Free events in Ann Arbor, MI

This workshop explores creative approaches to living with chronic pain and illness. Through expressive art therapy, mindfulness, and embodied awareness, participants will explore ways to express and navigate pain, consider new possibilities for life with limitations, and connect with themselves and others. The workshop is led by Gwynneth, an artist, facilitator, and clinical social worker who specializes in disability justice and supports people with chronic pain and illness.

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A free homeschool group for children from birth to age 16, with time for play and socializing. All materials are provided. Activities include a science day, BINGO, and additional activities to be announced.

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A free happy-hour concert featuring Michigan singer-songwriter Nick James. His performance combines soulful vocals, acoustic guitar, and live looping, bringing original songs, improvisation, and storytelling together in arrangements created in the moment.

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Explore how personal spiritual growth connects with the well-being and progress of others and the wider community. This welcoming conversation draws on the Bahá’í Teachings to consider how looking beyond oneself and serving others can contribute to one’s own spiritual development. People of all backgrounds and beliefs are welcome, and the event is free.

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Spend an evening with poetry, prose, and creative writing. The program begins with a writing workshop taught by Tara Hardy and Bradley Kraft, followed by an open mic hosted by Tara Hardy and featuring Detroit spoken word artist Urban Legin'd Obasaki. A writer, co-author, and performer, Obasaki has earned recognition in performance poetry competitions, including the 2023 All City Slam Championship and the 2024 Motown Mic Artist of the Year award. His work includes a co-written stage play and the novel Don’t Believe Your Lying Eyes, which is being adapted for film. This free community event celebrates local art.

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Residents can bring old, unwanted electronics for free recycling at this drive-thru community event sponsored by Oracle. Participants should remain in their vehicles while items are collected. Accepted items include household electronics, kitchen appliances, personal care devices, and many yard, garden, and garage electronics. Large appliances, devices containing Freon, loose batteries, lamps and bulbs, materials containing liquids, pressurized gases, medical waste, and hazardous waste are not accepted. No registration is required.

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At Shalom’s Clothing Closet, you can pick out clothing and shoes at no cost. It is open to all, with no requirements and no questions. This is a simple way to refresh a wardrobe without spending money, with plenty to choose from. New donations are accepted starting on the first of each month. For more information, call the church office at 734-878-6859.

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Help with the annual autumn clean-up at the cemetery. A rain day is planned if needed.

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A dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting for the new Belleville Municipal Center is followed by an open house. Visitors can tour the facility and enjoy refreshments provided by Crafted Beanery. The event welcomes residents, neighbors, and community partners.

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Explore a welcoming gathering centered on connection, healing, insight, and celebration. One-on-one readings with tarot readers, mediums, and intuitive practitioners offer opportunities for clarity and fresh perspective. Energy clearing, crystal therapy, chakra balancing, and other holistic practices are also featured. Admission is free.

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Celebrate the many forms of printmaking with a vendor fair featuring letterpress, screen-printed, block-printed, and other hand-printed goods. The festival also includes talks by printmakers, opportunities to try different printmaking techniques, and drop-in printing demonstrations.

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Explore the creative process on a free, family-friendly, self-guided tour of 24 local artists’ studios across the Ann Arbor area. Visitors can view works in progress, talk with artists, and see art in a range of mediums, including painting, collage, mixed media, jewelry, photography, sculpture, glass, and printmaking. Individual works may be available for purchase, and some studios may offer demonstrations or special activities.

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Take part in a calming, hands-on candle making workshop dedicated to honoring a loved one. Attendees can reflect, share memories, and find support in community while moving through the holiday season with warmth and light. The workshop is free and open to all.

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Refresh and reset with a guided nature walk inspired by Shin-rin Yoku, or forest bathing. Led by Ellen, who is trained and certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, the walk focuses on sensory engagement and offers an opportunity to reconnect with the world around you and yourself.

