The month of October holds some of our favorite events of the year, as the whole month is focused on fall fun — in the form of harvest parties, spooky 5Ks, art fairs, apple festivals, outdoor movies, farm visits, and much more.

Fill up your calendar with these amazing October events happening throughout the Ann Arbor area!

Jump Ahead:

Arts + Culture | Community Celebrations | Sports | Food + Drink

 

Arts + Culture

Halfmoon Lake Art Fair | Gregory

Where: Pinckney State Recreation Area

When: October 1 + 2

This juried art fair at the beautiful Pinckney Recreation Area will feature artists in all different media categories including painting, sculpture, metalworking, ceramics, jewelry and more. Spend the weekend shopping for one-of-a-kind handmade items from award-winning artists and creative small businesses! Proceeds from the fair go towards supporting the Art as Healing Foundation. 

 

Ann Arbor Michigan Pinball Show | Brighton

Where: Ann Arbor Pinball Museum

When: October 1 + 2

Since the Ann Arbor VFW Pinball Museum is only open for a few weekends a year, you don’t want to miss your chance to explore it this month! On October 1st and 2nd, guests are welcome to play with more than 500 restored pin machines and games — one of the largest dedicated pinball collections in North America. Bring proof of vaccination to receive $20 off your ticket price. Make a reservation before the show sells out!

 

Westside Art Hop | Ann Arbor

Where: Ann Arbor’s Old West Side 

When: October 1 + 2 

Westside Art Hop is a twice-yearly event showcasing high-quality arts and crafts for sale to the public in a festive atmosphere. Participating artists are mostly local, but there may be national and international artists as well. While exploring the beautiful Westside neighborhood, you can peruse artwork, meet the artists, find decor for your home and shop for holiday gifts!

 

Handcrafters Fall Fair | Livonia

Where: Embassy Suites

When: October 7 + 8

The 2022 Handcrafters Fall Fair is your destination for the finest handmade goodies, specialty foods, décor, jewelry and more. Shop from more than 80 top artists from Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. This year, the fair has moved to the Embassy Suites in Livonia!

 

A2 Artoberfest | Ann Arbor

Where: Downtown Ann Arbor

When: October 8 + 9

Celebrate the arts at Artoberfest in downtown Ann Arbor, along Fourth Avenue and in Kerrytown Market. Over the course of two days, explore the work from about 75 jury selected fine artists, enjoy live entertainment, snack on great food from local food trucks, and sip craft beer and cider. The best part? Admission is completely free!

 

Fiber Expo | Ann Arbor

Where: Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds

When: October 8 + 9

Once during the spring and again during the fall, the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds are filled with fiber products of all kinds. Come by to shop, learn and meet the makers of wool, linen and cotton crafts, see real alpacas and more! Children 12 years and under are admitted for free, while adults pay just $4 cash for one day or $6 for two.

 

Edgefest | Ann Arbor

Where: Kerrytown Concert House + The Bethlehem United Church of Christ

When: October 19–22

Edgefest began in 1997 as a single-day event and has grown into a four-day festival that includes collaborations and educational outreach, the Edgefest Parade, and so much more. Hosted annually by Kerrytown Concert House, the event is focused on avant-garde jazz and creative new music performed by artists noteworthy for raising their voices and music in response to ongoing social justice issues. For more details about the 2022 festival, click here.

 

Ann Arbor Antiquarian Book Fair | Ann Arbor

Where: Michigan Union

When: October 23

Returning in 2022 for its 46th year, the Ann Arbor Antiquarian Book Fair brings together booksellers and dealers from all across America! Here, you can explore a wide range of old and rare books, Americana, children’s books, autographs, manuscripts, maps, printings, ephemera, photography, fine press material and more. Admission is $5 and proceeds benefit the William L. Clements Library.

 

University of Michigan Halloween Concert | Ann Arbor

Where: Hill Auditorium

When: October 30

The University of Michigan orchestras are joining forces for this Halloween tradition. Featuring spooky sounds, musical classics and Halloween favorites, the show celebrates the holiday with tricks, treats and great music. Come in costume or come as you are! Tickets range from $10-14.

