As the capital of Michigan, Lansing and East Lansing host a variety of festivals and official events throughout the year.

For those visiting the area for the first time or wanting to keep up with local events, I will organize the major annual events by season.

Spring

The East Lansing Art Festival, held every spring, is an outdoor art festival in downtown East Lansing featuring hundreds of artists showcasing paintings, sculptures, and crafts. Admission is free, making it a great outing for families to stroll and enjoy. It usually takes place at the end of May, often coinciding with Memorial Day weekend. Additionally, there are many events and activities around the campus during the graduation season in April and May.

Summer

The Common Ground Music Festival is a large music festival held at Louis E. Wagers Park in downtown Lansing. It features famous artists from various genres such as R&B, pop, and rock, with some performances available for free on certain days without ticket purchase. It typically occurs in early July.

Old Town Oktoberfest is held between summer and fall, contrary to its name, and is a street festival in the Old Town district of Lansing. It combines local breweries, food vendors, and live music, making it a favorite among residents. The Old Town itself is a unique neighborhood worth visiting, filled with independent shops, galleries, and cafes.

Fall

Fall is the most vibrant time in Lansing/East Lansing, coinciding with the MSU football season. The MSU Spartan Home Football Games take place at Spartan Stadium, boasting a capacity of about 75,000, as part of the Big Ten Conference. On game days, the entire campus transforms into a festive atmosphere, with tailgating parties in full swing.

The Lansing City Market Harvest Festival is a small local event held in the fall at the Lansing City Market, featuring activities related to pumpkins, apples, and autumn leaves. It includes family-friendly events suitable for children.

Winter

Lansing's Silver Bells in the City is Lansing's signature year-end event. Held every November, it features a tree lighting ceremony decorated with hundreds of thousands of lights, along with fireworks and a parade. The entire downtown Lansing is adorned in a festive year-end atmosphere, and it has been a beloved traditional event for families for many years. Attendance reaches tens of thousands each year, so planning for parking and traffic congestion is necessary.

In addition to these, various small neighborhood events, farmers markets, food truck festivals, and marathons are held seasonally in the Lansing area. You can check the latest event schedules on the official Lansing website or VisitLansing.com. Korean community gatherings and MSU-related events are also often shared through Korean community social media.