Festivals and Fairs in Oakland County

Warmer weather means it’s time to enjoy the many outdoor festivals and fairs that showcase the vibrancy of Oakland County. You won’t want to miss SummerFest in Auburn Hills, Arts, Beats, and Eats in Royal Oak, or Milford Memories to name a few. 

Use our list below to find festivals and fairs that are happening June through September:

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Travel Back in Time at the 2018 Michigan Renaissance Festival

Hear ye, hear ye! The Michigan Renaissance Festival (Ren Fest) is returning once again to Holly, Michigan. Back for the 39th year, the Ren Fest is known for being one of Oakland County’s most unique annual festivals. Riveting jousts, colorful costumes, and delicious turkey legs are just a few things you can look forward to. The festival celebrates the end of medieval times in a fantasy world setting and is open weekends and Labor Day, beginning August 18th through September 30th. Go back in time and experience the magic of the Renaissance! 

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Get Ready for the 5th Annual ART FISH FUN Festival!

The 5th Annual ART FISH FUN Festival is on Saturday, June 9th, from 11am to 4pm in Beaudette Park, located at 786 Orchard Lake Road in Pontiac, Michigan. The festival is a free, public event that provides art, environmental, and educational activities for the entire family.

Over thirty activities are scheduled for the day! Events include a puppet show put on by The Detroit Institute of Arts, fishing with the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash, and using super soakers to learn about soil erosion and storm drains.

Lunch begins at 1pm and lasts until 3pm. The menu includes BBQ ribs, chicken, hamburgers, and more. In addition, a Meadowbrook ice cream truck will arrive at 12:00pm and stay until the end of the festival.

Check out the video to see the fun that’s in store at the ART FISH FUN Festival!

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Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Oakland County!

No matter your heritage, you can always join in on the fun of being “a little Irish” on St. Patrick’s Day. On March 17th, the greenest day of the year, everyone is invited to enjoy special foods, music, parades, dances, and of course, all things green!

Take a look at our list of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in and around Oakland County for events leading up to and beyond this festive day. If you’re looking for a taproom to try an Irish or local brew, be sure to check out our Brewed Local List too.  Continue reading

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, 2017

St. Patrick's Day parade participants walking in Royal Oak.

St. Patrick’s Day may not be until March 17th, but communities in and around Oakland County are already gearing up for the festivities. From live music, dances, and theatrical productions – to hearty meals, races, and parades – there’s a St. Patrick’s Day event for everyone! So whether or not you trace your ancestry back to the emerald isle, remember that everyone’s a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.

Use our list of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in and around Oakland County to make the most out of this special day!

Who was St. Patrick?

  • St. Patrick was originally born in England, and was kidnapped by Irish pirates where he was sold into slavery. After his escape from bondage he became a missionary in Ireland.
  • A hero in Ireland, there are 60 churches and cathedrals named “St. Patrick’s,” with the most famous being in Dublin.
  • The wearing of green is associated with the green hills and shamrocks of the Emerald Isle, although traditionally the color blue was associated with St. Patrick.
  • The first St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held in New York, but the first observance of the day was in 1737 by the Charitable Irish Society of Boston.
  • In 1996 the first St. Patrick’s Day Festival was held in Ireland as a three-day event, that has since grown to a five day festival that draws roughly 1 million visitors to the area.

Parade marchers sitting on the back of an old model T.

St. Patrick’s Day in Michigan

In Michigan, the largest wave of Irish immigrants came in 1815 when one million Irish Catholics settled in the Detroit area. Today’s festivities commemorate St. Patrick with parades and merrymaking, celebrating Irish heritage in Southeast Michigan and the contributions they made to the American cultural landscape.

Think your family can be traced back to the early Irish settlers of the area? Find a record of your ancestors at the Archives of Michigan to discover more about your family history.


Visit the Oakland County website, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more news and fun year round.