After a long Michigan winter, the arrival of spring is celebrated across the state with fun community festivals.
From food and flowers to music and craft beer, these lively events welcome warmer weather and new beginnings. Whether you want to embrace local food, culture, or nature, spring offers a packed festival calendar.
In this guide, I’ll share my favorite can’t-miss spring festivals in Michigan that capture the spirit of the season. With blooming landscapes as a backdrop, get ready to chase waterfalls, eat donuts, ride carnival rides, and make new memories at these festive spring hotspots. Please join Let’s save Michigan to learn more through this article.
1. Marvel at 5 Million Tulips during Holland’s Tulip Time Festival
Nothing says “spring” in Michigan quite like millions of colorful tulips blooming in Holland each May. Their annual Tulip Time Festival draws huge crowds to view stunning floral displays and celebrate Dutch culture.
This beloved event started in 1929 when a high school biology teacher proposed planting tulips across town to celebrate its Dutch heritage. Today over 5 million tulips burst into bloom, transforming Holland into a vibrant palette of reds, oranges, yellows, whites, pinks, and purples.
Walk or bike Tulip Lanes to admire the intricate patterns of massed tulip beds. Buy tickets in advance for Tulip Time’s showcase garden – Windmill Island Gardens featuring nearly 100,000 flowers.
Don’t miss the Dutch dances, crafts, concerts, carnival rides, and parades where locals don traditional costumes. Sample Dutch treats like oliebollen doughnuts, or a savory soup called snert. With vivid flowers as far as you can see, Holland’s Tulip Time Festival puts on a sensational spring display.
2. Celebrate Spring’s Arrival at Detroit’s Marche du Nain Rouge
This quirky Detroit festival based on local folklore celebrates the official end of winter, when a small red imp known as the Nain Rouge is symbolically banished from city limits.
Legend says he appears annually before disaster strikes Detroit. The late March parade begins with participants dressed in costumes, wigs and funky hats.
Marching bands, dance troupes and giant puppets proceed through Cass Corridor to kick the Nain Rouge out in theatric style. Enjoy after parties with revelry, music and food. A fun way to welcome spring’s arrival!
3. See Baby Farm Animals at the Blossomtime Festival
Each spring, the city of Benton Harbor on Michigan’s west side celebrates the “Blossomtime Festival” with parades, concerts, craft shows, and a showcase of local fruit orchards.
One sweet highlight is their “Baby Farm Animal Days” where kids can greet adorable baby goats, chicks, ducks, piglets, calves, and bunnies. Gentle enough for even toddlers to pet, the babies are typically just days or weeks old.
Beyond meeting fuzzy babies, you can catch picturesque Blossomtime parades with flower-covered floats. Don’t miss the carnival, antique tractor show, 5K races, and live music.
Sample treats like homemade ice cream and fudge, turkey legs, elephant ears, and mini doughnuts. Enjoy the sights of spring against the beautiful backdrop of southwest Michigan’s orchards and vineyards. It’s an ideal family getaway just over 2 hours from Chicago.
4. Celebrate Michigan Wine at the Great Lakes Wine Festival
Wine lovers rejoice – Michigan’s scenic Traverse City hosts the annual Great Lakes Wine Festival each May at the Grand Traverse Resort.
Sample wines from dozens of Michigan wineries, most located in the surrounding northwest region famous for Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and ice wine. Chat with winemakers while tasting Cabernets, Merlots, Sauvignon Blancs and more. I love strolling the sunny grounds between tasting tents, with live music and food vendors.
Back at home, purchase your favorites by the glass or bottle in the Grand Traverse Resort’s sprawling retail shop. Don’t miss the sparkling wine tasting seminar – I still recall the year they sabered open bottles with a sword!
With elevated tasting experiences among beautiful spring scenery, this festival celebrates the diversity and acclaim of Michigan wintery. Novices and experts alike will find pours suited to every palate.
5. Celebrate the Maple Season in Shepherd
Few festivals capture the essence of spring in Michigan better than maple syrup festivals. Shepherd hosts an excellent one in late April each year, set against the colorful backdrop of maple trees growing in town.
Like all good sap celebrations, it kicks off with a pancake breakfast featuring just-made syrup. Kids love touring the sugar shack to see steaming evaporators and learn how sap gets turned into sweet syrup. Outside, find craft vendors, food trucks, live music, and activities like horse-drawn wagon rides.
I look forward every year to sampling classic maple confections like maple cream and candy. Before leaving, I stock up on bottles of syrup made on-site to enjoy year-round.
With demonstrations, family activities, and delicious maple treats, this free festival makes an ideal spring outing. Don’t forget to try your hand at tapping a tree!
6. Immerse Yourself in Bluegrass Music at Snowfest
For lively bluegrass entertainment, head to the Frankenmuth SnowFest each February. While the name implies winter, live music fills the town with warmth as spring nears.
Nationally-known bluegrass groups take the stage for afternoon and evening concerts Friday through Sunday. Expect plenty of banjo and fiddle punctuated by country vocals. When your feet get to tapping, head to the dance floor!
In between shows, enjoy local food like bratwurst and cheese spreads. Browse the juried craft show featuring Americana and vintage finds.
Kids love rides like camel and pony rides. And yes, snow and ice sculptures still decorate Frankenmuth if winter lingers into spring. With toe-tapping concerts and old-fashioned fun, SnowFest delivers a festive break from cabin fever.
7. Celebrate Cinema at the Traverse City Film Festival
Cinephiles flock north each April for the Traverse City Film Festival, where over 100 independent films screen in downtown venues.
Created by filmmaker Michael Moore to highlight documentaries, foreign films and indies, the spring festival includes Q&As, parties, and lectures. Attend after the frenzy of bigger events like Sundance or SXSW. The charming small town setting amid cherry orchards provides a scenic cinematic spring escape.
