Winter events 2015-16

This morning's snow makes a post on Winter events timely.  While the first snow isn't usually ski-able, Winter in Kalamazoo offers plenty of opportunities for skiing, sledding, and skating.  Local festivals celebrate the season.

Winter Events near Kalamazoo

December 5, 2015 Tree Lighting Portage

December 5-6, 2015 Olde World Village Winter Holiday Festival Augusta

December 12, 2015  Santacon Kalamazoo 6pm Kalamazoo 

December 12, 2015 Free Admission Day and Local Gift Fair  9 am -4 pm Kalamazoo Nature Center Kalamazoo

December 31, 2015 New Year's Eve Fest Kalamazoo

January 16-23 2016 Kalamazoo Beer Week Kalamazoo

usually around January 17 Schrier Park Winter Sports Fest.  Portage

January 28 - 31, 2016 Winterfest 2016 Grand Haven

typically end of January Muskegon Snowfest Muskegon

February 5-7, 2016  Icebreaker  South Haven

February 5-7, 2016 Magical Ice Carving Festival Saint Joseph

February 12 -15,  2016  Great Backyard Bird Count

February 13-14, 2016 Free Fishing Winter Weekend throughout Michigan

February 26-27, 2016 Winter Beer Festival Grand Rapids

March 5, 2016 Quietwater Symposium East Lansing

Ongoing events

International Festival of Lights Battle Creek November 22-December 31

          Dutch Winterfest Holland

Millennium Park Skate Rink opens in December  Portage

          Christmas Bird Count

 See also

Discover Kalamazoo's event listing

Monthly Events Roundup from Pure Michigan
 
Gazelle Sports Races and running calendar

Kalamazoo in Winter from CommunityLink

11 Unforgettable Winter Places in Michigan

West Michigan Winter Weekends

Sarrett Nature Center's Event list Benton Harbor

Fall Events 2015

Labor Day is late this year, extending summer by an extra week, but Fall will come soon enough with crisp cool weather and colorful foliage.  Autumn in Kalamazoo is a great time for walking or riding in the woods, paddling down a river, or watching Sandhill Cranes.  Area festivals celebrate Labor Day, fall harvests, fish, and birds.

Fall events around Kalamazoo

September 4-7 No Work - All Play St. Joseph

September 5-7 Lawrence Ox Roast Lawrence

September 7 West Michigan Labor Fest Grand Rapids

September 11-13  Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival Paw Paw

September 18-19 Grand Haven Salmon Festival Grand Haven

September 19-26  Michigan Trails Week


September 25-26 Fall Festival St. Joseph

September 25-26 Oktoberfest Grand Rapids

October 11 Fall Color Cruise Kalamazoo River Valley Trail Kalamazoo

October 10-11 Cranefest Bellevue

October x-x Fennville Goose Festival Fennville

October 14-20 Zoo Boo Binder Park Zoo  Battle Creek

October 17-18 Arts and Eats Tour  Hastings, Middleville, Hickory Corners, and surrounding areas

Also consider:

Labor Day in West Michigan (WLMagazine)

Southeast Michigan Labor Day events from MetroParent

Labor Day Weekend Events for Metro Detroit (Oakland County Moms)

Mackinac Bridge Walk

8 Ways to Celebrate Fall from Pure Michigan

Michigan Apple Festivals

Fall recommendations from 52 Michigan Weekends

a Fall Color Tour

Fresh apple cider from VerHages Cider Mill.

Fall walks and rides on the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail

Event listings from Discover Kalamazoo

Gazelle Sports' calendar of West Michigan Races and Events

League of Michigan Bicyclist's Michigan Ride Calendar

West Michigan Coastal Kayaker's Association Event Calendar

The DNR has calendars of events for State Parks and Recreation Areas.

Summer Events 2015

Summer is a great time to be in Kalamazoo for biking, canoeing, hiking, and camping or taking a short drive to Lake Michigan.  

  

Summer events near Kalamazoo

June 13-14 Michigan Free Fishing Weekend

June 18-21 Harborfest South Haven

July 1-5 Balloon Festival Battle Creek

July 8-13 Kindleberger Summer Festival Parchment

July 17-19  Old Tyme Tractor Show Scots

August 6-9  50th annual Blueberry Festival South Haven


Also consider:

Long weekend suggestions from Pure Michigan

50 fun things to do in Michigan this summer

West Michigan Summer Weekends

Kalamazoo Farmers Market

Michigan Fireworks Displays a comprehensive list of fireworks throughout the state

Events at Kalamazoo's Arcadia Creek Festival Place

Event listings from Discover Kalamazoo

Events from West Michigan Tourist Association

Kzoo Kids lists Beaches near Kalamazoo & Battle Creek

Cleveland.com promotes Lake Michigan beach towns.

Beach Freaks guide to Michigan's Best Beaches

Gazelle Sports' calendar of West Michigan events  

League of Michigan Bicyclist's Michigan Ride Calendar

West Michigan Coastal Kayaker's Association Event Calendar

Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy volunteer workdays

State park events for June, July, and August 2015 from Michigan's DNR

Michigan Festivals and Events Association Events browser

Spring Events 2015

Spring in Kalamazoo brings warmer weather, birds, wildflowers, and morels and plenty of opportunities for hiking and biking.   Here are some local events to celebrate Spring.

Spring events near Kalamazoo

April 18-26, National Park Week

April 25 Thornapple Woodpecker Festival Middleville

April 25 Green-A-Thon 2015 Celery Flats Portage

May 2-9 Tulip Time festival Holland

May 2 Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade 1pm St Joseph - Benton Harbor

May 2-3 Victorian Days Grand Ledge

May 9  Spring Blooms in the Dunes (and Native Plant Sale 9am - 3pm) Gillette Visitor Center Hoffmaster State Park Muskegon

May 9 Lees' Kayak & Canoe Demo day Kalamazoo

May 9-16 Kalamazoo Bike Week Kalamazoo 

May 12  Kalamazoo Bicycle Film Festival  at Bell's in Kalamazoo

May 16-17 Great Lakes Kite Festival 2013 Grand Haven

May 16 Family Fishing Fair Ramona Park 10am-1pm Portage

May 23 Lees' Kayak & Canoe Demo day Kalamazoo  

May 23 Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones Native Plant Sale People's Food Co-op Kalamazoo 

Also consider:

Vegetable planting dates

Earth Day Activities throughout Michigan

Wild Ones (Kalamazoo Chapter) Programs & Field Trips

Bike Friendly Kalamazoo's  Event listings

Battle Creek Cleanwater Events

Tawas Point Birding Festival Iosco County May 14–17 

birdwatching at Bird Trails and Sanctuaries in Michigan

Event listings from Discover Kalamazoo

May 2015 Events from Pure Michigan

Gazelle Sports' calendar of West Michigan Races & Running Workshops

League of Michigan Bicyclists Michigan Bicycling Calendar

Michigan Festivals and Events Association Events browser

Spring weekend getaways