If your calendar for August is looking bare, there’s still time to make plans. The Ann Arbor area has a range of events coming to town next month and you’re invited! From art and music festivals to choir performances and pride celebrations — there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Arts + Culture

River Rhythm Music & Arts Festival | Manchester

Address TBD
August 2-4

Mark your calendars for the 4th annual River Rhythm Music & Arts Festival, hosted next to the beautiful Raisin River. This family-friendly event will include a range of live music, food trucks, yoga, camping, workshops, and an array of vendors. This year’s music lineup features the Gasoline Gypsies, Wilson Thicket, Mercury Salad, and more. The festival will have hands-on activities for kiddos and scenic camping spots. If you’re tent camping, there’s no charge! RV camping requires a $10 pass with your festival ticket order. There will be no water or power on-site, so keep this in mind and be prepared to unplug for the weekend! To respect the privacy of the owners of the land, the address will be provided to attendees upon the purchase of their ticket.

Paint Dexter Plein Air Festival | Dexter

3515 Broad Street
August 12-17

This free annual Dexter festival has been occurring for over a decade and is organized by the local Arts, Culture, and Heritage committee. The event is designed to be community-centric while promoting local artists and traveling makers from all across the country. Each year, patrons will discover 75+ artists and can enjoy watching painters craft unique masterpieces right on the streets of Dexter. Beginning on Friday at 2 PM, attendees can swing by the Tent Gallery to find a piece that speaks to them. Children and young adults are invited to participate in hands-on workshops, such as on-location plein air painting and an introductory class that introduces young artists to different materials and techniques. Cookies and refreshments are included!

Ton-Up Motorcycle & Music Festival | Ypsilanti

720 Norris Street
August 11

Celebrate the 14th year of the Ypsi Bike Show at Arbor Brewing Company. Attendees will enjoy perusing the bikes while they jam out to live bands and shop local vendors. Admission is free and this event is perfect for all ages — so bring the whole family out! Any and all motorcycles are welcome to be displayed, including custom and modified bikes, as well as imports, mopeds, scooters, and more. There will be contests, raffles, competitions, and of course, prizes! You don’t have to own a bike to enjoy this community festival, either. Simply enjoy the music, sip on a microbrewed beverage, and enjoy artisanal foods while you browse bikes and visit participating vendors. You won’t want to miss out on the carnitas fries or a hand-tossed sourdough pizza!

Summer of HeART: Visual and Sculptural Art & Improv | Ypsilanti

1900 North Harris Road
August 7

Spend the afternoon expressing yourself through art, music, and more at this year’s Visual and Sculptural Art & Improv Event at the Ypsilanti District Library-Superior. Kids ages 5 years old and up are invited to explore their creative side with Youth Arts Alliance through a free eight-week series that teaches artists new skills and techniques. All supplies and snacks are provided and each day’s activities will be different, such as games, activities, print-making, ceramics, and sculpture crafts. Participants will be able to walk away with finished artwork that commemorates their experience. Aside from visual and sculptural arts, the series also focuses on theater and music, dancing, and even science workshops. The series is capped off with the Community Celebration finale on August 17th where participants can celebrate their achievements with an ice cream social.

Community Sing: Ann Arbor Civic Chorus | Ann Arbor

2552 North Maple Road
August 19

The Ann Arbor Civic Chorus is a co-ed group that’s open to all. The chorus performs various free concerts throughout the year, as well as specialty events such as community singing opportunities. Locals are invited to participate in August’s community choir event, where adult singers with previous choral experience can rediscover their joy of creating beautiful music with a group. Musical selections will include classical, pop, jazz, folk, Broadway, and an array of modern styles. All are welcome and there is also a vocal skills workshop for ages 18 and up on August 14th where beginner and intermediate singers can cover basic skills, as well as practice their sight reading. Enrollment for the community summer singing event costs $15, so enroll now and secure your spot!

Community Celebrations 

Ann Arbor Pride 2024 | Ann Arbor

Downtown Ann Arbor
August 3

Ann Arbor Pride was first celebrated back in 1995 and continues to thrive today. The festival celebrates inclusion and diversity and welcomes attendees from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, as well as allies who want to show their support. The event is completely free to attend, so make sure to enjoy the entertainment and shopping at any of the 150 local vendors. This year’s performers include singers, dancers, poets, comedians, and even Sasha Colby, the winner of season 15 on RuPaul’s Drag Race. There will be three Drag Story Time events for the kiddos (at Avalon and AADL – downtown branch). If you’re looking to party, there is a kick-off party at Necto on the Friday (Aug 2nd) and an after-party at Root. If you’re interested in volunteering at this year’s event, there’s still time to sign up and choose a time slot! Big and small contributions make this Pride festival possible, from event setup and breakdown to guest services. Donations are accepted and deeply appreciated, with money raised going to the Jim Toy Community Center, Washtenaw County’s LGBTQ+ Resource Center. Due to the addition of a second stage this year, organizers are expecting to increase last year’s attendance of 5,000-7,000 to up to 10,000 visitors!

