Techno fans have been waiting all year for the Movement Electronic Music Festival -- and the good news is it's almost here. The event, which takes place this weekend in downtown Detroit, has a well-deserved reputation for being one of the premier electronic dance music gatherings in the country. Aside from bringing to town exciting acts like Moby and sparking off scores of after parties, the annual Memorial Day weekend event also kicks off the summer festival season.
The Mitten state has no shortage of upcoming musical gatherings, whether you're interested in camping or just want to rock out for a few hours to some amazing riffs. There are also opportunities to don Renaissance garb, check out the latest indie films, cruise in your hot rod and gorge on cherries -- or all of the above. It's summer, why limit yourself?
Whether you fancy art or fast cars, rock out to metal or get down to country, we've compiled a list of the blowout events that make summer in Michigan the best place on earth. Check out the list below, and don't forget to bring sunscreen and plenty of water! And if you're hankering for even more music, check out metro Detroit's summer blowout concerts that bring in acts from across the decades.
Michigan Summer Festivals: Music And More For 2013
Movement Electronic Music Festival(01 of24)
In Detroit, it's hard to think of Memorial Day weekend without the Movement Electronic Music Festival. Thumping bass lines and wild hip-shaking throngs temporarily transform the city's downtown into a carnival of dancing and modulated electro-beats. This year's party features some heavy hitters, including Moby, techno-pioneer Carl Craig and Richie Hawtin, also known as Plastikman. Local faves like Deastro, Shigeto and Phantasmagoria will also be on hand to give the crowds a taste of some lesser-known Detroit-area originals. In addition to the tunes themselves, tech companies will be perched in Hart Plaza to show off their latest gear and local artists with the Community Arts Moving Projects (CAMP) program will with offering visual surprises to those who pass through to check out the tunes. Visit the Movement website for a complete lineup and other happenings like official festival after parties. (credit:Movement/Facebook)
Hoedown(02 of24)
During Detroit's annual country music-inspired Downtown Hoedown, dressing like a cowboy in the city almost seems normal. This year's throwdown, sponsored by WYCD-FM, takes place May 31 - June 2 on several stages set up around Comerica Park in downtown Detroit. Featured artists include Tate Stevens, Emerson Drive, Rachel Farley, Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, Uncle Kracker and Maggie Rose. For more details, visit the WYCD website. (credit:WYCD/Facebook)
Detroit Grand Prix (03 of24)
Detroit's Belle Isle Park will become America's fastest island from May 31 to June 2, as the island hosts a series of racing events collectively known as the Grand Prix. Cars will compete in the IZOD IndyCar Series, the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series, the Pirelli World Challenge Championship Series and a Chevrolet Indy Duel. For details on the racing events, visit the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix website. (credit:Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix/Facebook)
Orion Festival @ Belle Isle(04 of24)
Detroit's beautiful island park, Belle Isle, will host a musical cavalcade headlined by Metallica and the Red Hot Chili Peppers on June 8-9. They'll be joined Gogol Bordello, Infectious Grooves, Rise Against, the Dirtbombs and a whole bunch of other acts. The excitement won't just be limited to music, either. Belle Isle will also be the site of a custom car and motorcycle show, film tent, skate ramp where pro skaters will show off their craziest tricks, record store, autograph tent and more. Click on their website to get details and a full lineup of acts. (credit:Orion/Facebook)
Grand Rapids Festival Of The Arts(05 of24)
Grand Rapids will burst into a celebration of West Michigan arts this year from June 7-9. Music, dance, theatre, poetry, films, storytelling and more will be on display -- not to mention a juried art exhibition of regional artists. Check their website for updates. (credit:Festival Of The Arts/Facebook)
Detroit Summer Beer Fest(06 of24)
Why wait until Oktoberfest, when you can enjoy a nice cool brew in June at the Detroit Summer Beer Fest? The event is a celebration of Craft Beer Month, presented by Real Detroit Weekly. If you pace yourself you'll be able to enjoy beers from over 60 breweries from around the world. You'll also get an opportunity to talk to company reps, brewers and an enormous horde of beer enthusiasts. This year's festivities will take place in downtown's Campus Martius on June 21 from 5-10 p.m. and June 22 from 1-6 p.m. For details, visit the DSBF website. (credit:DSBF/Facebook)
Kalamazoo Island Fest (07 of24)
