Want to Visit Some Really Weird Michigan Festivals? These Are The Best!

We're always up for a good festival and celebration in Michigan. Right now ArtPrize is a huge happening in Grand Rapids. We have Festival of the Arts in June, and throughout the seasons many ethnic festivals. We will celebrate just about anything.

But if you’re looking for your next true Michigan festival adventure, you must get to one of these weird festivals here in Michigan.

Try the Bologna Festival in Yale, Michigan:

This festival is full of bologna, literally. Each summer, more than 20,000 visitors come to Yale, located near the bottom of Michigan’s thumb. They actually have the bologna king and queen, street dancing, a parade and more.
Michigan Elvis Fest in Ypsilanti:

Don’t get all shook up when you come to this annual summer celebration in Ypsilanti. Instead, dust off your blue suede shoes and get ready to rock.

Michigan Testicle Festival in Deerfield:

One of the most weird festivals in Michigan is the Deerfield American Legion Post 392 Testicle Festival that has been an annual event for over 20 years!

Featuring deep-fried Rocky Mountain oysters (cattle testicles), chicken gizzards, baked beans, coleslaw, and rolls. Over 2000 people attend. Yum?

Michigan Bacon Fest in Lansing

These days, it’s hard to find a food that hasn’t gotten a makeover with bacon. This one-day festival, which was brand new in 2022, celebrates all things bacon.

National Baby Food Festival in Fremont:

Believe it or not, the Baby Food Capital of the World is located right in Fremont, north of Grand Rapids.

The national headquarters of Gerber Products Company is here, so it makes perfect sense to have a festival here that celebrates baby food, featuring, of course, the baby crawl among other events. Not everyone is a fan, however.

National Cereal Festival in Battle Creek:

Battle Creek is generally known around the nation as the birthplace of breakfast cereal because it’s the home of Kellogg’s.

National Asparagus Festival of Oceana County:

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Believe it or not, Michigan has more than one annual asparagus festival! There is one in Empire as well. West Michigan is one of the leading producers of asparagus in the nation and the region has been celebrating its stalk of choice since 1974.

Festival of the Forks in Albion:

The fall festival has been held in downtown Albion for nearly 50 years and doesn’t actually celebrate the fork. What it does celebrate however is food, music, diversity, healthy habits, and more.

Outhouse Classic in Trenary:

One of the best parts of any festival, and is the total fun had by all. And trust me, the races you’ll see here at February's festival are a blast. The outhouses are made of wood, crates, cardboard, and other items, put on skis, and then raced down Main Street by a pair of runners.

Old Town Scrapfest in Lansing:

Michigan has many wonderful art festivals that take place during the year, but this one is among the most unique. Every year, festival participants get to flex their creative muscles by creating beautiful works of art from hundreds of pounds of scrap.

Wizard of Oz Festival in Ionia:

Follow the yellow brick road east of Grand Rapids to Ionia for a celebration of one of the most beloved book series and movies of all time. Past festivals have included arts and crafts, official characters and photo opportunities, a 5K, movie screenings, and celebrity guest appearances.

Joe's Gizzard Fest in Potterville:

You’re probably thinking, gizzards huh? Well, this is a true celebration of everything life has to offer. Not only are there gizzards, but you can also participate in a softball  tournament, enter the gizzard eating contest, have some fun at the corn hole tournament, or take free line dancing lessons.

Last, but not least, the Humongous Fungus Festival in Crystal Falls:

This event is in the central Upper Peninsula. The festival celebrates the mushrooms that grow in the community, especially the 38-acre humongous fungus that was discovered nearly three decades ago. You'll find vendors, craft vendors, a mushroom cookoff, as well as guided walks to identify different types of mushrooms.

There you have it. Have a festival of fun in Michigan!