July Fairs and Festivals in Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor

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 July 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, 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.

Looking for even more family fun activities? Check out the Metro Parent calendar for details on happenings throughout the year. 

Macomb

MEA Music & Cultural Festival 2022 

July 9-10 2022

• Address: Warren City Hall, 1 City Square, Warren
• Cost: Free

Each year, MEA TV & Radio and the City of Warren bring together Middle Eastern Americans from all over Metro Detroit for a cultural experience, with music, traditional dancing and delicious food.

Festa Italiana 

July 15-17, 2022

• Address: Freedom Hill County Park, 14900 Metropolitan Parkway, Sterling Heights
• 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 and more.

Sterlingfest 

July 28-30, 2022

• Address: Sterling Heights City Center, 40555 Utica Road, Sterling Heights
• Cost: Free/admission, fees/rides

Families can check out art on display, get their fill of tasty fair food and spin, swing or slide on carnival rides at this annual. 

Oakland

Michigan Rib Fest 

July 1-4, 2022

• Address: Canterbury Village, 2359 Joslyn Court, Lake Orion
• Cost: $7/person, additional fees for activities and food

Find live musical performances, monster truck rides, pig racing, adult beverages and tons of barbecue ribs at this annual fest. 

Royal Oak Taco Fest 

July 1-4, 2022

• Address: Downtown Royal Oak, 301 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak
• Cost: $7/advanced tickets, $10/at the door, $5/ages 3-11, free/ages 2 and under

This street festival includes eats from over 40 taquerias and eateries, ice-cold margaritas, three stages of live entertainment and more!

Independence Fest 

July 2, 2022

• Address: Clintonwood Park, 6000 Clarkston Road, Clarkston
• Cost: Fees apply, check ahead

Kick off your Fourth of July festivities with live music, a petting zoo, inflatables, rock wall, spray park, stilt-walker, face painting, balloon animals and more. Fireworks will begin at dusk. 

Clawson 4th of July Freedom Festival 

July 3-4, 2022

• Address: Clawson Park, 935 N. Custer Ave., Clawson
• Cost: Fees apply, check ahead

Celebrate the Fourth of July with this massive shebang full of live music, food contests, art on display and more. It all leads up to fireworks display at dusk.

Oakland County Fair

July 8-17, 2022

• Address: Oakland County Fairgrounds, Springfield Oaks County Park, 12451 Andersonville Road, Davisburg
• Cost: $12/car, $6/motorcycle or walk-ins; Carnival tickets vary by day

This annual hometown attraction features a carnival full of games, rides and arena shows. Also, find a demolition derby, live animals, a circus and more.

Cowboys & Cowgirls Festival 

July 9-10, 2022

• Address: Canterbury Village, 2325 Joslyn Court., Lake Orion
• Cost: $10/person (not including ticket and processing fees), free/under 2, military and veterans, $5/parking (not including ticket and processing fees)

Enjoy live music, a pony carousel, petting zoo, family activities, cowboy stunt shows, magician juggler performances, the medicine man show, mechanical bull rides and more at this annual fest for cowboys and cowgirls. Make sure to dress the part.

Yeti Fest Art Day – Bigfoot & Sasquatch Soiree

July 9, 2022

• Address: The Hawk — Farmington Hills Community Center, 29995 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills
• Cost: Free

This festival features Yeti-inspired arts and crafts, scavenger hunt, storytelling and music. Kids will be able to create a Sasquatch of their own. Great for all ages.

ZooFest ‘A Wild Walk 4 Mental Health’ 

July 10, 2022

• Address: The Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. Ten Mile Road, Royal Oak
• Cost: $30-plus, free/ages 2 and under

This family-friendly event includes a scavenger hunt, bagel breakfast, event t-shirt, music, raffle and other activities. All proceeds benefit our local communities by increasing mental health resources available specifically during, but not limited to, times of crisis. Registration required.

Farmington Founders Festival

July 14-16, 2022

• Address: Downtown Farmington
• Cost: Free/admission, additional fees may apply

Celebrate the city of Farmington with a fireworks display, live entertainment, outdoor movies, hot air balloons, monster truck rides and more. 

