Summer in Metro Detroit is filled with excitement, and there’s no better way to kick off the season than by attending some of the area’s most beloved family-friendly festivals.
We love summer, especially because there are so many fun events and festivals to check out. Some of our favorites include Canterbury Village Medieval Faire at Canterbury Village, Hippie Fest at Canterbury Village, Oakland County Fair and Milford Memories Summer Festival.
Whether you’re into thrilling carnival rides, delicious food, vibrant music or celebrating cultural traditions, these events offer something for everyone.
Key Takeaways
- Metro Detroit offers dozens of family-friendly festivals all summer long, from May through October
- Events include a mix of cultural festivals, fairs, concerts and community celebrations with something for all ages
- Many festivals feature live music, food vendors, carnival rides and kid-friendly activities
- Several events are free or low-cost, making them great options for budget-friendly family outings
- Highlights include iconic events like the Oakland County Fair, Arts, Beats & Eats and the Michigan Renaissance Festival
Summer Festivals in Metro Detroit
Milan Community Fair at Wilson Park
May 28-30, 2026
- Address: 89 Wabash St., Milan
- Cost: Free; fees for rides
Find vendors, live music and rides galore. There will be a parade on Thursday, fireworks are scheduled on Friday and a magic show Saturday.
Center Line Independence Festival at Center Line Memorial Park
May 29-31, 2026
- Address: 25355 Lawrence St., Center Line
- Cost: Free; $25-$30/wristbands (cash only)
This annual fest will feature live entertainment, inflatables, foam party, a carnival, craft vendors, beer tent, fireworks and more.
Canterbury Village Medieval Faire at Canterbury Village
May 23-25, 30-31 and June 6-7, 2026
- Address: 2325 Joslyn Ct., Lake Orion
- Cost: $15.99-plus/adult, $6.99-plus/child, free/under 2
Head to Canterbury Village and take a stroll through time. Celebrate with live music, food, arts, crafts, games and live reenactment, including a jousting tournament.
Ferndale Pride in Downtown Ferndale
May 30, 2026
- Address: Downtown Ferndale area
- Cost: Free
This festival celebrates the progress made by the LGBTQIA community through music, stage performances, vendors, a kids area, food trucks and more.
Motor City Pride Fest at Hart Plaza
June 6-7, 2026
- Address: 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit
- Cost: $5/admission, free/12 and under
This annual event brings over 65,000 people together to celebrate the LGBTQIA community. The parade will take place on Sunday.
Canton Liberty Fest at Heritage Park
June 18-20, 2026
- Address: 1150 S. Canton Center Rd., Canton
- Cost: Free/admission, fees/ride wristbands
This annual event is filled with live performances, a carnival, food, games, music and more.
Bay-Rama Fishfly Fest in Downtown New Baltimore
June 24-28, 2026
- Address: Downtown New Baltimore area
- Cost: Free, fees for some activities; register to enter competitions
This annual fest features kids activities, live entertainment, a corn hole tournament, parade, fireworks and more.
Canterbury Taco Fest at Canterbury Village
June 12-14, 2026
- Address: 2325 Joslyn Ct., Lake Orion
- Cost: $4/online, $6/entry at door
Enjoy tacos, Mariachi bands, contests, lawn games, shopping, live music, wrestling and more at this annual event.
Opa! Fest at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
June 12-14, 2026
- Address: 760 Wattles Road, Troy
- Cost: Admission/Free
At this Greek fest there will be activities for adults and kids. Participate in Greek dancing, live music, cultural events, authentic Greek cuisine, children’s play area and more.
Trenton Summer Festival in Downtown Trenton
June 26-28, 2026
- Address: 2800 3rd St., Trenton
- Cost: Free
This annual festival features live performances, vendors, family-friendly areas, a beer tent, fireworks and more.
Oakland County Fair at Oakland County Fairgrounds
July 10-19, 2026
- Address: Springfield Oaks County Park, 12451 Andersonville Road, Davisburg
- Cost: $15/one day parking pass includes general admission for all passengers, Carnival tickets vary by day
This annual hometown attraction features a carnival full of games, rides and arena shows. Also, a monster truck show, live animals, fireworks and more.
