2017 Festival Alliance Brochure Single Pages

2017
lansingfestivals.org

The greater Lansing region is home to more than
100 local festivals and annual events, attracting
nearly half a million people from near and far.
These popular festivals and events, some of which
are nationally recognized, make greater Lansing
an attractive and vibrant place to live, work
and play. Through performances, cultural activities,
educational opportunities and more, these events
celebrate arts and culture and traditions old and new.
To spotlight and support these many festivals and
placemaking events, and their legacies, the Greater
Lansing Festival Alliance was formed as a separate
entity in 2009 with the help of the Arts Council.
In 2014, the Festival Alliance was incorporated into
the Arts Council's full membership, and it now
has its largest number of collaborative alliance
members ever, with nearly 40 local festivals and
their organizers coming together to celebrate
in the greater Lansing area.
517.372.4636 lansingarts.org

ART & CRAFT BEER FEST
January 27-28, 2017
MICHIGAN NORDIC FIRE FESTIVAL
February 24-26, 2017
Michigan Nordic
Fire Festival
michigannordicfirefestival.com
A winter festival in Charlotte
celebrating Nordic and Viking
culture aimed at getting
people outside in a fun &
family-friendly environment.
Featuring a community bonfire,
entertainment, a historic
Viking encampment, costume contests, cardboard
long-ship sled races, games of strength &
chance and more!
RED CEDAR FESTIVAL OF
COMMUNITY BANDS
artandcraftbeerfest.com
The fifth annual Art & Craft
BeerFest is an indoor art,
beer and music festival where you can go back
and forth between four venues. All venues are
located on the same block, just a short walk
from one another.
March 4, 2017
redcedarfestival.org
In its 22nd year, this festival
is a day-long event of free
community band concerts,
instrumental master classes and networking
opportunities at Okemos High School. Nationally
renowned clinicians work with bands to improve
musicianship. Master-class clinicians teach
techniques to individual musicians.
All events are free of charge.
MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL
March 18, 2017
mynaturecenter.org
Celebrate nature’s own
“Liquid Gold” at Fenner Nature
Center’s Maple Syrup Festival!
Participate in demonstrations in
our Sugar Bush, try your hand at tapping a tree
and treat your taste buds to savory treats like
maple crème and maple cotton candy!

CAPITAL CITY FILM FESTIVAL
April 5-9, 2017
CapitalCityFilmFest.com
The Capital City Film Festival
(CCFF) is a multimedia showcase
of independent films and live
touring bands with engaging
audiences in Michigan’s capital city. It celebrates
artists from around the world who share their craft
while promoting and building on the cultural assets
of our diverse locale.
BEERFEST AT THE BALLPARK-SPRING
April 29, 2017
beerfestattheballpark.net
This spring festival is held
in the concourse and front
lawn of Cooley Law School
Stadium and provides
attendees the opportunity to taste more than
200 craft beers, ciders, meads, spirits, and wine
from over 80 Michigan breweries while enjoying
the ballpark atmosphere.
MIGHTY UKE DAY 7
May 12-14, 2017
mightyukeday.com
Mighty Uke Day is
a celebration of the
diminutive yet dynamic
ukulele, honoring its
unique ties to Michigan culture. Activities include
performances, workshops, children’s activities
and more, with profits supporting Music is
the Foundation programs in Mid-Michigan
classrooms and communities.
EAST LANSING ART FESTIVAL
May 20-21, 2017
elartfest.com
Fine artists and
traditional craft artisans from
Michigan and beyond line
the downtown streets of
East Lansing to exhibit and sell their original
works. Free live music, children’s activities,
food vendors and more!

BE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN TOWN
June 3, 2017
23rd ANNUAL
•
BE A
T O U RIST •
I N Y O U R O W N T O W N • G R E A T E R L A N S I N G
T O W N
June 3, 2017
•
G R E A T E R
L A N S
lansing.org/batyot
Explore a world of possibilities
in Greater Lansing from
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Purchase a $1
“Passport” for free admission
to more than 80 attractions. Enjoy interactive
activities and giveaways for the kids! CATA Be A
Tourist bus routes provide transportation to most
attractions for just 50 cents. Collect ten stamps in
the “Passport” to win great prizes!
LANSING JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
June 15-17, 2017
LansingJuneteenthCelebration.org
Commemorating the end
of slavery in the U.S., the
24th annual Juneteenth
Celebration celebrates the
joys of liberty while educating
the community about our African-American
heritage and promoting positive cultural
interaction. This three-day festival includes
multiple venues, entertainment, music, food,
educational exhibits, a health fair, children
activities, and a community parade.
Enjoy activities for the entire family.
LANSING BEER FEST
June 17, 2017
lansingbeerfest.com
The fifth annual
Lansing Beer Fest is an
outdoor beer festival on
Washington Ave. in REO
Town featuring 25 Michigan breweries and 100+
craft beers. Also find cider, mead, spirits, wine, a
food truck court, live music, vendors and more!