Michigan Medieval Faire 

July 16-24, 2022 (Saturdays & Sundays)

• Address: Canterbury Village, 2325 Joslyn Court, Lake Orion
• Cost: $14.99/person (not including ticket and processing fees), free/under 2, military and veterans, $5/parking (not including ticket and processing fees)

Head to Canterbury Village and take a stroll through time. Celebrate with live music, food, arts, crafts, games and live re-enactments, including a jousting tournament.

Festival of Chariots (Rath Yatra)

July 17, 2022

• Address: Novi Civic Center, 45175 W. 10 Mile Road, Novi
• Cost: Free

A big parade kicks off this Indian cultural fest. There will be live music, free food, Yoga, kid’s activities and more. 

Orchard Lake Fine Art Show 

July 30-31, 2022

• Address: 6900 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township
• Cost: $5/admission

Families can view the work of up to 150 juried and professional artists. This event has been voted one of the top 100 art shows in America for 11 years in a row.

Washtenaw

Saline Celtic Festival 

July 8-9, 2022

• Address: Mill Pond Park, 565 W. Bennett St., Saline
• Cost: $5-$8/Friday at the gate only, $15-$18/Saturday adult tickets, $8-$10/Saturday ages 65-plus, $5/Saturday ages 6-17, free/ages 5 and under and active military tickets

Celtic music and dance, traditional field events like jousting and Ancient Athletic Games, and a “wee folks” area are in store at this annual.

Ann Arbor Art Fair 2022

July 21-23, 2022

• Address: 721 E. Huron St., Suite 200, Ann Arbor
• Cost: Free/admission

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.

Washtenaw County 4-H Youth Show 

July 24-30, 2022

• Address: Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor
• Cost: Free

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
• Cost: Free

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.

Wayne  

Uncle Sam Jam

July 7-10, 2022

• Address: Civic Center Park, 23101 Hall Road, Woodhaven
• Cost: $30/all-day ride passes, $10/monster truck ride, $10-$15/parking

Grinder, Grand Funk Railroad, Dokken/Lynch and 50 Amp Fuse play during this outdoor concert celebration. Carnival, petting zoo, monster truck rides and fireworks, too.

Michigan Elvisfest 

July 8-9, 2022

• Address: Wayne County Fairgrounds, 10871 Quirk Road, Belleville
• Cost: $25/Friday, $45/Saturday, $60/two-day ticket, free/kids 12 and under, $5/day for parking

The best professional Elvis tribute artists in North America perform some of The King’s hottest hits at this annual. There are kids’ activities on Saturday, which include games, crafts, balloon-making and face painting.

Plymouth Art in the Park 

July 8-10, 2022

• Address: Downtown Plymouth area
• 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. 

Detroit Kite Festival

July 10, 2022

• Address: Belle Isle Cricket Field, 99 Pleasure Drive, Detroit
• Cost: $11/car for Michigan residents, $31/car for non-Michigan residents

Head to Belle Isle for this annual kite flying fest. You can bring your own kite or borrow one that’s available to use. There will be other activities including food trucks, too. No registration required.

Metro Detroit Youth Day

July 13, 2022

• Address: Belle Isle Park, Detroit
• Cost: Free

Kids ages 8-15 will enjoy a day full of free games, races and other contests along with live entertainment, celebrity guests and more at this 38-year-old event.

Downtown Wyandotte Street Art Fair 

July 13-16, 2022

• Address: Biddle Avenue between Eureka and Oak Streets, Wyandotte
• Cost: Free

See the work of more than 200 artists, enjoy eats from area restaurants and shop a wide variety of local merchants.

African World Festival 

July 15-17, 2022

• Address: Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit
• Cost: Free

Join other families for African-inspired dance and music performances, art, fashion, workshops, food and more. All ages are welcome.

Concert of Colors

July 16-24, 2022

• Address: Various locations in Detroit
• Cost: Free

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.

Arab & Chaldean Festival

July 23-24, 2022

• Address: Hart Plaza, 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit
• Cost: Free

Thousands gather each year to experience Arab and Chaldean culture through art, fashion, music, dance and more.

PNC Roar on the River 

July 23-24, 2022

• Address: Elizabeth Park, 4250 Elizabeth Drive, Trenton
• Cost: Free/general, $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.

This post was originally published in 2012 and is updated regularly.