Hopping Through the Great Lakes State: Top 10 Craft Beer Events and Festivals in Michigan for August and September 2025

As the Michigan summer transitions into the crisp days of fall, the state’s renowned craft beer scene comes alive with festivals celebrating local brews, community spirit, and seasonal flavors. Home to over 400 breweries, Michigan boasts some of the nation’s best craft beer, from hoppy IPAs to rich stouts, often showcased at events that blend live music, food, and outdoor fun. With the current date being August 12, 2025, we’re highlighting upcoming gatherings from mid-August onward, focusing on craft beer-centric festivals and events. Whether you’re exploring the Upper Peninsula’s rugged charm or the vibrant shores of Lake Michigan, these top 10 picks offer something for every beer lover. We’ve prioritized events emphasizing Michigan-made crafts, with details on what makes each unique, activities, and amenities where available. Let’s raise a glass to Pure Michigan’s frothy finest!

1. Great Lakes Beer Festival (Midland)

Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
Location: Dow Diamond, 825 E Main St., Midland, MI 48640

What makes it special: Voted one of Michigan’s top three beer festivals and among the fastest-growing, this fourth-year event features over 70 Michigan craft breweries, cideries, and distilleries inside the stadium home of the Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers’ minor league affiliate). It’s a celebration of local innovation in a baseball-themed setting.

Activities: Sampling craft beers and ciders, live music from Air Margaritaville, Fröhliche Musiker Blasorchester, and Alex McMath Music, plus on-field activities.

Amenities: VIP parking included with VIP tickets; exclusive restrooms for VIP holders. Food like a ballpark picnic meal available.

Admission Fees: General admission $49 advance/$59 at door (includes 10 tasting tickets); VIP $89 advance (15 tickets, early entry, buffet); Designated Driver $20; Corporate 10-pack $429.

2. Suds on the Shore Craft Beer and Wine Festival (Ludington)

Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
Location: Ludington (specific venue not detailed in sources, typically at Rotary Park)

What makes it special: This lakeside festival highlights Michigan’s craft beers alongside wines, emphasizing the scenic shores of Lake Michigan with a relaxed, community-driven vibe that draws locals and visitors for its blend of brews and beachy atmosphere.

Activities: Beer and wine tastings from 25+ breweries, live music, and food vendors.

Amenities: Public parking nearby (arrive early); portable restrooms available. Food from local trucks.

Admission Fees: Typically $40-$50 for general admission (includes tasting tokens); exact 2025 pricing pending.

3. Barry County Brewfest (Nashville)

Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
Location: Under the tent behind stores on Route 66, Nashville, MI

What makes it special: Billed as West Michigan’s “freshest” craft beer fest, it showcases unique beers from 38 Michigan breweries not commonly found elsewhere, plus wine, hard cider, mead, and moonshine. It coincides with the Route 66 Antique Festival for a dual-event experience.

Activities: Beer tastings, live music by SilentBark (West Michigan’s premier party band), and opportunities for local bands to perform.

Amenities: Parking not specified (street and lot options likely); restrooms not mentioned but typical portable units at tents. Commemorative tasting glass included.

Admission Fees: Includes 7 tasting tickets; full pricing around $30-$40 based on past events.

4. Burning Foot Beer Festival (Muskegon)

Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
Location: Pere Marquette Beach along Lake Michigan’s lakeshore, Muskegon, MI

What makes it special: This beachside bash is unique for its barefoot entry, beach camping, and art installations like the Flaming Hop Tower, celebrating craft beer, art, music, and the end of summer. Organized by the Lakeshore Brewers Guild, it features 70+ breweries in a scenic, immersive setting.

Activities: Craft beer samplings, live music from local/regional/national acts, food from Muskegon’s best restaurants, and art displays.

Amenities: Off-site camping with shuttle service (RV sold out); parking not detailed (beach lots available); bathrooms not specified but portable at beach events.

Admission Fees: General around $50-$60; camping add-ons extra.

