Celebrating fall with activities, food and a host of events is Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s annual Detroit Harvest Fest on Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4.
An event for all ages, the festival returns to Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on both days. The highly anticipated and long-awaited park opened last fall with the Detroit Harvest Fest as its inaugural event. Now in its sixth year with and expansion that includes more food trucks and entertainment, the event draws thousands.
There’s also trick-or-treating, costume contests for all ages and for pets, wellness programming, beverage vendors and music entertainment.
Food and drink
Food trucks and carts will be situated along West Jefferson Avenue. Festivalgoers can expect a range of American fare and ethnic cuisines from Mediterranean to Mexican, vegetarian to Indian and Caribbean, plus desserts and offerings from 40 food trucks and vendors.
Some of the food trucks, according to a news release, will feature a “tasting menu” offering smaller portions with lower price points so guests can enjoy more food options.
Planned food trucks include Balkan House, Cousins Maine Lobster, Egg Roll Diva Fork in Nigeria, Boss Hog, Island Noodles, Tacos El Caballo and others.
The famed Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will be making an appearance and well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s is hosting “Step Razz Up! and Vote.” The Ben & Jerry’s event features games people can play to help them put together a midterm voting plan. There will be free samples of Ben & Jerry’s new, limited-batch flavor, Razz Up!.
Music on stage
Four stages will host dozens of local musicians, dance troupes and other entertainers over the two days of Harvest Fest.
Leading the action is the Summit Main Stage, where performers will include longtime Detroit R&B fave Larry Lee & Back in the Day Band (3 p.m. Saturday) and a festival-closing performance by Detroit House Collective, a group of DJs specializing in old-school house music.
Another pair of spots — the riverside Skyline Stage and the Southwest Stage by Jefferson — will present a diverse array of Detroit-bred sounds, with the latter stage putting a spotlight on musicians and bands from Ralph Wilson Park's own neighborhood, Southwest Detroit.
The Coffee House lounge by Jefferson will feature pop-up music performances throughout the weekend.
For the full music and entertainment the lineup, see the schedule here.
Outdoor movies at Harvest Fest
For the first time, the Detroit Harvest Fest will have an outdoor movie component. Starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, is a showing of Hocus Pocus and a Sunday matinee movie is at 2 p.m. featuring family-friendly Hotel Transylvania.
Ralph Wilson Park is along the West Riverfront at 1801 W. Jefferson.
Admission is $5 per person for advance ticket sales and $8 at the gates. You can also buy a family four-pack of tickets for $15 available that’s available for a limited time. Admitted free are children ages three and under, seniors 65 and older and active-duty military.
Ticket information and purchasing is at https://www.showpass.com/2026-detroit-harvest-fest/.
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @SusanMariecooks. Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for insider scoops on food and dining in metro Detroit.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Harvest Fest adds movies, more food trucks in year 6
