• Free
    Observer Editor

    Tattoo Art Fest: Ann Arbor District Library

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    A day of talks and painting demos by local tattoo artists, along with a vendor fair with merchandise and art in a variety of mediums. For a complete schedule see aadl.org/tattooart. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free. (734) 327–4200. 

  • Observer Editor

    Sunday Artisan Market

    Sunday Artisan Market
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    Every Sun. Juried market of local handmade arts & crafts, now in its 35th year. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Kerrytown Farmers Market pavilion. Free admission. (734) 913–9622.

  • Observer Editor

    Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards

    Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards
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    Every Wed.–Sun. A carnival atmosphere with a variety of family-oriented fall activities on this family farm, including wagon rides, a petting farm, a corn maze, and more. For an extra charge on Sat. & Sun., an apple cannon, paintball, apple or pumpkin picking, and other activities available. Cider & donuts available. Also, on Oct. 3 & 4, local artisans & crafters sell their items at the Craft Show Weekend, and on Oct. 24, young entrepreneurs sell homemade items at the Kids Market (noon–4 p.m.). No pets. 11 a.m.–6 p.m., 5565 Merritt (east of Carpenter), Ypsi. Weekend admission: $27.50 (babies under 2, free). Weekday admission: $18 (babies under 2, free), online only at wiards.com. (734) 482–7744.

  • Observer Editor

    Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms

    Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms
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    Every Fri.–Sun. A large corn maze with 3.5 miles of trails and 3 exits. Also, a u-pick pumpkin patch, hayrides, petting zoo, pedal cars, straw maze, and yard games. The corn maze is illuminated and guests get a free glow stick on Glow Maze Nights (Oct. 9, 16, & 23, 5–9 p.m.). On All You Can Carry Pumpkin Day (Oct. 25, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.), for $10 you can purchase all the pumpkins you can successfully stack and carry down the lane. On Pumpkin Smash Day (Oct. 30, 5–9 p.m.), each guest receives a free pumpkin to smash, which is then composted or fed to the farm’s animals. Costumes encouraged for the Halloween Spooktacular (Oct. 31, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.). 5–9 p.m (Fri.), 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (Sat.), 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (Sun.). 6175 Daly, Dexter. $16 (ages 5–12, $13; age 4 & under, free with adult admission). blastcornmaze.com.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Regattas: U-M Sailing Club

    Regattas: U-M Sailing Club
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    Oct. 4 & 25. All invited to watch club members and any others who want to enter their own boats in a (free) race. Oct. 4: Sunfish Regatta features small, nimble sailing dinghies. Oct. 25: Bone Chiller Regatta is open to all classes of sailboats up to 20 feet. Crews are often hamming it up in costume. 11:30 a.m. (Oct. 4) & 11 a.m. (Oct. 25), Baseline Lake, 8010 Strawberry Lake Rd. Free. (734) 426–0920. 

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    U-M Field Hockey

    U-M Field Hockey
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    Match vs. Iowa. The U-M also has home matches this month against Northwestern (Oct. 4, noon), Maryland (Oct. 9, 4 p.m.), Monmouth (Oct. 11, 11 a.m.), and Ohio State (Oct. 30, 5 p.m.). 5 p.m., Ocker Field, 1202 S. State. Free. (734) 764–0247, mgoblue.com.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    “Harvest Time at the Farm”: Saline Area Historical Society

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    Farm tours and pumpkin painting on this century-old family sheep farm, now a museum. The touring student fiddle ensemble Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic plays at 1 p.m. Noon–3 p.m., Rentschler Farm, 1265 E. Michigan Ave., Saline. Free, donations appreciated. (734) 944–0442. 

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Sustainability Fair: Scio Township

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    All invited to check out displays of alternative-fuel vehicles, try e-bikes, see a worm composting tower at work, and talk to ecology experts. Also, hands-on activities for kids. Noon–3:30 p.m., Meijer parking lot, 5645 Jackson. Free. sciotownshipmi.gov.