5. U.P. Fall Beer Festival (Marquette)

Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Location: Mattson Lower Harbor Park, Marquette, MI

What makes it special: The 16th annual event from the Michigan Brewers Guild, it’s the Upper Peninsula’s premier craft beer showcase with member-exclusive brews, a VIP hour for enthusiasts, and a focus on supporting the non-profit trade association amid stunning harbor views.

Activities: Beer sampling (15 3-oz. tokens), People’s Choice voting, live music (bands can apply), food for purchase.

Amenities: Limited adjacent parking—use downtown garages/lots and walk; toilets provided.

Admission Fees: $55 advance/$65 day-of (includes tokens); Designated Driver $25.

6. Cadillac’s Craft Beer Festival (Cadillac)

Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
Location: Overlooking Lake Cadillac, Cadillac, MI

What makes it special: Known as the “best little MI beer fest since 2010,” it offers a tailgating atmosphere with the greatest variety of Michigan craft beverages, set against northern Michigan’s scenic lake views for a fun, relaxed vibe.

Activities: Tastings (12 5-oz. pours for VIP, 5 for general), live music by Gabriel, Prophets, and Band.

Amenities: Parking not mentioned (public lots near lake); bathrooms not specified but typical at outdoor fests. Festival glass included.

Admission Fees: VIP $50 advance/$55 gate; General $25/$30; Designated Driver $15.

7. Westland Craft Beer and Wine Festival (Westland)

Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
Location: Westland, MI (typically at a community park or center)

What makes it special: Featuring over 28 breweries and 150+ brews, this festival combines craft beer with wines, meads, and ciders, creating a diverse tasting experience in a suburban setting that appeals to a broad audience.

Activities: Tastings, live music, food vendors.

Amenities: Parking in nearby lots; portable restrooms.

Admission Fees: Around $40-$50 including tokens, based on similar events.

8. Frankenmuth Oktoberfest (Frankenmuth)

Date: Thursday-Sunday, September 18-21, 2025
Location: Frankenmuth, MI (Bavarian-themed town center)

What makes it special: As Michigan’s original Oktoberfest in “Little Bavaria,” it blends authentic German traditions with local craft beers, offering a cultural immersion with Wiener dog races and polka in a historic, festive town known for its German heritage.

Activities: Beer tastings (German and Michigan crafts), live music, games like keg tapping, food stalls with brats and pretzels.

Amenities: Public parking in town (paid lots); restrooms in festival tents and nearby facilities.

Admission Fees: Free entry; pay for drinks/food.

9. Wyandotte Beer Fest (Wyandotte)

Date: Friday, September 19, 2025
Location: Detroit Riverfront, Downtown Wyandotte, MI

What makes it special: Dubbed the biggest downriver beer festival, it gathers along the scenic Detroit River with a focus on Michigan craft beers, creating a vibrant waterfront party that highlights local brewers in a historic district.

Activities: Beer samplings from 20+ breweries, live music, food vendors.

Amenities: Street parking and nearby lots; portable restrooms.

Admission Fees: Typically $30-$40 including tastings.

10. Oktoberfest Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids)

Date: Friday-Saturday, September 26-27, 2025
Location: Riverside Park, 2000 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49505

What makes it special: Grand Rapids’ only German Bier Fest, it’s free and all-ages, featuring imported German beers alongside Michigan crafts, with proceeds benefiting the Edelweiss Club—a nod to the city’s brewing capital status.

Activities: Imported and local beer tastings, German food, games (kid- and adult-friendly), live music.

Amenities: Parking not specified (park lots available); bathrooms not mentioned but standard at parks. Wristbands for 21+.

Admission Fees: Free; drink tickets for alcohol.

In conclusion, Michigan’s August and September 2025 craft beer events capture the essence of the state’s brewing prowess, from beachside bashes to Bavarian-inspired fests. These gatherings not only spotlight innovative local beers but also foster connections in picturesque settings. Whether chasing hops in the U.P. or toasting on the lakeshore, plan ahead for tickets and safe rides. Cheers to a flavorful fall in the Mitten!

Disclaimer: Admission fees and other details mentioned are based on available information as of August 12, 2025, and are subject to change. Please check the official event websites or organizers for the most up-to-date pricing, schedules, and any updates.