Ann Arbor, Michigan is more than a college town. It’s a year-round destination shaped by its strong ties to the University of Michigan and a creative local community. Because of that, the city hosts dozens of major events every year, from springtime art fairs to winter holiday markets.
Let’s explore the annual events in Ann Arbor Michigan that give the city its year-round energy.
Every July, downtown Ann Arbor transforms into a massive open-air gallery during the Ann Arbor Art Fair. This is actually three separate juried art fairs happening simultaneously, running since 1960.
More than 400,000 visitors attend each year. Artists from across the country showcase paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and photography, alongside live music and food vendors throughout downtown.
When summer begins, the Ann Arbor Summer Festival kicks off nearly four weeks of entertainment. Founded in 1984, A2SF began as a partnership between the City of Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan. It now draws more than 80,000 people each season.
The festival runs two programs at once. An indoor, ticketed Mainstage series features world-class music, dance, and comedy. Its free outdoor centerpiece, Top of the Park, fills a campus green along Ingalls Mall. Nightly concerts, Movies by Moonlight, and family attractions run throughout the season.
The Kerrytown district, anchored by the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, hosts several smaller but well-loved annual events year-round. These include seasonal farmers markets, community street festivals, and the district’s signature holiday market, KindleFest.
These events feel intimate and authentic, connecting visitors directly with local artisans and producers.