Art fairs, beer festivals, fireworks shows, hot air balloon displays — July just might hold some of our favorite events of the year. Add these exciting July events to your schedule to celebrate all the things we love about summer in Ann Arbor!

Some of these festivities are taking place in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor, while others are popping up in smaller surrounding towns — but are well worth the drive. Happy July!

Jump Ahead:

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

 

Arts + Culture

Saline Celtic Festival | Saline

Where: Mill Pond Park, Saline

When: July 8–9

The Saline Celtic Festival originally began as a one-day festival but has grown in popularity to include two full days of entertainment — and it’s bigger than ever in 2022! This year, the event includes Highland dance competitions, ancient Celtic athletic competitions, kids’ activities at Wee Folks Island, jousting, music and dance workshops, historic reenactors, sheep herding dog demonstrations, and so much more. And of course, there is plenty of delicious food, craft beer and live music! Get your tickets now — but keep in mind Friday night tickets are only available at the gate.

 

The 21st Michigan ElvisFest | Belleville

Where: Wayne County Fairgrounds, Belleville

When: July 8–9

Showcasing some of the best professional Elvis tribute artists in North America, Elvisfest offers fun for fans and music lovers of all ages. This year, the festival will be held at their new venue at Wayne County Fairgrounds in Belleville! With the purchase of your ticket (ranging in price from $25 to $60) you can enjoy kids’ activities, a classic car show, local food vendors, an adult beer tent, raffles and more.

 

Art in the Park | Plymouth

Where: Downtown Plymouth

When: July 8–10

Taking place in the heart of downtown Plymouth, Art in the Park is celebrating its 42nd year in 2022 by welcoming more than 400 artists from around the country! These professionals and hobbyists will be offering paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, fiber, woodwork, glass, photography, folk art and so much more. And all the art comes along with live entertainment and food to create Michigan’s second-largest art fair!

 

Rolling Sculpture Car Show | Ann Arbor

Where: Downtown Ann Arbor

When: July 15, 2–10 p.m.

After taking a break in 2020 and 2021, the Rolling Sculpture Car Show is returning to Main, Liberty and Washington Streets in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor this July. The event itself is free and open to the public. On the day of the show, guests will enjoy hundreds of exotic, antique, classic and one-of-a-kind cars, plus hot rod music from Surfer Joe.

 

Ann Arbor Art Fair | Ann Arbor

Where: Downtown Ann Arbor

When: July 21–23

The Ann Arbor Art Fair is composed of three independently juried non-profit art fairs that run consecutively over the same weekend in late July: the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair, and the Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair. Attracting nearly half a million attendees with about 1,000 artists, this massive art event has become the largest juried art fair in the nation!

 

Community Celebrations

Independence Day Fireworks at The Cascades | Jackson

Where: The Cascades, Jackson

When: July 2, Dusk

Kick off the holiday weekend with a bang at the annual fireworks show at The Cascades in Jackson! Music accompanies the spectacular show that starts at dusk. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-12, and free for kids 3 and under.

 

Manchester Fireworks | Manchester

Where: Carr Park, Manchester

When: July 3, Dusk

Keep the party going with the annual fireworks display at Carr Park in Manchester sponsored by the Manchester Men’s Club. The event is completely free, but donations are cheerfully accepted! Word on the street is they are working on setting up a beer tent…

 

Northville Independence Day Parade | Northville

Where: Downtown Northville

When: July 4, 10 a.m.

Make your way to Northville for one of the city’s most beloved annual events: The Northville Independence Day Parade. This year, the theme is “Traveling the U.S.A.,” featuring bands, floats, appearances from mascots, antique cars and so much more, celebrating the country from sea to shining sea. This exciting parade takes off at 10 a.m.!

 

Ypsilanti 4th of July Parade | Ypsilanti

Where: Downtown Ypsilanti

When: July 4, 11 a.m.

