Events for August 25, 2026
Ann Arbor Group Runs: Fleet Feet
Every Sun., Tues., & Wed. Runners of all abilities invited to join a run of 3–5 miles along varying routes from different locations. Rain or shine. Dozer Coffee (8 a.m. Sun. & 7 a.m. Tues.), 112 Jackson Plz., (734) 929–9022 & Fleet Feet (7 p.m. Wed.), 123 E. Liberty, (734) 769–5016. Free. fleetfeetsemichigan.com.
Chelsea Community Fair: Chelsea Fairgrounds
Aug. 25–29. Fair rides and concessions (Wed. & Thurs. 3–10 p.m., Fri. noon–10 p.m., and Sat. 1–10 p.m.), a bingo tent, livestock shows, demolition derbies (Tues. & Wed. 7:30 p.m.), Lost Nations Rodeo (Thurs. 7:30 p.m.), truck & tractor pulls (Fri. & Sat. 7 p.m.), a fair queen contest (Fri. 7 p.m.), exhibits of baking, canning, floriculture, arts, and hobbies. The fair officially kicks off with a Children’s Parade (Tues. 5:30 p.m.) for ages 3–12 on decorated bikes & wagons or on foot from the municipal lot behind Common Grill to the fairgrounds, and ends with the Chelsea Fair Parade (Sat. 1 p.m.), which includes the high-energy Celtic-inspired Chelsea House Orchestra, and many more local favorites. Complete schedule available at chelseafair.org. 10 a.m.–10 p.m., Chelsea Fairgrounds, Old US-12 at Old Manchester Rd., Chelsea. Daily admission, $10; 5-day pass, $30 (middle & high school students and seniors 65 & older, $20; kids age 10 & under, free). Free admission for seniors age 65 & over on Thurs. before 5 p.m., for active or inactive U.S. service members with ID on Fri., and for families on Fri. from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. $5 pass for women on Fri. before 11 a.m. (734) 475–1270, [email protected], chelseafair.org.
“Nature Lab”: U-M Museum of Natural History
Every Tues.–Sun. All age 6 & up invited into the museum’s labs to use scientific tools and museum specimens. The newest program lets participants try out simulated snake senses to experience the world as if they were a snake. No live snakes. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club
Every Tues., Thurs., & Fri. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Tues. & Fri.) and a 499er game (Thurs.) for players with no more than 499 ACBL master points. 1–4 p.m. (arrive by 12:45 p.m.), 1830 Washtenaw Ave. $9 per person. If you plan to come without a partner, email [email protected].
Ann Arbor Area Scrabble Club
Every Tues. All invited to play the classic word game, using the 5th-edition Scrabble dictionary. Bring your own set, if you like. 3:30–8 p.m., Arbor Brewing Company Corner Brewery, 720 Norris, Ypsi. Free. meetup.com/ann-arbor-scrabble-meetup. [email protected].
“Waterway Relatives”: U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens
All invited to join Earth and Environmental Sciences professor Selena Smith to discuss the interdependencies between waterways and humans, explore water sampling trays to look for aquatic organisms, and take a short walk. Dress for the weather. 4:30 p.m., 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Free; metered parking. (734) 647–7600, mbgna.umich.edu/events.
Game Night: Sylvan Factory
Every Tues. All invited to play one of a selection of board games, assemble a puzzle, paint miniatures, or try a tabletop role-playing game, all in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Also, at 6 p.m., RPG One Shots, introductory games of different tabletop role-playing games perfect for beginners, finished after one session (see website for this week’s game, preregistration strongly encouraged at sylvanfactory.square.site). 5 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. Free. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.
Easy Street Jazz Band
Early jazz classics from Scott Joplin and Bessie Smith to Louis Armstrong and beyond by this veteran local septet led by trombonist Terry Kimura.
“Colorful Pajaki Chandeliers”: Ann Arbor District Library
Adults & teens invited to use straw, colorful paper, twine, and a wooden hoop to make these Polish decorations used to celebrate important life events like birthdays and holidays. 5–7 p.m., AADL Downtown, lower level program rm. Free. (734) 327–4200.
Riso Lab: Ann Arbor District Library
All invited to use analog tools to create a 2-color design for a 2026 calendar and print it with the lab’s Risograph duplicator, a digital screen printer similar to a photocopier. 5–7 p.m., AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.
“Dog and Suds Ride”: Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society
Every Tues. Moderate-paced ride, 20 to 30 miles, along the less-traveled roads west and north of Chelsea. See aabts.org for weather cancelations or delays. 6 p.m. sharp, meet at Aberdeen Bike and Outdoors, 1101 Main, Chelsea. Start location occasionally changes. Free. (734) 662–0205.
“Tomato Bonanza”: Ann Arbor District Library
The Lakehouse Bakery (Chelsea) owner Keegan Rodgers hosts a hands-on introduction to making great tomato sauce and finding other uses for the abundance of tomatoes from your garden or local markets. Tasting. 6–7 p.m., AADL Malletts Creek. Free. (734) 327–4200.
