21 Things to do in Fall in Lansing
Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a visitor to the Greater Lansing area, fall is the perfect time to enjoy everything the city has to offer. As the leaves change, the air cools, and Halloween and Thanksgiving approach, a cozy and colorful side of Greater Lansing appears. Get outdoors with a nature walk, attend an family-friendly festival, try award-winning craft beers at a local Oktoberfest, stay in shape with a fall 5K, or support the Spartans at a tailgate. Try one event from every section to get the most out of Lansing in the fall.
21 Things to Do in Fall in Lansing
Fall Leaf Tours and Nature Walks
1. Howl at the Moon
October 26 & November 16, 2018
7:00 PM
Harris Nature Center
3998 Van Atta Rd. Okemos, MI
Admission: $3/person
People and pooches are both invited to this sunset nature walk through Harris Nature Center. Take a guided tour through the beautiful trails and see Mid-Michigan’s autumn leaf canopy in the twilight. You and your friends, family and your canine companion will enjoy a serene—and perhaps a bit spooky—guided walk with a staff member, and see a different side of the fall forest come alive in the dark.
2. Twilight Treks
September 28 & October 19, 2018
7:30 PM
Fenner Nature Center
2020 E. Mt. Hope Ave., Lansing, MI
Admission: $3 Members/ $5 Non-Members
While we’re used to seeing deer, squirrels, and sparrows during the day during fall in Lansing, there’s another group that comes out at night. Take a guided walk through Fenner Nature Center and learn about the many nocturnal animals that hunt, walk and fly around at night. Finish the evening with a bonfire and s’mores to share what you learned and any nighttime creatures you saw.
3. Harvest Moon: Tales Around the Campfire
September 29, 2018
7:00 PM
Harris Nature Center
3998 Van Atta Rd., Lansing, MI
Admission: $3 per person/$7 per family
As Halloween gets close, the harvest moon invokes stories of werewolves and vampires. This big yellow moon provides the perfect setting for an evening walk through the forest and fascinating stories from the Lansing Storytellers. Sit by the campfire, roast marshmallows, learn about the woods around you and hear spooky stories from the area’s experts.
4. Fall Color Tour on the River
10/13/2018, 10/14/2018, 10/20/2018, 10/21/2018
11:00 AM
325 City Market Dr., River Town Adventures, MI
Tours starting at $20
You’ve surely seen the new fall foliage from trails and stress, but you’ve probably never seen it from the water. See the reds and and golds of Lansing’s trees in a whole new light with a river tour. Book a tour with River Town Adventures and you and your friends or family can kayak gently down the Grand River and enjoy a picturesque fall afternoon.
5. Autumn Nature and Color Walk
October 14, 2018
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
3998 Van Atta Rd., Lansing, MI
Admission: $3/ person or $7/ family
Enjoying the explosion of color decorating the trees is high on the list of fall must-dos. If you’ve never taken a color tour before, now is the time. During the autumn nature and color walk, you’ll not only see all of the brilliant fall foliage, but you’ll also learn about the flowers and animals that are preparing for winter.
Festivals and Special Events
6. Van Atta’s Fall Festival
September 30, 2018
12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Van Atta’s Greenhouse & Flower Shop
9008 Old M-78, Lansing, MI
Admission: Free
Stock up on fall decorations, get mums for your garden, and pumpkins for carving at Van Atta’s Greenhouse & Flower Shop. Get into the fall mood and enjoy free apple cider and donuts as you pick out your gourds, pumpkins, flower pots and autumn bouquets. With fun games for kids and fall sales for adults, this is a great way to kick off the fall season.
7. Apple Butter Festival
October 13, 2018 – October 14, 2018
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fenner Nature Center
2020 E. Mt. Hope Ave., Lansing, MI
Admission: Free
Take part in a Greater Lansing tradition and attend Fenner Nature Center’s 45th annual Apple Butter Festival. This is one of the most famous things to do in Lansing in the fall, and visitors come from all around to attend. You’ll can taste sweet apple butter, see the traditional way it’s made, and give the cider press a try. With food, drinks, music, artisans and a canopy of red and gold, this long-time even is not to be missed.
8. Pumpkin Season at Uncle John’s Cider Mill
Throughout October
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Uncle John’s Cider Mill
8614 US-127, St Johns, MI 48879
Admission: $12 All Access Pass
Fall is the best time of year to visit Uncle John’s Cider Mill. Making a visit to the mill is one of the most fun things to do in Lansing in the fall, no matter you age. Kids will love the inflatable park, gemstone mining, and carnival rides, and the whole family will enjoy hay rides, a corn maze, fruit fling and pumpkin patch. Adults 21 and over can sample Uncle John’s famous wine and hard cider.
9. Color Cruise and Island Festival
October 12, 2018 – October 14, 2018
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Grand Ledge, MI
Island Park, Downtown Grand Ledge, MI
Admission: Children $1, Adults $4
On the west side of Greater Lansing, Grand Ledge hosts an exceptional fall festival. The 36th annual Color Cruise and Island Festival brings a wide range of exciting events for kids, adults and seniors. Enjoy a nature walk, or get a ticket on the riverboat, covered wagon, or even an airplane to see the area from every angle. Enjoy delicious Oktoberfest food and drinks, music, arts and crafts, pumpkin painting, story time, petting zoo and visit the traveling blacksmith, vintage vehicles, and old-fashioned cider press to take a step back in time.
