7 Must-Visit Festivals in Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor knows how to throw a party. Here is a small sample of the many events that take place throughout the region.
Whether you are a newcomer or just visiting for the weekend, here are some festivals in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and the region that you do not want to miss.
In This Article
1. Ann Arbor Pride
Founded in 1995 and previously known as OUTFest, Ann Arbor Pride celebrates the LGBTQ+ community. The weekend-long event takes place in Ann Arbor’s Kerrytown neighborhood and at venues such as Necto Nightclub and Zal Gaz Grotto Club.
2. Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival
For two days every July, the Michigan Brewers Guild Festival arrives in Ypsilanti’s Riverside Park in the city’s historic Depot Town district. About 150 Michigan breweries and more than 1,000 different craft beers are showcased.
3. African American Downtown Festival
The 25th-annual African American Downtown Festival will take place in June 2022, with vendors, live music and cultural activities taking place in the historic Black business district in the Old Fourth Ward and Kerrytown neighborhoods in Ann Arbor.
4. Ann Arbor Film Festival
This six-day cinematic event presents more than 180 films in categories such as animation, documentary, fiction and performance-based works. Filmmakers who showcased their early works at the AAFF include Andy Warhol, Yoko Ono and George Lucas.
5. Jewish Book Festival
Celebrating Jewish authors and the stories they tell is what the Jewish Book Festival is all about. Activities are organized by the Jewish Community Center of Ann Arbor and supported by the Jewish Federation of Ann Arbor.
6. Ann Arbor Art Fair
A three-day tradition every July, Ann Arbor Art Fair draws nearly 1,000 artists and about 400,000 visitors. The event is actually three art fairs in one district – Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original; Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair; and Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair.
7. Manchester Chicken Broil
Only 20 miles southwest of Ann Arbor is Manchester, which hosts the Manchester Chicken Broil each year on the third Thursday in July. The event includes chicken dinners and live music at Alumni Field.