Family Fun in Southeast Michigan in September 2016 {Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint and Lansing Areas}

September is such a lovely month, right? Cool mornings followed by hot days, the leaves starting to change, apple picking, and perhaps every parent’s favorite reason: Everyone is officially back to school.

While adventures may be changing in the months ahead with calendars filling with school events, there is still plenty of fun to be had. Here are some ideas on fun things to do this September around Southeast Michigan!

Family Fun in Southeast Michigan in September 2016

Weekends, through October 2 — Michigan Renaissance Festival — Come to Holly Grove where music, sword-swallowing, comedy, fire-juggling and of course, the costumes of a bygone era all wonderfully on display. Open 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., rain or shine! Dress in costume for added fun and be sure to check out how the Festival celebrates with themed weekends. Free parking. General admission on day-of: $22.95; child general admission: $13.95; 4 and under are free.

Through September 5 — Saline Community Fair {Saline} — Join Saline for their annual community fair full of rides, activities, parades and family fun! Sept. 3 is kid day. All other days, admission is $7 for ages 11 and up.

September 1-5 — Fifth Third Bank Michigan State Fair {Novi} — This year’s State Fair includes a Midway, live entertainment, racing pigs, livestock and home arts exhibits, the state of Michigan Butter Cow, special performances by the Detroit Shrine Circus, Made in Michigan Pavilion, tasty carnival treats, and more. There is customized pricing, depending on what you want to do — prices range from $6-$30. Children 2 and under are free.

September 2-5 — Arts, Beats and Eats {Royal Oak} — Oakland County’s premier entertainment festival which draws nearly 400,000 people to experience more than 200 juried art exhibitors, 50 restaurants and 200 performances on 10 stages downtown Royal Oak. On Friday the festival is free to enter until 5 p.m., after 5 p.m. the price is $5.  On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, admission is $3 before 3 p.m. and $5 after 3 p.m. Children under 3 are free.

September 2 – October 27 — Celebration Cinema’s Flick’s Family Festival {Various Locations around Lansing} — Visit one of the Celebration Cinemas locations for FREE kid’s movies {12 and under}, or just $5 for adults. See website for schedule.

September 2 – October 30 — NCG Cinemas Free Family Film Festival {Various Mid-Michigan Locations} — Visit the NCG locations in September and October on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for a FREE movie. Visit link for showtimes {also available in a sensory-friendly format}.

September 3, 10, 17, 24 — FREE Day at the Flint Institute of Art {Flint} — This museum is free to visit every Saturday thanks to First Merit Bank.

September 3 — Families at The Broad {East Lansing} — Visit this East Lansing modern art museum from 12-4 p.m. for hands-on activities and a family guided tour at 1 p.m. FREE thanks to Farm Bureau.

September 3 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! This week it’s a FREE paper lantern thanks to Sprout. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up.

September 3 — Kids Workshop at The Home Depot {Nationwide} — Build a back to school whiteboard at this event. This hands-on workshop is for children ages 5 – 12. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Register online in advance. FREE.

September 4 — The final day to see A Bug’s World at Sloan Museum {Flint} — Check out this sweet exhibit before its last day!

September 5 — Labor Day Sale at all Metro Detroit Salvation Army Thrift Stores — Stop in for 50% off all clothing! This is the perfect sale to stock up!

September 8-11 — Frontier Days {Charlotte} — Pioneer-spirited guests will enjoy this annual event featuring one of Mid-Michigan’s largest parades, a championship rodeo, flea market, more than 250 arts and crafts exhibits, an old-fashioned saloon, and more. FREE.

September 8-11 — Richmond Good Old Days Festival {Richmond} — The Annual Richmond Area Good Old Days Festival is one of Michigan’s best small town festivals and boasts the largest marching musical parade in Michigan, as well as a carnival, antique fire muster, a children’s candy scramble and much more. FREE.

September 9-10 — Brighton’s Smokin’ Jazz and Barbecue Blues Festival {Brighton} — Visit downtown Brighton for talented musicians and food vendors from all over the country smokin’ up the streets. Experience the tastiest of barbecue, the smoothest of jazz and the bluest of blues, and be sure to wash it down with ice-cold beverages from the beer and wine garden. Admission is $5, but FREE before 6 p.m. Ages 18 and under are FREE with accompanying adult admission.

September 9-11 — Plymouth Fall Festival {Plymouth} — This fest features carnival rides, a car show, craft show, pancake breakfast, rotary BBQ, spaghetti dinner, and live entertainment, food and more. FREE.

September 9-11 — Arts and Apples Festival {Rochester} — For 50 years, the Art & Apples Festival has transformed the 30-acre Rochester Park into one of the nation’s top fine art fairs with over 290 artists from across the country. Other attractions include non-stop entertainment, food vendors, and a Meijer Kids Art Zone. FREE.

September 10 — Hot Wheels: Race to Win Opening at Impression 5 {Lansing} — Stay tuned for a blog post with more information on this new exhibit.

September 10 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a felt hand tree.

September 10 — Homegrown Festival {Ann Arbor} — The HomeGrown Festival is a grassroots community event showcasing the best of our region’s locally grown food, drink, music and fun. FREE.

September 10 — Meridian Fall Heritage Festival {Meridian} — Visitors enjoy early American demonstrations and exhibits in the Village as well as children’s activities and games. Take a look back in history with archery, long rifle events, pioneer and Native American children’s activities and games, pony rides, and more. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. FREE.

September 10 — Big Wheels Keep on Rollin’ {Waterford} — Visit Hess-Hathaway Park for this FREE, fun event featuring trucks. $5/car at the gate.

