Best Things To Do In Detroit This Summer

Whether Detroit is already your home town, you’re visiting friends and family this summer, or you’re considering moving to this popular city, Detroit offers lots of fabulous festivals and events all year long for families, couples, and singles. Summertime is no exception! In fact, folks flock to Detroit from all over the country in the summer because of the city’s many annual unique events. Here’s a look at just a handful of some of the many Detroit summer activities, festivals, and things to do you’ll want to add your calendar!

The 40th Annual Belleville National Strawberry Festival

Father’s Day Weekend: Friday, Saturday and Sunday June 16, 17, and 18th If you love strawberries and enjoying fun-packed community events with your family, you won’t want to miss this spectacular and unique weekend event. The 40th Annual Strawberry features something for everyone and expands over three locations (the Downtown Venue, St. Anthony’s Church, and the Trinity Episcopal Church)! There will be two Midways (separate amusements at each of the church locations), a beer tent, live music, bingo, carnival rides and games, cool arts and crafts, tons of food, a children’s area, a parade, a car show, and – of course – plenty of strawberry-based treatsanda Strawberry Queen. The parade will be held on Saturday from 11 AM – 1 PM and will include over 150 featured entries of floats, marching bands, clowns, and more! There will be a free shuttle service via the Wyandotte Trolley. The trolley will loop continuously on Saturday from 1PM-10PM and Sunday from Noon–7 PM throughout the three festival locations; you can park at the Belleville Presbyterian Church and catch the trolley there!

The 36th Annual Art In The Park

Three-day event July 7th, 8th, & 9th, 2017 It’s no surprise this annual event is a favorite for visitors to and residents of Detroit. From food, beverages, live music, to fabulous artwork, this annual three-day event in Plymouth is Michigan’s 2nd largest art fair! Directed and managed by a mother-daughter team, the Art in the Park Festival features the creations of 400+ artists from around the country! You’ll be able to purchase one-of-a-kind paintings, sculptures, ceramics, jewelry pieces, fiber work, glass piece, woodworking, photography, and folk artdirectlyfrom the art exhibitors themselves! This year’s event includes the return of the popular “Living Mural” exhibit from previous years. Situated at booth #500 on the intersection of Ann Arbor Trail and Main, NYC artist Kristen Dillenbeck Zipp will once again combine canvas, paint, and body painting on live human figures to create her famous 3-dimensional mural! In addition, along with face painting, glitter tattoos, henna body art, and candle-making for the little ones, your kids will get the opportunity to collaborate with a thousand other children on the creation of a huge mural! The event hours are Friday from 11 AM- PM, Saturday from 10AM-7PM, and Sunday from 10AM-5PM.

Wild Summer Nights at the Detroit Zoo

Every Wednesday night in July and August (July 5-August 30) There is no better place to enjoy hump day this summer than at the Detroit Zoo with their three Bactrian camels (each with two humps) and all the wild sounds of the other zoo animals from around the worldandthe music from Detroit’s finest local musicians! Every Wednesday from 6:30 PM – 8PM in July and August, the Zoo is hosting a cool concert series with live music from the area’s jazz, folk, blues, pop, and children’s musicians! While you can’t bring your own alcoholic beverages or glass containers into the Zoo, youcanprepare a cooler packed with your favorite picnic foods and pop. If you just want to swing by after work, the Zoo will have plenty of food, wine, beer, and other beverages for sale throughout the event. Held at the Zoo’s Main Picnic Grove, the concerts are free with Zoo admission.

The 35th Annual African World Festival

Three-day weekend event August 18-20, 2017 Hosted by and held at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History (where over 35,000 artifacts and archival materials are treasured), this 3-day event celebrates African diversity, heritage, and culture through educational entertainment and enriching performances. You’ll get to hear inspiring spoken word performances, groove to live traditional and folk music, watch talented dance troupes, and peruse (and purchase) the unique Africa-inspired wares of artisans. The festival also offers lots of fun interactive activities for your whole family, including exploring the festival’s Watoto Village to experience what life was like in an authentic African village. The event takes place from 11 AM – 11 PM over the three days and will have plenty of diverse and delicious food and beverages available for purchase.

Outdoor Dining & Imbibing