12 Things to do in Michigan in June 2022

With the unofficial start of summer behind us, fun is rising like the temperature. Here are our 12 things to do in Michigan in June 2022.

June 1-5 JumpstART – Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo kicks its summer off by embracing the arts. Previously known as June Jubilee, this extended weekend is chock-full of art, music, food, and fun in an entirely outdoor setup. Wednesday evening, enjoy the first concert of the season from Beats on Bates. Then Sunday the Concerts in the Park return in Bronson Park. Art takes center stage on Friday and Saturday with Art on the Mall and the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair. Weekend revelry also include Kalamazoo Pride and the Do-Dah Parade, where participants are invited to reinvigorate the meaning of “Do-Dah” each year.

June 3-5 Grand Prix – Detroit

If you’ve been on Belle Isle lately, then you know exactly what time of year it is. The roads are smooth. The grandstands are up. It must be time for the 2022 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix to come roaring back. This is the last year to experience the race on the beloved island before it hits the streets of downtown Detroit in 2023. Some of the most iconic and accomplished sports cars in recent history will be featured during the final race weekend hosted on Belle Isle as the Masters Endurance Legends USA series will join the on-track lineup. Gates open at 7:30am on Friday June 3, for the ever-popular FreePrixDay. Fans can enjoy practice runs and special events at no cost, thanks to Comerica Bank.

 June 3-12 Lilac Festival – Mackinac Island

Did you know this is the largest and most historic festival on Mackinac Island? It includes, a Lilac Queen coronation, official poster reveal, a 10K, lilac walking tours, lilac planting seminars, bounce houses, a Michigan Cornhole tournament, live music, and of course all the delights of lilacs in bloom. This year the Grand Parade is returning too. It kicks from Mission Point Resort at 4pm and follows M-185 to Main Street, ending at Windermere Point.

June 4-5 Midland Antique Festival – Midland

If you can’t get enough of Antiques Roadshow, then hit the road to Midland this month. The Midland Antique Festival has been a local tradition for over half a century. It’s a phenomenal place to find vintage goods, antiques, collectibles and so much more. Nearly a thousand antique dealers will be at the Midland County Fairgrounds. In addition to the antiques, you’ll find Michigan’s largest swap meet. On top of that, the event also features one of the state’s longest running car shows. Then there’s our favorite feature, the Taste of Michigan and Shop Michigan building. Admission is $10 per person, and free for kids 11 and under. If you’re a die-hard treasure hunter, there is even camping available for just $40 a night.

June 9-11 Gizzard Fest – Potterville

Our state has a lot of food festivals celebrating everything from strawberries to cherries to trout and even cheeseburgers, but gizzards? Yep! The folks in Potterville have been serving up loads a family fun and even a few gizzards, for years now. It’s really just an annual event riddled with summer fun. There’s a Midway, a 5k, a community pancake breakfast, a motorcycle ride, line dancing lessons, cornhole, and it’s all capped off with fireworks at dusk on Saturday.

June 9-12 Bavarian Festival – Frankenmuth

There is always fun to be had in Frankenmuth, but if it’s the German heritage that most draws you in, then June 9-12 is the weekend to go. The 2022 Frankenmuth Bavarian Princess with be crowned Thursday evening before the raising of the Maypole. The Main Tent will be located in Zehnder park, hosting traditional German entertainers and polka bands throughout the weekend. Also of note is the Friday Night Street Party, which is going to fill Main Street with bands, beverages, games and the ever-popular Festival Olympics. Then, there’s of course, the Bavarian Festival Parade on Sunday. Admission is just $10 per person for the entire weekend.

June 11 Alpena Blues Festival – Alpena

Spend some time on the sunrisy side of the state, while getting your Blues fix. The line-up includes: Paul Nelson Band, Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames, Kathleen and the Bridge Street Band, Motor City Josh and the Big 3 and Chris Crown and the Get Down Band. While in town, pop into Thunder Bay Winery downtown for a tasting, or quench your thirst on the outskirts at Austin Brothers Beer Co. You can also explore shipwrecks, find great art, and hand out at the Lake Huron shore, so why not make a weekend of it?

June 11 Highlander Games – St Ignace

Outlander fans will be happy to know that for the second time, St Ignace will be playing host to this celebration of Scottish sportsmanship. Put on in conjunction with Michigan Highlanders, it includes traditional Scottish Highland games including Caber Toss, Hammer, Sheaf, and Stone Games. There will also be live music, a beer tent, food trucks, and Clan Row, which will provide historical information on Scottish clans and lineage. Tickets will be available at the gate. Entry is $5 per person. Kids under 10 are free.

June 18 Hello-O Summer Fest – Hell

After all those cold and sometimes even snowy Halloweens, don’t you sometimes wish you could combine summer weather with ghoulish fun? Go to Hell to get your chance. The town welcomes summer with a family-friendly, but Hellishly fun festival. Take a stroll around the tiny hamlet and enjoy kookie, spooky, creepy, Halloweenish and Hellish wares, art and entertainment, and devilishly good food. While in the area, rent a canoe or kayak and explore the Chain of Lakes at your own pace. You can enjoy Bruin, Watson, Patterson, Woodburn, Halfmoon, Blind, and Hi-Land.

June 17-19 Arts & Acts Festival – Northville

If you love art in its many forms, then this long-standing Northville tradition, is right up your alley. It features several elements. Art in the Sun, held each day of the festival, showcases contemporary art, handicraft work, and unique creations by over 75 fine artists and crafters from Michigan and around the country. They are competing for monetary awards based on original artwork and booth presentation. The 8th Annual Chalk Festival, will be held Saturday, June 18, 10am-4pm on S. Center St. Artists will transform the pavement into a checkered pattern of color and imagination. Visitors can view the chalk art at their feet, and then vote online for their favorite. Additionally, there will be the 9th Edition of Short on Words, a poetry and short story competition. It will be held at 11am on Saturday, June 18 at Northville Art House. The event will feature readings, live music, light refreshments, and an awards presentation.

June 25 Porch Fest – Port Austin

For a heavenly, small town experience, check out this musical summer interlude courtesy of the fine folks in Port Austin. Well over thirty musical acts will be scattered about playing a wide range of genres. Pack up your lawn chairs or picnic blanket and get ready for some great family fun. Be sure to visit the Farmers Market between 9am-1pm as well.

June 24-26 Michigan Challenge Balloonfest – Howell

It’s always a thrill to look toward the sky and discover a giant, colorful balloon careening by. Even better, is the sight of a sky filled with them. Traditionally, the end of June in Howell presents that opportunity over and over. Dozens of pilots will fly into the launch site on Saturday and Sunday mornings between 6-8am.The balloons launch between 6-8pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In between flights, there will be carnival rides, a scavenger hunt throughout Howell, the new Fantasy of Lights Fundraiser, and Balloons and Brews on State St. from 12-4pm on Saturday. Come to town, shop, dine, and look up!

Join us on social media for ongoing discussions about Michigan travel destinations. Tweet @BuyMichiganNow or tag us in a picture on Instagram of Facebook when you make it to one of our 12 things to do in Michigan in June 2022. For next month’s event highlights, or to get ideas for your local bucket list, be sure to visit our Michigan Tourism page regularly.