Annual Events

Highlights of Ann Arbor’s yearly calendar. For comprehensive current events, see our Events Calendar.

NOTE: This listing spans two years—always check the year as well as the date.

A2CAF: Small + Indie Press

343 S. Fifth Ave. (Downtown Library)
Free, one-day celebration of small press comics publishing. Exhibitions, workshops, panel discussions, and signings. Note: Due to the content of many independently published books, this event is intended for a teen and adult audience. Offshoot of Ann Arbor Comic Arts Festival (A2CAF; see below). Oct. 5, 2024. aadl.org/a2cafsip V

A2ZERO Week

(734) 794–6430, ext. 43725
Celebrates the City of Ann Arbor’s plan to achieve a just transition to community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030 with classes, open houses, and celebrations. Early June 2025; exact dates TBA. sustainability@a2gov.org, a2gov.org/a2zeroweek V

Ann Arbor Art Fair

Three concurrent, independently juried art fairs with almost 1,000 artists, entertainment stages, artist demonstrations, art activities, and food & drink vendors. The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original (734–994–5260, artfair.org), is on Ingalls Mall, North University, and E. Washington. Ann Arbor’s State Street District Art Fair (734–646–1500, statestreetdistrict.org) is in the business district around State and Liberty. The Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair (734–662–3382, theguild.org) has a downtown section on Main and Liberty and campus sections on S. State and South University. Always held during the third week of July. July 17–19, 2025, Thurs. & Fri. 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–8 p.m. V

Ann Arbor Comic Arts Festival (A2CAF)

343 S. Fifth Ave. (Downtown Library)
Free, two-day celebration of comics and graphic novels and their fandoms. Workshops, art activities, live music, and panel discussions. June 2025; exact dates TBA. aadl.org/a2caf V

Ann Arbor Creativity and Making Expo (AACME)

343 S. Fifth Ave. (Downtown Library)
Free family-friendly showcase of local invention, creativity, and resourcefulness. Exhibits include robotics, radio, rocketry, machines, tools, STEAM & STEM projects, whimsical creations, participatory activities, and more. May 2025; exact date TBA. aadl.org/aacme V

Ann Arbor Film Festival

603 E. Liberty (Michigan Theater) • PO Box 8232, AA 48107 • (734) 995–5356
Founded in 1963, the longest-running independent and experimental film series in North America celebrates film as art with screenings of more than 180 films of all lengths and genres. Also juried competitions, panels, workshops, and multimedia installations. Occurs virtually as well as in person at the Michigan Theater and U-M’s North Quad Space 2435. Mar. 25–30, 2025. info@aafilmfest.org, aafilmfest.org V

Ann Arbor Folk Festival

825 North University (Hill Auditorium) • (734) 761–1800 • Tickets: (734) 763–8587
Two evenings of concerts of roots and acoustic music to benefit the Ark (see Live Music). Features well-known acts along with musicians on the rise. Jan. 24 & 25, 2025. feedback@theark.org, theark.org/folk-festival V

Ann Arbor Jewish Book Festival

2935 Birch Hollow (Jewish Community Center) • (734) 971–0990
In-person presentations, virtual author talks, and lunch-and-learns by national and international authors on a variety of topics. Some events are off-site. Oct. 27–Nov. 21, 2024. jccannarbor.org/book-festival

Ann Arbor Jewish Film Festival

2935 Birch Hollow (Jewish Community Center) • (734) 971–0990
Showcases films that embrace Jewish life socially, culturally, ethically, and spiritually, and that inspire engagement with legacy and heritage. 2025 dates TBA; typically held in May. jccannarbor.org/film-festival

Ann Arbor Pride

Celebrates the diversity of gender identity, sexual orientation, and the LGBTQ+ community. All are welcome. Live music, dancing, food, substance-free spaces and events, family-friendly programming, resource connecting, and other events. Aug. 2025; exact date TBA. annarborpride.com V

Ann Arbor Summer Festival & Top of the Park

915 E. Washington • (734) 994–5999 • Tickets: (734) 764–2538
Champions performing arts, outdoor entertainment, and community spirit by presenting more than 200 events, 97 percent of which are free. Top of the Park, held outdoors on Ingalls Mall, offers free concerts, movies, kids’ activities, wellness classes, open-air spectacles, and local food vendors, starting at 5pm Tues-Sat and 4pm on Sun. The Summer Festival ticketed series features performances by marquee talent in music, public radio, circus, dance, and comedy in a variety of venues. June 13–June 29, 2025. a2sf.org V

