October Events in the Ann Arbor Area feature a range of exciting festivals and activities, so gear up and get your Halloween costume ready because the spookiest time of the year has arrived! Whether you want to catch a scary movie or celebrate all things Gilmore Girls — these are the best October events in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Ypsilanti, Belleville, and beyond!

Arts + Culture

First Fridays Ypsilanti | Ypsilanti

76 North Huron Street
October 4th

Ypsilanti hosts this monthly celebration of community and culture on the first Friday, which falls on the 4th this October. This event is a great way to meet friends, neighbors, and newcomers and to enjoy an array of free and family-friendly events. Everyone is invited! When you attend First Fridays, you help to support and sustain local makers and businesses. This not only strengthens the community, it helps to boost the culture around town. Check out galleries, local shops, and boutiques, or practice some mindful movement and yoga in the Riverside Park Gazebo! At 7:15 PM, make sure to catch a screening of Night of the Living Dead at the Frog Island Movie Night! The movie is rated R, so parents should be aware of adult themes. The movie will be played inside the Freighthouse.

Indian Art and Frontier Antiques Show | Ann Arbor

5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road
October 12th

Check out this unique antique show at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds this October. Kicking off at 9:00 AM, attendees can peruse a massive event filled with one-of-a-kind displays and sales of 18th and 19th-century furs, beadwork, frontier weapons, pottery, pipes, and much more! You never know what you’ll find at a show like this, so arrive with an open mind and see what speaks to you. Admission can be purchased at the door.

A2 Artoberfest | Ann Arbor

Downtown Ann Arbor
October 12th & 13th

Ann Arbor’s annual A2 Artoberfest is a celebration of all things creative. The event will be stretched across Ann Street and North Fourth Avenue from Huron into the Kerrytown area. The fest will feature 100 jury-selected artists, live entertainment, an array of food vendors, as well as art activities for attendees to participate in. There will be several options for adult beverages as well. Peruse the artistry, sip on a refreshing drink, and savor the beautiful fall weather as you jam out to live music. Parking will be available in the structure on the corner of Ann and Ashley Streets or in the structure on 4th Avenue and Washington Street. The A2 Fest is going zero waste, which means there will be recycling and compost options, as well as educational materials on how artists, vendors, and attendees can help to support these environmentally friendly efforts.

Community Celebrations

6th Annual Holy Bones Festival | Ypsilanti

218 North Adams Street
October 4th & 5th

The annual Holy Bones Festival is now a two-day event! This year, attendees can shop over 80 local artisans, as well as food, beverage, and dessert vendors. The Holy Bones Drag Hour is a fan favorite PG-13 burlesque show and the Holy Bones After Dark event is an 18 and up drag and burlesque show. If parents are planning on bringing little ones, they should keep in mind that some artwork and performances have been designed for mature audiences and that some artwork may contain nudity or adult language. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Since 2019, 100% of the proceeds of ticket and vendor fees have gone to support the festival’s generous host, the Ypsilanti Performance Space. This historic 19th-century medieval-style church hosts a range of community events, weddings, and live performances throughout the year.

Stars Hollow Saturday | Ann Arbor

216 South Main Street
October 5th

Do you love all things Gilmore Girls? If you answered yes, then you’ve got to check out Stars Hollow Saturday at Rock Paper Scissors! From 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, join your fellow fans and take a trip to your favorite small town in Connecticut (conveniently located right in your backyard at this local Ann Arbor shop). Dress up as your favorite character to be entered to win a Gilmore Girls basket. Kick off the day at Luke’s and enjoy coffee and crafting. Swing by the market for custom-pressed goods and join in on the Stars Hollow Fall Festival Celebration from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Additional activities include making your own daisy bouquets and enjoying a glass of Miss Patty’s Founder’s Day punch. You can collect buttons at various locations throughout the day to commemorate this unique event.

Moonster Mash | Chelsea

20179 McKernan Drive
October 6th

Take a trip to the Barn Sanctuary for the Moonster Mash event in Chelsea. From 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, attendees can celebrate the spookiest time of the year at this annual get-together. Enjoy delicious plant-based foods from local food trucks (Vegano Italiano and Craveable) and yummy donuts from the Botanical Bakeshop. Sip on some cider while the kids trick-or-treat at the various stations, or take part in an arts and crafts activity. There will also be face painting and prizes awarded for coming in costume! In addition, you can meet some of the barn’s adorable residents with the Goat or Potbelly Experiences. Tickets are $25 for an adult general admission, and $15 for kids.

Witches Night Out | Manchester

Downtown Manchester
October 12th

Get in the holiday spirit this October with shopping, sipping, and fun in Manchester. Stores will be festive and ready to welcome any and all witches. Enjoy spooky treats, dancing, dining, games, raffles, and an array of store specials. New at the Witches Night Out this year is a silent disco dance event from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM where you can learn the Thriller dance! Business Bingo is also back, with awesome prize baskets worth $150 each. Costumes are optional but encouraged. If you think you have what it takes, enter the witches cackle contest on the Manchester Mill Porch. Prizes will be awarded to those with the loudest and scariest cackle, so start practicing!