 

Community Celebrations

Great Fall Festival at Maybury Farm | Northville

Where: Maybury Farm

When: October 1 + 2

Don’t miss Maybury Farm’s most popular event of the year, the Great Fall Festival! This two-day event features live music, activities, games, demonstrations, and a tractor-drawn wagon ride to the corn maze. There will be food available at various food trucks, plus beverages, old-fashioned candy and other snacks in the general store. Admission is $10 per person — or $16 per person with a wagon ride, with an additional cost for various activities. Kids under 2 are free (and must be seated on an adult’s lap during the wagon ride).

 

28th Annual Appleumpkin Festival | Tecumseh

Where: Downtown Tecumseh

When: October 8 + 9

Head to downtown Tecumseh for their 28th annual Appleumpkin Festival! Midway rides, carnival games, inflatables, bungee jumps, crafts, putt putt, a corn box, helicopter rides, monster truck rides — there’s a reason this is one of the area’s favorite fall festivals. There is also an antique street fair and flea market as well as an arts and crafts show. Click here for all the 2022 information.

 

Outdoor Movie Series: Rocky Horror Picture Show | Ypsilanti

Where: Frog Island Park

When: October 27

The Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority’s free summer movie series concludes with one final feature film — just in time for Halloween! Head to Frog Island Park for the showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show, and make sure you’re wearing your finest costume so you can participate in the costume contest. The movie starts at sunset!

 

ypsiGLOW | Ypsilanti

Where: Downtown Ypsilanti

When: October 28

From the same team that brings us FestiFools and FoolMoon every April, ypsiGLOW is a light-filled celebration through downtown Ypsi. This free community-built celebration showcases the city’s creativity and diversity with light-filled luminary processions, crazy costumes, public art installations, street art performances, music, dancing, and endless glowing fun.

 

Sports

WMWFC’s 5th Annual Domestic Violence 5K Walk/Run | Ypsilanti

Where: Parkridge Park

When: October 1

Join the Women and Men Working for Change (WMWFC) in the 5th Annual Domestic Violence 5K Run or Walk! This fun race helps raise awareness of domestic violence, which affects so many individuals and families around the world. In addition to the race, there will be courageous testimony from survivors and vendor tables with information about the warning signs of domestic violence. Your $35 registration includes a t-shirt if you register before September 20.

 

Glow Disc Golf Tournament | Whitmore Lake

Where: Independence Lake County Park

When: October 7

For the seventh year, this after-hours disc golf tournament is returning to Independence Lake County Park! The 18 holes of Red Hawk West will be lit by glow sticks, creating an exhilarating atmosphere for playing this unique sport. $30 registration includes park entry and a player pack.

 

Wiard’s Orchard Run Scream Run | Ypsilanti

Where: Wiard’s Orchard, Ypsilanti

When: October 8

Get spooked at Run Scream Run at Wiard’s Orchard, which has been voted as the number one horror attraction in Michigan. You can choose to participate in the 10K, 5K or cider mill mile, and take part in a variety of other activities. And you have the option to add on all the frills with a new “a la carte” pricing model for the 2022 event. Click here for more information and to register for this spooky race!

 

Food + Drink

Backyard Beer Garden | Chelsea

Where: Palmer Commons

When: October 1

You won’t want to miss this custom-brewed event from the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce in Palmer Commons. Enjoy Michigan brews, specialty cocktails and food from some local favorites. Plus, there will be plenty of free games to play, including Giant Beer Pong, Giant Flip Cup, Cornhole, Giant Kerplunk, Slammo, Fricket, Giant Yahtzee, Giant Ring Toss, and more. Admission is $5 per person (cash only) at the entrance.

 

Dexter Apple Daze | Dexter

Where: Monument Park

When: October 1

Hosted by the Dexter Lions Club at Monument Park, Apple Daze invites the community to enjoy local apples and apple products, play a game of pumpkin bowling, hop around in the bounce house, take the family on festive hayrides, and shop craft booths from local vendors and artists. For updates, check out the Facebook event here.

 

Happy October!

We wish you a spooky, spectacular October!