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Enjoy a free Pathfinder Society game night held every other Saturday. The first two sessions are designed to introduce players to the game. The sessions are run by Christopher Fletcher and Pathfinder Society, with no prizing.

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Michigame Design Lab brings together board and card game designers from Southeast Michigan for playtesting and feedback. The group includes experienced designers with published games as well as newcomers, and welcomes feedback from people of all experience levels. The event is free, and attendees are encouraged to purchase drinks or snacks to support use of the space.

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Children ages 3–5 can enjoy a free, interactive movement class with obstacle courses, sports challenges, team activities, and games that encourage learning and critical thinking. Activities support confidence, coordination, flexibility, fitness, leadership, and motor skill development through active play. No registration is required, and caregivers must stay with their children throughout the class.

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The Livonia Historical Society welcomes Jim Cameron of the Michigan Oral History Association for a program about the J.W. Westcott Company, titled “Mail by the Pail: An Oral History of the J.W. Westcott Co.” Society meetings are free and open to the public, and memberships start at $20.

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The 4th Annual Champions Circle® Turkey Drive Pre-Collection brings together Michigan student-athletes and community members to gather side dishes for Thanksgiving meals. With 300 turkeys already donated, the drive is collecting food items such as stuffing mix, gravy packets, canned vegetables, cranberry sauce, and baking mixes. Donations will be distributed to families in Detroit through Forgotten Harvest, a nonprofit that rescues surplus food and provides it free through local food providers. Michigan student-athletes from football, men’s and women’s basketball, and other Olympic sports are expected to attend. Fans may take photos with participating athletes, and autographs may be requested but are not guaranteed. Please bring at least one item from the donation wish list to participate.

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The United States Air Force Band’s Airmen of Note bring a live concert to their Midwest fall tour. The performance features jazz classics, innovative new arrangements, and patriotic selections honoring those who have served. Tickets are free.

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Enjoy a Thanksgiving dessert in a welcoming setting filled with conversation and expressions of gratitude. The gathering features entertainment and celebrates community, connection, and thankfulness.

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Sporcle Live Trivia at HopCat Ann Arbor offers two games each week. Play for free, compete for prizes awarded to the top teams, and enjoy food and drinks. Trivia is open to casual players and seasoned pros alike.

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Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Pediatrics - Genoa is accepting new patients and hosts free monthly in-person group meetings for expectant parents and for parents of new patients from birth through age 18. This session provides a chance to meet the pediatricians and pediatric nurse practitioners, ask questions about a child's health plan, tour the office, and hear about the practice philosophy, office hours, and more. The care team emphasizes partnering with families to support each child's health and well-being.

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Trinity Health IHA Medical Group, Pediatrics - Schoolcraft hosts free monthly group meetings for expectant parents and parents of new patients from birth through age 18. This in-person session offers time to meet the pediatricians and pediatric nurse practitioners, ask questions about a child's health plan, tour the office, and learn about the practice philosophy, office hours, and other key details. The practice is currently welcoming new patients and emphasizes partnering to support each child's health and well-being. For questions about virtual Meet the Providers events, call (734) 884-5200.

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Learn the basics of Medicare at a free educational seminar covering its four parts, Medigap supplements, Medicare Advantage, and IRMAA. Sub sandwiches, chips, and soft drinks will be provided. RSVPs are appreciated.

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Learn to develop and share a true story with confidence in this free workshop. Participants will explore how to find and refine a story idea, create memorable scenes, shape a beginning, middle, and end, and learn their story by heart.

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AFC Ann Arbor’s Soccer 101 chalk talk social offers a chance to connect with fellow fans and explore the game. Sporting Director Eric Rudland will discuss tactics and styles of play from the 2026 Men’s World Cup and look ahead to the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The conversation is open to longtime followers and those curious to learn more. The event is free and open to all ages, and an RSVP is helpful for planning but not required.

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Discover fresh produce, farm products, prepared foods, beverages, and artisan goods at this year-round, producer-only market with a 107-year history. Offerings include seasonal fruits and vegetables, mushrooms, herbs, eggs, meat, poultry, fish, flowers, plants, honey, maple syrup, cheese, breads, baked goods, drinks, candles, body care products, jewelry, art, clothing, ceramics, gifts, and more.

