Summer is just around the corner so there is no better time than now to make your June plans. As usual we by no means have listed all the events happening around Michigan. Add ones we missed (with links) in the comments below!

Festival of the Arts 2006 by oldbrushes

June 5 - 7
Greek Festival Kalamazoo
Thirty two years ago it all began with a small gathering of friends enjoying the Greek culture in the basement of Dionysos Restaurant. Little did Theo and Stacy know that the people of Kalamazoo would embrace and accept their heritage with overwhelming enthusiasm. After the first year, people came and went and requested more Greek cultural events. Theo and Stacy decided to not only share the food and drink of Greece, but also the song and dance. Within a few years the festival grew in size and it could no longer be held in the restaurant. After much consideration it was decided to make the festival a one day outdoor event. The festival eventually grew in size to a three day event where musicians, singers, and dancers would come via Greece and share the authentic Greek experience. When joining us at the festival this year, in memory of Theo, remember him singing and dancing with his glass of Ouzo exclaiming OPA!

June 5 - 7
Upper Peninsula Championship Rodeo Iron River
The rodeo kicks off on Thursday with Family Fun Night. Parades, pageants and pony rides. Rodeo events include bull riding, tie down roping, steer wrestling, bareback riding, team roping, barrel racing and saddle bronc riding.

June 6 - 8
Festival of the Arts Grand Rapids
Festival has grown to be its own nonprofit organization, encompassing almost all of downtown Grand Rapids with six performance stages; lots and lots of food booths offering ethnic delights of all kinds; singers, dancers, thespians, visual artists, and performers from all over West Michigan; more than 20,000 hard-working volunteers; and over half a million people in attendance.

Festival is the largest all-volunteer arts event in the nation!

June 6 - 8
Gizzard Fest Potterville
Gizzard Fest is an exciting event that overtakes the great city of Potterville, bringing an awesome time to all. There is a Beer tent at the greatest bar around, Joe's Gizzard City. This year the festival is the weekend of June 6th and 8th. There is a thrilling gizzard eating contest, enter if you think you have what it takes. Dancing, live music, BEER, what's not to like. Come down and have some fun!!!!

June 6 - 15
Lilac Festival Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island comes alive with scented flowers and many activities during the 59th annual Lilac Festival. Flowers, games, the Grand Parade and live music are just some of the events during the festival.

June 7
Premium Pour Leelanau Peninsula
The Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association introduces the first ever Premium Pour, to take place Saturday June 7, 2008. This unique event features a special tasting of 1-2 rare, library and estate wines from nine Leelanau Peninsula wineries. A high touch, more intimate tasting designed for the wine taster looking to learn more about the superior, award winning wines that are the hallmark of wines produced in the Leelanau Appellation.

June 7, 8, 14 & 15
Charlevoix Renaissance Festival Charlevoix
Charlevoix, MI plays host to the ALL NEW 2008 Charlevoix Renaissance Festival against the historic back drop of Castle Farms. Don’t miss the four days of action, adventure, and romance, June 7, 8, 14 & 15. Bring family and friends for the day to experience Another Place, Another Time.

June 12 - 15
Water Front Film Festival Saugatuck
In what has quickly become a tradition, the idyllic resort village of Saugatuck, Michigan comes alive each June with filmgoers, actors, producers and directors sharing the excitement as outstanding independent films from all over the United States are screened in casual, intimate settings. Entertainment professionals from Los Angeles, New York and Michigan created the Waterfront Film Festival in 1999 to provide a "middle coast" venue for independent filmmakers eager to show their work to sophisticated audiences. The festival has succeeded with growing support and recognition each year, and enthusiastic reviews from attendees.

June 12 - 15
Bavarian Festival Frankenmuth
Wilkommen to Frankenmuth’s 50th Annual Bavarian Festival It’s not just an event... it’s a feeling of "Gemütlichkeit", combined with the warmth and friendship of Michigan’s charming Bavarian Village.

It all started in 1959 with a Grand Opening Celebration of the Bavarian style addition to Fischer’s Hotel on Main Street. Back then "Tiny" & Dorothy Zehnder gambled on "Bavarianizing" their restaurant and re-naming it Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn. Several years later the event out-grew the parking lots of the restaurants. The Civic Events Council of Frankenmuth took over the operation of what has become an annual Bavarian Festival!

Come and enjoy the Gemütlichkeit of Old Bavaria blended with hospitality of Frankenmuth.

June 13 - 15
Nor-East'r Music & Art Festival Mio
A Nor-East'r is a storm including high winds originating in the north east. Their festival in north east Michigan will BLOW YOU AWAY & you will want to come back for next year's season!

Featuring 3 days of a variety of original & traditional styles of music & dance presented on 2 stages; so you can shop for the performance you want to see. Dance classes will be available as well as music workshops & various other side shows.

