As summer winds down and autumn begins to stir, Michigan shines in a way that few other places can. Kids are back in school, cider mills are rolling open their doors, and the leaves are just starting to hint at the fiery colors to come. September is a month that bridges two seasons, warm enough for outdoor adventures but cool enough to embrace cozy traditions.
All across the state, communities come alive with events that celebrate art, food, music, and the beauty of Michigan itself. From sipping wine in Paw Paw and sampling craft brews in Marquette, to experiencing world-class art in Grand Rapids and the nostalgia of classic cars in Dearborn, there’s truly something for everyone. Foodies can delight in Port Huron’s new Restaurant Week, adventurers can pedal through the Apple Cider Century, and families can marvel at hot air balloons over Bay Harbor.
No matter your interest, be it art, music, food, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, September in Michigan offers countless opportunities to make memories. Pack a sweater, grab your calendar, and get ready to dive into one of the state’s most exciting and vibrant months of the year.
September 1 Mackinac Bridge Annual Labor Day Walk – St. Ignace
Join us for the once-annual opportunity to walk the five-mile Mackinac Bridge. Participants have three options for the walk: the Halfway Turnaround, starting from either St. Ignace or Mackinaw City, walk to the midpoint, and return to your starting point. The One-Way Crossing, walking the entire bridge from one end to the other. No bus transportation is provided; participants must arrange their own return transportation after the bridge reopens at noon. Or the Round Trip (Double Cross), walking the bridge both ways for a 10-mile journey. To complete the round trip, you must reach the midpoint on your return by 10:00 AM. Walkers will use the left-hand outside paved lane when starting from either side. Those turning back at the midpoint will return using the opposite side outside paved lane.
September 5-7 Arts & Apples Festival – Rochester
It’s hard to believe, but Rochester has been welcoming incredible artists and a bevy of art lovers for this fest since 1965! Consistently ranked as one of the top fine arts festivals in the country, this event is an excellent place to look for new pieces for your home, cottage, or office. It also happens to be an ideal place to enjoy another star of the season, seriously scrumptious apple pie. It also features food vendors, art demos, a kids art zone, and a full lineup of musical entertainment. Admission is free, though a $5 donation is appreciated to support the work of the Paint Creek Center for the Arts.
September 5-7 Wine and Harvest Festival – Paw Paw
The tiny town of Paw Paw is best known for its wine, so it only makes sense that it should celebrate the harvest in fine style. You may want to earn your wine first by participating in a 5k run, kayak race, or pickleball tournament. Alternatively, try getting a hole in one on a floating raft or take a stab at axe-throwing. Gather friends and jump in a vat to stomp some grapes, or take the kids to Stompyland for arts and crafts. The kids will also love the duck and turtle races, and of course the carnival midway and fireworks. Meanwhile, adults can enjoy special events at St, Julian, Warner Vineyards, and Paw Paw Brewing Company.
September 6 Michigan Brewer’s Guild U.P. Fall Beer Festival – Marquette
From the infamous Iron Ore Dock to the Ore Dock Brewing Company, there are so many awesome reasons to visit Marquette. For craft brew lovers, there’s no better time than the U.P. Fall Beer Fest. The air is crisp, the beer is cold, and the views from Mattson Lower Harbor Park are spectacular. The festivities run 1pm-6pm. VIP access is available to Enthusiast Members at noon. Attendees can choose from hundreds of locally-crafted beers. Tickets are $55 in advance, or $65 for same day purchases, if available. Your ticket includes admission to the festival and 15 tokens for beer samples.
September 6-7 Old Car Festival – Dearborn
You don’t have to be a car lover to love this event. First, September is a wonderful time of year to visit Greenfield Village. The temps are typically more conducive to walking around, while the lines for frozen custard are shorter. Second, there are so many stunningly cool cars at this event, representing different eras. At varying times throughout the weekend, vehicles from specific years will drive around. Even more than usual, it feels like you’ve stepped back in time. Plus, for true motorheads, it is a rare opportunity to see the hoods open for a glimpse of the engines of yesteryear. For a special treat, stay late Saturday evening for the Gaslight Parade of Cars, dancing with the River Raisin Ragtime Revue and a Dixieland-style parade.