LCC SUMMER STAGE UNDER
THE STARS
June 21 - July 28, 2017
lcc.edu/summerstage
Lansing Community
College’s Summer Stage
Under the Stars is a free
festival featuring familyfriendly
and entertaining
plays and concerts at the lovely amphitheatre
in the heart of campus. DANCE Lansing ends the
festival in Dart Auditorium with four nights of
exciting new dance. Indoors or on the lawn,
enjoy a perfect summer evening!
CHARLOTTE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
June 22-24, 2017
charlottebluegrassfestival.com
This three-day Michigan
Bluegrass Festival is a family
festival full of local and national acts. There
are corn hole and card tournaments, jamming
sessions throughout the campground, raffles,
guitar and banjo workshops, food vendors and a
bounce house for the kids! Bring your chairs,
picks and instruments!
FESTIVAL OF THE MOON & SUN
June 23-24, 2017
festivalofthemoonandsun.com
Make the most of the shortest
night and longest day of the
year at the Festival of the Moon
and Sun in Old Town Lansing!
Enjoy great music, cocktails and
wines from around the world
plus delicious local cuisine.

SUMMER SOLSTICE JAZZ FESTIVAL
June 23-24, 2017
eljazzfest.com
A free, two-day musical event
in the heart of downtown
East Lansing featuring the
best in local, regional
and national artists, a New
Orleans-style Second Line
Parade, an avant-garde jazz
picnic and children’s activities. Presented by
the City of East Lansing, Wharton Center for
Performing Arts and the MSU College of Music,
with artistic direction by Rodney Whitaker.
COMMON GROUND MUSIC FESTIVAL
July 6-9, 2017
commongroundfest.com
The 18th annual
multiple-day music festival
has highlighted more than 450 artists over the
years, including 38 Grammy Award winners in
contemporary and classic rock, pop, alternative,
country, hip hop, R&B, blues and more.
OLD TOWN SCRAPFEST
July 14-15, 2017
oldtownscrapfest.com
Experience art and
recycling in a whole new
way! 20 teams have one hour
to collect up to 500 pounds of scrap metal
and just two weeks to create sculptural
masterpieces. Now in its 9th year, Old Town
ScrapFest puts these sculptures on display
alongside art vendors, music and free family art
activities. You could even walk away with one
of the awesome sculptures if you are the
highest bidder at the live auction!

WILLIAMSTON ARTFEST
July 22, 2017
CAR CAPITAL AUTO SHOW
July 29, 2017
williamstonartfest.weebly.com
Williamston ArtFest is
a day-long festival
celebrating art,
music and dance in
McCormick Park on the beautiful Red Cedar
River. Enjoy the children’s activity tent, local
musicians and lots of arts and food venders.
carcapitalautoshow.org
The R.E. Olds Transportation
Museum’s 25th annual
car show is open to all
makes of cars, trucks and
motorcycles. See vehicles
from the 1900’s to 2016.
Free family fun with live music, car rides and
vendors on the streets of downtown Lansing
in front of the Michigan State Capitol.
BATH DAYS FESTIVAL
August 4-5, 2017
bathdays.com
Home of the International
Bathtub Races. Bath Days
is a two-day family festival
full of “good clean fun,” including Bathtub Races,
silent auction, music, car show, arts and crafts, kids
area, food vendors, parade, fireworks display and
more. Feeling adventuresome — build a bathtub
racer and join the race!
LANSING JAZZ FEST
August 4-5, 2017
jazzlansing.com
The 23rd annual
Lansing JazzFest takes place in the streets of
Old Town, surrounded by the best of the Capital
City’s art galleries, unique stores and grand
architecture. Its stages offer outstanding talent,
from local favorites, regional and national acts.
Join nearly 7,000 people from across Michigan
and nearby states for music great food, craft
vendors, expansive beverage tent, children’s
activities, river boat rides and more!

