2017

lansingfestivals.org

The greater Lansing region is home to more than 100 local festivals and annual events, attracting nearly half a million people from near and far. These popular festivals and events, some of which are nationally recognized, make greater Lansing an attractive and vibrant place to live, work and play. Through performances, cultural activities, educational opportunities and more, these events celebrate arts and culture and traditions old and new.

To spotlight and support these many festivals and placemaking events, and their legacies, the Greater Lansing Festival Alliance was formed as a separate entity in 2009 with the help of the Arts Council. In 2014, the Festival Alliance was incorporated into the Arts Council's full membership, and it now has its largest number of collaborative alliance members ever, with nearly 40 local festivals and their organizers coming together to celebrate in the greater Lansing area.

517.372.4636 lansingarts.org

MIGHTY UKE DAY 7May 12-14, 2017mightyukeday.com

Mighty Uke Day is a celebration of the diminutive yet dynamic ukulele, honoring its

unique ties to Michigan culture. Activities include performances, workshops, children’s activities and more, with profits supporting Music is the Foundation programs in Mid-Michigan classrooms and communities.

MICHIGAN NORDIC FIRE FESTIVALFebruary 24-26, 2017michigannordicfirefestival.com

A winter festival in Charlotte celebrating Nordic and Viking culture aimed at getting people outside in a fun & family-friendly environment. Featuring a community bonfire, entertainment, a historic

Viking encampment, costume contests, cardboard long-ship sled races, games of strength & chance and more!

Michigan NordicFire Festival

RED CEDAR FESTIVAL OFCOMMUNITY BANDS

March 4, 2017redcedarfestival.org

In its 22nd year, this festival is a day-long event of free community band concerts,

instrumental master classes and networking opportunities at Okemos High School. Nationally renowned clinicians work with bands to improve musicianship. Master-class clinicians teach techniques to individual musicians. All events are free of charge.

BEERFEST AT THE BALLPARK-SPRINGApril 29, 2017

This spring festival is held in the concourse and front lawn of Cooley Law School Stadium and provides

attendees the opportunity to taste more than 200 craft beers, ciders, meads, spirits, and wine from over 80 Michigan breweries while enjoying the ballpark atmosphere.

beerfestattheballpark.net

CAPITAL CITY FILM FESTIVALApril 5-9, 2017CapitalCityFilmFest.com

The Capital City Film Festival (CCFF) is a multimedia showcase of independent films and live touring bands with engaging

audiences in Michigan’s capital city. It celebrates artists from around the world who share their craft while promoting and building on the cultural assets of our diverse locale.

MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVALMarch 18, 2017mynaturecenter.org

Celebrate nature’s own “Liquid Gold” at Fenner Nature Center’s Maple Syrup Festival! Participate in demonstrations in

our Sugar Bush, try your hand at tapping a tree and treat your taste buds to savory treats like maple crème and maple cotton candy!

ART & CRAFT BEER FESTJanuary 27-28, 2017artandcraftbeerfest.com

The fifth annual Art & Craft BeerFest is an indoor art,

beer and music festival where you can go backand forth between four venues. All venues are located on the same block, just a short walk from one another.

EAST LANSING ART FESTIVALMay 20-21, 2017elartfest.com

Fine artists and traditional craft artisans from Michigan and beyond line the downtown streets of

East Lansing to exhibit and sell their original works. Free live music, children’s activities, food vendors and more!

LANSING BEER FESTJune 17, 2017lansingbeerfest.com

The fifth annual Lansing Beer Fest is an outdoor beer festival on Washington Ave. in REO

Town featuring 25 Michigan breweries and 100+ craft beers. Also find cider, mead, spirits, wine, a food truck court, live music, vendors and more!

FESTIVAL OF THE MOON & SUNJune 23-24, 2017 festivalofthemoonandsun.com

Make the most of the shortest night and longest day of the year at the Festival of the Moon and Sun in Old Town Lansing! Enjoy great music, cocktails and wines from around the world plus delicious local cuisine.

CHARLOTTE BLUEGRASS FESTIVALJune 22-24, 2017charlottebluegrassfestival.com

This three-day Michigan Bluegrass Festival is a family

festival full of local and national acts. There are corn hole and card tournaments, jamming sessions throughout the campground, raffles, guitar and banjo workshops, food vendors and a bounce house for the kids! Bring your chairs, picks and instruments!

