City Guide
Annual Events
Highlights of Ann Arbor's yearly calendar. NOTE: This listing spans two years--always check the year as well as the date.
African American Downtown Festival
Crafts, merchandise, food, and kids' activities at N. Fourth Ave. and Ann St. Musical, theatrical, and dance performances. June 1, 2013. clpfestival@gmail.com
485-8889
Ann Arbor Antiquarian Book Fair
About 40 antiquarian book dealers sell 1st editions, old and collectible books, children's books, Americana, prints, and more. May 19, 2013. jplatt@provide.net, annarborbookfair.com
Michigan Union ballroom, 530 S. State [map]
Jay Platt, 995-1891
Ann Arbor Art Fair
This event, which is composed of 4 independent fairs, draws more than 1,000 artists and, promoters claim, more than half a million visitors over 4 days. The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original (994-5260, artfair.org), is on Ingalls Mall, North University, and W. Washington. The State Street Area Art Fair (663-6511, a2statestreetartfair.com) is in the shopping districts around State and Liberty. The Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair (662-3382, theguild.org) has a downtown section on Main and Liberty and a campus section on S. State. Ann Arbor's South University Art Fair (663-5300, a2southu.com) occupies most of the South University business district and adjoining East University and Church. In addition to the fairs, there are free concerts and a variety of food and drink vendors. July 17-20, 2013.
Ann Arbor Film Festival
Started in 1963, the longest-running independent and experimental film series in North America exhibits 6 days of screening films of all lengths and genres celebrating film as art. The festival also includes panels, workshops, multimedia installations, and parties. Award-winning films screened Sun. evening. Mar. 19-24, 2013. info@aafilmfest.org, aafilmfest.org
Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty [map]
995-5356
Ann Arbor Folk Festival
Two concerts of roots and acoustic music to benefit the Ark. Features well-known acts along with musicians on the rise. Jan. 25 & 26, 2013. feedback@theark.org, theark.org
Hill Auditorium [map]
761-1800
Ann Arbor Summer Festival
Ticketed performances of music, dance, comedy, and theater by national and international artists at various campus and downtown venues. Also, Top of the Park, a nightly series of free outdoor concerts, movies, and family activities at Ingalls Mall on North University (except Mon.). June 14-July 7, 2013. annarborsummerfestival.org
994-5999. Tickets: 764-2538.
Cinetopia International Film Festival
Four-day film festival hosted by the Michigan Theater featuring contemporary story-based narrative and documentary films on the international film circuit. Screenings at the Michigan Theater, State Theater, and U-M’s Angell Hall. June 6-9, 2013. michtheater.org/cinetopia
668-8397
Dancing in the Streets
An evening of dancing to live music, including swing, square, and contra, as well as concerts, performance dance groups, and children’s activities, in the Main Street area. Sponsored by AACTMAD, the Ann Arbor Community of Traditional Music and Dance. 6:30 p.m. Sept. 2, 2012. p.j.baker@me.com, aactmad.org
476-4650
Dawn Dance Weekend
A nonstop weekend of traditional and folk dancing to live music provided by national bands, plus workshops on different dance styles and choreography, group singing, and music jams. Feb. 22-24, 2013. hellmann@umich.edu, aactmad.org/ddw
Clague Middle School, 2616 Nixon [map]
677-0212
Earth Day Festival
Educational displays, music, hands-on activities, face painting, animals, clean energy expo, and family entertainment. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes representing plants and animals. 12-4 p.m. Apr. 21, 2013. pattie@lesliesnc.org, a2earthday.org
Leslie Science & Nature Center, 1831 Traver
Edgefest
One of North America's premier alternative music festivals, featuring jazz and experimental music at Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave., and other locations. Oct. 31-Nov. 3, 2012. kch@kerrytown.com, kerrytownconcerthouse.com
769-2999
FestiFools
A downtown spectacle of larger-than-life puppetry and pageantry which everyone is invited to help create and operate. Also, musical entertainment. 4 p.m. Apr. 7, 2013. startproject@umich.edu, festifools.org
763-7550
FoolMoon
Procession of participants carrying hand-made luminary sculptures on Washington St. from dusk to midnight. Also features food, live music, shadow puppets, and film projections. April 5, 2013. startproject@umich.edu
763-7550
Green Fair
Exhibits on environmental groups, products, and issues. Clean Energy Expo, alternative fuel vehicles, live music, organic fare, live birds of prey, and activities for children. Downtown. June 14, 2013. cschopieray@a2gov.org, a2gov.org/green