September 12-14 Balloons Over Bay Harbor – Bay Harbor
With kids back in school and fall colors not yet peaking, September is an excellent time to visit some of Northern Michigan’s most popular tourist destinations like the Little Traverse Bay area. Combine lighter traffic with a sky filled with color, and we are all in. For the fifth time, Bay Harbor will be hosting some world-class hot air balloon pilots and creating some spectacular sights. Get up close as the pilots inflate their balloons right before your eyes on the Marina Lawns and/or drop by in the evening for night glows, when the grounded balloons are lit and stunning. While in the area, check out the Petoskey Wine Trail, hit the links, or shop ‘til you drop in Harbor Springs or Petoskey.
September 13 Frankenfest – Detroit
It’s not quite Halloween season yet, although retailers started celebrating in June. However, if you love the spooky and inexplicable, then this is an event for you. Set in the already somewhat ghostly Historic Fort Wayne, the celebration brings abnormal art and monstrous creations to life. Expect to find mad, magical and mystical artwork from the area’s most intriguing vendors stitched together with a showcase of literary guests, haunt aficionados and paranormal experts. You’re sure to start getting in the Halloween spirit.
September 17-20 Michigan Blues Fest – Lansing
In a town that typically favors green, blues will take center stage instead this month. The stellar lineup this year includes Ann Bell, Red Hot Peppers, Tom Duffield, Clique Vocals, Ammy Amorette, Jeff Haas Quintet, AWD Jazz Band, Pickle Mafia, and more across two stages. One of the elements that really makes this event cool is that each artist has agreed to premiere a song, composition or an arrangement that they’ve never performed publicly before. Take a break from the blues and get some refreshment at nearby Lansing Brewing Company, while in Old Town.
September 18 - October 4 ArtPrize – Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids’ most beloved event is returning for September to remember. For sixteen days, art is exhibited in galleries and storefronts, parks, and museums. As for the prize in ArtPrize, the event awards over $400,000 directly to artists through both popular and juried voting. Your votes can help determine the talented recipients. In addition, $200,000 in annual grants will be distributed to support the ambitious work of eligible participating artists. Whether you come as an artist, a benefactor of the arts, or just a person who wants to experience Beer City USA during this unique time of year, you’re sure to enjoy yourself.
September 19-21 Funky Ferndale Art Festival – Ferndale
We call the town Funky Ferndale for a reason. It’s a tad eclectic, and so is the art at this annual fest, which consistently ranks as one of the nation’s best. Over 140 juried artists and authors will be on site at 9 Mile and Woodward. The Funky Ferndale Art Fair is west of Woodward. Meanwhile, it’s counterpart, the DIY Street Fair is on the east side of the boulevard. There you will find artists, crafters, brewers, and live music. While on the east side, be sure to pop into Rust Belt Market, a communal retail space for Michigan small businesses.
September 19-28 Port Huron Restaurant Week – Port Huron
Port Huron is proudly adding its name to the list of cities opting to offer a special culinary celebration to highlight local eateries. The town’s Restaurant Week has offerings from thirteen participating businesses. Savor special prix-fixe menus, featuring everything from gourmet dishes to hometown favorites. Enjoy limited-time offerings on handcrafted cocktails, wine, mocktails, and more. No tickets, passes, or app downloads required for this one. Just check out the website for the week’s special offers, and drop by the associated restaurant to enjoy your meal.
September 28 Apple Cider Century – Three Oaks
The Apple Cider Century s an annual one-day 15, 25, 50, 75, or 100-mile bicycle tour of the orchards, forests, and wine country in and around Three Oaks, Michigan. Since 1974, it has become one of the Midwest’s largest one-day century events with over 4,500 cyclists participating last year. While in Three Oaks, check out the Bicycle Museum housed at the Dewey Cannon Trading Company, and stop into Journeyman Distillery. Even if you haven’t worked up a cocktail thirst, the building itself is worth seeing, and you can always buy a bottle or two to take home.
September in Michigan is more than just the turn of a calendar page, it’s a celebration of everything that makes this state unique. It’s the chance to see local creativity on display at festivals, to taste the harvest at cider mills and vineyards, and to enjoy the crisp air while exploring new corners of the state. It’s about slowing down to watch hot air balloons glow against the night sky, tapping your foot to live blues music, or marveling at artwork that inspires conversation.
This month reminds us how lucky we are to live in (or visit) a place with so much to offer between two seasons. As summer fades and autumn begins to take hold, September gives us the best of both worlds, sunny afternoons for adventure and cool evenings that invite cozy gatherings.
So whether you’re drawn to art, food, music, or Michigan’s natural beauty, make it a point to experience at least one of these September events. You’ll not only enjoy the festivities themselves but also the sense of community and joy that comes with them. September doesn’t last long, but the memories you create will carry you well into the colder months ahead.