September 10-11 — Fisk Farm Festival {White Lake} — Visit the farm for a craft show, bake sale, entertainment in the barn and pavilion, storytellers, antique equipment, tractors, encampment, games/activities for the children, pony rides, pie eating contest and more. FREE entry.

September 11 — Kerrytown Bookfest {Ann Arbor} — The 14th Annual Kerrytown BookFest is chock full of authors, activities, and hundreds of the best books. Activities include breakfast with Michigan authors, comic Books, an edible book contest, used and rare books for sale, storytellers, and more. FREE.

September 12 — Macy’s 2nd Mondays at The Henry Ford Museum {Dearborn} — Introduce your preschool children to the wonders of The Henry Ford — all before nap time {10 a.m. – noon}. Storytelling, live entertainment and dozens of hands-on activities related to some of the museum’s most memorable artifacts. September’s theme is Back-to-School and will take place in Greenfield Village. FREE for kids, adults can get $2 off with this coupon. 

September 13-18 — Romulus Pumpkin Festival {Romulus} — This event begins with a night parade where everything is lighted from bicycles to cement trucks. Join in on the fun, including music, food, crafts and games like a pumpkin rolling, pumpkin pie eating or a pumpkin seed-spitting contest. There’s a Classic Car Show, classic Tractor Show, live entertainment and more. FREE.

September 15-16 — Harvest Moon Celebration {Farmington} — A celebration of fall, the Harvest Moon Celebration includes music, craft beer and wine tasting, and food pairings. $6 in advance; $8 at the door.

September 15-18 — Down Home Days {Mason} — Check out fall colors and visit Mason for an outdoor concert Thursday, family walk Friday, Saturday’s 150-vendor craft show on the historic Ingham County Courthouse Square and more. FREE.

September 16 — The Great West Bloomfield Camp Out {West Bloomfield} — Pitch your tent down by the lakeshore and enjoy Marshbank Park as you have never been able to before. Enjoy a traditional camp out dinner of hot dogs and baked beans. After dinner, enjoy a variety of activities to keep you busy: hayrides, fishing, archery, volleyball and glow in the dark crafts and games. When night falls, star-gazing, live music and s’mores by the camp fire will round out your evening. Pre-registration is mandatory. $11 per resident and $13 per nonresident, ages 2+.

September 16 — Super Why at The Oakland Mall {Troy} — Visit Super Why during a meet and greet as part of The Oakland Mall’s Giggle Gang. Limited tickets available in advance on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last, at the Information Center. Arrive early! FREE for Giggle Gang members; $3 for others.

September 16-17 — Michigan BluesFest {Lansing} — The Old Town BluesFest is a two-day FREE music festival that brings national, regional, and local acts to the streets of Old Town Lansing. The Kidzbeats area offers plenty of activities and Lansing Metro Marinas will be giving half-hour tours of the Grand River on Friday from 5-8 p.m. {Tours are $4 per person and free to children 6 and under.}

September 16-18 — DIY Street Fair {Ferndale} — Visit downtown Ferndale for more than 100 artists, food tents, activities and musical entertainment. The event showcases a cottage industry of artists and craftsmen and offers something for everyone. FREE entry.

September 17 — 15^th Annual Great Lakes Bat Festival {Macomb Township} — Visit for a day of all things BAT. There will be hands-on activities, bat house building, live animal educational programs, interactive displays and more. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. FREE.

September 17 — Hearse Fest at Screams Ice Cream {Hell} — Visit Hell, Michigan for pinewood derby races, vendors, costume contest, the parade/cruise to Terrorified Forest. FREE.

September 17 — Batman Day at Barnes & Noble {Nationwide} — Visit B&N for the third annual Batman Day celebrating the Dark Knight’s endearing legacy. The event will include activities, trivia, coloring and much more. Cosplay welcome! {Call to check your location will be participating}

September 17-18 — Wine & Harvest Festival at Spicer Orchards {Fenton} — Check the website for details.

September 18 — Summer Sundays at Upland Hills Farm {Oxford} — Enjoy all of the farm animals, a farmer will be in the barn to help the brave ones milk a cow, hayrides will be going out regularly, bring a picnic lunch or purchase food at the concession, and pony rides are available. 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. $8/person.

September 18 — World Rhino Day at Potter Park Zoo {Lansing} — Visit Potter Park for special tours and a behind-the-scenes look at their black rhino exhibit. There will also be rhino informational tables and activities for the kids from 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tickets are available for 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. and will be $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under, in addition to regular zoo entry and parking. Tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

September 23-24 — Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. with Southgate Community Players {Southgate} — Classic Disney movie brought to life on stage by children. Tickets are $10.

September 23-25 — South Lyon Area Pumpkinfest {South Lyon} — Enjoy a weekend-long celebration of crafts, music, community, and of course, everyone’s favorite fall product; the pumpkin. Parade, photo ops and live entertainment, too! FREE thanks to Vibe Credit Union.

September 24 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a leaf placemat.

September 24 — Webster Fall Festival {Dexter} — Old-fashioned country fun for all ages, including hay rides, a petting zoo, historic buildings and displays, vintage cars and farm machinery, artisans and crafters, police K9 demos, live music and more. FREE.

September 24 — Lowe’s Build & Grow Clinic {Nationwide} — Bring your child to Lowe’s to make a fun project. Register online in advance. FREE.

September 24-25 — Michigan Apple Festival {Charlotte} — Enjoy all things apple at The Country Mill — kids’ art contest,apple picking, apple wine and hard cider tasting, train rides, apple samples and more. FREE entry.

September 24-25 — Diehl’s Ciderfest and Craft Show {Holly} — Visit Diehl’s for hot donuts, cider, hayrides, pony rides, a craft show, pig roast, live entertainment, corn maze and more! FREE parking and entry.

What plans do you have this month? Let me know what I’ve missed and I will add it!