Dig in to bold flavors, fun festivals and creative beer pairings at these October food events.
Hunt for the Reds of October | October 2–31
Discover the Leelanau Peninsula’s incredible red wines. The Hunt for the Reds of October takes place weekdays (Monday–Friday). Your $10 ticket gets you a complimentary pour at each of the more than 20 participating wineries, and $5 of every ticket benefits the American Red Cross of Northern Michigan. Great wine for a great cause! Get your tickets at MyNorthTickets.com.
Empire Hops & Harvest Festival | October 7
Celebrate a successful hops harvest at the annual Empire Hops Festival with live music, local food and of course plenty of beer! Get your tickets at MyNorthTickets.com.
Harvest at the Commons | October 7
Groundwork’s annual Harvest at the Commons event brings together friends, neighbors, and farmers! Enjoy a farm-to-table feast provided by Harvest Restaurant and hot Latin dance music by Grupo Aye. Call the MyNorthTickets box office (80.836.0717) for ticket information. Online sales have ended.
Annual Bite of Beaver Island | October 7
Sample a wide variety of treats and see what the best professional and amateur chefs on the island have to offer!
Frankfort’s Fall Festival + Frankfort Beer Week | October 9–14
Enjoy wagon rides, the giant pumpkin contest, good eats, a parade, a kids Halloween maze, Point Betsie Lighthouse tours, many family activities and games, and more. The fall festival coincides with Frankfort’s Beer Week. Celebrate all that is great about craft beer in Michigan and do it in the cool, scenic, foodie town of Frankfort. Those who appreciate craft beer and delicious food know that the best things come from small-batch attention and creativity from people who care about the total experience. Nightly beer tastings, concerts, food events and tap takeovers.
Fall on the Island Festival | October 13–15
Visit Drummond Island for a brilliant show of color and one of the largest festivals in the U.P. Enjoy incredible food, listen to a talented line-up of musicians while sipping a tasty craft beer. Entertainment for the entire family!
39th Annual Charlevoix Apple Festival | October 13–15
Join the festivities and show your support for our local farmers, orchards and non-profit organizations while celebrating the season in scenic downtown Charlevoix. Enjoy an arts and crafts pair, petting zoo, face painting, fun run, live music, food booths and more.
Peaktoberfest | October 20–22
First-class mountain bike racing, live music, great German food and award-winning brews surrounded by the autumn colors of Northern Michigan at Crystal Mountain.
Women’s Wellness & A Wee Bit ‘O Wine Weekend | October 20–21
This is a weekend for women to celebrate friendships, health, shopping and of course, a little wine! Enjoy captivating wellness seminars, renowned speakers, yoga classes, spa treatments, great food, fabulous shopping and more on Mackinac Island. Proceeds go to Mackinac Island’s Community Cancer Fund. Tickets available at MyNorthTickets.com.
Petoskey Restaurant Week | October 20–27
Three-course menus for $25 for dinner and $15 for lunch, with some establishments offering two-for-one pricing. Enjoy your favorite restaurants and discover new ones at an affordable price.