2018

lansingfestivals.org

WELCOME TO ARTS NIGHT OUT!

It’s Friday night. You’re looking for something fun to do – the perfect mix of creative people and ideas – street art, local music, exhibits, dance and so much more. You want to wander and gather in small shops, galleries, and coffee shops, dense with diverse people, culture and ideas. This is Arts Night Out, and you don't want to miss it.

Presented by the Arts Council of Greater Lansing, this bi-monthly walkable event offers freeentertainment for all ages.

OLD TOWN LANSING

2018 ARTS NIGHT OUT CALENDAR

ARTS

January 12 March 2

@MyArtsNightOut / #MyArtsNightOut

#MyArtsNightOut

May 4

July 13 September 7 November 2

For more information, visit

Get Social

MyArtsNightOut.com

ART & CRAFT BEERFESTJanuary 27, 2018artandcraftbeerfest.com

The sixth annual Art & Craft BeerFest is an indoor art,

comedy, movie and music festival. Hosted in REO Town, this beerfest takes place in four different venues located on the main REO Town strip, just a short walk from one another.

MICHIGAN NORDIC FIRE FESTIVALFebruary 23 - 25, 2018michigannordicfirefestival.com

A fun, family-friendly event, featuring a mix of history and fantasy that will take you back to the Viking age. Costumes! Contests! Sword-fighting! Feats of strength! Food and drink!

Wear your silly or serious Viking garb and come prepared to have a great time.

Michigan NordicFire Festival

MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVALMarch 17, 2018mynaturecenter.org

Celebrate nature’s own “Liquid Gold” at Fenner Nature Center’s Maple Syrup Festival!

Participate in demonstrations in our Sugar Bush, try your hand at tapping a tree and treat your taste buds to savory treats like maple crème and maple cotton candy!

CAPITAL CITY FILM FESTIVALApril 11 - 15, 2018CapitalCityFilmFest.com

The Capital City Film Festival (CCFF) is a multimedia showcase of independent films and live touring bands with engaging

audiences in Michigan’s Capital City. It celebrates artists from around the world who share their craft while promoting and building on the cultural assets of our diverse locale.

BEERFEST AT THE BALLPARK-SPRINGApril 28, 2018

This festival is held in the 360 concourse, front lawn and on Michigan Avenue

in front of Cooley Law School Stadium. Attendees can taste more than 300 craft beers, ciders, meads, spirits and wine from over 65 Michigan breweries while enjoying the ballpark atmosphere.

beerfestattheballpark.net

EAST LANSING ART FESTIVALMay 19 - 20, 2018elartfest.com

Fine artists and traditional fine-craft artisans from Michigan and beyond line

the downtown streets of East Lansing to exhibit and sell their original works. Free live music, children’s art activities, artist demonstrations, poetry readings, food vendors and more!

MIGHTY UKE DAY 8May 11 - 13, 2018mightyukeday.com

Mighty Uke Day is a celebration of the diminutive yet dynamic ukulele with concerts,

workshops, open mic and more. Proceeds benefit Music is the Foundation programs in local classrooms and communities.

BE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN TOWNJune 2, 2018lansing.org/batyot

Explore a world of possibilities in Greater Lansing from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Purchase a $1 passport for admission to over 80 attractions.

Enjoy interactive activities and giveaways for the kids! CATA’s Be a Tourist Bus Routes provide transportation to most attractions for just 50 cents.

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June 2, 2018

LANSING BEER FESTJune 16, 2018lansingbeerfest.com

The sixth-annual Lansing Beer Fest is an outdoor beer festival on Washington Avenue in

REO Town, featuring 25 Michigan breweries and 100+ craft beers. Also find cider, spirits, wine, food trucks, live music, vendors and more!

LANSING JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONJune 14 - 16, 2018LansingJuneteenthCelebration.org

This three-day state holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the United States by celebrating the joys of liberty, educating the community

about African-American heritage and promoting positive cultural interaction. Event includes music, dance, entertainment, educational exhibits and a parade. Celebrating 25 years in the Lansing area!

