With kids in tow, seeing the latest stage show or attending that super popular special event can put a real dent in the ol’ bank account. It’s great once in a while, but geez, where are all of the free southeast Michigan events this weekend?
Turns out, there are plenty of free events to choose from, and we’ve rounded up the best options happening this weekend in this convenient spot.
Every activity listed here will cost you absolutely nothing for admission. Zilch. Maybe you’ll have to splurge a few bucks for parking and a little for some activities within the event. But that’s it!
Want to try some events in Detroit that won’t cost you a fortune? Searching for online activities in Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties that won’t break the bank?
Then check back here regularly and mark your calendars so you don’t miss any of the free family fun happening over the next week or so.
Don’t see an event that fits your fam? Check out our online calendar for more fun events.
Macomb
Music in the Park at Macomb Corners Park
July 7-28, 2022 (Thursdays)
- Address: Macomb Corners Park, 19449 25 Mile Road, Macomb Township
Come for live music, inflatables, games and more at the summertime event at Macomb Corners Park.
Concerts in the Park at Chesterfield Parks and Recreation
July 8-29, 2022 (Fridays)
- Address: Chesterfield Parks and Recreation, 47275 Sugarbush Road, New Baltimore
Enjoy music in the park along with food trucks available for you to purchase from. Bring your own food and lawn chairs to the concert. July 8 is Sonic Freeway, July 15 is The Meldrum Brothers, July 22 is American Ages and July 29 is Mainstream Drive.
Music and Movies in the Park at the Civic Center
July 13-27, 2022 (Wednesdays)
- Address: Clinton Township Civic Center, 40700 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township
Enjoy pre-show activities like backyard games, food trucks and inflatables. Then, enjoy music and a movie afterwards. July 13 is Weekend Comback and Sing 2. July 20 is Room 13 and The Mitchell’s vs. the Machines. July 27 is Collision Six and Encanto.
Movies in the Park at Walter and Mary Burke Park
July 28, 2022
- Address: Mary Burke Park 36300 Front St., New Baltimore
Families can enjoy a story and a movie in the park, courtesy of the MacDonald Public Library. Concessions and a food truck will be on site to purchase.
Sterlingfest
July 28-30, 2022
- Address: Sterling Heights City Center, 40555 Utica Road, Sterling Heights
Families can check out art on display, get their fill of tasty fair food and spin swing and slide on carnival rides at this annual.
Movie Under the Stars at Macomb Corners Park
Aug. 5, 2022
- Address: 19449 25 Mile Road, Macomb
Come for a family-friendly movie, inflatables, games and more at the summertime event at Macomb Corners Park. Free glow bracelets along with a family friendly bug spray station will be provided at dusk.
Oakland
Lathrup Village Free Summer Concerts 2022 at Lathrup Village Municipal Park
July 6-27, 2022 (Wednesdays)
- Address: Lathrup Village Municipal Park, 27400 Southfield Road, Lathrup Village
See some local talents at these outdoor concerts on Wednesday evenings in the summer. Bring your own chair, blanket and picnic meal. July 6 is Nicky T and the Snake Charmers, July 13 is The Grey Cats Band, July 20 is Demetrius Nabors and July 27 is Ollice Cooper 313 Experience.
Movie Night Under the Stars at the Jeanne M. Stine Community Park
July 6 and 20, 2022
- Address: Jeanne M. Stine Community Park, 241 Town Center, west of Livernois, Troy
Bring the family, lawn chairs or blankets and relax with a variety of family-friendly movies that are shown at sunset. Concessions will be available for purchase. July 6 is Luca and July 20 is American Underdog — The Kurt Warner Story.
Concert in the Park at Central Park
July 7-28, 2022 (Thursdays)
- Address: Central Park, 159 N. Main St., Milford
Families can enjoy music of all types every Thursday evening in June and July at Central Park. Hot dogs, burgers, ice cream and drinks will be available to purchase.
Farmington Founders Festival
July 14-16, 2022
- Address: Downtown Farmington
Celebrate the city of Farmington with a fireworks display, live entertainment, outdoor movies, hot air balloons, monster truck rides and more.
