basis. If you do not want to get tattooed over the weekend you will not be short of entertainment. Artists and vendors alike will be selling merchandise, there will be contests where you can enter your tattoos that you have previously collected, watch contests take place, and see some of the best artists from across the globe practice their craft.
October 25 Little Goblins at Ford House – Grosse Pointe Shores
Get ready for a spooktacular day at Ford House’s Little Goblins Halloween event, designed especially for your little goblins to enjoy in the daytime without the scares. This festive celebration is packed with fun activities for the whole family. Start your Little Goblins adventure at our Trick-or-Treat Trail, where your littles can collect treats as they make their way through the beautifully decorated grounds. Once their treat bags are full, head to the lawn games and straw maze for playful fun! Test your skills with classic lawn games and explore the twisty turns of the kid-friendly straw maze. Finally, hop aboard the Little Goblins Halloween Hayride, a delightful and haunt-free ride from the Main Residence to our cider & donuts tent, where you can enjoy delicious fall treats in a cozy, festive setting.
October 25 Fall Beer Festival – Detroit
Detroit’s brewing scene has come a long way since the days when Goebel and Stroh’s were the staples. Now it’s a place where quality craft brews abound, and this is the premier tasting event for those who want to explore the beer scene. General Admission is 1pm-6pm, with the gates opening at Noon for a VIP hour for Enthusiast Members. Tickets are $55 per person in advance or $65 at the gate, if still available. Fifteen drink tokens are included with admission and each drink token is redeemable for a 3-oz. sample of beer. Food trucks will also be on site too, so you can soak up some suds with good grub.
As the month winds down and the last crimson leaves drift to the ground, Michigan reminds us that change can be spectacular. October’s festivals and gatherings aren’t just about pumpkins or beer or film, they’re about connection: to the land, to community, and to the fleeting beauty of the season.
So wrap up in your favorite flannel, breathe in that cool Great Lakes air, and let these experiences linger. Long after the cider mugs are empty and the last firepit embers fade, the memories of Michigan in October stay bright, warming the shorter days ahead and reminding you to find a little wonder in every season.
