There’s no need to leave the state this summer, there are plenty of awesome events and festivals taking place right here in Michigan. We’ve compiled a list below of just a few of the fun things happening this summer in Michigan. Hope to see you there!
Michigan Beer and Brat Festival
Date and time: Saturday, May 28 from 2-9 p.m.
Location: Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa
The Michigan Beer & Brat Festival will feature over 50 Michigan microbrews over Memorial Day Weekend on Saturday, May 28 (2-9pm) including the inaugural pour of Short’s summer seasonal, Nicie Spicie. Admission to the event is $6 per person with food and beverage tokens $1 each, both can be purchased day-of or online.
Leland Wine and Food Festival
Date and time: Saturday, June 11 from 11a.m.-6 p.m.
Location: Leland’s historic Fishtown
The Leland Wine & Food Festival is a northern Michigan tradition held on the second Saturday in June (June 11, 2011). Noon til 6pm.
Come enjoy a day near the Leland Harbor and Leland’s historic Fishtown tasting wines from local wineries and tasting the specialties from local restaurants and vendors. Listen to live music in the park all day and enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands.
BRU Fest
Date and time: Saturday, June 18 from 7-11 p.m.
Location: Royal Oak Farmer’s Market
Start with the hottest burgers in town from Bagger Dave’s, toss in the wildest wings from Buffalo Wild Wings, 13 premium craft beers from Michigan’s foremost micro brewery, Bell’s Brewery, then top it off with hot tunes from DJ Mike Anthony, and it all adds up to one rockin’ party…Bru Fest! The goal of BRU is to create a fundraising event that brings together aficionados of great food and great craft beers who want to share their interests and good fortune with others for the benefit of children and adults affected by leukemia, lymphoma and other blood related cancers throughout the state of Michigan.
Waterfront Wine Festival
Date and time: Saturday, June 25 from 4-7 p.m.
Location: On the Waterfront in Harbor Springs
The 6th Annual Waterfront Wine Festival on shores of Lake Michigan in beautiful Harbor Springs features wine tastings from the Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsula as well as wines from around the world. Unlimited wine tastings are included in the ticket price as well as complimentary appetizers, entertainment, a fabulous raffle all under a tent in the resort destination of Harbor Springs in Northern Michigan.
A Sip of Michigan – Birthday Bash
Date and time: Friday, July 15 from 8p.m.-12 a.m.
Location: The Rattlesnake, Detroit
Enjoy Michigan wine, beer and spirits, food pairing stations, and live entertainment directly on the Detroit riverfront. The event will run from 8pm – 12am at the Rattlesnake Club. The event is $35 and includes 35 tasting tickets and all appetizers and entertainment. 1 ticket per tasting or 3 tickets for a full glass.
14th Annual Michigan Summer Beer Festival
Date and time: Friday & Saturday, July 22-23
Location: Depot Town – Riverside Park, Ypsilanti
The Summer Beer Festival is the Michigan Brewers Guild’s oldest and largest of our four annual festivals. The festival takes place outside in a lovely riverside setting and will feature more than 300 different beers from more than 50 different Michigan breweries.
Art of Beer Festival
Date and time: Saturday, August 13 from 1-5 p.m.
Location: Lake Michigan College Mendel Center
Craft beer enthusiasts will enjoy an afternoon of beer tasting, home brewing demonstrations, and live music during the second annual Art of Beer Festival being held on Saturday, August 13, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center, presented by Southwest Michigan Tourist Council and O.K. Distributors. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, June 1.
Traverse City Art and Wine Festival
Date and time: Saturday, August 20 from 3-10 p.m.
Location: Village at Grand Traverse Commons
The festival is a landmark celebration of the wine, food and culture of Michigan’s wine coast, featuring wines from the wineries of the Leelanau Peninsula, Old Mission Peninsula and Traverse City along with a selection of Traverse City and Leelanau restaurants serving food & desserts. The 2011 festival is our third annual and will once again showcase innovative music & performance and original artwork from dozens of regional artists.
There are also several area hotels offering special summer rates.
The new “Sizzling Summer Special,” which runs from June 1 through Sept. 3, offers room rates at more than 20 of Traverse City’s best hotels, motels and resorts starting from $85 midweek and $105 on weekends (plus tax, some exclusions apply). Even better, the packages include dozens of discounts on everything from dining, golf, movies, gaming and spa services to bicycle, jet ski, canoe and kayak rentals, wine purchases, hot air balloon flights and tall ship sailings – plus $10 in fair play credits at the Turtle Creek or Leelanau Sands casinos. For detailed information about Traverse City’s Sizzling Summer Specials, log on to www.traversecity.com
