Summer festivals in Michigan have a way of adding magic to anyone’s getaway! Whether it’s listening to a local band play in the town square or walking through an antique fair, Michigan has a festival that will find its way into your vacation and your heart. Our area is widely known for its mid-western hospitality, beautiful beaches, quaint towns, and relaxed way of life. A lesser-known fact about Michigan is that our state is filled with summer festivals that celebrate all the best things in life- old-fashion fun, music, art, and locally grown food. Below, we’ve listed our 14 favorite summer festivals in Michigan and the best Michigan Bed and Breakfast to stay nearby that are MBBA-approved and inspected.
14 of the Best Summer Festivals in Michigan
1. Michigan Antique Festival
Where: Midland County Fairground, Michigan
When: 9/24 & 9/25
The Michigan Antique Festival takes place at the Midland County Fairgrounds. For 2 days you’ll find hundreds of unique dealers with treasures from all over history including vintage gifts and unique finds, Americana, Art Deco, Shabby Chic, Primitives, Jewelry, Coins, Repurposed and Upcycled, Retro Collectibles, and More!
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Knob Hill Bed and Breakfast, Flint-a 1926 Colonial-style mansion with a central location
Historic Webster House, Bay City –Nestled in the city’s historic district and close to riverfront downtown
Nordic Pineapple Bed and Breakfast, St. Johns- historic building with large rooms and spa-like baths
Himelhoch Bed and Breakfast, Caro- historic charm and legendary farmer’s breakfast
2. Manistee National Forest Festival
Where: Manistee, Michigan
When: 6/30 – 7/4
Manistee is a charming Lake Michigan beach town. During the fourth of July weekend, this Michigan town comes alive with old fashion fun! Try your luck at one of the carnival games, take part in arts and crafts, purchase hand-crafted artisan goods from the marketplace or sit back and relax as you watch fireworks over the lake.
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Dempsey Manor, Manistee-charming gardens, an impressive interior with exquisite period pieces and artwork
Canfield House– Onekama-known as the inn on two lakes that overlooks beautiful Portage Lake
3. National Cherry Festival
Where: Traverse City, Michigan
When: 7/2-7/9
Looking for some outdoor fun combined with an old fashion summer festival? You’ll find plenty of hiking and biking opportunitiues in Traverse City. During the National Cherry Fest, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to taste fresh cherries, listen to live music from award-winning artists and participate in one of the many cherry-themed events all while enjoying the shores of Lake Michigan. Combine your visit with a trip up the Old Mission Peninsula for a tour of the Traverse City wineries and stay at one of our acclaimed bed and breakfasts that are also wineries highlighted below.
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Antiquities’ Wellington Inn, Traverse City-enjoy a 1905 Neoclassical mansion within walking distance of town.
Chateau Chantal, Traverse City- immerse yourself in an Old World experience that combines a vineyard and winery with an upscale and comfortable B&B
Grey Hare Inn– Traverse City-elegant country vineyard surrounded by a breathtaking vineyard, cherry orchard, and distant views of Grand Traverse Bay
4. Music in the Park
Where: Lexington, Michigan
When: July & August- Friday evenings
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to Patrick Tierney Park at Lexington Harbor on Fridays and enjoy a series of free outdoor concerts! Check out the calendar of musicians here
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Lexington House– Lexington-1870 Victorian architecture with easy access to downtown and your very own ice cream shop on the property.
5. Tawas City Summer Fest
Where: Tawas City, Michigan
When: 7/9 – 7/10/22
Situated on the sandy beaches of Lake Huron, Tawas Summerfest is a three-day festival celebrating the busiest time of the year for this area. This fun event features classic car shows, 5K races, and live music. If you get too hot in the summer sun, take a dip in one of the many nearby swimming areas.
Quality inspected and assured MBBA properties close by-
Always a Holiday! Bed and Breakfast, East Tawas– quaint 3-room Bed and Breakfast with close assess to Tawas Point State Park and Lighthouse.
Huron House, Oscoda, Mi-the inn offers 14 guest rooms with beautiful views of Lake Huron.
6. Michigan Elvis Fest
Where: Ypsilanti, Michigan
When: July 8th & 9th
Elvis impersonators and fans gather to enjoy the best of the best impersonators belt out The King’s classics while enjoying local brews and food. While you’re in “Ypsi,” take in the area’s automotive history at the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum & National Hudson Motor Car Company Museum or the Michigan Firehouse Museum.
Quality inspected and assured MBBA properties close by-
Newton of Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti, Mi –delightful chef-owned property
Robyn’s Inn, Plymouth, Mi- totally renovated modern designed bed and breakfast
7. Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair
Where: Ann Arbor, Michigan
When: July 21st-23rd
The Ann Arbor Art Fair is a Midwest tradition that draws close to half a million attendees over three days in July. The largest juried art fair in the nation, the Ann Arbor Art Fair features nearly 1,000 artists and a footprint spanning 30 city blocks in downtown Ann Arbor. The Ann Arbor Art Fair is comprised of three independently juried, nonprofit art fairs that run consecutively: Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original; Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair; and Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair.
