Opa! Fest is Southeast Michigan's largest annual celebration of Greek culture. Opa! Fest features traditional Greek food and wine such as stuffed grape leaves, lamb, gyros, spanakopita and saganaki; live music and traditional Greek dancing; cooking demonstrations that teach participants how to cook classic Greek dishes; and cultural exhibits that celebrate Greek Orthodox culture. This is a family-friendly event that has rides and activities for kids. There are also prize drawings, raffles and a marketplace where you can find an assortment of Greek merchandise and services.
Opa! Fest
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
760 Wattles Road
Troy, MI 48098
(248) 362-9575
opafest.com
The Ann Arbor Film Festival, which started in 1963 and is held each year in March, celebrates filmmakers and artists from around the world. The Ann Arbor Film Festival is internationally renowned as a place for creative, inspiring and influential films and has featured artists such as Andy Warhol, Yoko Ono and Gus Van Sant. The festival receives upward of 2,500 submissions each year from more than 40 countries and features a variety of different film types such as avant-garde, story-based narratives, documentaries and animated features.
Ann Arbor Film Festival
P.O. Box 8232
Ann Arbor, MI 48107
(734) 995-5356
aafilmfest.org
The Detroit International Jazz Festival began in 1980 and is the largest free jazz festival in North America. The four-day festival is spread out over several city blocks in downtown Detroit and features five stages and 100 acts. A special feature of the festival is the Artist in Residence, in which jazz artists participate in a number of educational scenarios and special performances. Past participants have include Regina Carter and John Clayton. The "Kid Bop" area features Bob McCabe's "Tales from Around the World," tap dancing and singing with some jazz greats, as well as giant puppets. The festival concludes each night with fireworks and late-night jam sessions.
Detroit International Jazz Festival
660 Woodward Ave., Suite 13
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 447-1248
detroitjazzfest.com
It's hard to talk about festivals in Southeast Michigan without mentioning the Michigan Renaissance Festival. Since 1979, this yearly tradition located in Holly, has brought attendees back to the medieval days. The festival spans six weeks and is held every weekend. Special features at the festival include a traditional medieval feast; a tea party with the Queen; a full-contact jousting tournament; and elaborate re-enactments and productions on stage. It offers a full marketplace with vendors dressed in full garb and kid-friendly activities like rides, face painting, rock climbing and pony rides.
Michigan Renaissance Festival
12600 Dixie Highway
Holly, MI 48442
(800) 601-4848
michrenfest.com