Outdoor Movie Night at Booth Park
July 15, 2022
- Address: Booth Park, Birmingham
Birmingham’s popular outdoor Movie Night series returns to Booth Park on select Friday nights this summer. Bring your own blankets and chairs to see a showing of Home Alone. Pre-show entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m.
Festival of Chariots (Rath Yatra)
July 17, 2022
- Address: Novi Civic Center, 45175 W. 10 Mile Road, Novi
A big parade kicks off this Indian cultural fest. There will be live music, free food, Yoga, kid’s activities and more.
Movies in the Park at Central Park
Aug. 3-24, 2022 (Wednesdays)
- Address: 159 N. Main St., Milford
Families can enjoy a movie in Central Park on various Wednesdays in August. Aug. 3 is Encanto, Aug. 17 isRaya and the Last Dragon. Aug. 24 is Scoob!
M1 Concourse Cars & Coffee | GM, Chevrolet, & Pontiac Day
Aug. 6, 2022
- Address: 1 Concourse Drive, Pontiac
Join M1 Concourse on the first Saturday of each month for the largest Cars & Coffee event in Michigan! Share this massive monthly tradition with your fellow auto-enthusiasts to showcase their vehicles. This is a kid-friendly event.
Marshmallow Fly & Fry at Heritage Park
Aug. 9, 2022
Over 1,000 Marshmallows will fall from the sky in Heritage Park. Children will have to race to collect the marshmallows and turn them in for goodies! There will be hot dogs, chips, drinks and s’mores available to purchase. Enjoy games, inflatables, and more! Great for all ages.
Milford Memories Summer Festival
Aug. 12-14, 2022
- Address: 317 Union Street, Milford
Families can enjoy a three-day art festival, live musical entertainment, sports tournaments, rock climbing tower, and more at this annual event.
Washtenaw
Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights
July 7-28, 2022 (Thursdays)
- Address: Palmer Commons, 304 S. Main St., Chelsea
Entertainment, arts and musical acts are performed at various and separate stages through historical downtown Chelsea every Thursday evening. For kids, there will be face painters, balloon artists, circus acts, jugglers, magicians, ‘How to Chalk’ themed art stage and more.
Washtenaw County 4-H Youth Show
July 24-30, 2022
- Address: Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor
This event showcases the art projects and livestock that have been made and raised by local 4-H kids.
Sounds & Sights Festival
July 29-30, 2022
- Address: Downtown Chelsea
There will be live music at the social tent, car show, farmers market, kid zone, chalk art, art market, food court and more at this annual.
Dexter Daze at Monument Park
Aug. 12-13, 2022
- Address: Monument Park, Dexter
This annual summer fest features live stage performances, food, a parade, fireworks and much more.
Wayne
Saturday in the Park on Hines Drive
Now-Sept. 24, 2022 (Saturdays)
- Address: Ann Arbor Trail to Outer Drive, Westland
Hines Drive will be closed from Ann Arbor Trail to Outer Drive for families to run, walk or bike safely without vehicle traffic.
Saturday Storytime
Now-Dec. 31, 2022 (Saturdays)
- Address: 27th Letter Books, 3546 Michigan Ave., Detroit
Join 27th Letter Books for their weekly story offering, made bilingual in Spanish & English. Following the reading, you will be invited to stay and explore the book themes through art studio time or an interactive activity
Story Time with Mr. Jim
Now-Dec. 29, 2022 (Thursdays)
- Address: Caroline Kennedy Library, 24590 George St., Dearborn Heights
Caroline Kennedy Library offers simple stories, music, crafts, bubbles and fun for little ones and their caregivers every Thursday. Recommended for ages 2-3, but all ages are welcome.
Friday Night Film’s at New Center Park
July 1-Aug. 26, 2022 (Fridays)
- Address: New Center Park, 2998 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit
This year’s summer series at New Center Park kicks off on June 3. Gates open at 8 p.m. and the movies will start at dusk. Visitors can grab a chair or bring a blanket, enjoy some free popcorn and settle in for a film in the open-air theater.
Family Fun Day at Beacon Park
July 3-Aug. 28, 2022 (Sundays)
- Address: Beacon Park, 1901 Grand River Ave., Detroit
Come to Beacon Park with the whole family to enjoy make-and-take activities, lawn games and crafts. Each week will feature unique themes including field day activities, music, art and live performances.