Touch Rugby: U-M Rugby Football Club
Every Tues. & Thurs. All invited to play a low-contact version of rugby. Beginners welcome. 6–7:30 p.m., Riverside Park, 1000 Canal. Free. [email protected].
Drop-in Knitting: Spun
Every Sun.–Thurs. (different times). All invited to work on their knitting, crochet, weaving, and embroidery projects. 1–3 p.m. (Sun.) & 6–8 p.m. (Mon.–Thurs.), 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867.
Silent Book Club
Join us for an hour of silent reading followed by light socializing
Looking for a relaxing way to unwind and connect with fellow book lovers? Join us for Silent Book Club at BrightWorks!
Unlike a traditional book club, there’s no assigned reading and no required discussion. Bring whatever you’re currently reading, novels, nonfiction, ebooks, audiobooks, graphic novels, magazines, or textbooks. If you enjoy reading, you’re welcome here.
Schedule
6:00–6:30 PM: Arrive, grab a drink or snack, get comfortable, and chat with fellow readers (optional).
6:30–7:30 PM: Enjoy a quiet hour of uninterrupted reading.
7:30–8:00 PM: Stay to socialize, exchange book recommendations, or simply keep reading.
Whether you’re an avid reader or just looking for a peaceful hour to disconnect, Silent Book Club offers a welcoming, low-pressure space to enjoy books in the company of others.
Bring your own book and join us for an evening of quiet reading and community.
Tuesday Night Workouts: Ann Arbor Track Club
Every Tues. Runners of all skill levels ages 14 & up invited to participate in short, intense interval workouts. Arrive at 6:20 p.m. to warm up. 6:30 p.m., Ferry Field, 1150 S. State. Visitors free; $30/year membership for regular participants. Preregistration required at aatrackclub.org/interval-workouts.
“Castle in the Sky”: Fathom Entertainment
(734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events & at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline).
Aug. 22–26: “Castle in the Sky” (Hayao Miyazaki, 1986). Dubbed (Sat., Sun., & Wed.) and subtitled (Mon. & Tues.) screenings of this classic Studio Ghibli anime film about 2 children racing to find a flying castle. 4 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.) and 7 p.m. (Mon.–Wed.).
“Tree Town Uke Drop-in”: Oz’s Music Environment
Musicians of all ability levels invited to play ukulele with members of Michigan’s oldest ukulele club. 7 p.m., 1922 Packard. Free. (734) 662–8283.
Huron Valley Harmonizers Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society
Every Tues., except Aug. 18. Singers of all ages and genders invited to join rehearsals of this award-winning a cappella chorus. 7–8:45 p.m., First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4001 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Free to visitors; call ahead or check website (dues for those who join). (734) 796–7467, [email protected], hvharmonizers.org.
Open Mic.
All acoustic musicians invited. Hosted by Skinned Knees.
Open Meeting: Ann Arbor Grail Singers
All women invited to learn about this women’s chamber choir dedicated to performing and recording a variety of music, especially lesser-known repertoire from the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods and works by women composers. This meeting includes auditions for new members. 7–9 p.m., contact for location. Free, but reservations required by calling (734) 800–4065 or emailing [email protected]. annarborgrailsingers.org.
Shape Note Singing: Ypsi Shape Note Group
Aug. 11 & 25. All invited to join an evening of this early American form of hymn singing that uses musical notation with distinct shapes to make learning easier. Songbooks available, but singers encouraged to bring their own. No experience required. 7–9 p.m., Riverside Arts Center, Off Center Bldg., 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. Free. (734) 480–2787, riversidearts.org/shape-note-singing-ypsilanti.
Tuesday English Country Dance: Ann Arbor Community of Traditional Music and Dance
Every Tues. Historical and traditional English dancing to live music. All dances taught and prompted; no complicated steps, and no partner or experience needed. Bring clean, flat, nonslip shoes. First-timers asked to arrive at 6:45 p.m. 7–9:30 p.m., Concourse Hall, 4531 Concourse. Suggested donation $8–$12 (students, $4; kids age 13 & under with caregiver, free). (734) 665–7704, aactmad.org/english-country.
Women’s A Cappella Chorus Rehearsal: Voices in Harmony
Every Tues. Women singers invited to join a rehearsal of this local 40-member a cappella barbershop harmony chorus. 7–9:30 p.m., UAW Local 898, 8975 Textile, Ypsi. Free to visitors (dues for those who join). (734) 765–3611, [email protected], voicesinharmonychorus.org.
“Long Story Short”: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater
New storytelling event where participants share true, personal stories inspired by a different theme each month. 7:30–8:30 p.m., 2350 W. Liberty. $15 in advance at heardotsay.com/events & $18 (if available) at the door.
Max Pastore
Jazz ensemble led by this Kalamazoo saxophonist.
Lost Mary
Folk-rock & Americana duo from Hillsdale who write story songs heavily influenced by Bob Dylan and Gregory Alan. Free; nonperishable donations for Food Gatherers accepted.