12 things to do in Michigan in September

Kids are heading back to school. Cider mills are opening for the season. The lush greens of summer are just beginning to make way for fall color. This month is filled with fun activities that embrace one season or the other. Here are our 12 things to do in Michigan in September.

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 11-13 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. 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 17-20 Michigan Blues Fest – Lansing

In a town that typically favors green, blues will take center stage instead this month. For over two decades, BluesFest has been a community favorite, bringing friends, families, and music lovers together to celebrate the power of live blues. ​Whether you’re catching a soulful riff at the open-air stages or keeping the night alive at UrbanBeat, every moment is filled with passion, power, and soul. 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 a 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 19-28 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 inaugural 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 20-21 Destination Stars Hollow – Brighton

This quirky event descended on Michigan last year, and surprised everyone with its instant popularity. Visit downtown Brighton as it transforms itself into the fictional town of Stars Hollow, home to the infamous Gilmore Girls. You’ll find all kinds of food, drinks and other products with themes based on the hit show that debuted in October of 2000. Many of the shops in town will feature fun activities and photo ops. Guests can really get into the spirit by dressing up as characters from the show, and even entering the costume contest. Ticketed events include Q&As and Meet and Greets with stars Scott Patterson (Luke), and Michigan native Rose Abdoo (Gypsy).

September 21-23 UTR Farm to Ferry Taste of MI – Mackinac Island

There’s nothing quite like experiencing Mackinac Island when the summer crowds have died down and the trees have started to turn colors. You can take that experience to an even higher level by joining Under the Radar‘s Tom Daldin and Jim Edelman at Mission Point Resort. The spectacular event includes a Sunday evening reception, breakfast at leisure on Monday, an interactive afternoon culinary show, and a 7-course dinner with wine pairing. Tuesday features a breakfast buffet before departures. Taste some of the best of what our state has to offer, in one of its most beloved settings.

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 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.

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 September. For next month’s event highlights, or to get ideas for your local bucket list, be sure to visit our Michigan Tourism page regularly.