Movie Nights in the D at Campus Martius
July 7-28, 2022 (Thursdays)
- Address: Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Head downtown to see a movie with your friends or family. July 7 is Black Widow, July 14 is Encanto, July 21 is Mamma Mia and July 28 is Anchor Man.
Downtown Wyandotte Street Art Fair
July 13-16, 2022
- Address: Biddle Avenue between Eureka and Oak Streets, Wyandotte
See the work of more than 200 artists, enjoy eats from area restaurants and peruse a wide variety of local merchants.
Fun Comedy Magic Show with Gordon the Magician at the Hamtramck Library
July 13, 2022
- Address: 2360 Canif, Hamtramck
Gather the kids and head to Hamtramck Library for a fun, comedy magic show with Gordon the Magician along with his sidekick, George the Raccoon. Create a “pick me” sign because Gordon will ask for volunteers.
Metro Detroit Youth Day
July 13, 2022
- Address: Belle Isle Park, Detroit
Kids ages 8-15 will enjoy a day full of free games, races and other contests. There’s also live entertainment, celebrity guests and more at this 38-year-old event.
Thursday Night Live Concert Series at Heritage Park
July 14, 21 and 28, 2022
- Address: Heritage Park, 1150 S. Canton Center, Canton
Bring your own blanket and chairs, and enjoy music and fun, at the amphitheater in Heritage Park. A variety of food trucks and Maraschinos Pub will be on site selling snacks, beer, wine, and Coldstone ice cream.
African World Festival
July 15-17, 2022
- Address: Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit
Join other families for African-inspired dance and music performances, art, fashion, workshops, food and more. All ages are welcome.
Movies in the Park at Dearborn City Hall Park
July 15, 2022
- Address: Dearborn City Hall Park, 13621 Michigan Ave., Dearborn
Bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy a showing of Ford v Ferrari at City Hall. Movie begins at dusk.
Concert of Colors
July 16-24, 2022
- Address: Various locations in Detroit
Enjoy this annual diversity-themed music festival. Although music is its main focus, it also offers ethnic food, poetry, movies, merchandise vendors, children’s activities and more. You can broadcast it at home, as well.
Ann Arbor Art Fair 2022
July 21-23, 2022
- Address: 721 E. Huron St. #200, Ann Arbor
Check out the largest juried art fair in the nation, which features nearly 1,000 artists, which spans over three days. Offers a wide selection of media including drawing, painting, sculpture, glass, ceramics, jewelry, mixed media and more. There will also be live music, sidewalk sales and culinary treats.
Arab & Chaldean Festival
July 23-24, 2022
- Address: Hart Plaza, 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit
Thousands gather each year to experience Arab and Chaldean culture through art, fashion, music, dance and more.
Touch-a-Truck in Downtown Allen Park
July 23, 2022
Spend the day in the driver’s seat of different trucks. Climb, touch, and explore real-life trucks and cool vehicles of all sizes. It will be siren-free for the first hour.
Movies in the Park at Wagner Park
July 29, 2022
- Address: Wagner Park, 22060 W. Village Drive, Dearborn
Bring your own chair or blanket to Wagner Park to enjoy a movie. July 29 is Encanto.
Buy Michigan Now at Main and Center Streets
Aug. 5-7, 2022
- Address: Downtown Northville
This 12th annual street fair offers locally made products for sale, music, kids activities and more, in celebration of Buy Michigan Week.
Camaro Superfest at Lou LaRiche Chevrolet
Aug. 12-14, 2022
- Address: 40875 Plymouth Road, Plymouth
The largest and longest-running all-Camaro show returns with displays, demos and presentations. Awards given, too.
Michigan Jewish Food Festival at DNR Outdoor Adventure Center
Aug. 21, 2022
- Address: 1801 Atwater St., Detroit
Enjoy outdoor activities, art-making opportunities and complimentary admission to the DNR’s Outdoor Adventure Center along the Detroit Riverfront. Engage in hands-on workshops and activities and purchase food from local food businesses and food trucks.
This post is updated regularly.
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