Art lovers, rejoice. There is no shortage of art- and community-oriented events and festivals to attend this summer in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor. From visual to performance art, from May to August, here are eight local events celebrating creativity and independent artists.
Holy Bones - Pushing Up Daisies
On Feb. 14, 2026, customers found unique artisan crafts at the Art Makers and Heartbreakers Holy Bones event. This event was Holy Bones' initial launch at its new location, the Michigan Firehouse Museum. (Courtesy of Holly Bones)
Pushing Up Daisies is an art market where local artists will have tables and sell their art. 2026 will mark the fourth year of this market, which will follow a theme of "Spring, Renewal, Bloom." Pushing Up Daisies will stick to the dark aesthetic of Holy Bones while embracing the brightness of spring. Attendees can expect to see a lot of botanical artwork and work that emphasizes the circle of life.
Pushing Up Daisies will take place Saturday, May 2, 2026, 12-6 p.m., at the Michigan Firehouse Museum, at 110 W. Cross St., Ypsilanti.
More information is available on the Holy Bones Festival website.
Ypsi Artisans Market
The Ypsi Artisans Market will be held at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse on May 9, 2026, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For art lovers looking to shop and support local artists, the Ypsi Artisans Market annual event connects community members with the creative works of area artisans. This art market will feature the work of more than 40 local artists, small businesses and nonprofits. Attendees can expect to see arts, crafts and baked goods for sale.
"This event is the perfect opportunity to explore unique crafts, support local talent, and discover one-of-a-kind treasures," the market's Facebook Events page said.
The market, hosted at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse at 100 Market Place, Ypsilanti, will take place Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Shakespeare in the Arb
Musicians of Shakespeare in the Arb performing in the Nichols Arboretum. (Photographed by Kent McCormick)
The 2026 season of Shakespeare in the Arb is set to bring performances of "Love's Labor's Lost" to the outdoor backdrop of the Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor. Local performers will bring Shakespeare's comedy to life every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 4-28. Tickets are $25 for general public, $20 for Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum members, $15 for students and youth, and free for children under 5 years old.
All tickets are general admission. Attendees should expect lawn-style seating and be prepared for weather conditions; periods of sitting and standing; and three miles of walking across inclines and slopes, staircases, grass, gravel and mulch throughout various locations, the Arb website states.
Tickets go on sale May 12 at 11 a.m. for members and May 19 at a.m. for the general public. For more information on purchasing and picking up tickets, visit the events page on the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum website. Showtime is at 6:30 p.m., and shows run to about 9:30 p.m. American Sign Language interpretation will be available at the June 7 performance, with discounted tickets for audience members using ASL services.
Ann Arbor Summer Festival
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is an annual outdoor festival with events and shows throughout the month of June. The festival will feature various performing arts, such as comedy, music, theater and dance. It also features movie nights, with titles like "Hamilton," "Sinners," "Coco" and "It's A Wonderful Life" scheduled for screenings.
While the full festival lineup won't be revealed until May, last year's A2SF included local and regional music favorites such as Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, Frontier Ruckus, Djangophonique and others. In addition to musical performances, the festival includes other activities, such as the KidZone for interactive, family-friendly fun; yoga and dance fitness classes; workshops; and more.
90% of A2SF's more than 200 events offer free admission for the community, the festival website states. Performances, movies and events occur on various dates and at various times throughout June, with a full calendar available online.
Read more on the A2SF website.
Ann Arbor Art Fair
Attendees browse vendor selections at Ann Arbor Art Fair 2025. (Courtesy of Ann Arbor Art Fair)
Considered the largest juried art fair in the country, the Ann Arbor Art Fair is a three-day annual event that happens every July. Ann Arbor Art Fair is one comprehensive event that includes three distinct fairs: Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original; The Guild's Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair; and Ann Arbor State Street District Art Fair.
The art of more than 1,000 artists will be on display and for sale. The Ann Arbor Art Fair includes music performances on three stages, featuring Michigan artists and local legends across genres. The festival also offers a variety of participatory and demonstrative art activities, including a chalk walk, ceramics demonstration, live glassblowing and a kid-friendly art zone. Food trucks and street vendors will be set up throughout downtown Ann Arbor for the fair.
This year, the fair will take place July 16 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and July 18 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It will span more than 30 city blocks in downtown Ann Arbor. More information is available on the Ann Arbor Art Fair's website.
Ypsilanti Pride
People dance in the crowd at Ypsi Pride on Friday, June 6, 2025.
Co-founded by two Michigan-based queer artists in 2016, Ypsilanti Pride is an event that celebrates the queer community in Ypsilanti. It was born out of the 2013 establishment of First Fridays Ypsilanti, the FFY website states.
"Ypsi Pride's mission is to bring awareness and visibility through education and celebration of diversity to our community. Our vision is to create a welcoming and accepting community that exists to empower all LGBTQIA+ individuals," the FFY website states.
There will be celebration, events, performances and sales. While the lineup and details have not been released yet, the Ypsi Pride Facebook called for applications from entertainers, including drag performers, dancers, musicians and bands, comedians and poets. The Facebook also posted that about 10,000 attendees are expected.
Ypsilanti Pride is free to attend and will take place July 18, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Depot Town.
Ann Arbor Pride
Ann Arbor Pride is a festival in Ann Arbor that celebrates the queer community. There will be vendors, entertainment, community and pride. Ann Arbor Pride is hosted by the Jim Toy Community Center, an advocacy group in Ann Arbor named for the Michigan queer activist Jim Toy.
Last year, Ann Arbor Pride saw more than 20,000 attendees, its website said. Entertainment at the event is family-friendly through 6 p.m., the website stated. The free event will be on Main Street in Ann Arbor and is slated to occur Aug. 1, 2026.
Ann Arbor Pride is accepting vendor applications until June 30, 2026. Vendor information and an application link are available online on Ann Arbor Pride's website.
Fun Fest at Frog Island Park
This year's Fun Fest will be held on Aug. 8, 2026, starting at 1 p.m., at Frog Island Park in Ypsilanti.
Hosted by Fundamental Sound Co., Fun Fest at Frog Island Park is a day-long event featuring live music, art and vendors. The event will be Aug. 8, 2026, starting at 1 p.m.
Fun Fest is an annual event. While this year's music lineup has not yet been released, Fun Fest 2025 included performances from musicians Marcus Elliot, Peter "Madcat" Ruth, Al Bettis, Dani Darling, Ma Baker, Jacuzzi Beach and Violet Sol, as well as aerialist Cassie Catania from Resonate Bodies Healing & Circus Art.
Frog Island Park is at 9 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti. Those interested in being a vendor at the festival can email the organizers at fundamentalsoundco@gmail.com.