Sports

Game Watch Tailgate Street Party | Ann Arbor

State & Liberty Streets
October 5th

Make plans to join in on the party in Downtown Ann Arbor for the University of Michigan versus Washington game. The kickoff time is currently TBD, so stay tuned! No tickets to the game? No problem. Everyone is welcome to join in on the ultimate tailgating experience on State and Liberty Streets. This is a great way to feel connected with your local sports community: you can enjoy activities such as corn hole, pickleball, fowling, and even ride a mechanical bull! There will be three 17-foot viewing screens, so you’ll have a great view of the game. Participating businesses in the tailgate party include Knight’s Restaurant, University Vintage, Iggy’s Eggies, Slurping Turtle, and Buffalo Wild Wings.

Run Scream Run | Ypsilanti

5565 Merritt Road
October 12th

If you’re brave enough, check out the number one horror attraction in Michigan — Wiard’s Orchard. This festive race is walker- and runner-friendly, so don’t worry if you can’t keep up with the front of the pack. Both the 5K and the 10K include about a mile on gravel roads within the orchard; the remainder is on asphalt and the cross-country course in Rolling Hills County Park. Upon completion of the race, you’ll receive a fun custom medal, as well as post-race cider and donuts! Also take advantage of orchard discounts. Registration is currently open, so secure your spot and get ready for an adventure.

Making Strides of Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor

4800 East Huron Drive
October 12th

Hosted at Washtenaw Community College, Making Strides of Ann Arbor is more than just a walk. It’s a movement! It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are — you can make an impact. Support for the Making Strides movement helps the American Cancer Society continue its fight against breast cancer. This three-mile walk or run through the campus is a great way to get active for a good cause. There will be music, a photo booth, snacks, and a Survivor & Thriver tent. Whether you yourself have experienced the effects of breast cancer or have a loved one who was diagnosed, this event is a great way to connect with others in the community who have had a similar experience. Check-in opens at 9:00 AM and the walk starts at 10:00 AM.

Probility Ann Arbor Marathon | Ann Arbor

209 South Ashley Street
October 13th

Lace up your sneakers on Sunday, October 13th for the annual Ann Arbor Marathon. Whether you’re an avid runner or you just want to participate, there are a half marathon, 10K, and 5K options available, as well as a marathon relay. “E-race” the stigma by supporting local mental health charities as you run through the vibrant streets of downtown Ann Arbor. Racers will get a panoramic view of the University of Michigan campus and enjoy the sights of the Huron River and Gallup Park, as well as the Nichols Arboretum. The marathon is USATF certified, making it a qualifier for both the Boston and New York Marathons. Registration ranges from $41.25 to $290, depending on which event you choose to run in. There are also virtual participation options if you’re out of town!

Food + Drink

3rd Annual Fall Festival @ Jacob’s Fresh Farm | Dexter

475 North Fletcher Road
October 5th

You won’t want to miss this year’s Fall Festival at Jacob’s Fresh Farm in Dexter. Bring the whole family out for a day of fun! Activities include pumpkin picking, creative experiences, crafts, and a variety of food and drinks to enjoy. From 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, attendees can jam out to live music and shop local gifts at the artisan market that features locally produced products and seasonal produce. There will be additional vendors selling handcrafted goods and snacks. Kids will love the pumpkin painting and the free DIY crafts, such as dried flower wreaths, sachets, and custom bouquets using flowers that were grown right there on the farm. Food trucks will be onsite, as well as a kid’s fun zone with games and face painting. Admission is priced at $5 for adults and children 12 and under get in free.

Uncork a Cure for ALS | Ann Arbor

1928 Packard Street
October 10th

York Food & Drink is hosting this event to help raise money for a good cause. From 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, help support the 2nd annual Uncork a Cure for ALS event and enjoy an evening of food, drink, and entertainment. There will be an online auction as well for anybody wanting to participate. Last year’s event brought in nearly 200 attendees and raised more than $25,000 for ALS research! Help make this year’s event even bigger and better. Early registration is priced at $100 and is bumped up to $125 after September 25th and at the door.

7th Annual Bombers, Berries & Brews | Belleville

47884 D Street
October 12th

Head over to the Michigan Flight Museum for the 7th rendition of this annual festival celebrating local breweries and wineries, as well as historic aircraft. On Saturday, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, check out the displays and sip on your beverage of choice. This event is for 21 and up, so if you have kiddos — consider a babysitter for the night so you can enjoy a relaxed evening. General admission is priced at $46.88 and includes 12 tasting tickets. Additional tickets can be purchased at $5 for 5 tasting tickets. Designated drivers get free admittance to the event. There are limited registrations available, so make sure to grab yours in advance to ensure your spot.

Happy October!

We hope that you’ve found a handful of events that you’re looking forward to this October. Whether you love all things aircraft or want to challenge yourself at the Ann Arbor Marathon, there’s plenty going on in the area next month. Enjoy the cooler weather and get ready for the holiday season because it’s almost upon us!