This August, I’ve found tons of family-friendly fun, including back-to-school events and tons of summer festivals for you to check out.
If you’re looking for a free activity, check out music in the park and movie in the park events perfect for you and your kids. I can’t wait to take my son, Jordan, to check out an outdoor movie this month. We make a night of it by packing snacks or a picnic dinner!
Keep on scrolling to see our top picks of August family events in metro Detroit. You can also find more family events listed in our calendar. Be sure to tag us on Instagram @metroparentmag if you check any of them out!
This article was recently updated on July 31, 2024 by Metro Parent’s audience development coordinator, Kari Zaffarano. The update included her adding new events to MetroParent.com‘s calendar and featuring the best family events in metro Detroit this month. Questions? Please reach out to kari@metroparent.com.
Best August family events in Macomb County
Blake’s Sunflower Festival is back and it will be extended to two weekends instead of one. Also, this month, check out the movie in the park events including Movie Under the Stars at Macomb Corners Park and Movies in the Parks at Stony Creek Metropark. Find even more Macomb County events in August on our calendar.
Blake’s Sunflower Festival at Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill
Aug. 9-11, 16-18, 2024
- Address: 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada
- Cost: $10/early bird discount ticket, $12/Friday ticket, $14/Saturday or Sunday ticket, free/ages 2 and under; free/parking | Get tickets
Shop from over 200 artisans, cut your own sunflowers, a children’s tent with lots of activities, DIY make-and-take workshops and more.
Shelby Township Art Fair in River Bends Park
Aug. 10-11, 2024
- Address: 5700 22 Mile Road, Shelby Township
- Cost: Free
Visit this annual fair to see some of the best work by local, regional and national artists and crafters all weekend long. There will also be food, musical entertainment, a kid’s craft area and more.
Armada Fair at the Armada Fairgrounds
Aug. 12-18, 2024
- Address: 74280 Fair St., Armada
- Cost: $10/ages 13-plus, $5/ages 10-12, free/ages 9 and under; $5/daily parking, $25/weekly parking (cash only for parking) | Get tickets
This old-school fair offers everything from carnival rides and games to livestock displays, demolition derby, tractor and truck pulls, rodeo, monster trucks and much more.
Movies in the Parks at Stony Creek Metropark
Aug. 24, 2024
- Address: 4300 Main Park Drive, Shelby Township
- Cost: Free; parking pass required
Families can enjoy a drive-in style movie night at Stony Creek Metropark. Bring your own food and drinks, movies are free but a Metroparks daily or annual pass is required to enter the park. Watch Barbie (PG-13) on Aug. 24.
Romeo Peach Festival in Downtown Romeo
Aug. 29-Sept. 2, 2024
- Address: 269 E. Washington St., Romeo
- Cost: Free
This annual fest is fun for the whole family. Catch carnival rides, craft shows, peach treats and more.
Art on the Bay at Walter & Mary Burke Park
Aug. 31-Sept. 1, 2024
- Address: 36300 Front St., New Baltimore
- Cost: Free
This annual art show features paintings, drawings, sculptures, candles and other crafts on display and for sale along with food vendors, music and more.
Best August family events in Oakland County
This month, I recommend heading to Michigan Renaissance Festival. Each weekend offers a different theme, so make sure you look online beforehand. Find even more Oakland County events in August on our calendar.
Canterbury Barbecue Festival at Canterbury Village
Aug. 2-4, 2024
- Address: 2325 Joslyn Ct., Lake Orion
- Cost: $5-$6 (cash only)
Enjoy this BBQ festival, which features five stages of entertainment and activities, a free kid’s zone, delicious food and more.
Check out our family guide to Canterbury Village.
Milford Memories Summer Festival
Aug. 9-11, 2024
- Address: 317 Union St., Milford
- Cost: Free admission
Families can enjoy a three-day art festival, live musical entertainment, sports tournaments, rock climbing tower and more at this annual event.
Michigan Renaissance Festival at the Hollygrove Grounds
Aug. 17-18, 24-25, 31, 2024
- Address: 12600 Dixie Hwy., Holly
- Cost: $17-$25.95/adults, $10-$15.95/ages 5-12, free/4 and under| Get tickets
Fair maids and merry men take a step back to the 16th century for jousting tournaments, comedy and theater shows, music, games and “real” mythological creatures. Each weekend is themed so check on it before you head out.
Woodward Dream Cruise
Aug. 17, 2024
- Address: Woodward Avenue
- Cost: Free, fees for some activities
This annual procession of classic and vintage cars makes its way down Woodward Avenue through Birmingham Berkley, Bloomfield Township, Ferndale, Pontiac and Royal Oak.
Movies in the Park at Oxford Park
Aug. 22, 2024
- Address: 2100 Bacon Ave., Berkley
- Cost: Free
Come out to see Trolls Band Together and enjoy an ice cream social.
Michigan State Fair at the Suburban Collection Showplace
Aug. 29-Sept. 2, 2024
- Address: 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi
- Cost: $10/fair admission, $42/ultimate admission | Get tickets
Walk the midway, see the circus, ride carnival rides, see demonstrations and more at the state fair that dates back to 1849. Other attractions include livestock shows, live entertainment, carnival eats and more.
Arts, Beats & Eats in Downtown Royal Oak
Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2024
- Address: Downtown Royal Oak
- Cost: Free admission on Friday until 5 p.m., $12/after 5 p.m. on Friday, $10/before 3 p.m. Saturday-Monday, $12/after 3 p.m. Saturday-Monday, free/under 3
Enjoy art at the juried fair, eats from food trucks and beats that include live music and more. The kid’s zone will have arts and craft, bounce houses and interactive, educational and fun performances all weekend.
