Lansing Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Lansing, Michigan - MI, USA)

Being the state capital means that Lansing manages to boast some of the state's biggest festivals and celebrations. A number of these annual events tend to be found along sections of the River Trail, such as the Mayor's Walk in June and the Common Ground Music Festival each July, which reliably draws in the region of 100,000 visitors to the city.

Local entertainment venues offer plenty of things to do and enjoy throughout the year. These include the Riverwalk Theater, the Spartan Stadium, the Summit at the Capital Center, and the Wharton Center for Performing Arts, the latter of which comprises the Cobb Great Hall, the Fairchild Theater, the Pasant Theater and the Michigan State University Concert Auditorium.

The East Lansing Art Festival ranks amongst the largest of its kind in Michigan and dates back to the early 1960s, being held each year in the middle of May and currently attracting over 200 different artists from all over North America.

Other notable events in and around Michigan's capital include the Lansing JazzFest in August, the BluesFest each September, and the Bavarian-themed Oktoberfest at the beginning of October, where mouthwatering German food and polka music draw crowds to the Old Town neighborhood. The extremely popular East Lansing Film Festival comes along in November and screens more than 100 different films, being first held in 1997.

Lansing Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Homeschool Science Day - fun family themed activities at the Impression 5 Science Center on Museum Drive.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day - third Monday in January, a nationwide public holiday.
• Performances at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts - the year of ballet, dance, theater, concerts and more begins at the Wharton Center.

February

• Frost Fest - held downtown in mid-February, with live music, entertainment, microbrew beers and a euchre (card game) tournament.

March

• St. Patrick's Day Celebration - two days of Irish dancing, music and a parade, held roughly 20 minutes from Lansing, in nearby Grand Ledge.

April

• Capital City Film Festival - a four-day film showcase at venues throughout Lansing. Started in 2011, this popular film fest focuses on work by independent, regional filmmakers, and includes talks and performances from touring bands.
• Maple Syrup Festival - held during the last full weekend of the month in the nearby town of Vermontville, featuring a talent show, children's rides, a pancake derby, a flea market, maple syrup vendors and more.

May

• Spring Fling Festival - a four-day event held in Mason, from the Thursday prior to the first Saturday of the month, including the Courthouse Show.
• Victorian Festival - first weekend in May, in Grand Ledge, with a popular moustache contest, maypole dancing, a teddy bear tea party, a quilt show and lots of family themed fun.
• Be a Tourist in your own Town - an unusual event to raise consciousness of the city's attractions, with a dollar passport entitling the holder to free entrance to 50+ local attractions.
• East Lansing Art Festival - mid-May, a two-day outdoor celebration of art and culture running since 1964.

June

• Mayor's Walk - a 3-mile / 5-km walk with the Mayor along part of the River Trail, starting from Potter Park Zoo.
• Festival of the Moon and Sun - held in the Old Town, this two-day fundraiser features music, food and drink.
• Juneteenth Celebration - a mid-June commemoration of the end of slavery and a celebration of freedom / emancipation.
• Michigan Pride - mid-June, with a rally, festivities and parties celebrating the LGBTQ community.

July

• Common Ground Music Festival - held in the Adado Riverfront Park on the banks of the Grand River, this is a seven-day music gathering with performances by regional and national artists alike.

August

• Lansing JazzFest - a free music fest staged in early August, first held in 1995. The JazzFest is now popular with people from all across the state.
• Michigan Mosaic Music Festival - Labor Day weekend, late August / early September. This free event boasts cultural dancing and live bands.

September

• BluesFest - held in late September on the streets of the Old Town. Originating in 1994 as the Oktoberfest, this is a free music extravaganza showcasing regional and national acts.
• Capital City Dragon Boat Race - Sunday of Labor Day weekend, based at the East Adado Riverfront Park. Teams race down the Grand River, being watched by thousands of spectators.
• Capital City River Run - a weekend of races including the half marathon, a 3-mile / 5-km race and children's races. Teams race alongside the Grand River, with cheering crowds and a great atmosphere.

October

• Boo at the Zoo - Halloween celebrations held over four days at Potter Park Zoo.
• Oktoberfest - a two-day gathering at the beginning of October, in Old Town Lansing, celebrating all things German, especially the beer.

November

• East Lansing Film Festival - a nine-day event held in mid-November in East Lansing, showing foreign and independent films alike.
• Wonderland of Lights - late November to late December, holiday illuminations at Potter Park Zoo.
• Silver Bells in the City - late November to late December, an electric light parade, fireworks and the turning on of the Christmas tree lights.

December

• Old Town Dickens Village - seasonal family fun with horse-drawn carriage rides, photos with Santa, carolers, a scavenger hunt and many other Yuletide-themed activities.