October 2026
Events at a Glance
“Only in Ann Arbor” Event of the Month
The U-M School of Music’s boisterous annual Halloween Concert on Oct. 31 features the two U-M orchestras hamming it up in costume while performing such ghoulish works as Saint-Saëns’ Danse Macabre to an audience that is largely in costume as well.
Concert Music
classical, religious, cabaret
Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra performs Copland, Tchaikovsky, and more, 11 Sun.
The Immortal Khazntes, women performing traditional cantorial music, 13 Tues.
Bruce Liu, renowned Canadian pianist (University Musical Society), 28 Wed.
Band-O-Rama (U-M Music School. The U-M Symphony Band, Concert Band, and Michigan Marching Band celebrate U-M Homecoming, 25 Sun.
Vernacular Music
pop, rock, jazz, & traditional
Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers, improvisational rock and roll at Hill (University Musical Society), 2 Fri.
Martin Sexton, veteran Boston singer-songwriter (The Ark), 8 Thurs.
Samara Joy, acclaimed jazz vocalist (University Musical Society), 9 Fri.
Joshua Redman Quartet, jazz ensemble led by star saxophonist Redman (Blue Llama), 11 Sun.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd, blues guitar virtuoso (Michigan Theater), 14 Wed.
Lupida Infante y Su Mariachi, modern mariachi (University Musical Society), 17 Sat.
Bonnie “Prince” Billy, idiosyncratic indie folk singer-songwriter (The Ark), 19 Mon.
Richard Shindell, veteran folk-rock singer-songwriter (JD’s Stage), 21 Wed.
The Tallest Man on Earth, stage name of acclaimed Swedish singer-songwriter Kristian Matsson (The Ark), 24 Sat. & 25 Sun.
Red Leather, alt-country singer-songwriter from Reno (Blind Pig), 18 Sun.
Steve Nelson, acclaimed vibraphonist and marimba player, with members of the Kzoo Jazz Collective (Blue Llama), 28 Wed.
Theater, Opera, & Dance
“Bastard,” Devin Scillian’s family comedy-drama (Purple Rose Theatre Company), Sept. 24 Thurs.–Dec. 20 Sun.
Shamel Pitts Tribe, Afrofuturism-inspired dance (University Musical Society), 3 Sat. & 4 Sun.
“Sister Act” musical comedy (Encore Musical Theatre Company). Thurs.–Sun., 8 Thurs.–18 Sun.
“Come from Away” upbeat musical (U-M Musical Theater Dept.), 8 Thurs.–18 Sun.
“The Rose Sonata” dance collaboration (University Musical Society) 23 Fri. & 24 Sat.
Comedy, Storytelling, & Performance Art
Anthony Jeselnik, twisted, insightful comedian (Michigan Theater), 9 Fri.
Beth Stelling, cool-girl comic with sharply observed jokes (Blind Pig), 16 Fri.
Alex Edelman, playful, daring stand-up (Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor), 25 Sun
Festivals, Fairs, & Shows
30th Annual Edgefest, jazz/avant music (Kerrytown Concert House), 7 Wed.–10 Sat.
“A2 Artoberfest” juried art fair (Guild of Artists & Artisans), 10 Sat. & 11 Sun.
Annual CDL Song Fest 2026, with Fountains of Wayne’s Chris Collingwood (Chelsea District Library), 16 Fri.
Family & Kids’ Stuff
“Trick or Treat on the River,” candy collection in costume by boat on the Huron (Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation), 11 Sun.
2026 AADL Halloween Celebration (Ann Arbor District Library), 25 Sun.
See our Kids Calendar for most kids events.
Lectures, Readings, & Forums
“Hollow Bones,” novelist Jodi Picoult on her new family drama (Schuler Books), 7 Wed.
“The DOJ and Threats to the Press” reporters Eric Schmitt and Gabe Rottman (U-M Wallace House Center for Journalists), 7 Wed.
Poet Jaswinder Bolina (U-M English Department Zell Visiting Writers Series), 8 Thurs.
Michigan Secretary of State Debate (U-M Ford School of Public Policy), 8 Thurs.
“The Supreme Court’s Biggest Decisions 2025-26” U-M law professor Leah Litman (American Constitution Society MI Chapter), 22 Thurs
“America at 250: History, Memory, and Truth” Smithsonian Institution secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III (U-M Institute for the Humanities), 28 Wed.
“Animation, It’s Alive!” Award-winning character animator James Baxter (U-M Penny Stamps Speaker Series), 29 Thurs.
“The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse,” New Zealand novelist Heather Morris (Literati Bookstore), 29 Thurs.
Miscellaneous
“Re-Opening Celebration Weekend” (U-M Museum of Art), 10 Sat. & 11 Sun.
“Run Scream Run” 5K, 10K, and mile runs through Wiard’s Orchards and Rolling Hills Park (Running Fit), 31 Sat.