7 Festivals Not to Miss in Michigan This September

Autumn officially begins September 22, but there's no denying the fall flavor of events happening all around Michigan throughout the month of September.

Here are seven Michigan festivals happening this month that are worth your while.

Michigan Renaissance Festival

Brave knights and fair maidens alike are invited to transport back in time to a more medieval version of Michigan as the Michigan Renaissance Festival continues every weekend throughout the month of September in Holly.

Every weekend has a different theme, including Wonders of the World (September 6-7), Shamrocks & Shenanigans (September 13-14), Harvest Huzzah (September 20-21), and Sweet Endings (September 26-28).

Charlotte Frontier Days

A car, truck and motorcycle show, a dog show, and 3 days of rodeo are just a sampling of the annual attractions at Charlotte Frontier Days.

A huge parade happens throughout downtown Charlotte on Saturday, and there are plenty of activities for kids of all ages. Those 21 and older can enjoy adult beverages and live entertainment in the Saloon.

St. John Applefest

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish in Fenton salutes all things apple at its annual Applefest.

The event features carnival rides and children's games, a farmers' market, a golf outing, a 5K walk and run, food trucks, daily entertainment, and much more.

Frankenmuth Oktoberfest

Seems weird to have Oktoberfest in September, but Frankenmuth Oktoberfest makes it work and makes it work well.

According to travelmag.com, "Frankenmuth’s Oktoberfest boasts the distinction of being the first to receive the blessing of the original Oktoberfest in Munich." The publication further refers to this event as one of the 13 most authentic Oktoberfests in the United States.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Michigan Fall Bucket List — 10 Must-Do's This Autumn

You can count on plenty of German food, drink, and entertainment over the course of the 4-day festival.

ArtPrize

Every year about this time, the city of Grand Rapids transforms into a veritable art gallery for about half a month.

Venues ranging from actual art galleries to breweries to parks and storefronts display a wide range of art from artists of all skill levels. ArtPrize awards more than half a million dollars in grants and prize money as part of the project every year.

Hillsdale County Fair

Not many county fairs can trace their roots to pre-Civil War days, but the Hillsdale County Fair dates back to 1851!

This year's installment features truck and tractor pulls, a rodeo, two nights of demolition derby, and a concert featuring country artist Tyler Farr.

Rockford Annual Harvest

A classic car show, a chili cookoff, and an antique tractor show and parade are among the highlights of this year's Rockford Annual Harvest in Rockford, Michigan.

Construction in downtown Rockford will result in some of the typical activities moving to alternate sites, so be sure to check ahead.