August 2026
Events at a Glance
“Only in Ann Arbor” Event of the Month
Project Grow invites all to compare tastes of heirloom tomato varietals at its Annual Tomato Tasting, County Farm Park on Aug. 23.
Concert Music
classical, religious, cabaret
Haydn’s Paukenmesse sing-along (UMS Choral Union Summer Sings), Aug. 3
Mozart’s Requiem sing-along at EMU (Beyond Choir Summer Sings), Aug. 15
Vernacular Music
pop, rock, jazz, & traditional
4th Annual Bluegrass Jamboree (Webster Township Historical Society), Aug. 1
Hickoids, a rowdy blend of punk and country (Ann Arbor Funhouse), Aug. 3
Sonic Lunch, live music (Bank of Ann Arbor), every Thurs., June 4–Aug. 27
John E. Lawrence Summer Jazz Concert Series, every Fri., July 31–Aug. 28
Bill Kirchen, rockabilly, honky-tonk, blues, and truck-driving songs (The Ark), Aug. 8
George Bedard, local guitar great explores the history of American roots music (The Ark), Aug. 15
Steve Lucky & the Rhumba Bums, swinging jazz standards and driving R&B (Live), Aug. 21
Rodney Crowell, legendary country and country-rock singer-songwriter (The Ark), Aug. 22
Braxton Cook, acclaimed jazz vocalist & multi-instrumentalist (Blue Llama), Aug. 16
“Broken Branch Ranch Breakdown,” one-day music festival, Aug. 22
Mavis Staples, legendary gospel, soul, and R&B diva (Sonic Lunch/Marquee Arts), Aug. 27
Theater, Opera, & Dance
“Emma’s Wedding(s)” comedy-drama (Purple Rose Theatre Company), June 25–Aug. 30
“Athena” drama about teenage girl fencers (Theatre Nova), July 17–Aug. 9
“Gutenberg! The Musical!” musical satire (Penny Seats Theatre), Aug. 7–22
“Southern Rapture,” dark satire (PTD Productions), Aug. 13–16 & 19–22
Dance Showcase, outdoor modern dance at Liberty Plaza (Shape//Matter), Aug. 27 & 28
Comedy, Storytelling, & Performance Art
Zach Peterson, nerdy, off-kilter comic (Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase), Aug. 14 & 15
Henry Cho, veteran “clean” comic (Live Nation/Michigan Theater), Aug. 14
Jimmy Pardo, frequent guest on late-night TV (Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase), Aug. 21 & 22
Festivals, Fairs, & Shows
Ann Arbor Taco Fest, Mexican American cultural festival, July 31–Aug. 2
Ann Arbor Pride, one of Michigan’s largest Pride celebrations, Aug. 1
River Rhythm Music & Arts Festival near Manchester, July 31 & Aug. 1
Dexter Summer Festival, with music, a parade, fireworks, & more, Aug. 7 & 8
Saline Summerfest, with music, a car show, a 5K, & more, Aug. 7 & 8
“Fun Fest 2026” outdoor live jazz & funk in Ypsi (Fundamental Sound Co.), Aug. 8
16th Annual Ton-Up Motorcycle & Music Festival in Ypsi (Café Racer), Aug. 9
“Annual Paint Dexter Plein Air Festival,” painting fest, Aug. 14 & 15
Manchester Community Fair, with a midway, livestock shows, live music, & more, Aug. 18–22
Annual Bonsai Show, show, sale, demos (Ann Arbor Bonsai Society), Aug. 22–23
Chelsea Community Fair, rides, music, a rodeo, tractor pulls, and more, Aug. 25–29
Family & Kids’ Stuff
“Anime Arbor,” talks, costume contests, and more (AADL), Aug. 15
See our Kids Calendar for most kids events.
Lectures, Readings, & Forums
“Finding Gobi: The Inspirational, Heartwarming, & True Story of a Man and His Best Friend” endurance athlete and author Dion Leonard (AADL), Aug. 7
“Grammar Night” with That’s What They Say cohosts (Michigan Public/The Ark), Aug. 12
Miscellaneous
Yoga at the Big House, all-levels yoga session (Citizen Yoga), Aug. 8
“Swim to the Moon” open water swim races (Epic Races), Aug. 16
“Monster Truck Wars” classic monster truck action at Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, Aug. 22