The Metro-Detroit area comes alive in October with fall festivals, Halloween activities and football. Whether your pleasure is spooks or sports, there is something for everyone this month. To help you schedule your activities, here is a list of Metro-Detroit Events and Things to Do in October.
If you are looking ahead to November and beyond, check out the Yearly Calendar of Events for Metro Detroit.
If you are looking ahead to November and beyond, check out the Yearly Calendar of Events for Metro Detroit.
Halloween Guide
Photo Courtesy: © 2008, Richard Thompson
When: End of September throughout October
Where: Throughout the Metro-Detroit area
Detroit takes its Halloween holiday VERY seriously. In fact, the month of October is pretty much given over to all things that go bump in the night. The Halloween Guide sets out all there is to do or see in the Metro-Detroit area, including where to find Halloween stores, ghost tours, haunted houses, corn mazes and family attractions. There is also information about local legends, ghost-hunting organizations and history of Devil's Night.
Where: Throughout the Metro-Detroit area
Detroit takes its Halloween holiday VERY seriously. In fact, the month of October is pretty much given over to all things that go bump in the night. The Halloween Guide sets out all there is to do or see in the Metro-Detroit area, including where to find Halloween stores, ghost tours, haunted houses, corn mazes and family attractions. There is also information about local legends, ghost-hunting organizations and history of Devil's Night.
Cider Mills
Photo © Laura Sternberg, Licensed to About.com
When: September through Thanksgiving Weekend
Where: Throughout the Metro-Detroit area and beyond
The Metro-Detroit area is rife with cider mills. In fact, fresh cider, apple pies and piping-hot donuts mark the beginning of fall in the area. Of course the hayrides, pumpkin picking and petting farms will help you work off the extra calories.
Where: Throughout the Metro-Detroit area and beyond
The Metro-Detroit area is rife with cider mills. In fact, fresh cider, apple pies and piping-hot donuts mark the beginning of fall in the area. Of course the hayrides, pumpkin picking and petting farms will help you work off the extra calories.
Michigan Renaissance Festival
Photo © Wigwam Jones
When: Weekends and Labor Day Weekend from 8/22/09 through 10/4/09
Where: Holly
At Michigan's Renaissance Festival, you get to eat an enormous turkey leg, let loose a cat call to passing crowds, watch a joust and generally get saucy as you go back in time to the Elizabethan era -- more or less -- and experience life among the peasantry. The permanent buildings help aid the fair's directors in creating the illusion of 16th century England; and jugglers, comedians and sword swallowers help set the mood by providing their own unique brand of entertainment. Of course, certain events on theme weekends might reflect a slightly different era or culture, such as the Bagpipe Blowout, Knights on Bikes or the Middle Eastern dance competition.
Where: Holly
At Michigan's Renaissance Festival, you get to eat an enormous turkey leg, let loose a cat call to passing crowds, watch a joust and generally get saucy as you go back in time to the Elizabethan era -- more or less -- and experience life among the peasantry. The permanent buildings help aid the fair's directors in creating the illusion of 16th century England; and jugglers, comedians and sword swallowers help set the mood by providing their own unique brand of entertainment. Of course, certain events on theme weekends might reflect a slightly different era or culture, such as the Bagpipe Blowout, Knights on Bikes or the Middle Eastern dance competition.
Motor City Blues & Boogie Woogie Festival
Photograph by John Collier, © American Music Research Foundation
When: 10/2/09 through 10/3/09
Where: Callahan's Neighborhood Bar & Grill, Auburn Hills
Now in its 11th year, the Motor City Blues & Boogie Woogie Festival features music by Jason D. Williams and the Kelly Hunt Band. The event promises several kinds of music, including rockabilly, jazz, gospel, boogie woogie, blues, r&b and rock 'n' roll. It is sponsored by the American Music Research Foundation (AMRF) and tickets are $25 per person.
Where: Callahan's Neighborhood Bar & Grill, Auburn Hills
Now in its 11th year, the Motor City Blues & Boogie Woogie Festival features music by Jason D. Williams and the Kelly Hunt Band. The event promises several kinds of music, including rockabilly, jazz, gospel, boogie woogie, blues, r&b and rock 'n' roll. It is sponsored by the American Music Research Foundation (AMRF) and tickets are $25 per person.
CRUSH Birmingham 2009 Food & Wine Classic
When: 10/3/09Where: The Townsend Hotel, Birmingham
The Food & Wine Classic is a tasting event created by wine experts and culinary masters. The event will benefit the Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan. Several Metro-Detroit area chefs will be participating, including the executive chefs of Coach Insignia and Westin Book Cadillac. The event also features several Master Sommeliers, including Ron Edwards and Wayne Belding. A CRUSH After Hours event follows the taste with music and dancing. Tickets that include both the taste and the after-hours event are $250.
Chinese Moon Festival
When: 10/3/09Where: Heritage Park, Canton
The event includes a re-enactment of a traditional Chinese love story, Moon cakes and Chinese music.
Walk to Defeat ALS
When: 10/3/09Where: Belle Isle
The three-mile Walk to Defeat ALS will raise funds to benefit the ALS Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those individuals afflicted with Lou Gehrig's Disease and funding research toward finding a cure.
Great Lakes Regional Chili Cook-off and Harley Davidson Motorcycle Show
When: 10/4/09Where: Downtown Plymouth
In its 14th year, Plymouth's annual chili cook-off keeps getting bigger, better and more discriminating. In 2009, winners of the Great Lakes Regional Chili Cook-off will continue on to compete at the International Chili Society World Championship. Area restaurants will also compete in their own chili cook-off challenge. The event is partnered with the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Show, which includes two "Chili Rides" to downtown Plymouth and the 17-category bike show. Proceeds from both events will benefit local charities.
Northville Oktoberfest
When: 10/9/09 through 10/10/09
Where: Five Mile and Beck Roads, Northville
For the fourth year in a row, Northville hosts a fall celebration that includes a hay-bale maze, classic car show, inflatable rides, music and food. There will also be a beer tent ($5 admission) and lots of entertainment, including Bavarian Dancers and polka bands.
Where: Five Mile and Beck Roads, Northville
For the fourth year in a row, Northville hosts a fall celebration that includes a hay-bale maze, classic car show, inflatable rides, music and food. There will also be a beer tent ($5 admission) and lots of entertainment, including Bavarian Dancers and polka bands.
Edgefest
When: 10/14/09 through 10/17/09Where: Kerrytown Concert House, Ann Arbor
In its 13th year, Edgefest celebrates Reeds of Change. In other words, the festival will focus on reed instruments in 2009. Both international and local musicians are schedule to perform, including Jason Stein's Locksmith Isidore, Positive Knowledge, Hamster Theatre and Brad Shepik's Quintet. The festival includes workshops, discussions and Fringe (free, open-to-the-public) performances at area restaurants and galleries. A parade scheduled on October 17th will include artists and musicians. Members of the public are welcome to pick up an instrument and join in the procession.