LCC SUMMER STAGE UNDER THE STARS

June 21 - July 28, 2017lcc.edu/summerstage

Lansing Community College’s Summer Stage Under the Stars is a free festival featuring family-friendly and entertaining

plays and concerts at the lovely amphitheatre in the heart of campus. DANCE Lansing ends the festival in Dart Auditorium with four nights of exciting new dance. Indoors or on the lawn, enjoy a perfect summer evening!

LANSING JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONJune 15-17, 2017LansingJuneteenthCelebration.org

Commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S., the 24th annual Juneteenth Celebration celebrates the joys of liberty while educating

the community about our African-American heritage and promoting positive cultural interaction. This three-day festival includes multiple venues, entertainment, music, food, educational exhibits, a health fair, children activities, and a community parade. Enjoy activities for the entire family.

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June 3, 2017

BE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN TOWNJune 3, 2017lansing.org/batyot

Explore a world of possibilities in Greater Lansing from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Purchase a $1

“Passport” for free admission to more than 80 attractions. Enjoy interactive activities and giveaways for the kids! CATA Be A Tourist bus routes provide transportation to most attractions for just 50 cents. Collect ten stamps in the “Passport” to win great prizes!

OLD TOWN SCRAPFESTJuly 14-15, 2017oldtownscrapfest.com

Experience art and recycling in a whole new way! 20 teams have one hour

to collect up to 500 pounds of scrap metal and just two weeks to create sculptural

masterpieces. Now in its 9th year, Old Town ScrapFest puts these sculptures on display alongside art vendors, music and free family art activities. You could even walk away with one of the awesome sculptures if you are the highest bidder at the live auction!

SUMMER SOLSTICE JAZZ FESTIVALJune 23-24, 2017eljazzfest.com

A free, two-day musical event in the heart of downtown East Lansing featuring the best in local, regional and national artists, a New Orleans-style Second Line Parade, an avant-garde jazz

picnic and children’s activities. Presented by the City of East Lansing, Wharton Center for Performing Arts and the MSU College of Music, with artistic direction by Rodney Whitaker.

CAR CAPITAL AUTO SHOWJuly 29, 2017carcapitalautoshow.org

The R.E. Olds Transportation Museum’s 25th annual car show is open to all makes of cars, trucks and motorcycles. See vehicles from the 1900’s to 2016.

Free family fun with live music, car rides and vendors on the streets of downtown Lansing in front of the Michigan State Capitol.

July 6-9, 2017commongroundfest.com

The 18th annual multiple-day music festival

has highlighted more than 450 artists over the years, including 38 Grammy Award winners in contemporary and classic rock, pop, alternative, country, hip hop, R&B, blues and more.

COMMON GROUND MUSIC FESTIVAL

WILLIAMSTON ARTFESTJuly 22, 2017

Williamston ArtFest isa day-long festival celebrating art, music and dance in

McCormick Park on the beautiful Red Cedar River. Enjoy the children’s activity tent, local musicians and lots of arts and food venders.

williamstonartfest.weebly.com

BATH DAYS FESTIVALAugust 4-5, 2017bathdays.com

Home of the International Bathtub Races. Bath Days is a two-day family festival

full of “good clean fun,” including Bathtub Races, silent auction, music, car show, arts and crafts, kids area, food vendors, parade, fireworks display and more. Feeling adventuresome — build a bathtub racer and join the race!

LANSING JAZZ FESTAugust 4-5, 2017jazzlansing.com

The 23rd annualLansing JazzFest takes place in the streets of Old Town, surrounded by the best of the Capital City’s art galleries, unique stores and grand architecture. Its stages offer outstanding talent, from local favorites, regional and national acts. Join nearly 7,000 people from across Michigan and nearby states for music great food, craft vendors, expansive beverage tent, children’s activities, river boat rides and more!

RENEGADE THEATRE FESTIVALAugust 10-12 & 17-19, 2017

renegadetheatrefestival.org

Two weekends of free theatre showcased in some of Lansing’s most

artistic and eclectic venues. Weekend one showcases Renegade N.O.W., featuring new and original theatrical works. Weekend two features a wide range of performance styles, including comedy, drama, musicals, improv, staged readings and more!

