FamilyIn Michigan

FUN PLACES FOR KIDS, AUTUMN FESTIVALS, THE BEST CIDER MILLS IN MICHIGAN, KIDS HALLOWEEN CRAFTS,

THANKSGIVING EVENTS, MUSEUM EXHIBITS, STAGE SHOWS AND MORE

FallActivities

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UniverSoul CircusThis single-ring circus dazzles under the “big top” of Chene Park, a very cool riverside amphitheater in Detroit. It plays loads of shows Sept. 10-13 and 15-20, complete with its delicious funnel cakes.

Art & Apples FestivalSink your teeth into a slice of homemade apple pie in Rochester Park Sept. 11-13. Plus there’s nonstop entertainment, 290 artists and fun just for kids.

The Little Scientist ClubActivities, stories and make-and-takes are in store for inquisitive tykes at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 10:30 a.m. Saturdays starting this fall. Older siblings welcome!

Oktoberfest BonanzaHint: They happen in October and September! Dig the German food and tunes in Birmingham Sept. 18-19, Sterling Heights Sept. 18-20, Saline Sept. 25-26 and Beverly Hills Oct. 3-4.

Cider Mills & Apple Orchards

Have you hit all 27 southeast Michigan spots on our list? Snag cider and

doughnuts at Blake Farms in Armada and Franklin Cider Mill in Bloomfield Hills, pick your galas and golden delicious at Wasem

Fruit Farm in Milan or take your pick at Apple Charlie’s in New Boston. Lots offer

agritainment fun activities, too.

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CRISP LEAVES AND COOLER AIR. Campfires and cider. Comfort food and celebrations. Chills and thrills! No matter what your family’s favorite traditions, autumn in southeast Michigan offers a bounty of adventures. Fall festivals, Halloween

shenanigans and Thanksgiving fun are around every bend. Plus, theater season’s in swing and fresh museum exhibits are in full force. Wondering what to do around town with the kids in September, October and November of 2015? Get clicking!

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Big Shows at The PalaceCatch Marvel Universe LIVE! Sept. 25-27, Disney on Ice Presents Treasure Trove Oct. 15-18, Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales Oct. 24 and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Legends Nov. 11-15 at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

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HalloWeekendsDay trip to Cedar Point in Ohio for a creepy midway and haunted chills to amp up your amusement park thrills. It goes Fridays-Sundays Sept. 13-Nov. 1.

Plymouth Fall FestivalHop on one of the last carnival rides of the season and get your fill of cars, crafts, pets and grub (spaghetti, barbecue, pancakes) at this Sept. 11-13 community bash.

Farm Fun and CrittersIn autumn, animals and awesome views await you and the kids at farms around town, from Upland Hills Farm in Oxford to Maybury Farm in Northville Township and Wolcott Mill Metropark in Ray Township to The Petting Farm at Domino’s Farms in Ann Arbor.

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BATS: Superheroes of the Night Meet cool nocturnal creatures starting Sept. 26 at Cranbrook Institute of Science’s newest visiting exhibit (it’s here till June 19, 2016; don’t miss the Great Lakes Bat Festival on opening day – or Metro Parent’s Education Expo on Oct. 4, when you get in free!)

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All About PumpkinsDon’t just pluck one from the patch. Celebrate that great orange veggie! You’ll get your chance at the Romulus Pumpkin Festival Sept. 18-20 and South Lyon Area Pumpkinfest Sept. 25-27. Or get your fix Sept. 26-Oct. 30 at the Wilson Barn Pumpkin Fest in Livonia.

Ann Arbor Russian FestivalEat some piroshki (tasty stuffed buns) and take in

spirited folk music, dancing and a bustling kids corner at this Dexter event that goes Sept. 19-20.

Hayrides & Haunted Attractions

Whether teen terrifying or tot friendly, find a frightfully good time in our big annual roundup. From farm-based corn mazes and hayrides to daunting barns and haunting houses, scares are in store starting in September through early November.

DIY Street FairDowntown Ferndale’s annual fall fest is packed with locally made goods and goodies Sept. 25-27. Bonus: Hit up Funky Ferndale right across Woodward.

Check Those Fall ColorsOctober triggers brilliant reds, oranges and yellows in the treetops, typically peaking later in the month in our area (a bit earlier in northern Michigan). Drive around a county or Huron-Clinton Metroparks to soak it up.

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Throwback MoviesExpose the kids to some classics. The Redford Theatre in Detroit has Back to the Future 2 Oct. 21, Son of Godzilla Oct. 24 and E.T. Oct. 31. Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor delivers 18 Steven Spielberg flicks in its “Man and Monsters” series Sept. 14-Nov. 28 (several suitable for kids/teens). And the popular $3 October Shocktober series is back at Plymouth’s Penn Theatre – and it’s all about Frankenstein.

