Events for July 4, 2026
Jon Blanchette, Adam Mosley, & Pete Kahn.
Local jazz trio.
Tony Karam Duo.
Detroit-area classic rock cover duo.
Ralph McKee Blues Band.
Energetic, sophisticated blend of danceable soul, blues, and rock by this band led by Hoodang bassist McKee.
2026 Junior Olympic Championship: Artistic Swimming
June 27–July 4. Over 1,000 top U.S. male and female swimmers ages 12–19 compete in the sport, also known as synchronized swimming, scoring points for artistic impression, execution of elements, and difficulty. Times TBA, EMU Jones Natatorium, 100 Olds/Robb. Tickets $15 day pass (ages 6–17 & seniors, $10), $100 event pass (ages 6–17 & seniors, $60) in advance only at tinyurl.com/2026artswimypsi.
Group Runs: Ann Arbor Running Company (AARC)
Every Mon., Thurs., & Sat. (different AARC locations). Runners of all abilities invited to join a 5K mapped route (Thurs. & Mon.) or either a beginner or advanced group run (Sat.). AARC Colonnade (6 p.m. Thurs.), 901 W. Eisenhower; AARC Traver Village (7 a.m. Sat.), 2621 Plymouth Rd.; and Corner Brewery (6 p.m. Mon.), 720 Norris, Ypsi. Free. annarborrunningcompany.com.
“Ann Arbor Firecracker 5K”: Epic Races
5K run through downtown. Also, a 200m Kids Dash (free) open to kids age 8 & under and a 1-mile Fun Run. The 5K includes a flag-carrying division, a rucking division (runners wear weighted backpacks), and a hot dog–eating division (runners try to eat 4 hot dogs in under 77 seconds before beginning the race). Awards. 8 a.m. (registration begins at 6:30 a.m.), Fourth Ave. & Liberty. $50 (kids age 10 & under, free) in advance at epicraces.com; $55 after June 27. (734) 585–7101.
“Dexter/Chelsea Saturday Morning Breakfast Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society
Every Sat., except July 11. Moderate-paced ride, 20 miles or more, to Dexter and beyond. Pack something to eat or stop in Dexter or Chelsea for coffee or breakfast. Note: Riders should be prepared to take care of themselves on all AABTS rides. Carry a water bottle, a spare tire or tube, a pump, a cell phone, and snacks. See aabts.org for weather cancellations or delays. 8 a.m. sharp, meet at Barton Nature Area parking lot, W. Huron River Dr. near Bird Rd. Free. (734) 649–9762, [email protected].
parkrun USA
Every Sat. All invited to join a timed but noncompetitive 5K run/walk. 8 a.m., Lillie Park South, 4365 Platt. Free, but first-timers are requested to preregister at parkrun.us/lillie and arrive at 7:45 a.m. [email protected].
“Happy 250th! Morning Music @9:29”: Northside Community Church
Local tubist Zhaowei Qu and clarinetist Isaac Weakland are joined by local pianist-organist Kathryn Goodson for a performance of Independence Day–themed music by Charles Ives, Leonard Bernstein, H.T. Burleigh, Florence Price, and others. Coffee & refreshments. 9:29 a.m., 929 Barton. Free, donations or breakfast goodies welcome. [email protected].
Annual 4th of July Parade: Ann Arbor Jaycees
This popular 36-year-old community celebration runs along a new route this year due to downtown construction. The lineup features floats by local organizations and businesses, marching bands, dance troupes, costumed characters, and live music TBA. 10 a.m.–noon, parade starts between S. State and E. William, runs west on E. Liberty, south on S. Fifth Ave., and east on E. William, before ending at E. William and Thompson. Free. [email protected], a2jaycees.org/fourth-of-july-parade.
