Things to do in October 2013 in Southeast Michigan

My readers have spoken and told me they want to read about more LOCAL events on here. I’m listening!

On the first of each month, I will post fun events happening. The events will be focused on family-friendly fun {OK, and maybe a few bonus ones for adults too}, and will geographically span Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint and Lansing.

Why these cities? First of all, my Facebook insights tell me many of you are located in those areas. Also? There are no other blogs that span all of those locations, so I’m trying to fill a void here, people 😉

I am not going to be able to include every single event, but those I know the bulk of my readers may enjoy. Hope you enjoy and feel free to send tips to laurenmarieweber{at}gmail.com.

Things to do in October 2013 in Southeast Michigan:

Weekends, through Oct. 27: BestMaze Corn Maze {Williamston} — Trek through a Pure Michigan-inspired maze, complete with  the Mackinac Bridge, a camping scene, the outline of both peninsulas, and the Holland Tulip Festival logo of a tulip and windmill with 3 miles of trails. Also, there’s a separate Trail of Terror for the big kids and a petting zoo for little ones. $8/person, comes with 4-10 people, just $7/person. Children under 4 are free. CASH ONLY.

Weekends, through Oct. 27: NCG Free Family Film Festival {Various locations around the Flint and Lansing areas} — To see movies and showtimes, see graphic below. FREE.

From NGC Cinemas’ website 

Weekends, through Oct. 27: Children’s Fall Festival at MJR Digital Cinemas {Various locations throughout SE Michigan} — FREE movies for children, ages 12 and under, and just $1 for adults! Keep an eye on Facebook for the exact showtimes, to be announced throughout the month.

Image from MJR’s Facebook page

Throughout Oct: Fall fun at Leslie Science & Nature Center {Ann Arbor} — Learn about various animals, or enjoy roasting marshmallows around a blazing fire. Lots of events to choose from! Costs vary. Pre-registration encouraged.

Oct. 3: Ladies Night Out {Milford} — Gather for an evening of shopping and dining in the Village, from 5-9 p.m. The highly anticipated event includes giveaways, discounts, storewide sales, freebies, complimentary snacks and beverages at all participating retailers, as well as specials at several of Milford’s restaurants. Participants are encouraged to bring hygiene and beauty products for donation to Community Sharing. FREE.

Oct. 4-6: Scarecrow Fest {Trenton} — Family festival featuring a carnival, singing contest, Battle of the bands, dog costume contest, scarecrow building contest, artists and crafts, and more. FREE.

Oct. 5: Great Pumpkin Event at ALL Michael’s stores {Nationwide} — Get the whole family in the spirit of Halloween with a fun pumpkin craft! Just $6 per 9 1/2” craft pumpkin, includes supplies.

Oct. 5: Kids Workshop at Home Depot {Nationwide} — Celebrate Fire Safety Month with The Home Depot and build our awesome Fire Rescue Plane. These hands-on workshops are designed for children ages 5 – 12. Advance registration required. FREE.

Oct. 5-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-31: Halloween Ghosts and Goodies at Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad {Flint} — Find your way through a straw maze and an enchanted forest, watch a magic show and take a 40-minute ride on the famous Huckleberry Ghost Train Express. There are trick-or-treat stations throughout the Village with doughnuts and candy, too. Prices – $10-$16. Infants 12 months and under are free.

Oct. 8: Little Critters Preschool Program at Howell Conference & Nature Center {Howell} — Meet Minnie and learn what makes the opossum awesome! 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. $5/child. Call 517-546-0249 to save your place.

Oct. 12-13: Apple Butter Festival at Fenner Nature Center {Lansing} — Treat yourself to old-fashioned family fun. Help to stir the enormous kettle of apple butter, crank the cider press, taste different apple varieties and observe heritage craftspeople demonstrating their skills. Great food, live music and beautiful fall colors abound! 11 a.m. – 5p.m. FREE.

Oct. 11-13, Oct. 18-20 and Oct. 25-27: Zoo Boo at the Detroit Zoo {Royal Oak} — Halloween and trick-or-treating fun for kids! Advance tickets are $8, ages 2 and up and $5 for parking. Advance tickets strongly encouraged.

Oct. 11-13, Oct. 18-20, Oct. 25-27: Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village {Dearborn} — Step back in time to a turn-of-the-20th century Hallowe’en. Follow an endless path of hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns, and meet colorful characters along the way. Feel the whoosh as the Headless Horseman rides by, banter with a clever witch and make stops at several treat stations spread throughout Greenfield Village. Advance tickets encouraged. $15/person.

Oct. 16-20: Disney On Ice presents 100 Years of Magic {Auburn Hills} — Celebrate Disney magic live on ice. Tickets range from $20-$57.

Oct. 19-20: Enchanted Princess Ball {Fenton} — Dress-up your little one and enjoy a show by Disney-inspired princesses! Oct. 19 times: 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; Oct. 20 at 1 p.m. $18/person. Advance tickets required.

Oct. 19-20, 25-26: Boo at The Zoo {Lansing – Potter Park Zoo} — Lots of fun for the whole family including a  straw maze, hayrides, the Boo Tunnel and more. 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Just general admission — kids 3 and under are free, adult residents, $4, non-residents, $10.

Oct. 26: Legend of Sleepy Howell {Howell} — Dress-up and enjoy trick-or-treating, costume contests, live music, hay rides, creepy campfires and s’mores, spider egg hunt, bobbing for apples, a hay maze, inflatables for kids and teens, a 5k/10k Headless Horseman Run and more. FREE.

Oct. 26: Fall Fest {Brighton} — Join 2|42 Community Church for a fall fest for families, including inflatables, games, face painting, hay ride, petting farm and more. Open to the public. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. FREE.

Oct. 27: Fall Fest {Ann Arbor} — Join 2|42 Community Church for a fall fest for families, including games, pumpkin painting and more. Open to the public. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. FREE.

Oct. 31: Fun on the Farm Halloween Party at Kensington Metropark {Brighton} — Program for little ones including a story time, a toddler trick-or-treat and fall party with a hay ride and animal parade. Costumes encouraged. Reservations required. $5 + car entry fee. Starts at 10 a.m.

What did I miss? Feel free to drop me a note or add in the comments!