With summer in full swing, the month of July has a range of events, activities and good times to be had by you and your friends and family. Make the most of the summer season by getting outdoors and experiencing all that the area has to offer. Add these Ann Arbor and surrounding area events to your July calendar or send them to someone who might need some motivation to get out and about!

Arts + Culture 

Michigan Celtic Festival | Ann Arbor

? Photo courtesy of Michigan Celtic Festival

5055 Ann Arbor Saline Road
July 12 & 13 | 5PM-11:30PM & (Saturday Schedule TBD)

This year marks the 27th annual Celtic Festival! With something for everyone, this is a great family-friendly event hosted at the Washtenaw Farm Council Fairgrounds. Adult admission is priced at $8 for Friday and kids 17 and under get in free, as do active military members. Saturday’s festival will see ticket prices rise to $15 for advanced registration or $18 at the gate, with kids ages 5 and under getting in for free. Friday’s schedule kicks off with fiddle workshops, a sea shanty sing along, a step dance demonstration, and plenty of live music to keep the vibes high. The night ends with an impressive ring of steel fire show that you won’t want to miss!

If you’re looking to camp out at the festival grounds — there is capacity to host RVs and tow campers, as well as tents and vehicles.

Ann Arbor Civic Band Concert Series | Ann Arbor

? Photo courtesy of Ann Arbor Civic Band

1300 Baldwin Avenue
July 3, 10, & 17 | 7:30 PM

Across the course of six summer evenings, the community will have the opportunity to come together and listen to the Ann Arbor Civic Band perform during their concert series. Feel free to bring a picnic dinner, your dogs, your toddlers, and all your loved ones to experience live music in the park. Each date has a different theme, such as Stars and Stripes, Young Person’s Concert, and Big Band Bash! Avid fans of the Ann Arbor Civic Band may have heard that the West Park Band Shell has been deemed unsafe for the time being, so Burns Park is the band’s new home. The concert schedule is subject to change — so make sure to check back before the show date to ensure it’s still correct.

Sounds & Sights Festival | Chelsea

? Photo courtesy of Sounds & Sights Festival

Downtown Chelsea
July 26 & 27

This annual summer weekend event began over four decades ago and has since grown into a festival that draws visitors from across Michigan and from out of state. The event will feature live music, as well as kids’ entertainment and activities in the KidZone, a classic car show, an art market, a farmers market, and sidewalk sales throughout the historic downtown Chelsea area. 

Community Celebrations 

24th Annual Michigan ElvisFest | Belleville

10871 Quirk Road
July 12 & 13

This annual two-day event brings together a range of Elvis fans, with thousands converging at the Wayne County Fairgrounds to celebrate The King’s life and work. The festival was founded over two decades ago and draws in a multitude of Elvis impersonators who seek to pay homage to the icon. Tickets for this year’s event are priced at $30 for Friday and $50 for Saturday or you can opt for a special two-day ticket for $70.

Hot Air Jubilee | Jackson

? Photo courtesy of Adam Kraft via hotairjubilee.com

2800 4th Street
July 19-21 

The Hot Air Jubilee attracts thousands of spectators each year to Ella Sharp Park. This outdoor event features helicopter rides, food vendors, hot rods, a pilot meet and greet, and a Kids Kingdom activity area. There will be morning and evening launches, as well as a night glow at dusk. Look up above as 25+ hot air balloons fill the skyline above Jackson. The mission of the jubilee is to positively contribute to the community by providing an affordable source of family entertainment that gets kids and adults alike excited to watch this unique, colorful attraction.

Sports

46th Annual One Helluva Ride | Chelsea

20501 West Old US Highway 12
July 13 | 6:30AM-6PM

The Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society is excited to host the 46th One Helluva Ride event that features a day of scenic bicycle touring along tree-lined roads with both paved and gravel terrain. The ride will take participants across Washtenaw, Ingham, Jackson, and Livingston counties, with the routes switching up landscape between rural and recreation areas to appeal to a broad range of bicycle enthusiasts. The route will kick off at the Chelsea Community Fairgrounds!

Class 1 eBikes are allowed and participants can choose which route they want to ride. The short route spans 21 miles, with one rest stop and the long ride is just over 100 miles with three rest stops. Merch included with tickets this year features a jersey, a t-shirt and custom event socks.

Tree Farm Relay | Novi

601 South Lake Drive
July 27 | 9:00 AM

Everyone’s favorite summer bike race is back — this year celebrating its 17th annual year at Lakeshore Park. The race is formatted as a unique four-person team relay race, with the course featuring hills, passing zones, and loads of fun for participants and spectators alike. This is the perfect race for beginners looking to get their foot in the door of endurance racing, as well as test their skills against rival teams. The event is capped at 125 teams of four riders each and often sells out — so register ASAP if you want to join in on the exhilarating ride.