Hippie Fest at Canterbury Village
July 11-12, 2026
- Address: 2325 Joslyn Ct., Lake Orion
- Cost: Early bird tickets thru July 5, $9.99/Adults & $4.99/Kids
This festival is family-friendly and features live music, bubble fun, chalk drawing, tarot readers, vendors, a best-dressed hippie contest and more.
Concert of Colors
July 15-19, 2026
- 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.
African World Festival at Hart Plaza
July 10-12, 2026
- Address: 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit
- Cost: Free admission for members of The Wright Museum; contact for other prices
Celebrate the 43rd Annual African World Festival, which is three days full of entertainment, live demonstrations, community resources and information, vendors, Children’s Village and more.
Sterlingfest Art & Music Fair at Dodge Park
July 23-25, 2026
- Address: 40620 Utica Road, Sterling Heights
- Cost: Free/admission, fees/rides
Families can check out art on display, hear live entertainment, get their fill of tasty fair food and spin, swing or slide on carnival rides at this annual.
Sounds & Sights Festival in Downtown Chelsea
July 24-25, 2026
- Address: Downtown Chelsea area
- 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.
Arab & Chaldean Festival at Hart Plaza
Aug 1-2, 2026
- Address: 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit
- Cost: Free
Thousands gather each year to experience Arab and Chaldean culture through art, fashion, music, dance and more.
Belle Isle Art Fair
Aug. 1-2, 2026
- Address: Sunset Drive, Detroit
- Cost: Free/entry, parking pass required
Enjoy juried artists who set up their work near the beautiful Scott Fountain at the Motor City gem. Create your own art, listen to music, enjoy food and drinks and more.
Milford Memories Summer Festival
Aug. 7-9, 2026
- Address: 317 Union St., Milford
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy a three-day art festival, live musical entertainment, sports tournaments, rock climbing tower, and more at this annual event.
Shelby Township Art Fair at River Bends Park
Aug. 8-9, 2026
- Address: 5700 22 Mile Rd., Shelby Township
- Cost: Free
Visit River Bends Park to see some of the best work by local, regional and national artists and crafters. There will also be food, musical entertainment, a kid’s craft area and more at this annual.
Armada Fair at Armada Fairgrounds
Aug. 17-23, 2026
- Address: 74280 Fair St., Armada
- Cost: $10/adults (13+), $5/ages 10–12, free/ages 9 and under; $5/daily parking, $25/weekly parking (credit and cash accepted)
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. This year’s performance is TBA.
Michigan Renaissance Festival at Hollygrove Grounds
Aug. 22-Oct. 4, 2026 (Saturdays and Sundays, plus Labor Day, Sept. 7 and Festival Friday, Oct. 2)
- Address: 12600 Dixie Highway, Holly
- Costs: $20-$27.95/adults, $13-$18.95/ages 5-12, free/4 and under
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.
Chelsea Community Fair at Chelsea Community Fairgrounds
Aug. 25-29, 2026
- Address: 20501 Old US-12 Highway, Chelsea
- Costs: $10/daily pass, $30/season pass, free/ages 10 and under (cash only)
Fair rides are really the huge draw but you’ll find a demolition derby, rodeo, truck pulls, live animals and more at this fair.
Michigan State Fair at Suburban Collection Showplace
Sept. 3-7, 2026
- Address: 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi
- Cost: $10/fair admission, $42/ultimate admission
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 and Eats in Downtown Royal Oak
Sept. 4-7, 2026
- Address: Downtown Royal Oak area
- Cost: Free admission on Friday, $7-12/admission
Enjoy art at the juried fair, eat 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.
This article was recently updated on April 14, 2026, by Metro Parent’s Content Writer Jenna Dolch. The update included her adding new Metro Detroit events as well as updating previous year’s events to the MetroParent.com‘s calendar and featuring the best summer festivals in metro Detroit, aligning Metro Parent’s mission to provide the top parenting resources for local families. Questions? Please reach out to [email protected].
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