9&10 News has compiled a list of fun fall events and festivals to check out as you celebrate the fall season with friends and family. Check out our local picks:
Grand Traverse County:
- Fall Fest at Pond Hill Farm | Sept. 20 – Oct. 26
- Have the perfect fall weekend at Pond Hill Farm with pumpkin smashing, pumpkin bowling, hot cider and donuts, hayrides, live music and more, happening all season long.
- Bigfoot and Bluegrass Festival in Gwinn | Sept. 26 – 27
- Get ready for the first-ever Bigfoot and Bluegrass Festival. Held in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula at Peter Nordeen Park, this unique celebration blends toe-tapping bluegrass with a bit of Bigfoot lore—all set in charming downtown Gwinn.
- Fall Festival & Great Pumpkin Roll | Sept. 27
- Curious about St. Ignace’s pumpkin roll? You should be. Witness giant pumpkins race down the hill, competing for the honor of first place. Then, step into a festive wonderland at the fall festival where you’ll find an array of actives including a bounce house, apple slingshot, and seasonal food and beverages.
- TC Germanfest |Sept. 26
- Don’t miss this beloved Traverse City tradition! This year’s Germanfest is all about “The Big Strudel”—and, as always, there’ll be plenty of Gemütlichkeit to go around. Enjoy authentic German fare, singing, dancing, and a slice of what might be the biggest strudel you’ve ever seen. Live music will be provided by the Mon Valley Push band.
- Fright Night at the Cherry Bowl Drive-In | Oct. 4
- Horror fans, get ready. For one night only, the Cherry Bowl Drive-In is hosting a spine-tingling horror film event designed for adults who like their scares larger than life. Gates open at 6 p.m., with classic drive-in concessions available to keep you fueled for the frights ahead. Bonus: you get to help choose which terrifying titles will light up the screen.
- Northern Michigan Dance Festival
- What: The festival will feature Grand Rapids Ballet, Miami City Ballet dancers, Alvin Ailey, Joffrey Ballet dancers, Falco Dance, Brooklyn tap artist Madison Hilligoss, plus collaborations with the Charlie Millard Band and local Anishinaabek Singers & Dancers.
- When & Where: Oct. 10–12 at Milliken Auditorium, 1410 College Dr., Traverse City
- Pumpkins in the Park Glow Walk | Oct. 11
- Don’t miss the fun at Cartier Park, which will be aglow with a variety of carved pumpkins and luminaries for families to walk through and enjoy.
- Apple Days | Oct. 11
- Farm Club in Traverse City is opening its doors for Apple Pressing Day. Take part in tastings including wild apples, heirloom apples and new varieties. Of course, you can’t miss the apple cake and freshly milled donuts.
- Fall Fido Fest | Oct. 26
- Fall-loving folks and their pups are invited to join the fun at Black Star Farms, hosted by Contigo Dogs. Expect a costume contest, treat truck, and plenty of tail-wagging entertainment.
Benzie & Leelanau Area:
- Apple Smash |Sept. 20
- Celebrate the start of cider season at Northern Natural Cider House & Winery with a full day of fresh-pressed cider, warm donuts, local eats, and harvest fun. Think apple pie eating contests, a disc golf tournament, and a killer music lineup to keep the energy high all day long.
- Frankfort Beer Week | Sept. 29 – Oct. 4
- This week-long tasting event invites beer lovers to enjoy small-batch craft brews in the charming towns of Frankfort and Elberta. Discover culinary delights paired with some truly unique brews.
Cadillac, Manistee & Ludington area
- Keweenaw Brewfest | Sept. 13
- Make your way to Houghton Waterfront Pier for this hoppin’ event. Keweenaw Brewfest features live music, great brews and stunning views, all wrapped up into a perfect day in support of Omega House, a nonprofit hospice home.
- Cadillac Craft Beer Festival | Sept. 13
- This beer festival takes on a fun tailgating atmosphere with an impressive variety of Michigan craft brews paired with views of Lake Cadillac.
- Harvest Party Weekend | Sept. 19 – 21
- Elder Piper Beer & Cider is transforming its taproom into all things autumn. You’re invited to taste newly released harvest beers and ciders, enjoy a seasonal menu from local food trucks, and other fun seasonal activities.
- Onekama Fall Festival | Oct. 4
- This charming small-town festival offers cozy, family-friendly fun with hayrides, games, kids’ activities, local bites, and more. Don’t miss the creatively dressed scarecrows lining the streets—each one crafted by local businesses to celebrate the season.
- Pumpkins in the Park Glow Walk | Oct. 11
- Don’t miss the fun at Cartier Park, which will be aglow with a variety of carved pumpkins and luminaries for families to walk through and enjoy.
Harbor Springs & Charlevoix area
- 30th Annual Taste of Harbor Springs 2025
- What: This annual event, hosted by the Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, showcases the incredible flavors of our local culinary scene with delicious small tastes from area restaurants. Tickets are $35 prior to 5p, Monday, Sept. 15 | $50 from Sept. 15 forward
- When & where: Noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 20 in Harbor Springs
- Harbor Springs Festival of the Book
- What: A three-day celebration of readers, writers, books, and the literary craft. The annual literary event brings authors and readers from around the country to downtown Harbor Springs.