RIVERBANK TRADITIONAL POW WOWJune 2 - 3, 2018nativeamericanacc.org

The Riverbank Traditional Pow Wow is a celebration of Native American culture through song, dance, food, arts and crafts

held at Louis Adado Riverfront Park. Grand Entry is on Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at noon. Don’t miss Saturday evening’s guest performer, fiddler, Ruby John.

MORE THAN 100 LOCAL FESTIVALS AND EVENTS TAKE PLACE IN GREATER LANSING EACH YEAR

THREADBARE MITTEN FILM FESTIVALJune 22 - 23, 2018threadbarefilmfest.com

Downtown Charlotte hosts this celebration of genre cinema right in the tell-tale heart of Michigan.

Our curated programming highlights the best and oddest of films from around the Mitten and the world, engaging casual movie fans and the most serious cinephiles alike.

46TH CHARLOTTE BLUEGRASS FESTIVALJune 21 - 23, 2018charlottebluegrassfestival.com

This Charlotte festival presents national and regional

acts from across the USA, including Bluegrass, Folk and Americana music, plus IBMA award winner, Volume Five and Billboard artists 111rd Tyme Out. Music workshops, corn hole and card tournaments throughout the weekend. Camping with water and electric available.

SUMMER STAGE UNDER THE STARSJune 20 - July 27, 2018lcc.edu/summerstage

Lansing Community College’s Summer Stage Under the Stars is a free festival, featuring family-friendly and entertaining

plays and concerts at the lovely amphitheatre in the heart of campus. DANCE Lansing ends the festival in Dart Auditorium with four nights of exciting new dance. Indoors or on the lawn, enjoy a perfect summer evening!

GREATER LANSING FESTIVALS AND EVENTS ATTRACT NEARLY HALF A MILLION PEOPLE EACH YEAR

OLD TOWN SCRAPFESTJuly 13 - 14, 2018oldtownscrapfest.com

Experience art and recycling in a whole new way! Twenty teams have one hour to collect

up to 500 pounds of scrap metal and just two weeks to create sculptural masterpieces.

Now in its 10th year, Old Town ScrapFest puts these sculptures on display alongside art vendors, music and free family art activities. There is even a live auction of the creations!

July 5 - 8, 2018commongroundfest.com

Back for its 19th year in downtown Lansing, the multiple-day music festival will feature four nights of A-list talent across two stages at Adado Riverfront Park. Previous performers have included the likes of Tim McGraw, Big Sean, Eric Church, Shinedown, Alessia Cara, and many more!

COMMON GROUND MUSIC FESTIVAL

SUMMER SOLSTICE JAZZ FESTIVALJune 22 - 23, 2018eljazzfest.com

A free two-day music festival in the heart of downtown East Lansing, featuring the best in local, regional and national talent, children’s activities, a traditional New

Orleans-style Second Line Parade and more. Presented by the city of East Lansing and the MSU College of Music, with artistic direction by Rodney Whitaker.

WANT TO VOLUNTEER AT A FESTIVAL? VISIT THE INDIVIDUAL FESTIVAL’S WEBSITE FOR VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

CAR CAPITAL AUTO SHOWJuly 28, 2018carcapitalautoshow.org

The R.E. Olds Transportation Museum’s 26th annual car show is open to all makes of cars, trucks and motorcycles. See vehicles from the 1900’s to present. Free family fun

with live music and vendors on the streets of downtown Lansing in front of the Michigan State Capitol. Celebrate Lansing’s rich automotive history!

TO DOWNLOAD A PDF OF THIS BROCHURE, GO TOLANSINGFESTIVALS.ORG

WILLIAMSTON ARTFESTJuly 28, 2018

Williamston Artfest is a day-long celebration of visual art, music, dance and poetry.

McCormick Park, along the beautiful Red Cedar River, is the setting for artists’ sales, great food and children’s activity and play areas. The walkways through the park and along the river are accessible to those using wheelchairs and strollers.

williamstonartfest.weebly.com

TASTE OF DOWNTOWNJuly 21, 2018

Enjoy a summer afternoon on Washington Square while sampling various

cuisines and food specialties from downtown restaurants. There will be plenty of wine tasting with more than 100 varieties from around the world and live music on an outdoor stage!

tasteofdowntown.org

WASHINGTON SQUARE

PHIL DENNY’S ARMORY SMOOTH JAZZ FETE

August 11, 2018smoothjazzfete.com

Annual all-day, outdoor smooth jazz and R&B music event, featuring national and international cross-genre instrumental and vocal artists. Engaging and entertaining music performances, art, food trucks, beer, wine and more. A 21+ ticketed live music experience.