Chime Concert: Kerrytown Market & Shops
Every Wed., Fri., & Sat. All invited to play one of 200 songs, with melodies transcribed in numbers, on the 17-bell chime’s numbered keys. Ambitious players can add chords. Kids welcome. Noon–12:30 p.m. (Wed. & Fri.) & 10:30–11 a.m. (Sat.). Free. [email protected].
Firefighter’s Spray Park: State Street District/Ann Arbor Fire Department
Demonstration of firefighting tools by local firefighters, with the chance to cool off by running through hose streams and to spray fire hoses yourself. 10:30–11:45 a.m. (or, immediately following the Jaycees parade), Maynard Parking Structure, 324 Maynard. Free.
96th Annual Ypsilanti 4th of July Parade: American Legion Post 282 & Ypsi Parade
This annual parade features marching bands, church choirs, vintage cars, a group of Rosie the Riveter reenactors, and representatives from various local businesses and groups. The parade begins at W. Cross and Oakwood and goes down Cross, ending at Rice in Depot Town. 11 a.m., W. Cross at Oakwood, Ypsi. Free. [email protected], facebook.com/ypsiparade.
Critter House Open Hours: Leslie Science & Nature Center
Every Sat. & Sun. A chance to view LSNC birds of prey and its Critter House animals, which include frogs, turtles, snakes, and other species native to Michigan. Noon–3 p.m., 1831 Traver. $5 suggested donation. (734) 997–1553, lesliesnc.org.
Outdoor Gallery and Sculpture Garden: Stephenson Ceramics
Explore the 2026 Outdoor Gallery & Sculpture Garden and be among the first to experience Visionaries, a special exhibit celebrating the history, artistry, and lasting impact of Susanne and John Stephenson. Tour the studio, peek inside the archives, and discover a lifetime of ceramic innovation from this dynamic duo. Open June 6 – Oct. 31, Thursday – Saturday, 12 – 4 PM. Private one-on-one art consultations available by appointment. Free group tours for 5 or more may be booked in advance. Noon-1 p.m., 4380 West Waters Rd., Free. (734) 395-1540, [email protected], https://www.stephensonceramicstudio.com/
Independence Day Celebration: Cobblestone Farm Association
All invited to a 19th-century-style Independence Day celebration with period-appropriate outdoor games, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and a presentation on the history of the American flag. Also, live traditional Celtic music by local ensemble Nutshell, demonstrations of traditional crafts, tours of the restored 1844 Ticknor-Campbell farmhouse and cabin, and a chance to meet some farm animals. Bring a picnic or buy lunch from vendors. Noon–4 p.m., Cobblestone Farm Museum, 2781 Packard (next to Buhr Park). Free, but donations appreciated. (734) 794–7120, cobblestonefarm.org.
“Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy
Fri. July 3 & 17 and every Sat. & Sun. During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers present and give insights into some local animals, including a woodchuck, skunk, and a common snapping turtle at 7:30 p.m. On Sat. and Sun., conservancy staffers present the first three animals at 1 & 4 p.m., and an animal keeper shows an opossum at 2 & 3 p.m. All tickets include a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. 7–9 p.m. (Fri.) & noon–5 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $15 (kids ages 2–12, $13; under age 2, free) cash or credit at the door only. (734) 929–9324, thecreatureconservancy.org.
“Megafauna Mystery”: U-M Museum of Natural History Discovery Demos
Every Sat. & Sun., except July 5. Hands-on 20-minute family-oriented demo for kids age 5 & up that uses museum specimens to explore paleontology and what can be learned from giant bones and fossils. 12:30 & 2:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
“National Treasure”: Michigan Theater
Film screenings every day. Tickets $11.75 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $9.75; Marquee Arts members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see marquee-arts.org/calendar.
July 4 & 5: “National Treasure” (Jon Turteltaub, 2004). In this action adventure heist film, a swashbuckling historian and his friends search for a lost treasure using clues hidden in historical artifacts. Nicolas Cage, Harvey Keitel, Jon Voight. 1 p.m. (Sat.) & 5 p.m. (Sun.).