Check out our tips to visiting Arts, Beats & Eats with kids.
Best August family events in Wayne County
The World’s Biggest Bounce House will be at Westland Shopping Center, beginning Aug. 2. Also, Dearborn Homecoming Festival and Jazz on the River are both taking place this month. Find even more August events in Wayne County on our calendar.
Dearborn Homecoming Festival
Aug. 2-4, 2024
- Address: 22051 Cherry Hill St., Dearborn
- Cost: Free/general; fees for rides
Celebrate the city of Dearborn with live music, carnival rides, food and a fireworks display at this 42nd annual event. Musical acts are The Verve Pipe, Kylie Morgan and The All-American Rejects.
FUNBOX Detroit at Westland Shopping Center
Aug. 2-4, 2024
- Address: 35000 Warren Road, Westland
- Cost: $18-plus
Check out the massive outdoor bounce park, which offers 25,000 square feet of connected jumping zones with 10 different play areas. Kids of all ages can enjoy the Mountain Challenge, Battle Beam, Gumball Gallop, Obstacle Course and more.
Check out our family guide to FUNBOX Detroit.
Jazz on the River
Aug. 3-4, 2024
- Address: 4250 Elizabeth Drive, Trenton
- Cost: Free/admission, $5/parking
See different jazz performances and there will be food, drinks and vendor items available to purchase at this 31st annual festival.
St. Rafka Church Festival at St. Rafka Maronite Catholic Church
Aug. 9-11, 2024
- Address: 32765 Lyndon St., Livonia
- Cost: Free
This festival celebrates Middle Eastern and American culture. Find food, music and dance, giant inflatables, carnival games and more.
Back to School Bash: Fountain of Youth Fest
Aug. 18, 2024
- Address: 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: Free
For Campus Kids Day at Campus Maritius Park, this back-to-school bash includes a DJ, youth performers, lawn games, make and take bracelets, a book giveaway, Heads Up! games and more.
Back-to-School Bash at Boll Family YMCA
Aug. 21, 2024
- Address: 1401 Broadway St., Detroit
- Cost: Free
Join Boll Family YMCA outside on the playground to celebrate the end of summer and back-to-school. There will be music, snacks, games and giveaways.
Lincoln Park Day
Aug. 23-25, 2024
- Address: Downtown Lincoln Park
- Cost: Free/admission, fees apply for rides, concerts and parking
This annual festival features a carnival, vendors, beer tents, games, music, food and more.
Detroit Jazz Festival
Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2024
- Address: Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit; Hart Plaza, 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit
- Cost: Free
Listen to the greats and upcoming Jazz artists at the ultimate Jazz show happening at different locations in Detroit.
Hamtramck Labor Day Festival
Aug. 31-Sept. 1, 2024
- Address: Caniff St. & Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck
- Cost: Free
This annual Labor Day Festival features a carnival, music, food, wrestling, canoe races, a parade and more.
Best August family events in Washtenaw County
Washtenaw County has plenty for kids to do this month including Saline’s Summerfest in Downtown Saline and Chelsea Community Fair at the Chelsea Community Fairgrounds. Find even more August events in Washtenaw County on our calendar.
Music & Moves for Kids at Hudson Mills Metropark
Aug. 3, 2024
- Address: 8801 N. Territorial Road, Dexter
- Cost: Free/concert, $10/parking pass
Families can come out to the park for an afternoon of music, dancing, music by DJ Cisco Kid, Magician Anthony Grupido, inflatables, face painting, yard games, food vendors and more. For all ages.
Saline’s Summerfest in Downtown Saline
Aug. 9-10, 2024
- Address: Downtown Saline
- Cost: Free
The streets of downtown Saline fill with hot rods, arts and crafts, live music and more for families during this summertime soiree.
National S’mores Day! at Burns Park
Aug. 10, 2024
- Address: 1300 Baldwin Ave., Ann Arbor
- Cost: Free
Enjoy s’mores with Girl Scout Cookies at Burns Park. There will also be temporary glitter tattoos, friendship bracelet making, a bounce house and more.
All-Ages Mario Kart Tournament at Ann Arbor District Library: Downtown
Aug. 18, 2024
- Address: 343 S. 5th Ave., Ann Arbor
- Cost: Free
Come out to the 4th floor meeting room at the Downtown branch for a Mario Kart 8 tournament for kids, teens and adults.
Chelsea Community Fair
Aug. 20-24, 2024
- Address: 20501 Old US-12 Hwy., Chelsea
- Cost: $10/daily pass, $30/season pass, $20/student, senior and veteran season pass, free/ ages 10 and under; additional fees for rides and carnival games (cash only)
Families can enjoy old-fashioned fair fun, including a tractor pull, demolition derby, figure 8 derby, livestock shows and sales plus diesel truck pulls. Rides, carnival games, food, live animals and musical entertainment, too.
Saline Community Fair
Aug. 28-Sept. 1, 2024
- Address: 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor
- Cost: $10/admission ages 11 and up, free/ages 10 and under | Get tickets
Come out to the annual fair and enjoy live music, rides, livestock, contests, live shows and more. Activities for all ages.
Fireside Fun at Leslie Science & Nature Center
Aug. 30, 2024
- Address: 1831 Traver Road, Ann Arbor
- Cost: Free
Leslie Science & Nature Center will provide the campfire, participants can bring camp chairs, outdoor games and s’mores fixings. Outdoor fires are held rain or shine (except for thunder and lightning). Dress for the weather. Registration is not required.
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