GREAT LAKES FOLK FESTIVALAugust 10 - 12, 2018greatlakesfolkfest.net

The MSU Museum presents this three-day celebration of culture, tradition and community held in downtown East Lansing. Find music, dance, food,

a marketplace and more. Discover the roots, rhythms and richness of cultures from across America and around the world.

RENEGADE THEATRE FESTIVALAugust 9 -11 & 16 -18, 2018

renegadetheatrefestival.org

Two weekends of free theatre showcased in some of Lansing’s most artistic

and eclectic venues. Weekend one is Renegade N.O.W., featuring new and original theatrical works. Weekend two features a wide range of performance styles, including comedy, drama, musicals, improv, staged readings and more!

LANSING JAZZ FESTAugust 3 - 4, 2018jazzlansing.com

Don’t miss this outdoor festival that’s pleased audiences from near and far since 1995! Whether already a fan of jazz music, or ready to try it for free, come to Old Town Lansing for two days of great music, children’s activities, an expansive beverage tent, food and crafts vendors and more!

MICHIGAN BLUESFESTSeptember 21 - 22, 2018

michiganbluesfest.com

This lively outdoor fall festival has thrilled

audiences from near and far for 25 years! Whether already a fan of the blues, or ready to try it for free, come to Old Town Lansing for two days of great music, children’s activities, an expansive beverage tent, food and crafts vendors and more!

PRIME MUSIC FESTIVALSeptember 14 - 15, 2018

primemusicfest.com

A two-day music festival held at

Adado Riverfront Park in downtown Lansing, featuring a lineup of hip-hop, pop and electronic dance music (EDM).

GREATER LANSING BALLOON FESTIVALAugust 24 - 25, 2018

This two-day hot air balloon festival features 20+ balloons with weather permitting morning/evening launches and evening

glows plus other activities, including inflatables, food, vendors and more. All proceeds benefit the Lansing Promise scholarship fund.

GreaterLansingBalloonFestival.com

ARTFEAST August 18, 2018

Art Feast returns to Old Town to celebrate mobile vendors! Artists from across the state rally on Turner St. to bring you a wide variety of handmade goods. When you get hungry

from shopping, a mouth-watering stop at the food court will fill your belly with meals brought to you by the best local food trucks and carts.

iloveoldtown.org

TRICK-OR-TREAT ON THE SQUAREOctober 29, 2018

trickortreatonthesquare.org

(Rain Date October 30, 2018)

A family-friendly affair filled with spook-tacular

fall fun! This free event in downtown Lansing celebrates Halloween in a safe environment, featuring trick-or-treating, donuts and cider, stilt walkers, fire dancers and more!

APPLE BUTTER FESTIVALOctober 13 - 14, 2018mynaturecenter.org

Embrace your ties to the land at Fenner Nature Center’s 45th Annual Apple Butter Festival! Help stir the apple butter,

cooked the old-fashioned way in a copper kettle over the fire, or try your hand at the cider press. The beauty of nature in autumn, coupled with heritage artisans, local musicians and savory food, creates a truly memorable event.

CRACKED POT STUDIO TOURSeptember 22 - 23, 2018crackedpotstudiotour.wordpress.com

Twelve area potteries open their studios and invite over 50 Michigan ceramic

artists to join them in showing, demonstrating and selling their work. Talk to the artists in their studios, take in the peaceful surroundings that inspire them and enjoy a backroads autumn tour.

WOMEN IN THE ARTSNovember 9 - 10, 2018witafestival.com

This two-day, 33rd annual celebration of regional women artists takes place at the Edgewood United Church in East Lansing. The volunteer-run festival features a large artist market of over 50 vendors, music and poetry performances, food, workshops and more, as a symbol of our commitment to support women in the creative pursuits.