10. How-To Halloween
October 14, 2018
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Lansing Center
333 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing Center, MI
Admission: $8
For the artists and DIY enthusiasts, How-To Halloween is one of the most-loved things to do in fall in Lansing. Get ghoulish Halloween decorations, see how to make your own artistic fall decor, take pictures of amazing fall displays, get costume make-up tricks and more.
11. Boo at the Zoo
October 14, 20, 21, 27, 28, 2018
12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Potter Park Zoo
1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing, MI
Admission: Children $4, Resident Adults $6, Non-resident adults $12
Enjoy all of the fun of the zoo with a spooky twist. In addition to the animals, Lansing’s Potter Park Zoo will also have a straw maze, hayrides, a Boo Tunnel, magic shows, games, and cider and donuts.
12. Autumn Fest
October 14, 2018
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Valley Court Park, East Lansing MI, 48823
Admission: Free
A visit to the local farmer’s market is one of the oldest and best things to do in fall in Lansing. There are many exceptional farmer’s markets in Greater Lansing, but Autumn Fest at the East Lansing farmer’s market is particularly special. In addition to home-grown food and handmade crafts, Autumn Fest also features wagon rides, children’s games, a bonfire, scenic photo spots, live music and more.
13. Legend of Sleepy Howell
October 27, 2018
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Downtown Howell, MI
Admission: Free
On the east side of Greater Lansing, Howell, Michigan’s Halloween celebration is well-known. The 16th Annual Legend of Sleepy Howell welcomes residents and visitors to take part in trick-or-treating, costume contests, hayrides, the Monster Mile and the Headless Horseman 5K.
14. Silver Bells in the City
November 16, 2018
Evening
Downtown Lansing
Admission: Free
Silver Bells in the City is one of Lansing’s most famous events. This late fall event kicks off the holiday season with the spectacular Electric Light Parade, fireworks and the lighting of the State Christmas Tree at the capital. If you’ve never seen Silver Bells in the City before, mark this date in your calendar and take it off the top of your list of things to do in Fall in Lansing.
15. Pumpkinfest
November 4, 2018
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Potter Park Zoo
1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing, MI
Admission: Children $4, Resident Adults $6, Non-resident adults $12
See how the animals at Potter Park Zoo live and play in the fall season. The holidays come early for the zoo animals during Pumpkinfest, where caretakers give out treats to stimulate foraging and play.
16. Mason Christmas Craft Show
November 8 – November 10, 2018
9:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Saturday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
352. W. Columbia Ave Mason, MI
Admission: Free
With over 18 locations on the Christmas Craft Show map, you can easily find something for everyone on your Christmas list. All items are locally made and Christmas-themed to get you into the holiday spirit.
17. Critter Holiday
November 11, 2018
Time: 2:00 PM
Harris Nature Center, M
3998 Van Atta Rd. Lansing, MI
Admission: $3 per person/$7 per family
Cold weather doesn’t drive all animals into burrows or down south. Visit Harris Nature Center to learn about the Lansing critters that stay in the area year-round. Bring the family and make edible treats as early holiday gifts for birds and squirrels.
Active Events & Sports
18. Zombie Walk
October 13, 2018
Time: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Lansing Center
333 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI
Price: Free (Greater Lansing Food Bank Donation encouraged)
If you’re looking for Halloween-themed things to do in fall in Lansing, the Zombie Walk cannot be missed. Get a front-row seat or join the undead horde for the 9th Annual Downtown Lansing Zombie Walk. All ages are welcome to show off their bloodiest costumes and scariest make-up tricks for this spooky shamble.
19. Hot Cider Hustle
October 14, 2018
8:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Grand & Shiawassee, Adado Riverfront Park, MI
Admission: Starting at $37.99
If you’re looking for the last run of the year, or you simply love apple cider, the Lansing Hot Cider Hustle is for you. Walk or run the 10 mile or 5K, and reward yourself at the finish line with a cozy cup of hot cider and a caramel apple.
20. Turkey Trot
November 22, 2018
9:00 AM
500 N Grand Ave Lansing, MI
Admission: Starting at $18
For 18 years in a row, thousands of Lansing residents and visitors have started out Thanksgiving with the brisk and festive Turkey Trot. Make a rigorous run to the finish, or a leisurely stroll through Downtown Lansing to see the beautiful lights and Capitol Christmas Tree.
21. Spartan Football and Tailgating
Through October and November
Times vary
East Lansing, MI
Admission: varies
It’s not a true visit to Greater Lansing in the fall unless you support the Michigan State University Spartans in East Lansing. Though it’s the last item on the list, it’s the number one thing to do in fall in Lansing. Buy a home game ticket and pick out your parking spot on campus for tailgating, or watch the game indoors at one of East Lansing’s many bars. Go green! Go white!
September 29 – MSU vs CMU
October 6 – MSU vs Northwestern
October 20 – MSU vs U of M
October 27 – MSU vs Purdue
November 10 – MSU vs OSU
November 24 – MSU vs Rutgers