Food + Drink 

25th Annual Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival | Ypsilanti

2 East Cross Street
July 26 & 27 | 5PM-9PM & 1PM-6PM

If you appreciate a craft brew and want to sample what Michigan’s finest breweries have to offer, then the annual Brewers Guild Summer Fest is the place to be this July at Riverside Park. The festival features inclusive events for individuals 21 and up, as well as 15 sample tickets that are included in the price of each ticket. Additional tokens can be purchased for $0.50. The festival will have plenty of food for sale, as well as live music from Michigan bands. Snag your tickets for $50 in advance, as they’ll be raised to $60-$65 on the day of the event at the gate.

There is no parking at Riverside Park, so visitors will need to use a rideshare or find parking throughout Depot Town or the downtown Ypsilanti area. Guests are welcome to bring outside food and non-alcoholic beverages with them to the event, as well as coolers, camp chairs, and small tents.

71st Manchester Chicken Broil | Manchester

600 East Duncan Street
July 20 | 4PM-7:30PM

The Manchester Chicken Broil is held at the Alumni Memorial Field and will feature on-site dining, as well as a drive-thru meal pickup and walkup area for food purchases. Dive into a plate of freshly made coleslaw, a roll with butter, and half a chicken — complete with chips and a beverage. Gelato is available for an extra fee. The event includes live music, a tractor display, and a kid’s play area. Tickets to the boil cost $15 and there will be plenty of free parking at the event, as well as courtesy shuttle buses to bring visitors to the entrance. Proceeds from the chicken broil go back into the Manchester community and help to support the public schools, community parks, and the local library and civic organizations.

Guide to Fireworks Displays, Parades, and Patriotic Events on July 4th 

Independence Day celebrations bring exciting firework shows and parades to the community this July — so be sure to find a local parade to cheer on and get lost in the fantastic colors of fireworks in the night sky.

Ann Arbor Jaycees Fourth of July Parade | Ann Arbor

? Photo courtesy of Ann Arbor Jaycees Fourth of July Parade Committee

East William Street & South State Street
July 4 | 10AM

In true Ann Arbor fashion, America’s birthday will be celebrated with a patriotic parade. Thousands of spectators will line the streets to cheer on the floats, bands, and marchers. Community members, government leaders, representatives, and government appointees will participate and there will even be a chance for children to march. As always, the parade is completely free and 2024 will see the return of the firetruck spray park — so head over to Maynard Street to cool off after the parade.

Firecracker 5K | Ann Arbor

? Photo courtesy of Firecracker 5K via annarborfirecracker5k.com

Downtown Ann Arbor
July 4 | 8AM

Event organizers are collaborating with Epic Races to bring the Firecracker 5K to downtown Ann Arbor this year. The race will follow a hot dog eating contest. Families with little ones in tow can participate in the 200-meter dash — where kids race free with every adult registration. There is also a 1-mile fun run option for those who don’t want to commit to the 5K. Racers will have the unique opportunity to loop downtown Ann Arbor before making their way to the star-spangled finish line in front of thousands of enthusiastic spectators. Make sure to stick around after the race until the parade!

Independence Day Parade | Northville

Downtown Northville
July 4 | 10 AM

Known as the “best small-town Independence Day Parade in Southeastern Michigan,” this is one you won’t want to miss! Hundreds of participants will march in the parade while thousands of spectators line the streets to cheer them on. The parade will include bands, floats, antique cars, and even professional team mascots! 2024’s theme is Party in the USA — so come ready to dance, sing, and have a great time.

Ypsilanti 4th of July Parade | Ypsilanti

2 East Cross Street
July 4 | 11 AM

2024 marks the 95th annual Ypsilanti parade on Independence Day, making it Michigan’s longest-running 4th of July parade. The event is set to march rain or shine, so make sure you grab your spot to spectate the parade and cheer on the marchers. There is no cost of admission, though donations are always welcome and volunteers are warmly embraced.

Whitmore Lake 4th of July Fireworks

Northfield Community Park
July 3 at Dusk OR July 4 at Dusk (Rain Date)

Enjoy the Whitmore Lake fireworks show on July 3rd to ring in the holiday before cheering on the Kiwanis Annual 4th of July Parade at 10AM on July 4th. There will also be a banana split eating contest at 2:30PM, where contestants will be divided into four age groups before they see who can devour their dessert fastest. This messy event is a can’t miss and the cost of registration is priced at just $2. The fun continues on July 5th, with the Boat Parade of Lights at 10PM.

Independence Day Fireworks at the Cascades | Jackson

1401 South Brown Street
July 3 | Dusk

Nothing says Happy 4th like celebrating with a bang! Check out this fireworks show on July 3rd, which leaves you plenty of time to grill and spend the evening with family on the 4th. Admission is $7 per person and $5 for children ages 4-12. Kids 3 and under get in free. Music is set to accompany the largest fireworks display in Jackson County and there will be onsite entertainment to keep the energy level high!

Happy July!

We’d love to hear which July events you’re most looking forward to!