July gets hot, hot, hot in southeast Michigan, but that’s no reason to hide indoors in the air conditioning all summer. There are tons of outdoor fairs and festivals in Macomb, Washtenaw, Wayne and Oakland counties for you and your family to enjoy. From events that celebrate different cultures, like the American Polish Festival and the Saline Celtic Festival, to music-centered events like the Vans Warped Tour, extensive county fairs, and educational fests, there’s something for every southeast Michigan family this July. Check out this Metro Parent guide to all of the fairs and festivals in July, cake on the sunscreen, and hit up your fave for all kinds of family fun.
Stars & Stripes Festival
June 28-July 4, 2018
- Where: Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi
- Times: 4-11 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2-11 p.m. Saturday-Tuesday, noon-11 p.m. Wednesday
- Cost: free-$35 (varies by day); fees/rides
Catch musical performances by Buckcherry, Lit, Alien Ant Farm and others; plus carnival rides, monster truck rides, a demolition show, art displays and more. Fireworks on Tuesday, too.
Camaro Superfest
June 29-July 1, 2018
- Where: Riverside Park, East Cross and North Huron Streets, Ypsilanti
- Times: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
- Cost: Free
If you go to Depot Town on Friday, you’ll get to tour Vanguard Motor Sales. Head out Saturday and Sunday to check out some driven and modified Camaros on display.
Clawson Fourth of July Festival
July 3-4, 2018
- Where: City Park, West Elmwood and Main Streets, Clawson
- Times: vary by date
- Cost: fees vary
Celebrate the Fourth of July with this massive shebang with a fun run, games, rides, art on display and more. It all leads up to fireworks display at dusk on July 4.
Independence Fest
July 4, 2018
- Where: Clintonwood Park, 6000 Clarkston Road, Clarkston
- Times: 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
- Cost: fees apply
A parade themed to the kicks off this community tradition. A craft show, games, inflatables for kids and more follows the procession.
Seymour Celebration
July 6-7, 2018
- Where: Seymour Lake area, Oxford
- Times: noon-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday (carnival)
- Cost: Free/before 7 p.m., $5/after 7 p.m., $20/unlimited ride wristbands
There’s amusement rides, music, a splash pad for kids, two firework displays, inflatables and more.
Michigan Elvisfest
July 6-7, 2018
- Where: Historic Depot Town, Ypsilanti
- Times: 5 p.m.-midnight Friday, noon-midnight Saturday (doors at 4 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday)
- Cost: $20/Friday, $40/Saturday, $60/two-day ticket free/kids 12 and under
This annual fest brings the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll to life with live performances by some of the world’s best tribute artists; plus arts and crafts, face paintings, inflatables and more for those still growing into their sideburns.
Michigan Rib Fest
July 6-8, 2018
- Where: downtown Royal Oak
- Times: 1-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-9:30 p.m. Sunday
- Cost: Free/admission, fees/food and some activities
Find live musical performances, monster truck rides, pig racing, adult beverages and tons of barbecue ribs.
Oakland County Fair
July 6-15, 2018
- Where: Oakland County Fairgrounds, Springfield Oaks County Park, 12451 Andersonville Road, Davisburg
- Times: Vary by day
- Cost: General: $12/car, $6/motorcycle or walk-ins, $18-$25/ride wristbands, fees apply/grandstand shows
This annual hometown fair features games and rides; plus plenty of live entertainment including a rodeo, demolition derby, livestock contests, musical performances and more. Be sure to check out the Independence Day fireworks display, too!
MEA Culture & Music Festival
July 8-10, 2018
- Where: Warren City Square, 1 City Square, Warren
- Times: 6-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 6-10 p.m. Sunday
- Cost: Free
Celebrate Middle Eastern culture with three days of music, dance and food.
Summerfest
July 9-25, 2018 (Mondays-Wednesdays)
- Where: Grosse Pointe War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Drive, Grosse Pointe Farms
- Time: 6:30 p.m./gates open, 7:30 p.m./musical performances, dusk/movies start
- Cost: Free
This three-week event offers live musical performances and movies under the stars, all in celebration of summer.
Metro Detroit Youth Day
July 11, 2018
- Where: Belle Isle Park, Detroit
- Time: 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Wednesday
- Cost: Free
Kids ages 8-15 will enjoy a day full of free games, races and other contests; plus live entertainment, celebrity guests and more at this 36-year-old event.
Concert of Colors
July 11-15, 2018
- Where: various locales in midtown, Detroit.
- Times: Vary by date
- Cost: Free
Detroit is full of different ethnicities and cultures. Celebrate these different cultures with live music and dance performances at this 26-year-old fest. There’s ethnic food, shopping and crafts, too.
Saline Celtic Festival
July 13-14, 2018
- Where: Mill Pond Park, 565 W. Bennett St., Saline
- Times: 5:30-11:30 p.m. daily. Friday
- Cost: Friday: $5/general, free/under 13, Saturday: $10-$15/adults, $5/ages 13-17
Enjoy live music and dancing throughout the park – and competitions for reels and jigs, wool spinning, sheep herding, lacemaking and jousting. There’s activities for wee-folks, too.
Lavender Festival
July 13-15, 2018
- Where: Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill, 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada
- Times: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday
- Cost: $7/adults, free/under 12; fees may apply for some activities
There are tons of workshops and projects, plus food and lavender lemonade – all in celebration of the holistic benefits of this plant.
