Pumpkins are filling patches, apples are filling trees, so it’s time for our 12 things to do in Michigan in October. This month is a treasure trove of fall splendor.
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 2-oz pour of red wine hand-selected by the winemakers themselves, at any of the 22 participating wineires, along with $10 in cork cash, which can be also be used at any of the participating wineries. The Hunt is on, throughout October. Purchase your ticket based upon your starting location. This is where you will pick up your physical ticket, wine glass and cork cash.
October 1-November 25 Glenlore Trails – Commerce Twp.
Take a stroll through Glenlore Trails this month for a multi-sensory, story-driven Halloween experience that is as much fun for the family as it is for a night out with friends. This year’s theme is The Witching Hour. It is filled with magic spells, eerie sights, and a coven of curious witches around every bend. You’ll find it Thrusdays-Sundays long into November, in case you just can’t squeeze a trip in before the big day.
October 2-26 Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village – Dearborn
There are lots of spooktacular things to do in Michigan to celebrate Halloween, but this one is truly special, and has something for all ages. 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. 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. 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. Tickets go fast for this unique experience, so act quickly. It runs weekends throughout the month.
October 3-4 Fall Fest – Holland
Sure, you’ve likely visited Holland in the spring for tulips or summer for the beach, but how about fall? As the leaves begin to change, this charming town comes takes on a new feel with its fall fest. Pumpkin-carving takes center stage with some of the nation’s best professional pumpkin carvers carving tiny gourds as well as some of the biggest pumpkins you’ve ever laid eyes on. Kuds will love the Fire Truck Parade and chance to touch a truck on Windmill Island, as well as a variety of creative activities. Go on a hayride. Shop a market with 75 artisans just in time for holiday gifts. You can even volunteer to be part of the city’s tulip planting team.
October 3-5 Lumber Days – Ludington
Our state has a very long history in the lumber industry, and Ludington wants to help us learn some of those stories and have fun doing it. Once the home of 14 sawmills on the banks of Pere Marquette Lake, Ludington is perfectly positioned to share that hostory through this new festival. Scheduled events include tours of lumber baron homes, a logging encampment, wagon rides, bonfires, a Plaidurday pub crawl, and other lumber and/or fall-themed events. While in the area, be sure to explore the recently renovated Ludington State Park and Big Sable Lightouse.
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 9-12 KISS50 Cadillac Reunion – Cadillac
This particular weekend celebration is 50 years in the making. Back then, the high school football team lost its first two games after finishing the 1973 season undefeated. Assistant Coach Jim Neff picked KISS music to play before practices and games to lighten the mood. The team won the next seven games, and even captured the conference championship. Neff contacted the band to thank them. To everyone’s surprise, on October 9, 1975, KISS descended upon the town. The band joined the homecoming parade, performed in the school gym, received a key to the city, and departed via helicopter from Veterans Memorial Stadium. To mark the 50th anniversary of this exciting event, Cadillac is throwing a party. Fans are invited to partake in a self-guided tour of special locations from the band’s visit, watch the rockumentary about the original event, attend concerts, root on the football team, see a drone show, participate in a community sing-along, and enjoy KISS-themed food, beverages, displays, and activities.
October 10-11 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 fun competitions, await. See how you do in a pasty eating contest, or battle it out in a chili cook-off. You can tee the weekend up with a 9-hole golf tournament. Then participate in cornhole and stein hoisting tournaments, shop for crafts, or take in a concert. If you want to be surrounded by gorgeous autumn hues, and lots of local color, then this is the event for you.
October 10-12 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 mums, squash, jam, maple syrup, pies, 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. Kids can enjoy facepainting, balloon twisting, a petting zoo, and other activities. Live music underscores the scene throughout.
October 11-12 Appleumpkin Festival – Tecumseh
Kick things up a notch with not only apples, but pumpkins—autumn’s dynamic duo. That’s what our friends in Tecumseh do, and it makes for an incredibly fun event. Catch a ride via helicopter, or a good old fashioned carnival midway. There are also loadkaps of games, live performances, arts & crafts, dining, and shopping opportunities. Make-it-take-it crafts, corn box and kid’s putt putt golf are all free. 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 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 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 $60 per person in advance or $70 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, so you can soak up some suds with good grub. Be sure to explore all of the amazing murals, and shop the Eastern Market vendors before or after the event.
Join us on social media for ongoing discussions about Michigan travel destinations. Follow @BuyMichiganNow on Facebook or tag us in a picture on Instagram when you make it to one of our 12 things to do in Michigan in October. For next month’s event highlights, or to get ideas for your local bucket list, be sure to visit our Michigan Tourism page regularly.
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