RENEGADE THEATRE FESTIVAL
August 10-12 & 17-19, 2017
renegadetheatrefestival.org
Two weekends of free
theatre showcased in
some of Lansing’s most
artistic and eclectic venues. Weekend one
showcases Renegade N.O.W., featuring new and
original theatrical works. Weekend two features
a wide range of performance styles, including
comedy, drama, musicals, improv, staged
readings and more!
GREAT LAKES FOLK FESTIVAL
August 11-13, 2017
greatlakesfolkfest.net
The MSU Museum presents
this three-day celebration
of culture, tradition and
community in downtown
East Lansing. Find music,
dance, food, a marketplace and more. Discover
the roots, rhythms and richness of cultures
from across America and around the world.
ST. JOHNS MINT FESTIVAL
August 11-13, 2017
PHIL DENNY’S ARMORY
SMOOTH JAZZ FETE
clintoncountychamber.org/mint
In its 33rd year, this
three-day family festival celebrates more than
100 years of local mint farming with arts and
crafts, flea market, free entertainment, Grand
Mint Parade, quilt show, Kids World, carnival,
rodeo, Jeep obstacle course, senior citizens
day and much more.
August 12, 2017
smoothjazzfete.com
Inaugural outdoor music event
welcoming nationally and internationally acclaimed
cross-genre jazz musicians with an emphasis on
smooth, contemporary, modern, pop and R&B.
The one-day ticketed Fete will take place at the
historic Armory in Lansing’s burgeoning Eastside
community and welcomes festival goers of
all adult ages.

ARTFEAST
August 19, 2017
iloveoldtown.org
Coinciding with the
Renegade Theatre Festival,
Old Town ArtFeast celebrates
mobile vendors! Artists from
across the state rally on Turner
Street with a wide variety of
handmade goods. When you
get hungry from shopping, a mouth-watering stop
at the Food Court will fill your belly with delicious
eats brought to you by the best local food
trucks and carts.
MICHIGAN BLUESFEST
September 15-16, 2017
oldtownbluesfest.com
This two-day
Michigan blues music
festival includes local, regional and national
performers on three stages. In addition to great
music, enjoy artist booths, food vendors and a
variety of children’s activities. The Turnaround
Lounge (beer tent) will offer craft and domestic
beers and select wines. This festival is in the
center of historic Old Town Lansing surrounded
by art galleries, shops and restaurants.
BWL CHILI COOK OFF
September 29, 2017
lbwl.com/cco
The BWL Chili Cook-off
features over 1,200
gallons of the very best
chili from nearly 40 restaurants. Sample them all
and vote for your favorite! This family-friendly
event also features a chili-dog-eating contest, live
music on two stages, kids’ activities, and more.
OLD TOWN OKTOBERFEST
September 29-30, 2017
oldtownoktoberfest.com
Oom Pa Pa! Celebrate Old Town
Lansing’s German heritage with
the 12th annual Oktoberfest!
Enjoy German and fall beers in your souvenir stein,
nosh on some authentic Essen, and dance the
night away to live music. Proßt!ss

APPLE BUTTER FESTIVAL
October 14-15, 2017
mynaturecenter.org
Help stir the apple butter,
cooked the old-fashioned
way in a copper kettle over
the fire, or try your hand at the cider press. The
beauty of nature in autumn, coupled with heritage
artisans, local musicians and savory food is sure to
be a memorable event!
TRICK-OR-TREAT ON THE SQUARE
October 23, 2017
(Rain Date October 24, 2017)
trickortreatonthesquare.org
A family-friendly event filled with spook-tacular
fall fun! This free event celebrates Halloween
in a safe environment featuring a hay maze,
trick-or-treating, donut-eating contest, stilt
walkers, fire dancers and more!
WOMEN IN THE ARTS
November 10-11, 2017
witafestival.com
In its 32nd year, this
annual celebration of regional women artists
takes place the second weekend of November.
This volunteer-run festival features a huge artist
market, musicians, poets and other creative arts
as a symbol of our commitment to support
women in the creative pursuits.
GLOBAL FESTIVAL
November 12, 2017
cvip.isp.msu.edu/globalfestival/
See the world in a day!
International students at
Michigan State University
showcase their home countries
with exhibits, performances
and interactive workshops at the MSU Union.
Explore art, music, clothing languages and more
from around the globe at this free family event!

SILVER BELLS IN THE CITY
November 17, 2017
silverbellsinthecity.org
Ring in the holidays in
downtown Lansing with
the Electric Light Parade,
state Christmas tree lighting and fireworks show
cascading over the Capitol dome! Shop at the
Silver Bells Village and enjoy live performances
at arts and cultural venues throughout
downtown Lansing.
CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
December 1, 2017
clintoncountychamber.org/events
In its 15th year, the
St. Johns annual Christmas Festival promises fun
for the whole family! Enjoy Breakfast with Santa,
visit the Festival of Trees and the Craft Show with
more than 85 vendors, plus Kids Crafts, a raffle
with more than 80 prizes and so much more.
Celebrate the holidays in St. Johns!
TASTE OF DOWNTOWN
Date TBD
tasteofdowntown.org
Enjoy a summer
afternoon in downtown
Lansing by sampling various cuisines and food
specialties from downtown restaurants.
There is plenty of wine tasting with more than
100 varieties from around the world and live
music on an outdoor stage!