Plymouth Art in the Park
July 13-15, 2018
- Where: Downtown Plymouth area
- Times: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
- Cost: Free
This annual Michigan favorite fills the downtown area with the work of some 400 artists from across the country. It offers food, music and family activities, too.
American Polish Festival & Craft Show
July 13-15, 2018
- Where: American Polish Century Club, 33204 Maple Lane Drive, Sterling Heights
- Times: 4 p.m.-midnight Friday, 11 a.m.-midnight Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday
- Cost: $3/admission, free/ages 17 and under, free/parking
This annual craft show and festival offers tons of one-of-a-kind items on display and for sale, homemade Polish and American eats, inflatables and other activities.
Festa Italiana
July 13-15, 2018
- Where: Freedom Hill County Park, 14900 Metropolitan Parkway, Sterling Heights
- Times: 6-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
- Cost: Free/general, $10/parking
Enjoy family fun with an Italian flair including Italian food, live entertainment, kids’ activities, imported beer, contests, a Family Fun Zone, a Holy Mass and more.
Pig & Whiskey
July 13-15, 2018
- Where: East Troy Street between The WAB and the Emory, Ferndale
- Times: 6 p.m.-midnight Friday, 11 a.m.-midnight Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday
- Cost: Free/admission, fees apply for food and drinks
Head to Ferndale to enjoy live music, delicious barbecue from local eateries, adult beverages and more.
Farmington Founders Festival
July 19-22, 2018
- Where: downtown Farmington area
- Times: 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday
- Cost: Free admission
Celebrate the city of Farmington with a fireworks display, live entertainment, outdoor movies, hot air balloons, monster truck rides and more.
The Ann Arbor Art Fairs
July 19-22, 2018
- Where: Downtown Ann Arbor
- Times: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday
- Cost: Free
This annual event packs four art fairs into one on the streets of downtown Ann Arbor. Pencil in a time to hit each fair because the Street Art Fair, Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair, State Street Art Fair and South University Art Fair are all a little different from one another and are all really fun.
Vans Warped Tour
July 20, 2018
- Where: The Palace of Auburn Hills, 6 Championship Drive, Auburn Hills
- Times: 11 a.m.
- Cost: $45-$120
This year’s lineup at this annual alternative rock fest features Simple Plan, We the Kings, Tonight Alive and others.
PNC Roar on the River
July 20-22, 2018
- Where: Elizabeth Park, 202 Grosse Ile Parkway, Trenton
- Times: 5:30 p.m.-midnight Friday, 7 a.m.-midnight Saturday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday
- Cost: Free/general, $30/Friday party, $5/parking donation
See fast boats, high-action Jet-Ski demonstrations, enjoy food and live music here. For kids, there are bouncy inflatables, games, face painting and more.
Rally on the Ridge
July 21, 2018
- Where: Preservation Park, 500 Ridge Road N., Canton
- Times: 5:30-9 p.m. Tuesday
- Cost: Free
Support the local Farmers Market at this annual event, which features a plethora of food trucks to taste-testing, music, inflatables, lawn games and more.
Festival of Chariots (Rath Yatra)
July 22, 2018
- Where: Starts at Novi Civic Center, 45175 W. 10 Mile Road; ends at Fuerst Park at 10 Mile and Taft roads, Novi
- Time: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Cost: Free
This fest kicks off with a three-mile parade that ends with a grand celebration that showcases Indian culture with some 20 tents of food, shopping and henna; plus kids’ activities, music and more.
Washtenaw County 4-H Youth Show
July 22-28, 2018
- Where: Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor
- Times: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Cost: Free
This event showcases the art projects and livestock that have been made and raised by local 4-H kids.
Sterlingfest Art & Music Fair
July 26-28, 2018
- Where: City Campus, 40555 Utica Road, Sterling Heights
- Times: 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
- Cost: Free/admission, fees/rides
This annual fest mixes art with music, games and rides to make the perfect event for the whole family. Be sure to take your kiddos to the Kids Tent for some great age-appropriate fun.
Sounds & Sights Festival
July 26-28, 2018
- Where: Downtown Chelsea
- Times: 6-11 p.m. Thursday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
- Cost: Free
This 30-plus-year-old fest will liven up your nights with great musical performances and a social ten, a classic car show, Kid Zone and open-air market.
Maker Faire Detroit
July 28-29, 2018
- Where: Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
- Times: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
- Cost: single day: $28/ages 12-plus, $26/ages 62-plus, $19/ages 3-11, free/kids 2 and under.
Check out mind-boggling electronic and robotic creations, rockets on display and other scientific contraptions at this annual event. There’s food and music, too.
Orchard Lake Fine Art Show
July 28-29, 2018
- Where: West Bloomfield High School, 4925 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield
- Times: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
- Cost: $5/admission, free/ages 13 and under, free/parking
Hundreds of top-notch local artists display their work at this top art show There’s kids’ activities and a kids’ art competition, too.
Arab & Chaldean Festival
July 28-29, 2018
- Where: Hart Plaza, Detroit
- Times: Noon Saturday-Sunday
- Cost: Free
This 47th annual event celebrates Arab and Chaldean culture with an Arab fashion show and calligraphy, children’s fair with inflatables and more.
This post was originally published in 2012 and is updated regularly.