Harvest HappeningThis one jam-packed Saturday’s got pony rides, hayrides, entertainment, farm animals, food tours, a kids area/entertainment and more in Waterford Oct. 3.

DIA Drop-In Sugar SkullsThe Detroit Institute of Arts offers Sunday family workshops – and, in October, it’s all about sugar skulls! Drop in noon-4 p.m. Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25 and Nov. 1 to learn about this Mexican tradition and make one of your own.

Scarecrow FestivalTrenton gets extra creative with hay bales at this 14th annual family brouhaha that’s packed with contests, too. Runs Oct. 2-4.

Halloween MadnessEach year, Marquis Theatre in Northville offers a kid-friendly stage show. Catch the dancing ghosts, skeletons and more select dates and times Oct. 3-31.

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Jack-o’-Lantern TwistsBrowse our 10 spins on your standard pumpkin. From polka dots and candy creations to witchy wonders and cool templates, try something different.

Fox Theatre SpotlightDetroit’s opulent ol’ downtown theater hosts The Wiggles: Rock & Roll Preschool tour Oct. 11, Alvin and The Chipmunks: Live on Stage! Oct. 30 and Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical Nov. 10-15. (Hint: Its next-door neighbor, City Theatre, plays Fancy Nancy: Splediferous Christmas Nov. 20-22).

Zoo BooTickets go on sale Oct. 1. Get ’em fast! This hot Detroit Zoo event – complete with critters, a 4-D flick and trick-or-treat trail – lures families to Royal Oak Oct. 9-11, 16-18 and 23-25.

Toys and a T. rex!On Oct. 17, Detroit’s Michigan Science Center unveils two new too-rad exhibits: Toytopia, all about learning through play (hello, giant Etch A Sketch), and A T. rex Named Sue, the world’s most complete skeleton of its kind, on loan from The Field Museum in Chicago.

Hallowe’enAnother popular draw, Greenfield Village in Dearborn teems with 1,000 jack-o’-lanterns, old-timey spooky characters and more Oct. 9-11, 15-18 and 22-25.

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28It’s Your Torah to ExploreJewish history-oriented kids museum Shalom Street opens up its latest, all about the five books of Moses Oct. 18. Climb Mount Sinai – right in West Bloomfield.

Alternative HalloweenThe fright-night door-to-door thing not really your family’s bag? Try our roundup of indoor trick-or-treating and trunk-or-treating events near you. (Want classic Halloween fun? Click here for tons more events.)

Art with EdgeOver in Ann Arbor, learn more about the

controversial (and kid-amazing) Heidelberg Project in Detroit in the U-M Museum of Art’s

new exhibit on creator Tyree Guyton. Got a ’90s-obsessed angsty teen? Show them how it all got started at Come as You Are: Art of the

1990s, opening Oct. 17. (Watch for kid-friendly story times Sept. 26, Oct. 10 and Nov. 21.)

Halloween HootIn Dinosaur Hill Nature

Preserve’s Oct. 16-18 tradition, kids meet costumed characters on a “super adventure” in the woods in Rochester, topped by cider, doughnuts and pumpkin

rolling. Tickets go on sale Sept. 15. And they’ll

go quick.

Wild Swan TheaterThis charming Ann Arbor kids’ spot boasts the world premiere of Rosie the Riveter Nov. 11-14, all about the awesome factory-working women of WWII. Plus, catch Once Upon a Time Oct. 15-17 and A Honey Pot of Pooh Stories Dec. 3-5.

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Rumblin’ Tumblin’ Pumpkin RolldownHere’s a better way to dispose of carved pumpkins on Nov. 1: Hurl them down a sledding hill! Don’t miss your shot in Roseville at noon sharp.

Bye Bye BirdieWarren Civic Theatre loves giving kids the stage, and local tweens and teens will rock it in this mod-era musical about an Elvis-style heartthrob. Plays Nov. 5-8.

People, Pets & VetsOn Nov. 7 in Clinton Township, kids discover the ins and outs of owning pets from dogs and cats to exotics at an event that’s both educational and engaging. Meet a sugar glider and llama – and bring “wounded” stuffed animals to the Teddy Bear Clinic.

Thanksgiving CraftsHold the phone! November is packed with holiday events. But remember, Nov. 26 is all about giving thanks and spending time with family. These four handpicked crafts, like a thankful tree and too-cute leaf-turkey craft, slow your roll.

Wayne County Lightfest

Drive your way through four miles of holiday displays at this Westland-area tradition. It kicks off Nov. 19 and goes straight

on through Dec. 31.

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Veteran RemembranceNov. 11 is another important date: Veterans Day. See if your community is hosting a memorial or parade. Another idea: Visit the Detroit Arsenal of Democracy in St. Clair Shores (it’s open Saturdays) to salute U.S. military history.

PlanetariumsWhen it’s chilly outside, cozy up to the great cosmos – indoors. Try these destinations in Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, Detroit and Southfield.

