Things To Do in Detroit in September

Story by Amelia Ritter

September is a great time to explore Detroit and the metro area, with summer winding down and fall finding its way, there are a ton of events, festivals, and activities waiting for you!

Mark your calendar with a few of these events as you plan your next visit.

Soaring Eagle Arts, Beats & Eats presented by Flagstar Bank – September 1-4

Soaring Eagle Arts, Beats & Eats presented by Flagstar Bank is Oakland County’s celebration of art, music, food, and community that take place in Downtown Royal Oak on Labor Day Weekend. This festival attracts hundreds of thousands for an end-of-summer celebration not to be missed!

Detroit Jazz Festival at Hart Plaza – September 1-4

For over 40 years, the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation has celebrated Detroit’s rich history of jazz music by providing year-round concerts and educational programming, and of course, organizing the world’s largest free jazz festival, featuring world-class talent, over Labor Day weekend.

North American International Auto Show – September 13-24

Come see the city that put the world on wheels putting the future on display. Explore new vehicle displays and exhibits at Huntington Place, Hart Plaza, and downtown Detroit, ride-and-drives indoors and outdoors, air mobility demonstrations, family-fun experiences, musical entertainment, auto enthusiast car clubs, street food, and much more.

Celebrate Detroit Month of Design all September long!

Design Core’s Month of Design will feature over 80 events spanning from exhibitions and installations to workshops, talks, and tours. Events will take place across the city of Detroit and into the surrounding metro area at indoor, outdoor, and virtual venues. Check out all of the exciting events happening here.

Foodies rejoice! September in Detroit is the best time to satisfy all of your cravings, whether it’s enjoying the last few summer treats or starting early on fall flavors. Don’t miss these food festivals and celebrations!

Romeo Peach Festival – through September 4

Art & Apples Festival – September 8-10

Parktoberfest – September 9

Blake's Sweet Corn Celebration – September 9

Detroit Foodie Fair – September 10

Detroit Vegan – September 10

Michigan Donut & Cider Fest – September 10-11

Royal Oak Margarita Fest – September 30

Featured Image
Credit: Matt Christ

If you're looking for live music, you already know that Detroit always has your hook-up. In September, you can catch acts like Disturbed, Beck, Pentatonix, Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, the Smashing Pumpkins, Greta Van Fleet, Ne-Yo, Owl City, Hozier, Duran Duran, Noah Kahan, The Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie, 50 Cent, Aerosmith, Peter Gabriel, and more at Detroit and metro area music venues.

Plus, you can enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes at summer festivals like the Detroit Jazz Festival, Riff Fest, Outlaw Music Festival, the 97.9 WJLB Block Party, and Backwoods and Bonfires.

September kicks off the start of the Detroit Lions season, so get your tailgating plans secured now! In addition to football, there is still plenty of Detroit Tigers baseball to enjoy, as well as Utica Unicorns games at Jimmy John's Field, and DCFC games. You can also check out special events, like Motor City Night of Knockouts, or participate in the Run Wild for the Zoo or Boston Edison 5k races.

Whether you're hanging out at Ford Field, Comerica Park, or Keyworth Stadium, Visit Detroit has you covered with guides for what to eat, where to park, and more!

The fun doesn't stop in Detroit. In addition to the museums, parks, shopping, and dining that you can experience on any visit, September has a ton more festivals for you to experience and enjoy. On your September visit to Detroit, be sure to check out:

Michigan State Fair - through September 4

Old Car Festival - September 9-10

Fire and Flannel Festival - September 21-24

Made in Michigan Festival - September 22-23

Detroit Concours D'Elegance - September 23

American Speed Festival - September 28

Take advantage of the warm weather and get outside on the water! You’re never too far from the water when you’re in metro Detroit, and with that, there are many ways for people to enjoy the water. Even if you don’t own a boat, there are plenty of places to rent kayaks, canoes, boats, jet skis, and more. If you’re looking to enjoy being out on the water in metro Detroit, find some of the best places here.

Catch some rays and get outside at the Huron Clinton Metroparks. There are 13 parks throughout metro Detroit with 25,000 acres of woods, water, and recreational facilities. Each park offers a variety of hiking trails, biking trails, playgrounds, and more, but some of the parks feature more unique activities like beaches, golfing, waterparks, boating, and a farm.

With all of the non-stop fun, you’ll surely work up an appetite. Enjoy Detroit staples like pizza and coney dogs, or hop on over to the Detroit Brew Trail. If you need a reprieve from the heat, try a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts, Michigan Science Center, or the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

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