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Newton of Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti, Mi –delightful chef-owned property
Robyn’s Inn, Plymouth, Mi- totally renovated modern designed bed and breakfast offers five guest rooms
8. Blue Water Sand Fest-
Where: Lake Huron, Michigan
When: Aug 5-7th
Are you a sandcastle builder extraordinaire or just enjoy the viewing? Perfect for all ages, Michigan’s Blue Water Sand Fest shapes sand into creations you never thought possible. Check out the installations, and enjoy live music and the beauty that is Port Huron. Once you’ve seen and done it all at Sandfest, explore the rest of Downtown Port Huron’s specialty shops, swing by the Thomas Edison Depot Museum, and walk along the water to the 86-foot tall Fort Gratiot Lighthouse.
Quality inspected and assured MBBA properties close by-
Lexington House– Lexington-1870 Victorian architecture with easy access to downtown and your very own ice cream shop on the property.
9. Bluewater Area Antique Yard Sale Trail
Where: Along many communities on Lake Huron, Michigan
When: August 12-14
This is quite a unique yard sale that spans 150 plus miles from New Baltimore and Algonac in the south to Sebewaing in the north, M-25 / M-29 follows the majestic banks of the St. Clair River, then continues along the shoreline of beautiful Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay. Many communities along the route offer unique shops, “antiquing”, museums full of local history, and small diners for convenience and comfort.
Quality inspected and assured MBBA properties close by-
Lexington House– Lexington-1870 Victorian architecture with easy access to downtown and your very own ice cream shop on the property.
Raymond House Inn Bed and Breakfast, Port Sanilac-laid-back harbor town with lighthouses and seven comfortable guest rooms.
Port Austin Bed and Breakfast, Port Austin- entirely renovated, restored mid-Nineteenth Century Victorian home, complete with a turret and wraparound porch.
10. Margaritaville Fest
Where: Lexington, Michigan
When: August 26th & 27th
Margarita Fest in Lexington, MI is one of the summer’s premier events. Come by land or boat to this free concert and visit the beautiful town of Lexington. The festivities will include a decorated bike and golf cart parade, stilt walking, animal balloons, themed motorcycle night, music in the harbor, a cheeseburger eating contest, and much more!
Quality inspected and assured MBBA properties close by-
Lexington House– Lexington-1870 Victorian architecture with easy access to downtown and your very own ice cream shop on the property.
11. Elk Rapids Harbor Days
Where: Elk Rapids, Michigan
When: 8/2 – 8/6
Elk Rapids Harbor Days is a community celebration that begins with “Evening on River Street” with live music and food along with opening ceremonies. The four-day event takes place on the east arm of Grand Traverse Bay and features fun events along with a world-class fireworks show over the lake.
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Spring Lighthouse, Elk Rapids- Peaceful views of East Grand Traverse Bay from the inn
12. National Blueberry Festival
Where: South Haven, Michigan
When: 8/11 – 8/14/22
The National Blueberry Festivals Mission is to “recognize, appreciate and celebrate the cultural and economic significance of blueberries, blueberry production, and agritourism in the Southwest Michigan region by holding an annual National Blueberry Festival. To promote the education and future of agriculture in Southwest Michigan.”
And we can all agree that there is nothing sweeter than attending an old fashion festival and enjoying fresh-picked blueberries. The festival includes live music on the beach, races, parades, and a children’s blueberry-eating competition. The National Blueberry Festival is held on the second weekend of August each year, and is one of the country’s oldest continuously-running fruit festivals!
Quality inspected and assured MBBA properties close by-
Washington Street Inn,Grand Haven- outstanding breakfasts
Looking Glass Inn, Grand Haven- breathtaking views of Lake Michigan
13. Rubber Ducky Festival and Race
Where: Bellaire, Michigan
When: 8/19 – 8/20
The 35th Annual Rubber Ducky Festival will be taking place in downtown Bellaire. Witness two thousand numbered rubber ducks being dumped into the river. Tickets are for sale and if your ticket number matches the first 27 rubber ducks to cross the finish line you win a prize. Also, enjoy rubber duck races and duck-themed festivities!
Bellaire is also home to Shorts Brewing Company, and the gorgeous Grass River Natural Area.
Quality inspected and assured MBBA properties close by-
Inn at Breezy Hill Farm, Bellaire- an extraordinary farm to table experience
Torch Lake Bed and Breakfast, Central Lake-beautiful views of Torch Lake
14. Allegan County Fair
Where: Allegan, Michigan
When: 9/9 – 9/17
Looking for an old fashion county fair with fabulous rides and games? For nine days, the first Friday after Labor Day, the fairgrounds come alive with a Rodeo, Tractor Pulls, Demolition Derby and parade, and two days of Harness Racing. Over the years, the fairgrounds have continued to grow and currently encompasses 110 acres featuring a race track allowing for racing 5-wide, a horse complex, a 38,000 sq. ft. indoor exhibit hall complex, livestock barns and arenas, a fully-covered grandstand, the Allegan County Pioneer Village. Activities occur at the fairgrounds year-round.
Quality inspected and assured MBBA properties close by-
Jade Estate Inn, Allegan- beautifully restored mansion
Kingsley House,Fennville- central location and very romantic
Summertime is a glorious time to visit Michigan!
You’ll find more than 11,000 crystal-clear lakes, thousands of rivers and streams, and more freshwater coastline than any other state. Our Michigan B&Bs offer city life, country life, and everything in between. Check out our website to see our collection of more than 60 quality-assured inns, and choose the destination that is perfect for you. You might also consider planning your getaway around the Best Summer Festivals In Michigan.