15 Things to Do This June in the Ann Arbor Area
Summer in Ann Arbor brings sunshine, flowers, and festivals. These 14 June events will offer entertainment opportunities for those in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area.
Sonic LunchJune – August
Sonic Lunch returns for the 10 year anniversary. Bank of Ann Arbor’s Sonic Lunch is a free outdoor concert series. Every Thursday from noon to 1:30 pm June 1 to August 31, Sonic Lunch features a live band at the corner of Liberty and Division in downtown Ann Arbor. Each week a different area restaurant is on-site selling a Sonic Lunch for concert-goers to purchase.
The concerts are free and suitable for all ages. Some seating is available but lawn chairs are welcome. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a revitalizing mid-day break. As a result, Sonic Lunch has become one of the coolest summer events in Ann Arbor. For the full artist line-up visit www.soniclunch.com
Milan Fair
June 1-3
The Milan Fair in Milan, Michigan is a fun community carnival geared to kickoff summer in Michigan. The fair features fun-filled activities for all ages including an artisan market, live entertainment, fireworks, free kid’s activities, midway rides, carnival games, delicious fair food, entertainment tent, and more. Entry to the fair is free. For a full schedule of fair events visit http://milanfair.com/.
Cinetopia Film FestivalJune 1-11
Created for the people of southeastern Michigan, the Cinetopia International Film Festival features the best feature-length dramas, comedies, and documentaries from the world’s best film festivals (e.g. Sundance, Cannes, Venice, Toronto, Berlin, SXSW, Tribeca, etc.).
African American Downtown FestivalJune 3
The African American Festival is a celebration of the contributions of African Americans to the development of Ann Arbor. It is taking place this Saturday, June 7, at the intersection of N. 4th Ave. and Ann St. in Ann Arbor.
The event was created to celebrate the city’s cultural heritage with a splashy, fun annual event that would remind locals of the neighborhood’s history. And while the festival celebrates African Americans’ life, history and culture in Ann Arbor, it is open to, and always draws a broad range of people. In its 19th year the festival will feature something for everyone including food, art, children’s activities, and entertainment.

Chelsea Painters 44th Annual Art Fair
June 3-4
From humble beginnings in 1973, the Annual Chelsea Painters Art Fair has gone on to become the area’s premier Fine Arts fair. Twenty-five highly accomplished artists exhibit work done in a variety of media: watercolor, encaustic, gouache, acrylic, oil, pastels and mixed media. All pieces on display are original pieces of Fine Art. Many of the artists also display hand-crafted note cards suitable for framing. Snacks, lunch and beverages are available at the lovely indoor café overlooking the Art Fair.
Taste of Ann Arbor
June 4
Created for the people of southeastern Michigan, the Cinetopia International Film Festival features the best feature-length dramas, comedies, and documentaries from the world’s best film festivals (e.g. Sundance, Cannes, Venice, Toronto, Berlin, SXSW, Tribeca, etc.).
Ann Arbor Summer FestivalJune 6 – August 17
Starting June 6 and running through July 2 the Ann Arbor Summer Festival is an exhilarating celebration of performing arts, outdoor entertainment, and community spirit. Today, the Ann Arbor Summer Festival produces two concurrent programs, one indoor and one outdoor, at various venues and spaces across the University of Michigan campus and in downtown Ann Arbor. A boutique music and arts festival, the three-week gathering features a mix of over 170 events including performances, exhibitions, and screenings representative of the best in music, dance, comedy, film, circus and street arts, and family entertainment.

Sounds and Sights on Thursday NightsJune 8 – August 17
Sounds & Sights on Thursday Night’s performances are held in Chelsea, Michigan from June 8 to August 17, 2017 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Musical acts from across the spectrum — folk, bluegrass, Celtic, jazz, classical, country, Latin and everything in between – perform at 11 stage locations around the downtown. Performances take place outdoors at various spots throughout downtown. For a list of performers and stage locations please visit www.chelseafestivals.com.
Mayor’s Green Fair
June 9
The City of Ann Arbor mayor’s office is hosting the 17th annual Mayor’s Green Fair on Main Street on June 9 from 6pm-9pm. The event celebrates our community’s environmental leadership as exhibited by citizens, nonprofits, government and businesses. Ann Arbor’s downtown Main Street will be closed to car traffic between Huron and William streets, remaining open for pedestrians, Green Fair guests and displays of environmental information, “green” products, live music and general enjoyment of the urban outdoor environment. Information, entertainment and hands-on activities for all ages will be provided. Live music will be performed by Paul’s Big Radio, and local vendors will sell organic food on Liberty Street near Main Street.
Ya’ssoo Greek FestivalJune 9 – 11
For the 11 years running, Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Ann Arbor invites you and your family to come and experience incomparable Greek hospitality and ethnicity at the Ya’ssoo Greek Festival.
Featuring Greek cuisine/homemade pastries, live Greek music with Enigma, dance performances by St. Nicholas Dancers and Terpsichore Dancers. Raffles prizes include: Trip to Greece for two! Percentage of proceeds will go to “Creating Brighter Future”, a center for autistic children. Friday 11 a.m. – 12 a.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 12 a.m., and Sunday 11 p.m. – 6 p.m. Children under 12 get in free!
BilletProof Motor City ManiaJune 10
What’s better than traditional Hot Rods and Customs? Hot Rods and Customs and drag racing!!! Billetproof is back at Milan Dragway on June 10, 2017 during the Detroit Dragway Reunion. Your car show entry gets you, your car and one passenger into the show, the swap meet, grandstand seating to watch the drags and one pass down the track. Pit passes are $5 per person.
Ann Arbor Restaurant WeekJune 11 – 16
Ann Arbor Restaurant week runs from June 11 through June 16. Experience cuisine that delights your palate and defines the art of dining in Ann Arbor. Restaurants offer fixed pricing for lunch and dinner with extraordinary menus tailored to the event. Now is your chance to discover new restaurants and enjoy old favorites at a discounted price. Make reservations early at participating restaurants.
Grillin’ 2017
June 11
One in seven people in Washtenaw County struggles with hunger. Proceeds from Grillin’ enable Food Gatherers to distribute 14,000 meals a day to adults, seniors and children in need of food.
This community picnic welcomes 2,000+ guests at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds. Featuring live music, delicious food from more than 50 local restaurants, beer and wine, a food-inspired silent auction and kids’ games – it’s the best party of the year!
Ann Arbor Book FestivalJune 15 – 17
What’s better than traditional Hot Rods and Customs? Hot Rods and Customs and drag racing!!! Billetproof is back at Milan Dragway on June 10, 2017 during the Detroit Dragway Reunion. Your car show entry gets you, your car and one passenger into the show, the swap meet, grandstand seating to watch the drags and one pass down the track. Pit passes are $5 per person.
The Great Race Car Show
June 29
Ypsilanti will welcome participants from the 2017 Hemmings Motor News Great Race for an overnight stop in Depot Town. The Great Race is a 2,100 mile, nine-day endurance rally designed to complement the capabilities of vintage cars. Cross St. will be closed for the duration of the event, allowing visitors and residents to get a closer look at the vehicles and interact with the contestants as they roll into Depot Town. The Kensington Hotel and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ann Arbor are event sponsors.