ARTFEASTAugust 19, 2017

Coinciding with the Renegade Theatre Festival, Old Town ArtFeast celebrates mobile vendors! Artists from across the state rally on Turner Street with a wide variety of handmade goods. When you

get hungry from shopping, a mouth-watering stop at the Food Court will fill your belly with delicious eats brought to you by the best local foodtrucks and carts.

iloveoldtown.org

GREAT LAKES FOLK FESTIVALAugust 11-13, 2017greatlakesfolkfest.net

The MSU Museum presents this three-day celebration of culture, tradition and community in downtown East Lansing. Find music,

dance, food, a marketplace and more. Discover the roots, rhythms and richness of cultures from across America and around the world.

PHIL DENNY’S ARMORY SMOOTH JAZZ FETE

August 12, 2017smoothjazzfete.com

Inaugural outdoor music event welcoming nationally and internationally acclaimed cross-genre jazz musicians with an emphasis on smooth, contemporary, modern, pop and R&B. The one-day ticketed Fete will take place at the historic Armory in Lansing’s burgeoning Eastside community and welcomes festival goers of all adult ages.

ST. JOHNS MINT FESTIVALAugust 11-13, 2017clintoncountychamber.org/mint

In its 33rd year, this three-day family festival celebrates more than 100 years of local mint farming with arts and crafts, flea market, free entertainment, Grand Mint Parade, quilt show, Kids World, carnival, rodeo, Jeep obstacle course, senior citizens day and much more.

MICHIGAN BLUESFESTSeptember 15-16, 2017oldtownbluesfest.com

This two-day Michigan blues music

festival includes local, regional and national performers on three stages. In addition to great music, enjoy artist booths, food vendors and a variety of children’s activities. The Turnaround Lounge (beer tent) will offer craft and domestic beers and select wines. This festival is in the center of historic Old Town Lansing surrounded by art galleries, shops and restaurants.

BWL CHILI COOK OFFSeptember 29, 2017lbwl.com/cco

The BWL Chili Cook-off features over 1,200 gallons of the very best

chili from nearly 40 restaurants. Sample them all and vote for your favorite! This family-friendly event also features a chili-dog-eating contest, live music on two stages, kids’ activities, and more.

OLD TOWN OKTOBERFESTSeptember 29-30, 2017oldtownoktoberfest.com

Oom Pa Pa! Celebrate Old Town Lansing’s German heritage with the 12th annual Oktoberfest!

Enjoy German and fall beers in your souvenir stein, nosh on some authentic Essen, and dance the night away to live music. Proßt!ss

APPLE BUTTER FESTIVALOctober 14-15, 2017mynaturecenter.org

Help stir the apple butter, cooked the old-fashioned way in a copper kettle over

the fire, or try your hand at the cider press. The beauty of nature in autumn, coupled with heritage artisans, local musicians and savory food is sure to be a memorable event!

TRICK-OR-TREAT ON THE SQUAREOctober 23, 2017

trickortreatonthesquare.org

(Rain Date October 24, 2017)

A family-friendly event filled with spook-tacular fall fun! This free event celebrates Halloween in a safe environment featuring a hay maze, trick-or-treating, donut-eating contest, stilt walkers, fire dancers and more!

WOMEN IN THE ARTSNovember 10-11, 2017witafestival.com

In its 32nd year, this annual celebration of regional women artists takes place the second weekend of November. This volunteer-run festival features a huge artist market, musicians, poets and other creative arts as a symbol of our commitment to support women in the creative pursuits.

GLOBAL FESTIVALNovember 12, 2017cvip.isp.msu.edu/globalfestival/

See the world in a day! International students at Michigan State University showcase their home countries with exhibits, performances

and interactive workshops at the MSU Union. Explore art, music, clothing languages and more from around the globe at this free family event!

SILVER BELLS IN THE CITYNovember 17, 2017silverbellsinthecity.org

Ring in the holidays in downtown Lansing with the Electric Light Parade,

state Christmas tree lighting and fireworks show cascading over the Capitol dome! Shop at the Silver Bells Village and enjoy live performances at arts and cultural venues throughout downtown Lansing.

CHRISTMAS FESTIVALDecember 1, 2017clintoncountychamber.org/events

In its 15th year, the St. Johns annual Christmas Festival promises fun for the whole family! Enjoy Breakfast with Santa, visit the Festival of Trees and the Craft Show with more than 85 vendors, plus Kids Crafts, a raffle with more than 80 prizes and so much more. Celebrate the holidays in St. Johns!

TASTE OF DOWNTOWNDate TBDtasteofdowntown.org

Enjoy a summer afternoon in downtown

Lansing by sampling various cuisines and food specialties from downtown restaurants. There is plenty of wine tasting with more than 100 varieties from around the world and live music on an outdoor stage!