Apples and Honey

2935 Birch Hollow (Jewish Community Center) • (734) 971–0990
Annual family event celebrating the Jewish fall holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah. Hands-on crafts, games, and inflatables; snacks, food, and baked goods for purchase; and more. Apple and honey tasting. Open to all. September 15, 2024. peretzhirshbein@jccannarbor.org, jccannarbor.org

Cinetopia International Film Festival (Michigan Theater Foundation)

(734) 668–8397
Founded in 2011, this 10-day festival features dozens of films, including many Michigan premieres, screened at the Michigan and State theaters. Includes narrative feature-length films and documentaries that recently premiered at international festivals such as Sundance and Berlin. In collaboration with the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, presents free outdoor screenings of recent and classic films at Top of the Park. June 2025; exact dates TBA. info@marquee-arts.org, marquee-arts.org/cinetopia V

Con Ja Nai

812 Washington (Modern Languages Bldg.)
Japanese animation and pop culture convention run by Animania, the U-M Japanese Animation Film Society, one of the oldest university anime clubs in the U.S. Film screenings, musical performances, panel talks, and vendors. Spring 2025; see website for exact dates. chair@conjanai.org, conjanai.org

Dawn Farm Jamboree

6633 Stony Creek • (734) 485–8725
Family-friendly event with activities for all ages: music and entertainment, live and silent auctions, children’s games and activities, hayrides, farm animals, pumpkin patch, and local food. All proceeds support Dawn Farm’s scholarship fund for people with addictions. Free admission. Sept. 8, 2024. donation@dawnfarm.org, dawnfarm.org V

Earth Day Festival

1831 Traver (Leslie Science & Nature Center) • (734) 995–5439
Free, family-friendly environmental celebration with displays from local nonprofits; live entertainment; hands-on activities; presentations on wind energy, water, green building, and sustainable agriculture; and more. Participants are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles to this zero-waste event. April 2025; exact date TBA. V

FestiFools and FoolMoon

FoolMoon, a community-created public art celebration featuring hand-made luminary sculptures. FestiFools, a public art parade down Main St. featuring huge papier-mâché puppets around an annual theme. FoolMoon: April 4, 2025, dusk–midnight. FestiFools: April 6, 2025, 4 p.m. joolie@umich.edu V

German Park Picnic

5549 Pontiac Tr. • (734) 769–0048
Old-fashioned German dinner served à la carte (approximately $10–$15) with wine, beer, pop, water, and coffee for sale. Kid-friendly options (hot dogs, hamburgers) also available. Dancing to live German polkas and other European dance music. Last Sat. June–Aug. germanpark.org

Hash Bash

U-M Diag
An Ann Arbor tradition since 1972, a celebration of cannabis and advocacy for reform of marijuana laws. The simultaneous Monroe St. Fair features live music, vendors, food, and more. First weekend of April. hash-bash.com

Huron River Day

3000 Fuller (Gallup Park) • (734) 794–6240
Free, family-friendly river activities, including exhibits, live music, food vendors, fishing, nature walks, live animals from Leslie Science & Nature Center, and a children’s scavenger hunt. Also discounted canoe and kayak rentals ($5, or free if you bike to the event). May 2025; exact date TBA. a2gov.org/hrd V

Juneteenth

200 Depot (Wheeler Park) • (734) 761–9084
Commemorates the announcement of the end of slavery in Texas and the Southwest on June 19, 1865. Performances by local talent, games, health and nonprofit information, food concessions, vendors, cake walk, a children’s area, and free bicycle repairs. June 2025; exact date TBA. wvhamp@comcast.net, a2naacp.org V

Michigan Celtic

5055 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd
This summer celebration of Saline’s sister city, Brecon, Wales, features food, beer, and clan tents, kids activities, and Celtic music and dance on several stages by visiting and local performers. July 2025; exact dates TBA. mi-celtic.org V

Shakespeare in the Arb

1610 Washington Heights (Nichols Arboretum) • (734) 647–7600
University students and local actors in an alfresco production of a Shakespeare play that moves through various settings in the Arb. 2025 dates TBA; typically held in late June. mbgna.umich.edu/shakespeare-in-the-arb V

Sonic Lunch

310 S. Division (Liberty Plaza)
Free, all-ages summer concerts presented by the Bank of Ann Arbor. A different band performs each week; many are regional, and some are national or international. Lunch from a local vendor available for purchase. Memorial Day–Labor Day, Thurs. 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. soniclunch.com

Ya’ssoo Greek Festival

3109 Scio Church Rd. (St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church) • (734) 332–8200
Live Greek music, St. Nicholas Dancers, Agora Marketplace, Kids Zone, bookstore, church presentations, raffle with prizes donated by local businesses, and homemade Greek food and pastries. June 6–8, 2025. annarborgreekfestival.org V