“By all these lovely tokens September days are here. With summer’s best of weather and autumn’s best of cheer.”

— Helen Hunt Jackson

The month of September offers the best of both worlds, combining the pleasant weather of summer with the magic of fall. And we’re celebrating it all at the many events happening this September in the Ann Arbor area! We’re talking flea markets, harvest festivals, 5Ks, an Oktoberfest celebration, and more. Make this a September to remember!

Jump Ahead:

Arts + Culture | Community Celebrations | Sports | Food + Drink

 

Arts + Culture

Outdoor Vintage Flea Market | Ypsilanti

Where: Ypsilanti Freighthouse Parking Lot

When: September 4, 11 + 25

The Outdoor Vintage Flea Market is popping up in Ypsilanti’s Depot Town in front of the historic Freighthouse on three separate Sundays in September! Ypsilanti has some of the best vintage shops and sellers in Southeast Michigan and you can shop them all at this much-anticipated event. Peruse genuine vintage items ranging from the early 1930s to the 1990s — clothing, jewelry, furniture, records and more!

 

Ann Arbor Pride | Ann Arbor

Where: Wheeler Park

When: September 11

First celebrated in 1995, Ann Arbor Pride, which was previously known as OUTfest, is a festival celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. Hosted by the Jim Toy Community Center, this all-day event includes live entertainment, vendors, a Kid Zone, and more, all focused on community, fun and of course, pride! This year, the event is returning to Wheeler Park, where it took place prior to the pandemic. Follow the Ann Arbor Pride Facebook page for more details as the event gets closer!

 

Finders Keepers Vintage Market | Chelsea

Where: Chelsea Community Fairgrounds

When: September 18

Finders Keepers Vintage Market hosts 13 markets all throughout Ohio and Michigan — including one just down the road in Chelsea. Spend the day shopping local boutiques, upscale hand-made farmhouse decor, mid-century modern furniture, delicious sweets, salvaged finds, jewelry, organic products and more. There will also be live music and food trucks! Admission costs $5.

 

Community Celebrations

Saline Community Fair | Saline

Where: Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds

When: August 31–September 4

Rounding out the summer, the Saline Community Fair provides several days of fun for local families. Events include tractor pulls, rodeos, a demo derby, carnival rides, animal shows, a car and tractor show, educational exhibits, and much more! Check out the fair schedule to see what’s in store the day you’re planning on going.

 

Plymouth Fall Festival | Plymouth

Where: Downtown Plymouth

When: September 9–11

Welcome the new season at the Plymouth Fall Festival taking place in the heart of downtown Plymouth. This family-friendly event is committed to providing an opportunity for non-profit community organizations to fundraise and continue the amazing work they are doing! Over the course of three days, enjoy Bingo, a craft show, a car show, carnival rides, a Rotary BBQ chicken dinner, live music, a pancake breakfast, a pet show, and much more.

 

U-M Earthfest | Ann Arbor

Where: The University of Michigan Diag

When: September 22

The University of Michigan’s biggest sustainability and environmental event is back for 2022! Earthfest celebrates sustainability initiatives across U-M and the surrounding communities, all while providing an inclusive platform to educate and engage the campus community on opportunities to support sustainability and environmental justice on campus and in our daily lives.

 

Webster Fall Festival | Dexter

Where: Webster United Church of Christ

When: September 24

Co-hosted by the Webster United Church of Christ and the Webster Township Historical Society, the Webster Fall Festival is a family-friendly community event focused on all the things we love about fall! There is something for everyone, including hay rides, music, crafters, an auction, a pet zoo, a children’s carnival, food, displays of antique equipment, historical buildings, baked goods and preserves, demonstrations, and much more. This event is completely free to attend!

 

Harvest Fest at Matthaei Botanical Gardens | Ann Arbor

Where: U-M Campus Farm

When: September 25

The Harvest Fest is a much-anticipated tradition for the university each fall — and the entire Ann Arbor community is invited to join the fun! The festival takes place at the Campus Farm at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the many student-powered food initiatives at U-M, focused on sustainability, social justice, and creativity. Enjoy lawn games, arts and crafts, live music, food demonstrations, and a variety of vendors. The event is free and open to the public! Parking is available on site, but there is a free bus shuttle leaving every 20 minutes from the Central Campus Transit Center.

 

Sports

University of Michigan Football Games | Ann Arbor

Where: The Big House

When: September 3, 10, 17 + 24

Nothing screams “fall in Ann Arbor” quite like Michigan football! And all September long, we have a streak of home games before the team hits the road in early October. We play against Colorado State on September 3, the University of Hawaii on September 10, the University of Connecticut on September 17, and Maryland on September 24 (which is also homecoming!). See the full schedule and get your tickets here.

 

St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer | Ann Arbor

Where: Concordia University

When: September 23

Take a step (literally) towards ending childhood cancer by signing up for the St. Jude Walk/Run at Concordia University. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is “leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.” Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food. Sign up for this 5K walk/run to support this incredible organization.

 

Food + Drink

Festival of the Honey Bee | Ypsilanti

Where: Downtown Ypsilanti

When: September 2

Downtown Ypsilanti will be buzzing with activity on September 2 with the Festival of the Honey Bee. The event was designed to raise community-wide awareness of the impact that all pollinators (especially native pollinators) have on our local and global food supply, while also recognizing the population decline, through art and education. Visit with a variety of vendors lining the street, focused on pollinators and all things honey!

 

Saline Oktoberfest | Saline

Where: Downtown Saline

When: September 16 + 17

Don’t miss the 17th Annual Oktoberfest in the heart of downtown Saline! Enjoy live music from Jedi Mind Trip on Friday night and Fifty Amp Fuse on Saturday night. Plus, there will be other events, family-friendly entertainment, plenty of food, and of course — lots of beer. Don’t miss the tapping of the Golden Keg in the biergarten on Friday night! This is a “wunderbar” community event for visitors and locals alike. Prost!

 

Happy September!

What September events are on your calendar?