Greater Lansing Festival Alliance

In the Greater Lansing area, over 30 festivals celebrate art and culture through exhibits, performances, cultural activities, and educational opportunities.

To spotlight these many festivals, the Greater Lansing Festival Alliance (GLFA) was formed in 2009 with the help of the Arts Council of Greater Lansing.

Member Festivals

Woldumar

Woldumar's 'Chili' Winter Evening

Jan 26, 2013| woldumar.org | Volunteer

The days are chilly but the food is hot! Activities include horse-drawn sleigh rides, bonfires, dancing, and music with a special performance by the band "Powerlight." Come for the chili, stay for the fun!


ffest

Frost Fest

Feb 16, 2013 | frostfest.org | Volunteer

Chill out at this fantastic Lansing winter celebration-Frost Fest! This event features a heated MBC microbrew beer tent, a “Cold Butt” euchre tournament, an icy game room and live music.


Capital City Film Festival

Capital City Film Festival

April 11—14, 2013| capitalcityfilmfest.com | Volunteer

A film industry showcase for independent artists. The festival celebrates and promotes filmmakers with an emphasis on Michigan-made talent. CCFF exposes attendees to engaging films, conversations, documentaries and musical entertainment in a four-day festival taking place in venues across Lansing.


Fenner Maple Syrup Festival

Earth Day Extravaganza

April 20, 2013| mynaturecenter.org | Volunteer

Honor the legacy of Earth Day by giving back to nature. Explore local flora and fauna with biologists, hobbyists, and students during our annual "Bioblitz." Form a team to compete in our "Garlic Mustard Pull Challenge" and help restore habitat for wildlife. 


East Lansing Art Festival

May 18 & 19, 2013 | elartfest.com | Volunteer

Fine artists from Michigan and beyond will line downtown East Lansing’s streets to exhibit and sell original works of fine art and fine crafts. Free live music, children’s hands-on arts activities and more.


 

ffest

Be A Tourist In Your Own Town

June 1, 2013 | lansing.org/batyot

Explore a world of possibilities during this one-day event that treats residents and tourists alike to the best of Greater Lansing for just $1! Enjoy museums, interactive activities, attractions and one-day-only tours of the coolest places.


Lansing Juneteenth Celebration

Lansing Juneteenth Celebration

June 13-15, 2013| lansingjuneteenthcelebration.org

Commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. by celebrating the joys of liberty, educating the community about our heritage and by promoting positive cultural interaction. This three-day event includes music, dance, entertainment.


Summer Solstice Jazz Festival

Summer Solstice Jazz Festival

June 21 & 22, 2013 | eljazzfest.com | Volunteer

Take in a two-day, jazz-infused festival in the heart of downtown East Lansing. This extraordinary FREE event features a high-caliber bevy of local and national jazz performers in the heart of downtown East Lansing. FREE!


Festival of the Moon

Festival of the Moon

June 21, 2013| festivalofthemoon.com | Volunteer

Make one of the shortest nights of the year count at Festival of the Moon. Cool off on a warm summer night with a glass of cold craft-brewed beer while listening to rockin’ regional and national bands. View recycled material sculptures from the “Scrapfest” competition. (www.oldtownscrapfest.com)


Festival of the Sun

Festival of the Sun

June 22, 2013| festivalofthesun.com | Volunteer

Celebrate the summer solstice with the Festival of the Sun, a premier beer, wine and gourmet food- tasting festival. Enjoy fine wine, craft-brews & the Lansing area’s best cuisine & entertainment on two stages. View recycled material sculptures from the “Scrapfest” competition. (www.oldtownscrapfest.com)


LCC Summer Stage Under the Stars

LCC Summer Stage Under the Stars

June 26—Aug 1, 2013| lcc.edu/summerstage

Lansing Community College’s Summer Stage Under the Stars presents a performing arts series featuring music, theater and dance perfect for a summer evening!


World Day at Hunter Park

Common Ground Music Festival

July 8—14, 2013| commongroundfest.com | Volunteer

The Common Ground Music Festival is an annual week-long music celebration. National Headlining artists mix with regional and local favorites to create the summer's hottest seven nights. Enjoy rock, country, blues and more along the scenic Grand River.


Taste of Downtown

Taste of Downtown

July 20, 2013| tasteofdowntown.org

Enjoy a summer afternoon in Downtown Lansing sampling various cuisines and food specialties from Downtown’s finest restaurants. Plenty of food sampling, wine tasting with over 100 varieties of wine from around the world, and live music Downtown on the square!


Ingham County Fair

Ingham County Fair

July 29 - August 3, 2013| www.inghamfair.org

Since 1856, "bring 'em to Ingham, the family fun fair!" 100's of exhibits, grandstand events with awesome tractor pull and metal bashing demolition derby, carnival midway and country music.


