Looking for the best music festivals in Michigan in 2024? Well, look no further, because I’m here to help!
What do you think of when you hear “Michigan”? Maybe you think of the capital of Detroit, the famous hub of the American automotive industry (hence the nickname “Motor City”). You might think of Eminem, who proudly hails from Detroit. I’ll forgive you for that, but you’re getting warmer. Perhaps you think of it as the birthplace of Motown Music. Now you’re getting really warm.
Music is rooted deep in Michigan’s history, and each year the music scene only grows in diversity and quality. Music festivals in Michigan are a dime a dozen, spread from Detroit to Grand Rapids, Lansing to Kalamazoo, and spanning a plethora of genres.
My list of the best Michigan music festivals will be sure to fill up your summer music festival schedule – and beyond.
1) Electric Forest Festival 2024
When: June 20-23, 2024
Where: Rothbury, Michigan
https://electricforestfestival.com/
Since 2011, Electric Forest has been committed to the constant reimagination of what a festival experience can be. It’s this thoughtful and innovative approach to production and programming that has helped foster one of the world’s most dedicated festival communities. The festival continues to sell out each year, and the same is expected for the 2024 edition.
“With the 2024 lineup, Electric Forest once again provides something for fans of all styles of electronic music and beyond. Headliners for next year will include Forest legend Pretty Lights, the bone-rattling sounds of Excision, and Cyclops Recordings founder Subtronics. A variety of rare collaborative artist sets are also on deck, including EVERYTHING ALWAYS (Dom Dolla + John Summit), PSYREN (CloZee + LSDREAM), and Big Gigantic and NGHTMRE teaming up for their Gigantic NGHTMRE project.
Jam fans can rejoice as The String Cheese Incident returns to perform two Incidents, plus sets from fellow torchbearers of the genre The Disco Biscuits and Umphrey’s McGee. Some of the more unexpected names on the lineup include Grammy-winning singer Nelly Furtado and famed Atlanta hip-hop artist Ludacris, each bringing their iconic sounds to Electric Forest next year. The list of headliners is rounded out by Belgian techno queen Charlotte de Witte, a solo set from John Summit, and performances by Black Tiger Sex Machine, Ben Böhmer, and Knock2.
Additional house and techno favorites on the lineup include Mau P, LP Giobbi, DJ Tennis, Sultan + Shepard, TSHA, and Coco & Breezy, while heavier sounds will come courtesy of Chase & Status, Barclay Crenshaw, ATLiens, Wooli, and Alison Wonderland’s new project Whyte Fang. The 2024 lineup also showcases a variety of live acts with their own electronic influences, featuring performances by Cannons, NEIL FRANCES, and DRAMA. More artists will continue to be announced leading up to the festival.”
2) Movement Detroit 2024
Photo via Movement Facebook
When: Memorial Day Weekend, May, 2024
Where: Detroit, Michigan
“Each year on Memorial Day weekend, thousands of people from across the globe gather in the birthplace of Techno to celebrate the heritage of Detroit and its musical influence over countless generations, new and old. Movement Music Festival is one of the longest-running dance music events in the world, committed to showcasing authentic electronic music and providing an experience unlike any other. The festival takes place in Hart Plaza – Detroit’s legendary riverfront destination. ”
3) Faster Horses Country Festival
Photo via Facebook
When: July 2024
Where: Brooklyn, Michigan
https://fasterhorsesfestival.com/
“Faster Horses Festival is a three-day country music and camping festival that takes place in the Irish Hills of Brooklyn, Michigan every July and is often dubbed as the “party of the summer”! This annual festival brings a star-studded lineup and an average of 40-50,000 country music fans from around the world. Following the festival’s monumental 5th anniversary last year, Billboard praised that “Faster Horses is not just another music festival…it definitely has a personality” and since its establishment in 2013, has earned a reputation as “a state-of-the-art down-home jamboree.”
4) Common Ground Music Festival 2024
Photo via Facebook
When: July, 2024
Where: Lansing, Michigan
https://www.commongroundfest.com/
“The Common Ground Music Festival is a multiple-day music festival entering its 19th year. The festival has highlighted more than 400 artists including 38 Grammy award winners and 22 Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame inductees. Each July, more than 40,000 people come to Lansing, Michigan to enjoy the best in music, entertainment food and beverage. This annual celebration features an outstanding lineup of musical acts, focusing on top-level, national and regional music performers of many genres including contemporary and classic rock, pop, alternative, country, hip hop, rhythm & blues, soul, and more.”
5) Hiawatha Music Festival 2024
Photo via Facebook
When: July 19-21, 2024
Where: Marquette, Michigan
https://www.facebook.com/HiawathaMusicFestival
“The Hiawatha Music Co-op seeks to provide and promote traditional music and dance, to educate and inform society about traditional American music, and to encourage the appreciation of this music through our annual festival and various year-round events. The Hiawatha Festival is the only event of its size and scope in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Without Hiawatha, local performers and fans would have to travel between four and six hours to the nearest comparable festivals. The Festival is held the next-to-last FULL weekend in July, at the Marquette, Michigan, at Tourist Park.”