If you're in the mood for reggae this summer, Kalamazoo is a quicker route than Negril. The West Michigan college town is the home of Island Fest, which draws more than 15,000 reggae fans every year. The Cliftones, Ras Kente and the Take No Prisoners Posse and grammy-winning artist Mykal Rose (Black Uhuru) are notable picks for this summer chillfest, which runs June 20-22. See website for more details about the event and its musical lineup. (credit:Kalamazoo Island Festival/Facebook)
River Days(08 of24)
Detroit's riverfront will become a party zone for people of all ages from June 21-23. There will be music, an artist competition, jet ski demonstrations, a kid's zone, street performers, sand sculptures, carnival rides and even a visit by an old-style tall ship.The DMC will be sponsoring a 5K run and walk. Funds raised through the event will go to the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy, a group dedicated to improving the riverfront. For more information, visit the Detroit River Days website. (credit:Detroit RiverFront Conservancy)
Electric Forest Festival(09 of24)
A gathering known for its nighttime light show of incandescent trees will return to Rothbury, Mich. from June 27-30. Jam band extraordinaire The String Cheese Incident will headline this year's Electric Forest Festival, along with Grimes and Passion Pit. Detroit rapper Danny Brown and Femi Kuti & The Positive Force will also be there to stoke the fires of fun! More than just music, festival-goers will also have access to activities like horseback riding, glow-in-the dark disc golf and a Movement Electronic Music Festival party. For more info and a complete lineup, visit the website. (credit:Electric Forest/Facebook)
National Cherry Festival(10 of24)
The Traverse City area has an international reputation for excellent and abundant cherry harvests. Locals celebrate this tasty connection each year with the National Cherry Festival, a fruit-centric extravaganza of over 150 different events.The fun includes a National Cherry Queen pageant, volleyball tournament, kid's festival and big wheels race, air shows, pie eating contests and more. This year's festival takes place in Traverse City from June 29–July 6. Musical acts include STYX, Foreigner and a Simon & Garfunkel tribute by the group Old Friends. To find out more about the festival's many events, visit the Cherry Festival website. (credit:National Cherry Festival/Facebook)
Coast West Music Fest(11 of24)
From July 1-6, Muskegon will host the Coast West Music Festival at Heritage Landing County Park,with an impressive list of musicians: Chicago, LeAnn Rimes, Cheap Trick, Blue Oyster Cult and blues singer Buddy Guy. The festival concludes with a Fourth of July fireworks celebration, as well as a local arts fest on July 5-6. For details and a complete list of musical acts, visit the Coast West website. (credit:Coast West Music Fest)
Concert of Colors(12 of24)
Detroit's annual celebration of Motown's diverse population features musical artists from many different traditions -- a unique pick in Michigan's festival season. This year's show, which will take place at various venues around the city from July 4-7, will feature Puerto Rican folk music by BombaRica, South African jazz by Planet D Nonet, Brazilian bluegrass by Matuto, Latin hip-hop/rock/classical music by Ozomatli (with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra) and Arabic ethnic music by Wisaal. Get ready at a special "tune-up" concert on June 29 at New Center Park. For more details and a complete listing of artists and venues visit the Concert of Colors website. (credit:BombaRica/Facebook)
Common Ground Music Festival(13 of24)
Michigan's capital will become the center for more than legislation from July 8-14. Among the featured acts at the Common Ground Music Festival: Ben Folds Five, Guster, Slash, Ludacris, MGMT and Barenaked Ladies. There's also a "silent disco" and an inflatable walk-through exhibit called "Exxopolis - Architects of Air." For more info, check out the Common Ground website. (credit:Common Ground/Facebook)
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair(14 of24)
For more than 50 years, Ann Arbor's fair has brought art alive and into the streets. In addition to artists and craftspeople hawking their works, you'll find street performers, art activities and music performances. all over Ann Arbor from July 17-20. This year's musicians include pianist and vocalist Amy Saari and Dark Eyed Molly, a singer and guitarist. Visit the fair's website for more information. (credit:AASAF/Facebook)
Vans Warped Tour(15 of24)
Black Veil Brides, Hawthorne Heights, Kaleido and Mac Lethal are just a few of the many pop-punk thrashers appearing at this year's Warped Tour. The festival dates back to 1995 and is sponsored by Vans. Despite its punk roots, Warped offers mosh opportunities in multiple genres, including hip-hop, pop and electronica. This year's Metro Detroit stop is at The Palace in Auburn Hills, Mich. on July 19. Weather permitting, there'll be slip-and-slide. For details on the tour, visit the Warped Tour website. To learn more the Detroit musical line up click here. (credit:Van's Warped Tour/Facebook)
Faster Horses Festival(16 of24)