Lansing JazzFest

Lansing JazzFest

Aug 2 & 3, 2013 | jazzlansing.com | Volunteer

Lansing JazzFest is a FREE festival that brings great jazz artists from across the country and state, music clinics, ethnic food, a beverage tent, and fun for all ages to the streets of Old Town Lansing.


MSU Museum’s Great Lakes Folk Festival

MSU Museum’s Great Lakes Folk Festival

Aug 9—11, 2013 | greatlakesfolkfest.net | Volunteer

The MSU Museum presents this three-day celebration of culture, tradition and community. Find music, dance, food, marketplace and more with the roots, the rhythms and the richness of cultures across America and around the world.


Renegade Theatre Festival

Renegade Theatre Festival

Aug 15—17, 2013 | renegadetheatrefestival.org

Three days of free theatre showcased in Lansing’s most artistic district—Old Town; featuring a wide range of performance styles from comedy, puppet shows, musicals, improv, staged readings and more!


Michigan Mosaic Music Festival

Michigan Mosaic Music Festival

Aug 31—Sept 1, 2013 | michiganmosaic.org | Volunteer

Michigan Mosaic Music Festival is a FREE festival celebrating diversity and unity on Labor Day weekend in Michigan’s capital city. Activities include live bands, multicultural dance, ethnic cuisine, beverage tent, labor displays and much more.


Tejano/Latino Music Fest

Tejano/Latino Music Fest

Sept 14, 2013 | lansingforcesarechavez.com

Celebrate the Tex/Mex sound with dancing, food, booths and fun for the entire family. Six different bands will be featured playing a variety of the Tejano sound of polkas, cumbias, merengues and the music of today.


Old Town BluesFest

Old Town BluesFest

Sept 20 & 21, 2013| oldtownbluesfest.com | Volunteer

Old Town BluesFest brings creates an open space where people gather, have fun, and enjoy the rhythm of the blues. Local, regoinal, and national talent perform on three stages located in the heart of revitalized Old Town. 


Old Town Oktoberfest

Old Town Oktoberfest

Oct 4 & 5, 2013 | oldtownoktoberfest.com | Volunteer

Old Town Oktoberfest, Lansing’s only German-style festival, features all things German, including live polka, German fare and, of course, wonderful German beers in souvenir mugs to remember the event.


Fenner Apple Butter Festival

Fenner Apple Butter Festival

Oct 12 & 13, 2013 | mynaturecenter.org | Volunteer

Embrace our ties to the land at the 40th annual Apple Butter Festival. Help stir the apple butter, cooked the old-fashioned way in a copper kettle over the fire, or try your hand at the cider press. The beauty of nature in autumn coupled with heritage artisans, local musicians, and savory food. 


Trick or Treat on the Square

Trick or Treat on the Square

Oct 28, 2013 | trickortreatonthesquare.org | Volunteer

[Rain Date: October 29, 2013]
Trick or Treat on the Square is a family-friendly event filled with spook-tacular fall fun! This free event celebrates Halloween in a safe environment that features a hay maze, trick-or-treating, stilt walkers, fire dancers, and more!


East Lansing Film Festival

East Lansing Film Festival

November 6 -14, 2013 | elff.com | Volunteer

A nine-day celebration of world-class independent film in a festive setting. Enjoy features, documentaries and short films from around the world as well as premieres, tributes to stars and parties.


Global Festival

Global Festival

Nov 17, 2013 | cvip.isp.msu.edu | Volunteer

Explore cultures from around the world! International students showcase their home countries with exhibits and performances. Explore art work, jewelry, glassware, clothing, and indulge yourself in international cuisine! The Global Festival is a familiy event - and it's free!


Silver Bells

Nov 22, 2013 | silverbellsinthecity.org | Volunteer

Celebrate the season in downtown Lansing with the electric light parade, state tree lighting, and fireworks. Visit our Silver Bells village to get a head-start on your holiday shopping. In addition, fifty art and cultural venues feature live performances throughout the night! Free!


 

Old Town Dickens Village

Old Town Dickens Village

Dec 7, 2013 | iloveoldtown.org

This free event starts the holiday season by celebrating Old Town’s Victorian heritage. Enjoy family-friendly activities such as horse-drawn carriage rides, puppet shows, carolers and more.


Winter Glow

Winter Glow

Dec 7, 2013 | cityofeastlansing.com | Volunteer

Enjoy the hustle and bustle of the winter season in downtown East Lansing! Enjoy winter-inspired activities, a special lighting of luminaries throughout the downtown, merchant specials and much more. FREE!


 

 

Click the above image to check out more photos from recent festivals!

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Interested in joining?

By being a part of the Festival Alliance, you can gain a greater audience, share ideas & resources, and help strengthen the Greater Lansing arts & culture community.