Museum Highlight Tours: U-M Museum of Natural History
Every Sat. Thirty–minute tour of the museum’s exhibits and galleries, as well as an introduction to some current U-M Biological Sciences research projects. 1:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. Limited capacity. Sign up at the welcome desk. (734) 764–0478.
“Fiddler on the Roof”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company
Thurs.–Sun., June 4–July 19. Dan Cooney directs this local professional company in the 1964 musical, an adaptation of stories by celebrated Yiddish writer Sholem Aleichem with a book by Joseph Stein and Sheldon Harnick and music by Jerry Bock. The plot concerns life in a 1905 Jewish Ukrainian shtetl before a pogrom forces an exodus. Starring Broadway veteran Daniel Friedman as Tevye. 7 p.m. (some Thurs., Fri., & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (some Thurs., Sat., & Sun.). Encore Maas Main Stage, 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $34–$65 in advance at theencoretheatre.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 268–6200.
“Megafauna Mystery”: U-M Museum of Natural History Discovery Demos
Every Sat. & Sun., except July 5. Hands-on 20-minute family-oriented demo for kids age 5 & up that uses museum specimens to explore paleontology and what can be learned from giant bones and fossils. 12:30 & 2:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
“Emma’s Wedding(s)”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
Every Wed.–Sun., June 25–Aug. 30. Kate Thomsen directs longtime Purple Rose resident playwright Carey Crim’s comedy-drama about a group of old friends gathered to celebrate their friend Emma’s fourth wedding. Together, they revisit their memories of each of her previous three weddings to “the one.” Adult language and subject matter. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), 3 p.m. (Thurs., Sat., & Wed.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $31.50–$52.50 in advance at purplerosetheatre.org, (734) 433–7673, & (if available) at the door. Discounts available.
Pittsfield Open Band: Ann Arbor Community for Traditional Music and Dance
July 4 & 18. Jam session open to all musicians interested in working on jigs, reels, and waltzes to have fun, learn tunes, and develop contra dance music skills. All instruments welcome. Bring the Ruffwater Fakebook, the Portland Collection, and the Waltz Books if you have them. 3–5 p.m., Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Masking optional. Free. (734) 709–8748.
Fourth of July Live Music at Lake Forest Golf Club
🎶Happy 250th Fourth of July Celebration with Live Music 🎶
Join us on the 4th of July for live music on the deck from 3:00 PM to 6:o0PM, for an featuring local musicians on piano and bass, Louis Johnson and David Stearns. The night features a variety of music from Jazz, Motown, R&B, and your favorite 4th of July tunes!
Happy Hour from 3–5 PM featuring food and drink specials before the music begins. Open to the public. Enjoy corn toss, and other lawn games. Practice Facility and Golf! Specials for the 4th of July include specialty Hot Dogs, home made Apple Pie and Banana Pudding! Summer cocktails!
📍 Ellsworth Food & Spirits at Lake Forest Golf Club
🗓 Saturday July 4th
⏰ Happy Hour: 3–5 PM | Live Music Starts: 3:00 PM
🎵 Live Music by Louis Johnson and David Stearns
View the full menu online: https://ellsworthannarbor.com/menus/#specials
3110 W. Ellsworth Road, Ann Arbor. Free. [email protected]. www.lakeforestgc.com 734-994-8580.
“Emma’s Wedding(s)”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
Every Wed.–Sun., June 25–Aug. 30. Kate Thomsen directs longtime Purple Rose resident playwright Carey Crim’s comedy-drama about a group of old friends gathered to celebrate their friend Emma’s fourth wedding. Together, they revisit their memories of each of her previous three weddings to “the one.” Adult language and subject matter. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), 3 p.m. (Thurs., Sat., & Wed.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $31.50–$52.50 in advance at purplerosetheatre.org, (734) 433–7673, & (if available) at the door. Discounts available.