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What’s Happening Michigan October 2025: A Chronicle Roundup

Updated: 3 days ago

October is about celebration and community—pink ribbons, and the power of showing up for one another. Check out these events happening across Lansing, Jackson, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Kalamazoo.

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DETROIT

  • Oct 8 – Catch Me If You Can (touring Broadway)Fisher Theatre. A high-flying caper musical lands for a limited Detroit stop.

  • Oct 17–19 – DSO: Marsalis & ShostakovichOrchestra Hall. Cristian Măcelaru conducts; Wynton Marsalis’ music pairs with Shostakovich.

  • Oct 24 – Exhibition Opening: “Mary-Ann Monforton: Heartland”MOCAD. New fall show opens with an evening reception. Eastern Market

  • Detroit Harvest Fest — Oct 25–26 (food trucks, live entertainment, family fun) Awesome Mitten

  • October events in Detroit — via Eventbrite, various music, arts, culture, and community events. Eventbrite


GREATER LANSING

  • Jack O’ Lanterns Unleashed — at Ingham County Fairgrounds, Oct 9–19, a family-friendly fall event. Lansing

  • Downtown Lansing Inc Events — Trivia nights, karaoke, “Rodriguez Fest,” DLI “Ask Me Anything,” etc. downtownlansing.org

  • Grand Ledge Fall Festival (in the area) — part of Lansing fall guide listings. Lansing Mom

  • Webster Fall Festival — fall arts/crafts event in Lansing area via Eventbrite. Eventbrite

  • Community Events (East Lansing) — Farmers Market Oct 12, “A Wrinkle in Time” children’s theatre, and other seasonal events. cityofeastlansing.com

  • Oct 14–18 – Disney’s Beauty and the Center. Classic musical returns to campus.

  • Oct 18–19 & 25–26 – Boo at the Zoo (Family)Potter Park Zoo. Costumes, treats, animals; daytime, kid-friendly.

  • All month – Library Family Programs & Storytimes (Multiple branches)Capital Area District Libraries. STEM, storytimes, crafts; check branch listings.


GRAND RAPIDS

  • The Power of Pollinators — at John Ball Zoo, Oct 8, 2025 experiencegr.com

  • Eric Church concert — Van Andel Arena, Oct 10 experiencegr.com

  • Brandon Lake concert — Van Andel Arena, Oct 11 experiencegr.com

  • Grand Rapids Marathon 2025 — Oct 19 experiencegr.com

  • Tuesdays in Oct – “Tuesday Evening Series” (Free/Recurring)Downtown/various venues. After-work happenings around the city.

  • Oct 17–18 – Grand Rapids Symphony: “Pictures at an Exhibition”

  • DeVos Performance Hall. Mussorgsky’s showpiece with full orchestra.

  • Oct 28 – Autumn Nights at Meijer Gardens (Music + Gardens)Frederik Meijer Gardens. Evening event with live music (e.g., Big Street Brass), seasonal ambience.


ANN ARBOR / YPSILANTI

  • Michigan Arts Festival — recurring daily until Oct 26 in Ann Arbor (various venues) Destination Ann Arbor

  • Oct 11–12 – A2 Artoberfest (Juried Fine Art Fair)Downtown Ann Arbor. Two-day outdoor art market with live music & food.

  • Oct 19 – UMS: Belcea QuartetRackham Auditorium. One of Europe’s top string quartets in recital.

  • Oct 25 – UMS: Herbie HancockHill Auditorium. Jazz legend in concert.


KALAMAZOO

  • Oct 18 – Shane Gillis (Comedy)Kalamazoo State Theatre. National touring comic live downtown. Motown Museum

  • Through Oct 31 – “Women in Air & Space” (Exhibit)Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum. Spotlighting pioneers of flight.


JACKSON

  • Oct 10–12 – The Full Monty (Main Stage)Potter Center (Jackson College) presented by Center Stage Jackson. Final weekend.

  • Oct 18 – Jackson Symphony Orchestra: “Star Wars & The Planets” Potter Center. Film favorites meet Holst in a family-pleasing program.

  • Select dates in Oct – Community Events (Markets, rides, more)Experience Jackson calendar highlights (farmers market, rides, local festivals).


BREAST CANCER AWARENESS WALKS ACROSS MICHIGAN

  • Sat, Oct 11 — Detroit (Wayne Co.)Making Strides of Detroit • 8:00–11:00 AM • The Corner Ballpark, 1680 Michigan Ave, Detroit.

  • Sat, Oct 11 — Flint & GeneseeMaking Strides of Flint • 10:00 AM start • Downtown Flint (DDA Flat Lot), 120 E. Kearsley St.

  • Sun, Oct 12 — LansingMaking Strides of Lansing • 9:00 AM–12:00 PM • Jackson Field (Cooley Law School Stadium). makingstrideswalk.org

  • Sat, Oct 18 — Oakland & Macomb Counties (Rochester)Making Strides of Oakland/Macomb • Rochester Municipal Park.

  • Sat, Oct 18 — West Michigan (Grand Rapids)Making Strides of West Michigan • 9:00–11:00 AM • Calder Plaza, Grand Rapids.

  • Sat, Oct 18 — Great Lakes Bay Region (Saginaw/Bay City/Midland)Making Strides of Great Lakes Bay • 8:30 AM–12:00 PM • Saginaw Valley State Univ., Lot G3 (7400 Bay Rd). AllEvents

  • Sat, Oct 25 — Ann Arbor / YpsilantiMaking Strides of Ann Arbor • Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor.


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