- When & Where: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 26-28 in downtown Harbor Springs
- The Highlands Harvest Fest
- What: Enjoy family-friendly activities: face painting, cookie decorating, burlap sack racing, a juggler, pumpkin ring toss, yard games, cider, and donuts! Take part in the autumn Highlands Stein Hoisting event (2 PM) for a chance to win a gift card. Sign-up will happen at the event. $20 per person | Ages 5 & Under FREE (Your ticket includes the scenic chairlift ride, all the activities, and Stein Hoisting)
- When & where: Noon to 4 p.m. at The Highlands, 600 Highlands Dr., Harbor Springs
- Charlevoix Apple Fest
- What: This beloved tradition brings together crisp apples, fresh farmers market finds, local eats, handmade art, and family fun, all set against the charm of downtown Charlevoix. With over 30 apple varieties, seasonal treats, and festive activities for all ages, it’s everything you love about autumn in Northern Michigan.
- When & where: October 10, 2025 - October 12, 2025 | East Park in downtown Charlevoix
Gaylord & Grayling area
- Mad Science & Spooky Spectacular Weekend
- What: This event merges the wonders of science with the thrills of Halloween. Dive into hands-on experiments as you create your own rockets and launch them into the sky, mix up batches of colorful slime, and craft mesmerizing lava lamps. But that’s not all! Embrace the Halloween spirit with our enchanting magic pumpkin patch, where you can uncover surprises and spooky fun. Treat yourself to delicious caramel apples, and test your luck with our Lucky Pumpkin game. Show off your creativity in our Halloween costume contest, and get into the festive spirit with trick-or-treating and site decorating contests. Join for a weekend where mad science meets Halloween magic—full of experiments, treats, and festive thrills that will make for an unforgettable experience!
- When & where: 3 p.m. to midnight Sept. 12-14 at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Par, 370 W 4 Mile Rd, Grayling
- 5th Annual Falloween at Gaylord KOA
- What: A festive day of crafts, games, prizes, and all things fall! From pumpkin chunkin’ and trick-or-treating to delicious food and cozy activities for all ages, there’s autumn magic around every corner. As darkness falls, dare to enter our Haunted Trail... if you think you can handle what lurks beyond the campfire glow.
- When & where: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 27 at Gaylord KOA, 5101 Campfires Parkway, Gaylord, 49735
- Murder Mystery Masquerade Dinner
- What: Join for a fun evening of mystery and camaraderie at this event. Cost is $60 for entry.
- When & Where: 7-9 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Otsego Club & Resort Sitzmark Bar, 696 M-32 East, Gaylord, MI 49735
- 8th Annual Grayling Fall Color Run
- What: An annual run to celebrate fall in Grayling
- When & where: 10:30 a.m. Sept. 13 at Hawk Hill Farm Performance Horses & Equine Center, 6815 Olson Lane, Grayling
- 2025 Grayling Harvest Festival
- What: Join for this year’s Harvest Festival! Downtown Grayling. Games, food and fun will be abound.
- When & where: Starts 10 a.m. Oct 4
Petoskey, Alpena & The Straits area
- Harvest Party Weekend | Sept. 19 – 21
- Elder Piper Beer & Cider is transforming its taproom into all things autumn. You’re invited to taste newly released harvest beers and ciders, enjoy a seasonal menu from local food trucks, and other fun seasonal activities.
- Fall Fudge Festival
- What: This year’s fall festival on Mackinac Island highlights the island’s signature sweet treat: fudge. Wander the streets lined with autumn decor and savor the flavors that make this destination so special.
- When & where: October 2-4, 2025, on Mackinac Island
- A Taste of Ireland” - The Irish Music and Dance Sensation
- What: Combining traditional Irish music given a modern twist with jaw-dropping dance performances and vibrant storytelling. This high-octane show features stars from Lord of the Dance and Riverdance as well as other World Champions, plus live musicians, to transport audiences through the heart and soul of Ireland’s culture and history.
- When & where: Shows at 4 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at The Cheboygan Opera House, 403 N Huron St, Cheboygan, MI 49721 | Shows at 3:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Great Lakes Center for the Arts, 800 Bay Harbor Dr, Bay Harbor, MI 49770
- Bellaire Flannel Fest
- What: The festival includes fall-themed fun like pumpkin painting, a scavenger hunt a fun run, kid & teen zones, a brew tent, live music, food trucks, a pet parade and more.
- When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 5
- Where: Broad Street, downtown Bellaire
Above the bridge
- Wells State Park - Harvest Festival Spooktacular
- What: Get your costumes and Halloween decorations ready for Wells State Park’s annual Spooktacular celebration, featuring spooky stories around the campfire, harvest and Halloween themed crafts, games, a costume parade, trick-or-treating, and a spooky trail walk. Campers are invited to participate in decorating their campsite, dressing up for the costume parade and handing out treats during trick-or-treating.
- When & where: September 19 at 9 a.m. | September 20 at 6 p.m. | Wells State Park, N7670 Highway M-35, Cedar River, Michigan, 49887
- Tahquamenon Falls State Park Harvest Festival | Sept. 27
- Enjoy hayrides with Smokey Bear, a camper chili cook-off, site decorating, pumpkin painting, archery, and more seasonal activities the whole family will love.
- Fall Festival and Great Pumpkin Roll
- What: Witness giant pumpkins race down the hill, competing for the honor of first place. Then, step into a festive wonderland at the fall festival where you’ll find an array of actives including a bounce house, apple slingshot, and seasonal food and beverages.
- When & where: September 27 | noon - 5 p.m. at the Little Bear East Arena in St. Ignace
- Haunted Trail
- What: Hike the Haunted Trail in Paradise, Michigan, as ghouls, goblins and gremlins dance among the pines.
- When & where: Open from 7-10 p.m. at Sawmill Creek Park in Paradise, Michigan.
- Mackinac Island Halloween Weekend | Oct. 24 – 26
- Halloween comes early on Mackinac Island! Celebrate with the Great Turtle Trail Run, trick-or-treating for kids through downtown shops, and Halloween costume parties for adults throughout island establishments.