TO LEARN ABOUT OTHER FESTIVALS, EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS IN GREATER LANSING VISIT WWW.LANSING.ORG

7TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF TREESDecember 1, 2018 - January 1, 2019lansingmi.gov/938/Turner-Dodge-House

The Friends of Turner-Dodge House and Lansing Parks and

Recreation present the 7th annual Festival of Trees. The historic mansion will have 50+ holiday trees on all three floors. Trees are decorated by various businesses, organizations and individuals. Celebrate the holidays with this family-friendly festival.

GLOBAL FESTIVALNovember 12, 2018oiss.isp.msu.edu/about/feature/globalfestival/

See the world in one day! International students at Michigan State University showcase their home countries with exhibits,

performances and interactive workshops at the MSU Union. Explore art, music, clothing, languages and more from around the globe at this free family event!

SILVER BELLS IN THE CITYNovember 16, 2018silverbellsinthecity.org

Ring in the holiday season in downtown Lansing with the Electric Light Parade,

State Christmas Tree lighting and fireworks cascading over the Capitol dome! Shop at the Silver Bells Village and enjoy live performances at arts and cultural venues throughout downtown.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

ART & CRAFT BEERFEST — JANUARY 27

MICHIGAN NORDIC FIRE FESTIVAL — FEBRUARY 23 - 25

MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL — MARCH 17

CAPITAL CITY FILM FESTIVAL — APRIL 11 - 15

BEERFEST AT THE BALLPARK — APRIL 28

MIGHTY UKE DAY 8 — MAY 11 - 13

BE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN TOWN — JUNE 2

RIVERBANK TRADITIONAL POW WOW — JUNE 2 - 3

LANSING JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION — JUNE 14 - 16

LANSING BEER FEST — JUNE 16

SUMMER STAGE UNDER THE STARS — JUNE 20 - JULY 27

46TH ANNUAL CHARLOTTE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL — JUNE 21 - 23

SUMMER SOLSTICE JAZZ FESTIVAL — JUNE 22 - 23

THREADBARE MITTEN FILM FESTIVAL — JUNE 22 - 23

COMMON GROUND MUSIC FESTIVAL — JULY 5 - 8

OLD TOWN SCRAPFEST — JULY 13 - 14

TASTE OF DOWNTOWN — JULY 21

WILLIAMSTON ARTFEST — JULY 28

CAR CAPITAL AUTO & BIKE SHOW — JULY 28

LANSING JAZZFEST — AUGUST 3 - 4

RENEGADE THEATRE FESTIVAL — AUGUST 9 - 11 & 16 - 18

GREAT LAKES FOLK FESTIVAL — AUGUST 10 - 12

ART FEAST — AUGUST 18

GREATER LANSING BALLOON FESTIVAL — AUGUST 24 - 25

MICHIGAN BLUESFEST — SEPTEMBER 21 - 22

PRIME MUSIC FESTIVAL — SEPTEMBER 14 - 15

APPLE BUTTER FESTIVAL — OCTOBER 13 - 14

GLOBAL FESTIVAL — NOVEMBER 12

WOMEN IN THE ARTS FESTIVAL — NOVEMBER 9 - 10

7TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF TREES — DECEMBER 1 - JANUARY 1

TRICK - OR - TREAT ON THE SQUARE — OCTOBER 29 (RAIN DATE OCTOBER 30)

CRACKED POT STUDIO TOUR — SEPTEMBER 22 - 23

EAST LANSING ART FESTIVAL — MAY 19 - 20

SILVER BELLS IN THE CITY — NOVEMBER 16

PHIL DENNY’S ARMORY SMOOTH JAZZ FETE — AUGUST 11

517.372.4636 lansingarts.org

The Greater Lansing region is home to more than100 local festivals and annual events, attracting nearly half a million people from near and far. These popular festivals and events, some of which are nationally recognized, make Greater Lansing an attractive and vibrant place to live, work and play. Through performances, cultural activities, educational opportunities and more, these events celebrate arts and culture and traditions old and new.

The Greater Lansing Festival Alliance is a collaborative branch of the Arts Council’s membership. Comprised of more than 40 festivals, the Festival Alliance strives to provide support and resources for organizers as they build world-class events that enhance the cultural and economic development of the Greater Lansing region. These festivals seek to engage our communities in meaningful ways, enrich residents’ lives and draw broad and diverse audiences, ultimately making the Lansing area the "Festival Capital of Michigan."