It’s time to start planning your bucket list events for 2023. We’ve put together a list for you with the top 10 festivals happening in Lenawee County this year. Whether you’re into arts and culture, country music, films, or food there is an experience here with your name on it.
1. Tecumseh Ice Sculpture Festival | January 21-22, 2023
This is such a unique event and great way to start out the new year in Lenawee. Head to downtown Tecumseh to watch over 50 ice sculptures come to life. There is a chocolate/beverage walk and scavenger hunt at downtown businesses you can participate in too. The Michigan Avian Experience will have a Great Horned Owl on site to see up close and take photos with.
2. Adrian International Film Festival | April 21-22, 2023
If you’re into video production or the arts, this is the festival for you. This festival showcases filmmakers of all kinds by bringing together the best of storytelling, press, industry and film enthusiasts from around the world for a two-day celebration. Viewing all happens in downtown Adrian at different establishments with short, feature, student, and animation films.
3. Morenci Town & Country Festival | June 15-17, 2023
This is a great event for everyone of all ages, especially those with kids. The festival typically features food, carnival rides, little league action, bingo, a queen’s contest, live bands and an awesome firework show. The activity filled festival is located at Wakefield Park in the quaint Morenci downtown area.
4. Devils Lake Festival of the Arts | June 17, 2023
Arts, crafts, and food all by the scenic Devils Lake located in the Village of Manitou Beach is what you can expect at this festival. The event typically hosts over 50 artists and crafters showcasing their skills and products. In year’s past, organizers have scheduled an endless amount of kids’ activities including face painters, a petting zoo, street performers, hands-on music activities, workshops and more. There is so much to do, eat and see you’ll want to make a day of it.
5. Great Lakes Woodworking Festival | June 17, 2023
Another unique event that calls Lenawee County home is the Great Lakes Woodworking Festival. The festival features Great Lakes Region artisans selling goods and giving free demonstrations and workshops. You can usually expect a free kids woodworking project, live local musicians and food vendors. It all happens on a historical, nature-filled campus home to the Adrian Center for the Arts.
6. River Raisin Festival | July 13-15, 2023
One of the longest running festivals in the county and a great one to support; the River Raisin Festival is located in Blissfield right along the River Raisin. The event is split on both sides of the river allowing guests to experience both with a short walk over a pedestrian bridge. You can expect numerous food trucks, merchants, live performances, music, a petting zoo and a kid favorite – carnival rides. A recreational softball tournament that runs through the night is a bonus adults can participate in.
7. Faster Horses Festival | July 14-16, 2023
If you live in Lenawee or any of the accompanying counties you’ve likely heard of the Faster Horses Festival. It’s known for amazing lineups with big country music artists and those that are upcoming stars in Nashville. Other than phenomenal performances on two different stages, the event has food, drinks, Michigan merchants, carnival rides, games, and a water slide. You can buy a general admission ticket for the weekend or level-up in the VIP tack room with your own elevated seat, shade, air-conditioned bathrooms, and a ton of complimentary services. To top it all off, you can bring a tent or RV and camp on site at the NASCAR racetrack in the lush Irish Hills that the festival calls home.
8. Artalicious Fine Arts Festival | September 16-17, 2023
The Artalicious Festival is the perfect mix of fine art, food and entertainment located on the four main streets in Downtown Adrian. Organizers source more than 70 talented artists, showcasing their unique paintings, photos, jewelry, and crafts along the street. There are typically two stages with live music playing during the event so you can relax between browsing artists tents. Plus, Adrian is a downtown refreshment district which allows you to buy alcohol in downtown bars and restaurants and walk along the streets with it.
9. Clinton Fall Festival | September 22-24, 2023
This is a fun filled weekend for people of all ages in the Historic Village of Clinton. You’ll find yourself strolling through the village streets to observe over 200 crafts, lost arts exhibit, free entertainment, a carnival, children’s events, merchant’s area, car show, and parade. The Southern Michigan Railroad is typically operating during the event giving festivalgoers rides with a purchased ticket from Clinton to Tecumseh. The event is typically hosted partly in downtown Clinton and at nearby Tate Park with transportation offered between the two.
10. Appleumpkin Festival | October 14-15, 2023
Nothing says fall in beautiful southeastern Michigan like the Appleumpkin Festival in Tecumseh. It features delicious foods, local merchants, carnival rides, and fall activities. The festival has hosted an Antique Fair and Flea Market, and Arts and Crafts show in past years. The very popular Apple Festival at Kapnick Orchards is held the same weekend in Tecumseh and features farm activities, vendors, and apple/pumpkin picking. The orchard has loads of fresh apple cider, or our favorite frozen apple cider and delicious baked goods for purchase. It’s a two-for-one festival weekend!