6) Hoxeyville Music Festival
Photo via Facebook
When: August 9-11, 2024
Where: Wellston, Michigan
“Nestled on 150 acres of farmland surrounded by the Manistee National Forest, Hoxeyville Music Festival is a testament to pure north country peace and celebration. Hoxeyville is the midwest’s premier Americana and Roots festival. We boast two stages featuring national touring artists, and the best and brightest Michigan talent with an intimate capacity of three thousand. We are proud of our incredibly supportive community, safe, family friendly camping (and playground!), excellent kids’ tent programming, unbelievable food, and an easily traversable site. Hoxeyville is strategically located near various mountain biking trails and the Pine River—a national wild and scenic river, world class blue-ribbon trout stream and a renowned paddle sports playground. Kestelwoods restaurant, party store and campground is a convenient five minute walk from the festival grounds.”
7) Wheatland Music Festival
Photo via Facebook
When: September 6-8, 2024
Where: Remus, Michigan
https://www.wheatlandmusic.org/
https://www.facebook.com/wheatlandmusicorganization/
“The Wheatland Music Festival is an annual celebration of music and the arts, dating back to 1974. Every year, both local and world renowned musicians gather together in early September for three days of singing, dancing and friendship. Thousands of children and adults converge on the 160-acre festival site to enjoy a wide variety of traditional arts and music. Festival goers take part in workshops, demonstrations, dances, and impromptu jam sessions throughout the site as well as stage performances, juried arts and crafts, and a wide variety of food.”
8) Daily in the Alley Festival
When: September, 2024
Where: Detroit, Michigan
“Dally in the Alley in Detroit, Michigan, is a community celebration of the local music scene, restaurant industry and art world. Boasting the title of Detroit’s biggest community event, the festival showcases numerous craft vendors, live entertainment performances, poetry workshops and a large variety of delicious dining options.”
Image: Detroit Metro Times
9) Detroit Jazz Festival 2024
When: September, 2024 (Labor Day Weekend)
Where: Detroit, Michigan
http://www.detroitjazzfest.org/
“For nearly 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. With the support of corporate sponsors, philanthropic organizations, individual donors and volunteers, the Detroit Jazz Festival is free to music fans looking to revel in the artistry and improvisation of jazz legends, rising stars, legacy and homecoming artists. Each year’s lineup of more than 60 performances as remarkable and diverse as the genre itself, as well as spontaneous late-night jam sessions, offers something for everyone.”
10) Breakaway Music Festival 2024
Photo via Facebook / Tyler Church
When: August, 2024
Where: Belknap Park, Grand Rapids
http://www.breakawayfestival.com/michigan/
“Organized by Prime Social Group, Breakaway Music Festival is a genre-spanning concert event that takes place in Major League Soccer stadiums throughout the United States. With previous festivals in Columbus and Dallas, and with plans to expand in coming years, Breakaway is becoming one of the foremost music festivals in the country. Past headliners include Bassnectar, Empire of the Sun and Kendrick Lamar.”
11) Detroit Music Weekend
Photo via Facebook
When: August, 2024
Where: Detroit, Michigan
https://www.detroitmusicweekend.org/
“Detroit Music Weekend grows bigger, better, and bolder in 2018 with a huge collection of unique Detroit shopping and dining opportunities, multiple downtown happenings, and – of course – music, and lots of it. This blockbuster event is what the world expects from Detroit, and this June, the city’s performing arts come together for a total downtown Detroit experience.”
12) Excellency Music Festival
When: August, 2024
Where: Bay City, Michigan
https://www.facebook.com/xlncmusicfest
We are an alternative rock music festival that originated 3 years ago. Some notable past artists include Tiny Moving Parts, Hot Mulligan, Belmont, I See Stars, and Flint Eastwood. This year’s headliners include Hot Mulligan, Homesafe, Forest Green, Rarity, Heart Attack Man, and Jetty Bones – with strong support from Second Best, Charmer, Kayak Jones, If Only If Only, Gold Route, and Dogleg.
13) Upheaval Festival 2024
When: July 19-20, 2024
Where: Grand Rapids, Michigan
“Once again, two days of rock are going to take over Grand Rapids! The largest outdoor multiple day rock fest West Michigan, Upheaval Festival, is returning in 2024 – and they’ve just announced dates and when tickets go on sale! Since its inception in 2021, each year Upheaval has grown thanks to YOU! We can’t wait to see you all again in 2024.”
14) Ann Arbor Folk Festival 2024
Image: Click On Detroit
When: January 26-27, 2024
Where: Ann Arbor, Michigan
“Presented by Bank of Ann Arbor, the Ann Arbor Folk Festival is the largest annual fundraising effort for The Ark, Ann Arbor’s non-profit home for folk, roots, and acoustic music. Featuring a blend of renowned and up-and-coming performers, the program provides audience members with the opportunity to hear artists they know and love while discovering great new talent. In 2024, Folk Fest will return to a two-night format in Hill Auditorium for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic. The festival delivers the full spectrum of “Ark music,” presenting a taste of what’s happening on the leading edge of acoustic music while delving into the very heart of folk and roots traditions. Watch for The Ark to reveal the lineup for the January 26-27 events in mid-October.”