8. Thrill to Extreme Sports at the Novi Half Marathon and 5K
Michigan’s largest half marathon occurs each May at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. Beyond 13.1 miles of paved running, the festival features extreme demos and races to pump up adrenaline.
Watch professional athletes flip bikes 30 feet high and brave 60 foot aerial ramps for mountain bike stunt shows. Try battling inflatable gladiator courses or zooming down extreme 5-story slides yourself!
With live music and a craft beer tent too, this huge running festival offers thrills for athletes and spectators alike.
9. Tap Your Toes at Frankenmuth’s Bavarian Fest
Transport yourself to Bavaria without leaving Michigan during Frankenmuth’s annual Bavarian Festival. As spring arrives each May, this German-settled town celebrates its heritage with oompah music, traditional costumes, dancing, and food.
Listen to talented musicians playing concertina, alpenhorn, and other instruments as German vocalists sing traditional songs. In between live shows, browse the craft market for European imports. Let the kids expend energy at carnival rides and games.
And of course, sample German food like schnitzel, sauerbraten, spaetzle and strudel! Dancing is encouraged, so grab a partner and polka across the dance floors. With gemütlichkeit spirit, the Bavarian Festival is a welcome taste of spring.
10. Celebrate Polish Culture at Wyandotte’s Polka Festival
Residents of Wyandotte, known locally as “Little Bavaria”, celebrate their Polish roots each May during Yacht Club Wyandotte’s Polka Festival. Hop aboard the city’s musical trolley to visit four polka halls with continuous live music, dancing, and Polish fare.
Or attend the evening Polka Parade on Biddle Avenue featuring costumes, instruments, classic cars and floats. With a tug-of-war, carnival rides, craft vendors and more, this lively event embraces Wyandotte’s heritage.
11. Celebrate Michigan’s Craft Beer at Detroit’s Batch Brewing Company
Beer lovers rejoice – Detroit’s Batch Brewing Company hosts an exceptional spring beer festival each May focused on Michigan brews. Sample over 100 beers from 50+ Michigan craft breweries, both new and established.
Past participants included Atwater, Founders, Odd Side Ales, Blackrocks and Saugatuck as well as hyper-local nano and microbreweries. Edibles like pizza, hot dogs, and ice cream pair perfectly with the brews.
Enthusiastic brewers are on hand to answer questions and discuss their latest concoctions – juicy IPAs, crisp lagers, malty stouts, and unique sours. Food trucks and live music round out the festive atmosphere.
With deep pride in their state, Batch’s festival celebrates Michigan’s dynamic craft beer scene each spring. The affordable tickets make for a budget-friendly beer tasting. Prost!
12. Salute the Mushroom Hunters at Mesick Mushroom Festival
Each May, the small town of Mesick pays tribute to mushroom hunters during their annual Mushroom Festival. Located in Michigan’s forested northwest region filled with morels, the weekend celebrates these treasured spring edibles.
Events include guided mushroom hikes, cooking demos, sales of fresh morels, a mushroom recipe contest, and the fungal feast known as the Mesick Mushroom Meal.
Kids enjoy carnival rides, while live music sets the scene. With foraging workshops and celebrations of a beloved Michigan pastime, this quirky festival is a one-of-a-kind spring tradition.
13. Admire Artistry at the Tulipanes Latino Art & Film Festival
Grand Rapids’ annual Tulipanes Latino Art & Film Festival each April showcases Hispanic culture through visual arts, dance, food, and film. Events are scattered at venues across the city, including the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts.
Marvel at colorful paintings, prints, photography exhibits and short film screenings by Latino artists. Enjoy Latino cuisine and dance lessons too. As spring blooms, this diverse festival highlights talented creators and cultural traditions.
14. Immerse Yourself at Middle Eastern Festival of Grand Rapids
For a taste of Middle Eastern culture, attend Grand Rapids’ annual Middle Eastern Festival each May. Family-friendly activities demonstrate Arabic traditions and crafts, while live music and dance performances fill three stages.
Vendors serve classic fare like shawarma, hummus, falafel, tabbouleh and baklava. With cultural exhibits, shopping bazaar, and Egyptian cafe, this free fest allows you to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and flavors of the Middle East.
15. Celebrate Cinema at the Garden Theater Film Festival
Film buffs flock to Frankfort each April for the Garden Theater Film Festival which screens new independent documentaries and narrative shorts.
The charming coastal town’s historic Garden Theater, built in 1941, provides a scenic backdrop for cinematic arts. Mingle at after parties with visiting filmmakers.
Additional activities include Q&As, writing workshops, live music, food, and pop-up art galleries. A cinephile’s springtime delight on Lake Michigan’s scenic shores.
16. Celebrate the Start of Summer at Michigan Adventure Opening Day – Spring Festivals in Michigan
For many Michigan families, attending opening day at Michigan Adventure amusement park is a rite of spring. After months of winter, the park opens seasonally in mid-May to welcome summer.
Enjoy short lines on roller coasters like Shivering Timbers and Thunderhawk, then hit less busy rides families often avoid during summer crowds. Park days are longer too in spring with some daylight hours remaining after school.
Look for special openings entertainment like characters, high school bands, and giveaways. Food options range from funnel cakes to Wood Fire Grilled Pizza for a meal break.
With discounted preseason ticket deals, opening day makes for an affordable spring thrill before big summer crowds arrive. I wouldn’t miss it!
From flowers and baby animals to rides and brews, Michigan’s spring festivals usher in warmer weather with community celebrations statewide.
With activity ideas and helpful planning details, this guide features memorable ways to welcome another Michigan spring. Just don’t forget your sunscreen and dancing shoes!