You may not need to ride a horse to get there, but aspiring cowboys and cowgirls might want to saddle up their trucks or bikes (or whatever) and head to Brooklyn. The Jackson County town is hosting a 3-day country music and camping get-together called the "Faster Horses Festival" from July 19-21. Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean will be among the event's featured artists. See website for details and a complete lineup. (credit:Faster Horses/Facebook)
Oakaloosa(17 of24)
Historic Fort Wayne will feel utterly modern on July 27, when Detroit hosts its first totally-philanthropic music festival. Oakaloosa. Part of the proceeds will go towards restoring the fort's facilities. Even non-historic preservationalists will be inspired by the renovation of the historic Bone Thugs -N-Harmony lineup, along with Girl Talk, Royce Da 5’9″ and Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas. For more info, check out the Oakaloosa website. (credit:Girl Talk/Facebook)
Traverse City Film Festival(18 of24)
Every summer, film lovers flock to Traverse City to soak in both sun and celluloid during the city's annual film fest. Founded by renowned documentary maker Michael Moore, allows enthusiasts to screen dozens of shorts and feature films from around the world. 128,000 people attended in 2011. This year's event lasts from from July 30-August 4. Visit the TCFF website to find out upcoming details about the 2013 festival. (credit:TCFF/Facebook)
Cheeseburger In Caseville Fest(19 of24)
Cheeseburger in Caseville is a ten-day festival that takes place in Caseville, celebrating (you guessed it) cheeseburgers and Jimmy Buffet's "Margaritaville," which celebrates the joys of lying on the beach in a cocktail-induced haze. This year's festivities last from August 9-18 and feature tribute bands like Buffet & The Parrots, classic rock acts like Sierra Shame, beach volleyball and a parade of "tropical fools." Oh, and don't forget to check out the Kiwanis Best Cheeseburger Contest! For more information visit the festival website or the Caseville Area Chamber of Commerce website. (credit:Jimmy Buffet/Facebook)
African World Festival(20 of24)
Last year's African World Festival brought 100,000 visitors to the grounds of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. The gathering is a free celebration of the African experience, incorporating performance, poetry, arts and crafts, drumming and dance, vendors, ethnic foods, and activities (it's a great pick for families).This year's festival takes place between August 16-18 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Wright museum. Details are forthcoming, check their website for information as it becomes available. (credit:Wright Museum/Facebook)
Woodward Dream Cruise(21 of24)
You either love or flat-out hate this nostalgic celebration of the days when classic cars would cruise up and down America's first highway in the 1950s and 1960s. This year's Dream Cruise begins August 17 , with plenty of events to complement the cruising cars. Good luck commuting. Stay tuned to the Dream Cruise website for further details as they develop. (credit:Woodward Dream Cruise/Facebook)
Renaissance Festival(22 of24)
The Michigan Renaissance festival is an annual fair that celebrates the life and culture of medieval times. It features an assortment of actors dressed as knights, princesses, fools, wenches, friars and other characters. The fun takes place in a miniature village in Holly, Mich. on weekends and labor day between August 17 - September 29. In addition to games and performances, there are also plenty of vendor booths, stocking items as varied as roasted turkey legs, paintings and toy swords. For more information, visit the Michigan Renaissance Festival website. (credit:Bob Soloway/MRF/Facebook)
Detroit Jazz Festival(23 of24)
The Detroit Jazz Festival has been bringing world-class jazz acts to the Motor City since 1980. This year's Labor Day weekend party will be graced by grammy-winning pianist Danilo Pérez, trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, pop singer Macy Gray and a tribute to the late jazz legend Dave Brubeck by his sons, who perform in the Brubeck Brothers quartet. The musical celebration takes place from August 30 to September 2 between Hart Plaza on Detroit's riverfront and Campus Martius Park in the city's downtown. For a complete lineup of performers, visit the Jazz Fest website.Photo: Dave Brubeck playing at the 30th annual Detroit Jazz Fest. (credit:Detroit Jazz Fest/Facebook)
St. Jerome's Laneway Festival(24 of24)
The Laneway Festival is an annual international music tour that began in Australia and now includes eight cities in four different countries. This year, it's touching down in Detroit on September 14 for its first-ever U.S. stop. Laneway boasts an impressive roster of musical acts like Sigur Ros, the Dismemberment Plan, Deerhunter, Solange and the National. There will be some Motown flavor too -- an appearance by the Detroit Party Marching Band. The festivities will take place at Meadow Brook in Rochester Hills, Mich. For more information, visit the Laneway Festival website. (credit:St. Jerome's Laneway Festival/Facebook)
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