Fall is here and we’re celebrating all October long with intimate concerts, harvest dinners, guided hikes and more! Add these Northern Michigan events to your calendar, and savor one of the most beautiful months Up North.

Skeletons Arise // October 1–31

Check out Skeletons Arise on display in Harbor Springs all month long. Skeletons can be found in many different businesses wearing stylish costumes to celebrate Halloween.

Black Star Farms Estate & Wine Tour // October 1, 11, 18, 29

Join Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay for a one-hour guided walking tour through the picturesque property. Tour highlights include a centennial barn, vineyard and wine cave. During the tour, you’ll learn the history of the iconic 160-acre estate and about the journey from grape to glass. An informative wine and spirits tasting, hosted by your guide, follows the tour.

Hunt for the Reds of October // October 1–31 (Weekdays Only)

Leelanau’s selection of red wines is growing and the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail is ready to show it off all month long.

City Park Grill: Prime Rib Fridays // October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Buy a ticket to reserve your slow-roasted and lightly-smoked prime rib served with a garlic-rosemary au jus, white truffle oil mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables at City Park Grill in Petoskey.

TC Germanfest 2021 – Sip and See // October 1

Sip and See (Nippen und Sehen) is your opportunity to bid on auction items and enjoy an evening of Gemütlichkeit. Gemütlichkeit is the hospitality added to authentic German appetizers, German bier and wein and entertainment. Bring your friends 21 and older and join us in the Bavarian tent to dance (live DJ) and perhaps even sing (karaoke!).

TC Germanfest 2021 – Familienfest // October 2

New to TC Germanfest this year is Familienfest. This is a free, family-friendly event open to the public and all ages. Come and join between 10 a.m.–2 p.m. under the Bavarian tent. If you would be so kind as to let organizers know you are coming by clicking on the ticket and entering the number of people in your party, it will help them know how many attendees to expect. PLUS, it will put you into a drawing for four free lunches at the event and two meal tickets for next year’s full German adult dinners.

21st Annual Harvest Festival // October 2

Chateau Chantal celebrates the start of the grape harvest on Old Mission Peninsula with a public cellar tour and grape stomping! Plus, Patrick’s Pumpkin Patch with locally grown pumpkins, exclusive case discounts and private label wines. Activities go from noon to 4 p.m. Wine flight/glass reservations are highly recommended and can be made online.

The Annual Fall Color Tour // October 2

Enjoy the fall colors at Otsego Resort in Gaylord as you drive The Tribute golf course and sample perfectly paired food and wine. Featuring four stations with two tastings and one small bite per stop.

Track Fall Color All Month Long: Northern Michigan Fall Color Map

The Rough and Tumble // October 2

Join Gopherwood Concerts in Cadillac in welcoming The Rough & Tumble for an intimate house concert. The Rough & Tumble aren’t casual road dogs, but they aren’t letting on, either. From their upbeat, commanding stage presence and sharp banter to their heartstring lyrics, this dumpster-folk/thrift store Americana duo refuses to bring the haggard road-worn stereotype to their audience—even though they’ve earned it.

Acme Fall Festival // October 2

The Acme Fall Festival includes a classic car show, kids events, bake sale, farmers market, craft show, silent auction and more. Proceeds will be donated to TART Trails to support the Acme Connector and maintenance of the trail on the east side of Traverse City and through Acme.

Mackinac Island Wedding Show // October 3

The 2021 Mackinac Island Wedding Show is hosted by Mission Point Resort on historic Mackinac Island. This popular wedding event is the perfect time to find everything you need to plan your special day. You will meet face to face with industry experts who will guide you through the details of planning your wedding.

Collaboration- Live Art & Music Featuring The Jeff Haas Trio // October 4

Higher Art Gallery in Traverse City is excited to welcome the energy of live music back into the space again with a regular bi-weekly Monday night concert featuring The Jeff Haas Trio. “Collaboration” is an intimate, multi-disciplinary art experience. Jeff’s trio, with Bruce Dondero on upright bass and drummer Will Harris, will perform favorites from the Great American Songbook as well as original music exploring avenues for cross-cultural collaboration. Throughout the audience/gallery space, visual artists will create visual music by drawing, sketching or painting.

Guided Urban Hike in Traverse City // October 6, 13

Hike one of Traverse City’s most interesting trails—close to the city but with an Up North feel to it. The hike is moderate and will take you through woods and meadows, with great views, plants and wildlife. Hear about the beginnings of Traverse City, the former State Psychiatric Hospital, the geology of the area and more.

Marquette’s Haunted Hayride // October 14, 15, 16

Get spooked at Marquette County Fairgrounds. More details coming soon! Check MyNorthTickets.com for updates.