794-6161, ext. 41602
HomeGrown Festival
Grassroots event featuring local food and drink at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. Activities include heirloom tomato and garlic tastings, kids' activities, handmade crafts and goods, music, and information booths. Sept. 7, 2013. homegrownfestival.org
619-0429
Huron River Day
River exhibits, discounted canoe and kayak rentals, live music, food vendors, fishing, and a children's activity tent. July 14, 2013. csaam@a2gov.org, a2gov.org/hrd
Gallup Park, 3000 Fuller [map]
794-6240
Jewish Book Festival
Adult and children's authors speak in the evenings (except Fri.) and at noontime "Lunch and Learn" events. Books for sale. Nov. 7-18, 2012. karenfreedland@jccfed.org, jccannarbor.org
Jewish Community Center, 2935 Birch Hollow [map]
971-0990
Jewish Film Festival
Series exhibiting films from around the world that illuminate Jewish issues and themes. May 5-9, 2013. karenfreedland@jccfed.org, jccannarbor.org
Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty [map]
971-0990
Juneteenth
Ann Arbor NAACP's observance of the announcement of the end of slavery in Texas and the Southwest on June 19, 1865. Performances by local musicians, games, health and nonprofit information, concessions, and a children's area. June 15, 2013. wvhamp@comcast.net, n444@sbcglobal.net, hvcn.org/info/a2naacp
Wheeler Park [map]
761-9084
Kerrytown BookFest
Exhibits, artisans, and demonstrators of book arts from papermaking to publishing to calligraphy at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. Authors and other speakers, readings, children's activities, panel discussions, and more. Sept. 9, 2012. bookfest@kerrytownbookfest.org, kerrytownbookfest.org
Michigan A Cappella Festival (MACFest)
A showcase for all 15 U-M a cappella groups. Nov. 2, 2012. umacappella@umich.edu, umich.edu/~umsing
Rackham Auditorium [map]
763-1107
Minifest
The Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival presents concerts featuring internationally known artists and new chamber ensembles. June 2013 dates TBA. kch@kerrytown.com, kerrytownconcerthouse.com
Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave [map]
769-2999
OutFest
Celebrates diversity of gender identity and sexual orientation. Features, music, dancing, and speakers. Location TBD. Everyone welcome. Sept. 29, 2012. info@jimtoycenter.org, jimtoycenter.org
Rolling Sculpture Car Show
More than 400 antique, classic, and concept cars on display downtown. July 12, 2013. maura@mainstreetannarbor.org, mainstreetannarbor.org
668-7112
Shakespeare in the Arb
University students and local actors in an alfresco production of a Shakespeare play that moves through various settings in Nichols Arboretum. Summer 2013 dates TBA. mbgna.umich.edu
647-7600
Sukkarnival
Celebrates the fall Jewish holidays. Shofar blowing, crafts, inflatable bouncers for children, games, face painting, pony rides, petting zoo, and more. Gifts and Judaica for sale. Israeli food, kosher baked goods, and lunch available. Noon-3 p.m. Sept. 30, 2012. jcc@jccfed.org, jccannarbor.org
Jewish Community Center, 2935 Birch Hollow [map]
971-0990
Taste of Ann Arbor
Bite-sized samples from local restaurants and cafes, live music, and children's activities. Downtown. June 2, 2013. maura@mainstreetannarbor.org, mainstreetannarbor.org
668-7112
The Ark's Storytelling Festival
International, national, and regional storytellers present programs. Sat. 7:30 p.m. (aimed at adults), and Sun. 1 p.m. (aimed at kids). Feb. 16 & 17, 2013. feedback@theark.org, theark.org
316 S. Main [map]
761-1800
Townie Street Party
Fundraiser and kick-off event for the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original. Live music, food and drinks, free art activities, and the Kids' Art Fair, at Ingalls Mall between North University and W. Washington. July 15, 2013. towniestreetparty.com
994-5260
Water Hill Music Fest
Free performance on front porches and in yards and garages by dozens of musicians and bands living in the Water Hill neighborhood, the area bounded by Miller, Brooks, Sunset, and the railroad tracks. May 5, 2013. info@waterhill.org, waterhill.org
Wine, Women, and Song
Local, notable singer-actresses perform songs from musical theater to light opera, including some original numbers. Wine included in admission. Jan. 25-27 and Feb. 1 & 2, 2013. kch@kerrytown.com, kerrytownconcerthouse.com
Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. [map]
769-2999
Ya'ssoo Greek Festival
Features local bands and Greek dance groups, and homemade Greek food and pastries. May 31-June 2, 2013. annarborgreekfestival.org
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 3109 Scio Church
332-8200