Take part in a 93-year-old tradition at the Annual Ypsilanti Independence Day Parade, hosted by American Legion Post 282 and its community partners. Featuring our favorite Ypsi businesses, groups, talent and organizations, the parade will march off at 11 a.m. from the corner of Oakwood and Cross Street and end in Historic Depot Town at Rice Street.

 

Hot Air Jubilee | Jackson

Where: Ella Sharp Park, Jackson

When: July 22–24

In 1983, a group of hot air balloon enthusiasts who lived in and around Jackson came up with the dream of a family-friendly event for the Jackson community. That’s when the Hot Air Jubilee took off — no pun intended. Since then, the Jubilee has grown to an event that thousands of people attend every summer! Every year, 25-30 balloons come in from around the country to participate in the friendly rivalry of the contests. Click here to see previews of all the balloons you’ll see in 2022!

 

Sports

Ann Arbor Sports Commission Firecracker 5K | Ann Arbor

Where: Downtown Ann Arbor

When: July 4, 8 a.m.

On the morning of July 4th in downtown Ann Arbor, racers will take off from the intersection of Fourth and Liberty — the most patriotic intersection in town. The main race is the 3.1-mile course, but this epic event also offers a 1-mile “fun run” and a special kids’ 200-meter dash. Plus, you have the option to take part in an add-on event: the Flag Carrying Division & Firecracker 5K, Ray’s Red Hots Hot Dog Eating Contest, or the Twinkie Eating Division to benefit Active Against ALS. Register here for whatever combination of festivities your heart desires!

 

Tree Farm Relay | Novi

Where: Lakeshore Park, Novi

When: July 23, 9 a.m.

If you’re new to endurance cycling, the Tree Farm Relay at Lakeshore Park in Novi is the perfect place to start! This four-person team relay features lots of hills, passing zones and fun — including a costume contest. The whole event is put on by the Motor City Mountain Biking Association and proceeds benefit the organization and will be used to build and maintain local trails. Click here to register for this fun, challenging bike race.

 

Food + Drink

The Peach Truck Tour | Ann Arbor

Where: Briarwood Mall + Zingerman’s Roadhouse

When: July 7 + 8

The Peach Truck is rolling through Ann Arbor! If you aren’t sure what the Peach Truck is, it’s a Nashville-based mobile peach stand bringing hand-picked, just-off-the-tree Georgia peaches to locations across the country. This year, you can pick up a few boxes of peaches, bags of pecans and other goodies at their stands at Zingerman’s Roadhouse and Briarwood Mall on July 7th and 8th, respectively. Because their items tend to go very quickly, make sure you place your pre-order online in advance!

 

Manchester Chicken Broil | Manchester

Where: Alumni Memorial Field, Manchester

When: July 16, 4–8 p.m.

After a brief hiatus due to the pandemic, the Manchester Chicken Broil is back! Benefiting local public schools, community parks, libraries and civic causes, your $11-12 ticket includes a dinner of chicken, locally famous coleslaw, a roll with butter, potato chips, radishes, a beverage, and more. This year, this long-standing community event and fundraiser will feature on-site dining, a drive-thru meal pickup, and on-site walkup for meal purchases. There will also be a live band! Don’t miss all the fun at the Alumni Field in Manchester.

 

23rd Annual Michigan Summer Beer Festival | Ypsilanti

Where: Riverside Park, Ypsilanti

When: July 22–23

The oldest of the Michigan Brewers Guild’s five annual festivals, the 23rd Annual Michigan Summer Beer Festival will host approximately 150 local breweries sampling more than 1,000 different craft beers. Guests can also enjoy live music from Michigan bands and food available for purchase! All of this beer-focused fun will take place rain or shine in the lovely outdoor setting of Ypsi’s Riverside Park in historic Depot Town. To purchase your tickets and learn more, click here.

 

Happy July!

We hope you enjoy this month to the fullest with these exciting events in the Ann Arbor area.