Juried art will be available for viewing, buying & demonstrating. Most of those artists will be demonstrating their craft so you can observe, learn or even try your hand at the work on the spot! Free rustic camping on-site is also available with a weekend ticket or you can stay in local hotels & come and go as you like with your wristband. Either way, you'll want to check out the campgrounds as there will be many camps making acoustic music of their own & music festivals are well known for side entertainment including pickin' & grinnin', clogging, juggling, hackey sack, dancin' & drummin' & more

Children's activities are planned throughout the weekend. They include instrument making, face painting, crafts, a play, story time, & a flute playing jam session & more. Vendor space for child artists is free!

June 13 - 14
The Belleville National Strawberry Festival Belleville
The variety of events taking place over three days of the National Strawberry Festival appeal to the young and young at heart. The Festival's broad audience and safe atmosphere offer sponsors a unique opportunity to reach a strong family oriented market, resulting in measurable advertising benefits and excellent business opportunities.

June 14
Leland Wine & Food Festival Leland
The Leland Wine & Food Festival is a northern Michigan tradition held on the second Saturday in June. Noon til 6pm.

Come enjoy a day near the Leland Harbor and Leland's historic Fishtown tasting wines from local wineries and tasting the specialties from local restaurants and vendors.

Admission is $10.00 and includes an etched wine glass and two tickets for wine tasting. Additional wine tasting tickets are available.

June 20 - 21
Straits Area Car Show St. Ignace
All Original Vehicles 1983 and older Original Vehicles Featuring Convertibles, "Endless Summer Theme".

June 20 - 22
Dearborn Arab International Festival Dearborn
This 3-day event is a free, family-centered cultural celebration that will attract over 300,000 people from Michigan, the Midwest, and Canada. This celebration of cultures will feature ethnic performances representing the diverse heritage of the people of Metropolitan Detroit. It boasts a great number of amusements, live musical acts-both local and international, 30 international food booths, coffee cup readings, henna, arts and crafts, a children’s tent, artisans, Arab merchandise, and a giant old-fashioned Ferris wheel that overlooks East Dearborn.

June 20 - 23
International Freedom Festival Detroit
River Days is the perfect time to enjoy all the fun that the new Detroit International Riverfront has to offer. Michigan.org's Fun on the Water includes the DTE Parade of Lights, Tall Ship Highlander Sea, Coast Guard Days, Lake Guardian EPA Boat Tours, Diamond Jack’s Boat Tours, Detroit River Cruise, Gold Cup Boat Races Exhibitions, Jet Ski demonstrations, the Detroit Open Bass Fishing tournament and much more!

It takes 5 days for dozens of specialists to load 3 barges with 250,000 lbs. of fiberglass mortars, 100 miles of wire, 500 tons of sand and more than 10,000 fireworks shells for the annual fireworks display.

June 26-29
Detroit Windsor International Film Festival Detroit / Windsor
On June 26-29, 2008, the Detroit Windsor International Film Festival (DWIFF) celebrates our love for the movies- and our passion for the art of film, as we bring together all of those involved in the process, from writer, director and cameraman- to the fans sitting out there in the dark!

This festival reaches to all levels and corners of the filmmaking industry, and brings it into focus to support the growth of a strong film culture. A culture we can use to build new opportunities in our region.

The DWIFF is a unique event. More than a film festival, we are a rallying point for a new type of film culture. A culture that builds on 100 years of film- and looks forward into the digital future. This is Detroit. With our neighboring city of Windsor, who sets the bar for support of film and the arts- we are a natural for bringing the film industry here to share in our history for innovation, creativity and tenacity!

Our Mission is to serve as a leader in promoting the collective talent and resources which we have in abundance for the world's filmmaking, video, music and entertainment industries.

June 26 - July 6
Muskegon Summer Celebration Muskegon
Heritage Landing in downtown Muskegon is home to 11 days of concerts, events, fireworks, arts & crafts and carnival rides. Whether you're a kid or a kid at heart, Muskegon Summer Celebration has an event for you.

June 27 - 29
Alpena Blues Festival Alpena
Music and more at the Alpena County Fairgrounds, admission $20 in advance, $25 at the gate. Camping reservations are being taken now

June 27 - 29
Michigan Challenge Balloonfest Howell
Check out Howell for the state championship of hot air ballooning, featuring more than 50 gorgeous balloons. Enjoy thrilling skydiving exhibitions, stunt kite shows, kids activities, a 5K run, a medieval village, arts festival and family entertainment and more

June 27 - 29
Michigan Energy Fair Onekama
The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) is presenting the 3rd Annual Michigan Energy Fair. This three-day event will unite people from throughout Michigan and the Great Lakes region to learn about energy issues and sustainable living. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend educational workshops; meet vendors offering valuable goods, services, and information; eat local food; and hear great live music. For more information, call 517-646-6269 or visit