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Share a morning of gratitude and community as faith-based partners who help make the work possible are recognized. Breakfast will be provided by FedUp Ministries. Members of faith communities that already partner with the organization, as well as those interested in partnering, are welcome. Admission is free, and an RSVP is requested.

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A welcoming, dementia-friendly gathering for people living with memory loss and those who care about them. Enjoy conversation, community, and opportunities to build meaningful connections in a supportive space. Free and open to all, the café welcomes you to come and go as you please, participate, or simply observe.

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Discover the stories behind familiar fruits and vegetables with Carol Brodbeck, including why the tomato was declared a vegetable and which vegetable General Grant requested for troops at the front. This program is sponsored by the Livonia Historical Commission.

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Enjoy a free happy hour concert featuring Ralph Santarpia, whose pop-inflected rock and roll brings a music career dating back to the late 1960s back to the stage. His music has been featured in movies, on national television, and on radio stations across the country.

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Learn Mahjong in the Baggaley style, whether you are a beginner or brushing up on your skills. Mahjong sets will be provided for learning and practice. Tickets are free with a beverage purchase, and everyone in your group needs to sign up. Open Mahjong nights are also held monthly, without an instructor, for anyone who would like to play.

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Miles are better with friends. Connect with new faces or bring along friends for a free, supported run or walk group. All paces are welcome, and once a month, the group features a themed run supported by vendors.

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Local author Kim Clarke discusses her new book, The Last Measure, in conversation with Neda Ulaby. The free event takes place in an upstairs space in a historic building, which is accessible by stairs and does not have an elevator. The book can be ordered from BLB or purchased at the event.

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The U-M Euphonium & Tuba Ensemble, featuring students from Professor David Zerkel’s studio, performs a recital. Admission is free, and no tickets are required.

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Enjoy a free, 30-minute organ recital featuring talented students and faculty from the University of Michigan Organ Department. Listen to the Richards-Fowkes organ and experience the versatility of pipe organ music beyond a worship setting. Audience members are welcome to enjoy lunch during the performance, and no tickets are required.

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Gather a team for a sports-themed trivia night. Trivia is free to play, and all ages are welcome. Campo Pizza will be available, along with beverages from HOMES Brewery, including n/a options.

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Enjoy a free happy hour concert featuring Ann Arbor-based poet and singer-songwriter Gretchen Pleuss. Her folk-inspired performances pair expressive vocals and skilled fingerpicking with carefully crafted arrangements and thoughtful songwriting. She has performed at venues and festivals across the United States, Canada, the UK, and Ireland, and has opened for Glen Phillips, Bill Payne, Lisa Loeb, Loudon Wainwright III, and Damien Jurado.

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Learn how to make an all-butter pie crust with Chef Keegan Rodgers of The Lakehouse Bakery. You’ll mix your own dough by hand and take home enough for Thanksgiving. No experience is needed, and all supplies are provided. There is no cost, but registration is required. All ages are welcome.

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Explore ancient Mediterranean history and highlights from the Kelsey Museum collection on a 30-minute tour. The event is free and open to all visitors.

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Take part in an advocacy-themed mystery game at the HSHV Education Center. Work together to solve clues, uncover the mystery, and reflect on how advocacy can make a difference for animals. This interactive gathering brings the 2026 advocacy series to a celebratory close. People ages 12 and up are welcome, and admission is free. Donations to support advocacy efforts are welcome.

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Celebrate the start of the Wayne County Lightfest with a holiday ceremony featuring musical entertainment, refreshments, and fireworks. Admission to the Lightfest is free for ceremony attendees during the opening period. The display includes flashing lights, strobe effects, and rapid color changes, which may cause discomfort, dizziness, or seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy or other light sensitivities. If you feel discomfort, look away from the lights or leave the area.

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