Vineyard at Sunrise // October 16

The Vineyard at Sunrise Fun Run and 5k will take place at the beautiful French Valley Vineyard in Cedar. This lovely location in Leelanau County will host a Fun Run at 8:30 a.m. and a 5k race at 9 a.m. The 5k entrance fee includes a T-shirt. All the funds raised at this event go directly to Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy.

Michael Chetcuti Foundation presents Northport Pride – a Tea Dance // October 17

Northport Pride’s first-ever event “Tea Dance” from 2–6 p.m. at The Northport Pub and Grill hosted by the @Chet_Offensive and @KyleEvansDesign with dear friends and special guests MC @scarletenvy and music by @jacedj. Cash bar and nibbles by @bryonfigueroa and @thenpginnorthport. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Up North Pride.

Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2021 Annual Meeting & Dinner // October 20

Join the Annual Meeting & Dinner for the Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. The night’s agenda includes a cocktail reception, the annual meeting, Business of the Year presentation, dinner and dessert.

Frankfort Film Festival // October 21–24

The mission of the Frankfort Film Festival has always been to bring award-winning films from cinematic events around the world to Benzie County. This year is no different. From films like “Quo Vadis, Aida?” a historical drama nominated for an Oscar, to “Language Lessons,” a quirky indie film that won an Audience Award at SXSW Film Festival, the Garden has pulled together an eclectic roster of films to make for an enjoyable cinematic weekend.

Harvest Wine Dinner at Palette Bistro // October 21

Kick-off autumn in Petoskey with the tastes of the season and perfectly paired wines. Pumpkin, squash, apples and more local finds include features like stuffed acorn squash, curried carrot apple soup, duck and pork tenderloin duo.

Totally ’80s Murder Mystery Dinner // October 23

Grab your most righteous ‘80s concert gear to rock out in style at Otsego Resort in Gaylord while you solve a crime with your friends. Jean jackets and spandex leggings, big hair, bangles, leg warmers, and ripped jeans will be all the rage at this rocking night of mystery. See you there!

Vienna Boys Choir // October 23

Catch a performance by the Vienna Boys Choir, the world’s foremost children’s choral group and among the oldest musical organizations, having been founded in 1498, at the Great Lakes Center for the Arts in Bay Harbor.

Full Cord Bluegrass // October 23

Gopherwood Concerts in Cadillac is pleased to welcome Full Cord Bluegrass to their stage for the first time. For the past 14 years, Full Cord Bluegrass has been making a name for themselves blending traditional bluegrass music with jazz, western swing and rock n’ roll while keeping the traditional bluegrass feel alive and well.

Founders Peak2Peak Mountain Bike Classic // October 23

The 15th annual Founders Peak2Peak Mountain Bike Classic is held on the beautiful, gently rolling terrain surrounding Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville. 

2021 Northern Home & Cottage Virtual Home Tours // October 29

The Northern Home & Cottage Virtual Tour is back! Explore eight of Up North’s most stunning residences from the comfort of your own home through virtual video documentaries by our partner, Eagle Eye Video Production. This donation-only event benefits Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan.

Black Star Farms Arcturos Dining Series – Full Moon Dinner // October 30

The culinary team at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay invites you to an evening you will remember forever. This wine-paired, culinary experience is inspired by the best local, seasonal ingredients sourced from Northern Michigan’s finest farms. Click the buy tickets button to view the menu.

Postcard from Vienna // October 30

This concert by the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra will feature Gioachino Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia Overture;”; Franz Joseph Haydn’s “Cello Concerto in C Major”, featuring University of Michigan cellist Helen LaGrand; and Ludwig Van Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 7.” Venue: Great Lakes Center for the Arts in Bay Harbor.

Zombie Run // October 30

The Zombie Run has become a Traverse City Halloween tradition. And what’s not to like? Zombies and beer have always been a winning combination.

Fall Concert | NMC Chamber Singers and NMC Grand Traverse Chorale // October 30

Join the NMC Chamber Singers and NMC Grand Traverse Chorale for their fall performance, and their return to the concert stage. The concert will feature music that celebrates singing and the power of music and will include guest instrumentalists and soloists. The program will include music by Beethoven, René Clausen, Jeffrey Cobb, Eleanor Daley, Dan Forrest, Daniel Gawthrop, Moses Hogan, and Andrea Ramsey.

Young Frankenstein at the Pine Theater // October 30

Erickson Center for the Arts and The Pine Performance Center presents Movie Night @ The Pine! Join us for a screening of “Young Frankenstein” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 30. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $5 per person (plus processing). Concessions are available during intermission.

City Park Grill’s Halloween Bash // October 30

The annual Halloween bash at City Park Grill is from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and will feature Genius Brain opening for Dee Washington Project 5-piece Funk Band, freaky drink features and $250 in cash costume contest prizes.

Photo(s) by Dave Weidner