October’s arrival in Northern Michigan signals pumpkin picking, hay rides, cider sipping and harvest festivities. It’s also the perfect time to tack on a local event to your fall color tour! Here are 20 events to explore this month.
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October 1-31 | Hunt for the Reds of October | Leelanau Peninsula
Now’s the best time to enjoy red wine! At the peak of fall colors, go on a leaf-peeping and wine-tasting excursion on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail during Hunt for the Reds of October. For $35 per person, receive a 3-ounce pour of red wine at all participating wineries and a souvenir glass.
October 2-7 | Frankfort Beer Week | Frankfort
Frankfort Beer Week celebrates Michigan craft beer and the incredible food scene in this charming coastal city.
October 5 | Abra Berens at The Cooks’ House | Traverse City
Don’t miss your chance to join this special dinner at The Cooks’ House, welcoming Chef Abra Berens, author of numerous cookbooks and chef at Granor Farm in Three Oaks.
October 6 | Comedy with Adam Degi | Traverse City
With an unapologetic, outspoken and often unscripted act, Adam Degi is anything but predictable. When he has a microphone in his hand you never know what might happen! He might even sing a cappella. See him live at Traverse City’s Comedy Club.
October 7 | Benzie County Fall Festival | Beulah
Head to Beulah Park for the annual Benzie County Fall Festival, featuring pumpkin decorating, horse-drawn wagon rides, a soup contest, classic car show, haunted library, games, face painting and an appearance from the “Lord of the Gourd.”
October 7 | Oktoberfest | Traverse City
Stop by MiddleCoast Brewing for their annual Oktoberfest celebration, featuring German beer and food, games, live music and more. All ages are welcome. The event runs from noon to midnight.
Photo by Otsego Resort
October 7, 14, 21 | Fall Color Tours at Otsego Resort | Gaylord
Otsego Resort’s annual color tour features four scenic stops with snacks and beverages throughout the Sturgeon River Valley, tunnels of trees, endless views from the summits, wildlife and running water.
October 13 | Comedy with Carlos Mencia | Traverse City
Comedian Carlos Mencia is coming to Traverse City’s Comedy Club. This hilarious comedian is known for his raw and unfiltered style. As a comedian who finds the hilarious irony in both the day-to-day and the newsworthy events, Carlos is never lacking in material.
October 13-27 | Supper Club at The Mill | Glen Arbor
Corral your favorite people for a family-style supper club dinner housed inside The Mill’s historic property. These events will be intimate in nature, so seating is limited. Supper Club starts with a social cocktail hour featuring some light grazing options, and following, dinner will feature a bountiful arrangement of seasonal fare prepared with expertise. Items fresh from The Mill’s bakery and semi-sweet bites for dessert will round out the culinary offering.
RELATED READ: Inside a Historic Glen Arbor Landmark
October 15 | Fall Harvest Festival | Interlochen
Celebrate the fall season with Lake Ann Farm! The afternoon’s festivities include a costume contest, trunk or treat, corn hole tournament, pony rides, a petting zoo and more.
October 15-29 | Fall Wagon Rides | Suttons Bay
Searching for family-friendly fall events? Look no further than Black Star Farms. This year, the winery is hosting wagon rides through their stunning 160-acre estate. Indulge in hot cider, mulled wine and donuts. Then, jump aboard their tractor-driven wagon for a fall tour.
Photo by Rachel Soulliere
October 19 | Stellenbosch Wine Dinner | Leland
Join The Riverside Inn for a unique five-course wine dinner, featuring two amazing South African wineries, Stark-Conde and Lievland.
October 20 | Fire in the Valley | Gaylord
Enjoy a cozy evening of food and a roaring bonfire at Otsego Resort’s River Cabin, surrounded by Gaylord’s beauty of the autumn wilds.
October 21 | Laith Al-Saadi in Concert | Cadillac
Gopherwood Concerts welcomes Laith Al-Saadi! In 2016, Al-Saadi won America’s hearts and a spot in the Season 10 finale of NBC’s “The Voice.” Now he’s bringing his authentic blend of blues, soul and classic rock to audiences everywhere.
October 21 | The Kate Hinote Trio | Curtis
Head to Erickson Center for the Arts for an enchanting show by The Kate Hinote Trio, a contemporary folk ensemble completed by The Blueflowers’ guitarist David Johnson and Matthew Parmenter on violin.
Photo by Mission Point Resort
RELATED READ: Plan Your Dream Wedding at Mission Point Resort
October 22 | 2023 Mackinac Island Wedding Show | Mackinac Island
Couples can plan the island wedding of their dream this October at Mission Point Resort’s Mackinac Island Wedding Show. From florists to officiants and more, meet face-to-face with island experts and sample the wedding menu at Mission Point Resort.
October 27 | Gala en Pointe | Traverse City
Support the Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre and enjoy an evening of dance, food and beverages, and a silent auction at this year’s Gala en Pointe. Held at Kirkbride Hall, this year’s theme is the 1920s, and guests are encouraged to dress up. Proceeds support education at their youth ballet company.
October 27 | 2023 Northern Home and Cottage Virtual Tour
Tour eight of Northern Michigan’s most stunning homes during this year’s virtual home tours. Once again, each donation will benefit a child in need.
Photo by Endura Performance Homes
October 28 | Fall Frenzy | Leland
Snag shopping deals in downtown Leland and Fishtown—there’ll be plenty of bargains at the annual Fall Frenzy event.
October 28 | Zombie Run | Traverse City
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? Right Brain Brewery hosts this frightening event.