Dexter Summer Festival | Dexter

Baker Road at Main Street
August 9-10

This exciting summer festival is presented by the Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce and has been a community staple for over five decades. The 2024 iteration will feature all of your favorite traditions, including artists, craftspeople, vendors, and all-day entertainment. This year’s festival will also feature merchant sidewalk sales, free shuttles to help relieve parking congestion, and a sponsor and volunteer thank you party to kick off the festivities on Thursday evening. The live music lineup will include School of Rock, Ransom Jones, and The Gravel Shakers. Kiddos will have their own entertainment, including a comedy and magic show, a ventriloquist performance, and a hands-on hula hooping demo.

Saline’s Summerfest 2024 | Saline

1901 Riversedge Drive
August 9-10

Ring in the summer season in Saline with music, dancing, and plenty of beer to go around. The Summerfest kicks off with a “Stuff the Bus” event on Friday, August 9th, where a school bus will drive around local neighborhoods for donations and school supplies to provide local kiddos with a solid start to the new school year. Saturday will include a 5K run that benefits the local track team at Saline High School. You also won’t want to miss the crowning of Miss Saline 2024 on Saturday, which marks the 51st celebration of this event. The festival will include all new sidewalk sales along Michigan Avenue and South Ann Arbor Street, allowing local artists and crafters to showcase and sell their work.

Chelsea Community Fair | Chelsea

20501 Old US-12 Highway
August 20-24

All main-arena events are included with general admission and are open to the public. Rides and concessions will be available every afternoon and evening, so make sure to arrive hungry and enjoy the array of your favorite fair eats. The fair schedule features exhibits such as baking, canning, photography, agriculture, machine sewing, and needlework. Families can also enjoy the children’s parade, as well as the demolition derby and tractor pulls. All attendees ages 10 years old and up are required to have a valid admission ticket, which is priced at $10 for a daily pass. If you plan on attending multiple fair days, the season pass is $30 and includes unlimited entry throughout the week! Parking is free off of Old Manchester Road.

Fun Fest | Ypsilanti

699 Rice Street
August 10

The 4th annual Fun Fest will be hosted at the Frog Island Amphitheater. Performing acts include Thornetta Davis, The Pherotones, and Bunkerman. Attendees can expect art displays, food vendors, local artisans, and live music all day long. The event is free to attend, though there is a suggested donation of $20 for those who can contribute. This helps to keep Fun Fest going for years to come! Frog Island Park additionally features a bike trail, a community garden, a soccer field, and a walking track. Swing by early to explore the area before jamming out at the amphitheater until the sun goes down.

Sports 

Hometown Half Marathon | Ypsilanti

7660 Stony Creek Road
August 24

This annual run is perfect for the whole family! Whether you’re an avid runner or you just want to enjoy the atmosphere, the Hometown Half Marathon welcomes all. There are several events, including a kid’s dash, a 1-mile fun run, and 5K and 10K options. There’s truly something for everyone at this gathering. If you don’t want to participate but still want to get involved, there are volunteer opportunities as well. Out of town? There’s even a virtual run option! Participants will enjoy free photos, tasty post-race food, and even some fun swag. Half marathon, 10K and 5K racers get a custom bib, a designer shirt, and a finisher medal. Celebrate your achievement at the after-party and shop the local community vendors who will set up around the park.

The Watermoo | Dexter

2319 Bishop Circle East
August 10

This 111-mile cycling race features mostly gravel course terrain, though there are some tarmac and road portions — as well as a river crossing! Cyclists will take in views of the farmlands in southeastern Michigan and can pat themselves on the back after checking off a race included in the Michigan Gravel Race Series. The series features a range of challenges across several categories such as open, fat bike, single-speed, and tandem. The Watermoo will kick off in two separate morning waves, one with a 14 MPH or slower pace and the other with a 14 MPH or faster pace. Register by August 7th to secure your spot for this exciting event. There will be an after-party hosted at Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales + Kitchen, so make sure to swing by to enjoy post-race food and beverages with your new cycling buddies!

Food + Drink

Ypsi Vegan Fest | Ypsilanti

110 West Michigan Avenue
August 10

Stone & Spoon is excited to host another rendition of the Ypsi Vegan Fest this year, offering locals and visitors alike delectable culinary creations and vendors and makers from the community that are passionate about showcasing the plant-based lifestyle. This inclusive event provides vegans and vegan-curious attendees a chance to indulge and connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about sustainability and living as ethically as possible. There will be food trucks, makers, and even non-profit organizations available at the festival for additional information. Stone & Spoon is a local gift shop that’s nestled in the heart of Ypsilanti and provides an array of specialty items and gifts that help to make your living space warm and inviting.

German Park Picnic | Ann Arbor

5549 Pontiac Trail
August 31

Hosted on the last Saturday of the month in June, July, and August, German Park picnics attract thousands of visitors each year who want a taste of the traditional German-American hospitality. The German Park Recreation Club continues to cook up the same meals today as their first picnic event back in 1938, including some American fare options and child-friendly plates such as hot dogs and hamburgers. Adults can imbibe with imported and domestic beer, as well as wine. There is a designated driver program where patrons can request a special wristband at the entrance gate. Fill up on bratwurst, sauerkraut, and hot pretzels. Don’t forget to save room for apple or cherry strudel. August’s picnic will feature live entertainment from Tommy Schober and his band, so get ready to dance the night away!

Happy August!

We hope you enjoy all of the exciting summer events coming to town this August! Remember to mark your calendars so you don’t miss out on your favorite ones.