It’s finally fall in Northern Michigan! October welcomes harvest dinners, wine tastings, color tours and many more local events all month long.
This is a web original article from the team at MyNorth Media and Traverse, Northern Michigan’s Magazine. Want to read recent print articles? View our print subscription and digital subscription options and have Traverse delivered to your door or inbox monthly.
Hartwick Pines State Park – Fall Harvest Festival | Grayling | October 1
Harvest Fest is your chance to learn more about the special aspects of our forests in Northern Michigan. Stop at the Visitor Center in the park for a list of things to see and do. All participants get a goodie bag and when the booklet is completed, stop at the Visitor Center to claim your prize.
Fall Color Tours | Gaylord | October 1, 8
Fall colors are coming! Join Otsego Resort on a journey through the mouth of the Sturgeon River Valley to peep at fall colors with wine tasting stations along the way.
Basic Post Production Workflow | Petoskey | October 1
Interested in learning how production works? This workshop with Great Lakes Photography will share how to import and manipulate images with raw image editors, key-wording, geotagging, and metadata input.
Photo by Otsego Resort
Max Lockwood & Eric O’Daly House Concert | Cadillac | October 1
This October, Gopherwood Concerts welcomes Max Lockwood and Eric O’Daly, joined by Brandon Smith from Appleseed Collective on violin, for an intimate house concert.
Frankfort Beer Week | Frankfort | October 3–8
Frankfort Beer Week celebrates Michigan craft beer and the incredible food scene in the charming coastal city.
Fall Rustic Wooden Box Centerpiece | Kingsley | October 5, 12
It’s time to get crafty! Get into the autumn mood with a rustic wooden box centerpiece workshop with Olds Floral & Design.
Photo by Shelby Soberalski
Blues Extravaganza | Traverse City | October 7
Enjoy a night out in downtown Traverse City with two fantastic blues performers, Frank Bang and Erin Coburn.
Frankfort Fall Festival | Frankfort | October 8
Giant pumpkins, squash and watermelon weigh-in at the Frankfort Fall Festival (kids ages 5–15 can guess the weight of a giant pumpkin for an opportunity to win a new bike). Enjoy food, crafts, games, entertainment and a parade.
Jam Extravaganza | Traverse City | October 8
Get out and groove at Encore 201 during this concert featuring Fly Lite Gemini and Frank Bang. Enjoy delicious cocktails, good company and nightlife around downtown Traverse City.
Photo by Dave Weidner
Mindful Meditation | Traverse City | October 13, 20, 27
Journey into mindful meditation with Dharamsala TC during this four-week introductory course. This course was so popular last spring that they’ve put it back on the schedule.
Vineyard at Sunset Fun Run and 5k | Cedar | October 15
Get ready for a stunning sunset run in Northern Michigan. The Vineyard at Sunset Fun Run and 5k takes place at French Valley Vineyard, perfectly planned to showcase sunset views. Plus, it supports Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy.
Crosscut Kings | Cadillac | October 15
Don’t miss Crosscut Kings, featuring Jim Bonney on guitar and vocals and Charlie “Hipps” Witthoeft on harmonica and vocals. Their blend of old-school acoustic blues and roots renditions of modern songs have made them a unique addition to the vibrant music scene in Northern Michigan.
Fall Frenzy | Leland | October 22
Bargains galore at Leland’s Fall Frenzy event. Snag great shopping deals at downtown boutiques and in Fishtown.
8th Annual Northwest Michigan Housing Summit | Traverse City | October 27–28
This housing summit, now in its eighth year, is an annual opportunity for communities, businesses, developers and housing agencies to learn from national, state, and regional experts about emerging housing solutions. Read more about this upcoming event.
Photo by Dave Speckman
Northern Home & Cottage Virtual Tour | Traverse City | October 28–December 31
Peek inside eight stunning homes and support a good cause with this year’s Northern Home & Cottage 2022 Virtual Tour. As always, these homeowners have opened their homes for a child, knowing that the revenue from the tour goes to Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan. You’ll meet the builders who helped bring these dream homes to life and get ideas for your own projects. Read more about this year’s virtual tour.
Halloween Weekend at Grand Hotel | Mackinac Island | October 28–30
Experience fall on Mackinac Island and all the ghoulish excitement Grand Hotel offers the whole family. Scary movies, a haunted afternoon tea, and Hotel Ball & Costume Contest round out the weekend.
Arcturos Dining Series: Fall Harvest | Suttons Bay | October 29
Celebrate fall at Black Star Farms. Enjoy the winery’s vineyard-to-table practices where their grapes are grown locally, harvested, processed and bottled. The evening includes a cocktail reception followed by a harvest dinner you won’t want to miss.
TC Zombie Run | Traverse City | October 29
The Traverse City Zombie Run is a Halloween tradition. Over the years we’ve seen zombies from all walks of life, or should we say, death. Who (or what) will show up this year? Hosted by Right Brain Brewery.