15) Blissfest Folk and Roots Music Festival
When: July 12-14, 2024
Where: Harbor Springs, Michigan
“Year after year, Blissfest offers enrichment to our patrons with more areas to connect with one another, jam together, learn together, and enjoy a weekend of inspiring performances. 8 Performance Programming Areas, Silent Disco, Drum Kiva, Open Mic, Buskers, Workshops, Folkscool, Kids & Teen Activities, Craft Vendors, Food Vendors, Healing Arts, Beautiful Northern Michigan, Perfect Summer Experience, Beach Shuttle Service to Lake Michigan and Convenience Store.”
16) Pine Mountain Music Festival 2024
When: June 15-22, 2024
Where: Upper Peninsula, Michigan
www.pinemountainmusicfestival.com
“The Pine Mountain Music Festival (PMMF) is committed to nurturing the artistic vitality and creative spirit of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula through classical music by presenting innovative, inspiring, and inclusive performances, educational programs, and community engagement events.”
When: June 14-16, 2024
Where: Delton, Michigan
www.circlepinescenter.org/music-festival
“Celebrating the 11th festival in 2023, the Buttermilk Jamboree is a three day festival of music and arts that takes place at the beautiful Circle Pines Center in Delton, MI. A truly family-friendly festival, the Buttermilk Jamboree features rustic overnight camping, dozens of local and regional performers, workshops, swimming, dancing, local food and goods vendors, craft beer and wine, dedicated kids area complete with performers and crafts, and SO much more!! Join us in June each year for a fun-filled experience of music, food, arts, education and community for the whole family to enjoy!!”
18) Michigan Elvisfest
When: July 13-14, 2024
Where: Belleville, Michigan
“The Michigan ElvisFest was founded in 1999. Started by Elvis tribute artists Matt King and Sherman Arnold in cooperation with the Ypsilanti Depot Town Association, to celebrate the music and the influence of Elvis Presley and replace the previous Ypsilanti based music festival, the Bob Marley Festival. Since then, it has grown to be the largest Elvis festival in North America, attended by approximately 20,000 fans each year.”
19) Sterlingfest Art & Music Fair
When: July / August, 2024
Where: Sterling Heights, Michigan
https://www.sterlingheights.gov/2138/Sterlingfest
“Sterlingfest is an annual art and music fair held in Sterling Heights. The festival is a celebration of the arts, featuring local and national artists, live music, and food vendors.”
20) Stars & Stripes Festival
When: July 4 Weekend, 2024
Where: Novi, Michigan
https://www.facebook.com/starsandstripesfest/
“The Stars & Stripes Festival is a free Fourth of July festival in Novi, Michigan that says it highlights everything that America has to offer. The festival debuted in 2007. Produced by Funfest Productions Inc, the Stars & Stripes Festival bills itself as drawing over 500,000 people annually to enjoy carnival rides, national and local music acts, cuisine from America the world, tributes to military service members and veterans, art exhibits, and fireworks and laser show displays.”
Am I missing any music festivals in Michigan 2024…?
I’m always discovering new festivals in different states, so if you think I need to update this list with any epic upcoming festivals in Michigan – shoot me an email and I’ll take a look! I haven’t been to Michigan yet, but am hoping to make it there this summer for either Electric Forest or Movement Festival (I am a huge techno snob actually, lol).
Looking for more music festivals around the world…?
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Make sure to follow along on my Facebook Page & Instagram for more of my international adventures around the world.
Great information! I had no idea there were so many music festivals in Michigan!
Nice post, except Detroit most definitely is not the capital of Michigan. Most famous city, sure, but Lansing is the capital. You got some good ones in this list that cover a lot of genres and many parts of the state, so well done! I’ll add a notable mention – Camp Greensky happened for the first time last year and should be a recurring staple on the MI festival scene moving forward. It’s headlined by local heroes Greensky Bluegrass and they had a solid lineup last year.
You missed Arts, Beats, and Eats!
Also, Blissefest is a wonderful festival in northern Michigan!
There’s also prime music festival, in Lansing, MI
The Hamtramck Music fest in March. Hundreds of bands in dozens of Hamtramck bars over three nights all for one $10 wristband. It’s a music fest plus pub crawl..
A VERY major festival is oft forgotten: Michigan Irish Music Festival — incredibly affordable, very strong local sponsorship, 7 stages, 27 local, national, international acts this year. Totally volunteer led. Gives *back* to the community with donations to local food banks. Michigan Irish Initiative supporting young bands getting started. Stunning venue. Never fails, what ere the weather.
Love Music Festivals in Michigan!
You’re missing Blissfest, my man!!! Check it out at blissfest.org
Also should check out Michigan Metal Fest. It’s a grass root festival in Battle Creek Michigan started in 2017. Previous years it’s had 3 stages , with 30 plus bands, national , regional and local bands. Lots of vendors. Known for their hospitality . This festival grows every year. Tickets on sale for August 24th 2024. Michiganmetalfest.net