The Rink at Campus Martius ParkDetroit’s outdoor skating haven reopens for “preview days” around mid-November, officially kicking off Nov. 20 and remaining a staple till early March. Rent some skates and give it a spin.

Holiday Magic ParadeThis annual staple marches down Washington Avenue in Royal Oak on Nov. 22 and features floats, performances and Santa himself.

America’s Thanksgiving ParadeThe granddaddy of ’em all, this huge Detroit tradition launches off the holiday season properly on Nov. 26 with floats, horses, dancers, musicians and the Jolly Old Elf.

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1 UNIVERSOUL CIRCUS, Detroit, Sept. 10-13, 15-20

2 ART & APPLES FESTIVAL, Rochester, Sept. 11-13

3 THE LITTLE SCIENTIST CLUB, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

4 OKTOBERFESTS, Birmingham (Sept. 18-19), Sterling Heights (Sept. 18-20), Saline (Sept. 25-27), Beverly Hills (Oct. 3-4)

5 CIDER MILLS & APPLE ORCHARDS, 27 in southeast Michigan

6 FARM FUN AND CRITTERS, 6 in southeast Michigan

7 HALLOWEEKENDS, Cedar Point amusement park, Sandusky, Ohio, Sept. 13-Nov. 1

8 BATS: SUPERHEROES OF THE NIGHT, exhibit, Cranbrook Institute of Science, Sept. 26-June 19 (plus Great Lakes Bat Festival Sept. 26 and Education Expo Oct. 4)

9 PLYMOUTH FALL FESTIVAL, Sept. 11-13

10 THE PALACE OF AUBURN HILLS, Marvel Universe (Sept. 25-27) Disney on Ice (Oct. 15-18), Disney Live! (Oct. 24), Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey (Nov. 11-15)

11 PUMPKIN FESTIVALS, Romulus (Sept. 18-20), South Lyon (Sept. 25-27), Livonia (Sept. 26-Oct. 30)

12 ANN ARBOR RUSSIAN FESTIVAL, Dexter, Sept. 19-20

13 HAYRIDES & HAUNTED ATTRACTIONS, around southeast Michigan

14 DIY STREET FAIR, Ferndale, Sept. 25-27 (plus Funky Ferndale)

15 GO SEE THE FALL COLORS

16 THROWBACK MOVIES, Redford Theatre (Detroit), Michigan Theater (Ann Arbor), Penn Theater (Plymouth)

17 HARVEST HAPPENING, Waterford, Oct. 3

18 DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS, Drop-In Sugar Skulls, Sundays, Oct. 4-Nov. 1

19 SCARECROW FESTIVAL, Trenton, Oct. 2-4

20 HALLOWEEN MADNESS, Marquis Theatre, Northville, Oct. 3-31

21 JACK-O’-LANTERN CRAFTS, 10 cool spins

22 FOX THEATRE, Detroit, The Wiggles (Oct. 11), Alvin and The Chipmunks (Oct. 30) Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas (Nov. 10-15); plus Fancy Nancy at City Theatre (Nov. 20-22)

23 ZOO BOO, Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak, Oct. 9-11, 16-18, 23-25

24 HALLOWE’EN, Greenfield Village, Oct. 9-11, 15-18, 22-25

25 TOYTOPIA AND A T. REX NAMED SUE, exhibits at Michigan Science Center in Detroit, open Oct. 17

26 U-M MUSEUM OF ART EXHIBITS, Heidelberg Project, ‘Art of the 1990s’

27 HALLOWEEN, indoor trick-or-treating, trunk or treating, loads more events

28 IT’S YOUR TORAH TO EXPLORE, exhibit, Shalom Street, West Bloomfield, opens Oct. 18

29 WILD SWAN THEATER, Ann Arbor

30 HALLOWEEN HOOT, Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve, Rochester, Oct. 16-18

31 RUMBLIN’ TUMBLIN’ PUMPKIN ROLLDOWN, Roseville, Nov. 1

32 PEOPLE, PETS & VETS, Clinton Township, Nov. 7

33 BYE BYE BIRDIE, Warren Civic Theatre, Nov. 5-8

34 THANKSGIVING CRAFTS, 4 neat ideas

35 WAYNE COUNTY LIGHTFEST, Westland area, Nov. 19-Dec. 31

36 DETROIT ARSENAL OF DEMOCRACY, St. Clair Shores

37 THE RINK AT CAMPUS MARTIUS PARK, Detroit, opens mid-November

38 HOLIDAY MAGIC PARADE, Royal Oak, Nov. 22

39 PLANETARIUMS, Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, Detroit and Southfield

40 AMERICA’S THANKSGIVING PARADE, Detroit, Nov. 26

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You’ve run out of pages, but not awesome autumn activities. Visit

MetroParent.com for more events, crafts and

things to do.

More fall fun!