  • Observer Editor

    “Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy

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    Fri. Oct. 2 & 16 and every Sat. & Sun. (See review) During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers show some animals that live in the rainforest, including a two-toed sloth, a Dumeril’s boa, an iguana, and a red-footed tortoise at 7:30 p.m. On Sat. & Sun., staffers show a two-toed sloth, a Dumeril’s boa, and an iguana at 1 & 4 p.m., and a red-footed tortoise at 2 & 3 p.m. All tickets include a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. 7–9 p.m. (Fri.) and 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.

  • Observer Editor

    Historic Home Tour: Ypsilanti Heritage Foundation

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    Guided architectural tour of 6 historic southside Ypsi houses and the elegant downtown Ypsi District Library, built in 1915 as a Carnegie post office. VIP ticket includes refreshments and a tour of the restored C. King & Co. Cafe building. Noon–5 p.m., 402 S. Washington, Ypsi. $30 (VIP ticket, $65) in advance at bit.ly/ypsihist-10-4-26 & (if available) at the door. (734) 845–7024, [email protected]. 

  • Observer Editor

    “Refugia Festival”: U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens/Nichols Arboretum

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    This family-friendly festival celebrating sonic and environmental beauty includes a tree tour (12:50 p.m.), pollinator talks (1:25 & 2:35 p.m.), and “What’s That Sound?!” (3:30 p.m.), a talk about natural sounds by EMU biology professor Julie Reinhardt. Also, live performances by dancer Kaitlyn Wilson (12:15 p.m.), electroacoustic musician Alex Wand, cellist Katri Ervamaa, and performance artist Jessica Hemingway (1:40 p.m.), group movement and performance art by Embodied Ecologies (3 p.m.), and electroacoustic new music ensemble the Soft Knee Collective (4:10 p.m.). Bring something to sit on. Food vendors. Noon–6 p.m., Nichols Arboretum peony garden entrance at 1610 Washington Hgts. Pay what you can in advance or at the gate ($10–$20 suggested). refugiafestival.com. 

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Open Board Games: Sylvan Factory

    Open Board Games: Sylvan Factory
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    Every Sun. All invited to play one of a wide variety of board games in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Instruction provided. Also, on Oct. 4, game playtesting with Michigame Design Lab (2 p.m.), during which players are invited to try out new board & card games from local designers Bruce Bielawa & Joe Hopkins and provide feedback. Noon–6 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. Free. sylvanfactory.com. 

  • Community Listing
    Free

    Prior Art: OHMHA Fall Festival

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    At Thurston Pond next to OHAC Pool, 2300 Yorktown Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105

    Oct 4 2026, Sunday, 1-3 PM: Prior Art appears at the Orchard Hills – Maplewood Homeowners Association (OHMHA) Fall Festival. Local rock band playing a mix of 60’s – 90’s rock covers and originals. Prior Art is Vocalist Rachel Arnsdorf, Alan Balkany on Guitar, Ryan Matthews on Bass, Alan Warmanen on Vocals & Drums, and Doug Wochna on vocals/sax/keys.

    Past OHMHA Fall Festivals included displays of a Fire Engine and a Police car, displays of animals from the Leslie Science Center, Face Painting, musical performances, donuts and cider.
    Cost: Free, but donations to the tip jar are appreciated

    Priorartband.com

    Free
  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Drop-in Knitting: Spun

    Drop-in Knitting: Spun
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    Every Sun.–Thurs. (different times). All invited to work on their knitting, crochet, weaving, and embroidery projects. 6–8 p.m. (Mon.–Thurs.) & 1–3 p.m. (Sun.), 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867. 

  • Observer Editor

    U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater

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    Every Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. T. Rex (noon) describes the iconic dinosaur’s scientific and cinematic history (includes scenes of dinosaur violence); The Sky Tonight (1 & 3 p.m.) explores the current night sky, with tips on how to find the cardinal directions, constellations, and planets on your own; and Tales of the Maya Skies (2 p.m.) immerses viewers in the wonders of Mayan science, examining how Mayan scholars developed a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, architecture, and mathematics. Noon, 1, 2, & 3 p.m., 1105 North University. $9 at the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0480, ummnh.org.

  • Free
    Observer Editor

    Tour: Kempf House Museum

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    Guided tours of this restored 19th-century Greek revival home, named for the family of German American musicians who occupied it circa 1900. 1–4 p.m., 312 S. Division. Free, donations accepted. (734) 994–4898, kempfhousemuseum.org.