More than 80 Michigan breweries will pour samples at Eastern Market on Saturday, Oct. 24, when the Michigan Brewers Guild holds its 17th annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival in and around the market’s Shed 5. General admission runs from 1 to 6 p.m. ET, with VIP and guild Enthusiast members admitted at noon, according to the guild.
For Detroiters planning the last full weekend before Halloween, the festival is one of the largest all-Michigan beer tastings of the year, and it lands on a busy Saturday in the district: the market’s regular Saturday Market is scheduled the same day. Tickets cost $60 in advance and $70 at the gate, and the guild says all sales are final, so the details below are worth checking before you buy.
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What is the Detroit Fall Beer Festival?
The Detroit Fall Beer Festival is a one-day, 21-and-older tasting event run by the Michigan Brewers Guild, a nonprofit trade association that represents the state’s breweries. Ticket sales support the guild and cover the cost of the festival, the organization says. Eastern Market, the historic public market just northeast of downtown, hosts the event.
The festival has become an autumn fixture in the city. It was already in its ninth year in 2017, when ClickOnDetroit reported on that year’s edition at the market.
What’s on tap at the 2026 festival, onstage and on the menu
The guild’s ticket listing counts 86 Michigan breweries, 451 beers and 84 styles for this year’s festival. Organizers no longer use drink tokens; each ticket includes a sample cup, and sample pours are limited in size, according to the guild’s festival page.
Admission also covers entertainment. Eastern Market’s event listing puts Theo Gridiron and Friends on the main stage, the lounge singer Konrad Lee in Shed 5, and International Bigtime Wrestling in the parking lot. With Halloween a week away, organizers encourage costumes.
Food is sold separately. Vendors listed by the organizers include Yellow Dog Craft BBQ, Señors taco truck, Pietrzyk Pierogi, Fire and Rice paella, and Guy’s Pizza.
Detroit Fall Beer Festival 2026 at a glance
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026 |
| Hours | 1-6 p.m. ET general admission; noon early entry for VIP and Enthusiast members |
| Where | Eastern Market, Shed 5 area, Russell Street, Detroit |
| General admission | $60 in advance (plus fees); $70 at the gate |
| VIP | $80 in advance; $90 at the gate |
| Designated driver | $25 at the gate |
| Age | 21 and older only, with valid government ID |
Tickets and cost
Advance tickets are sold online through Eventbrite, with service fees added. Day-of tickets at the gate are credit or debit only, the guild says. The $25 designated-driver ticket, also sold at the gate, is for non-drinking guests, who must still be 21 or older with ID.
Guild Enthusiast members buy a regular general admission ticket and show a valid membership card for early entry. Refunds are not offered for any reason, according to both the guild and Eastern Market, though tickets may be transferred to another person. The guild prohibits scalping.
Getting there and parking
The guild says there are parking lots and limited street parking in and around Eastern Market. Because the Saturday Market, which Eastern Market lists as running from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., overlaps with the festival’s early hours, expect the district to be crowded around midday and plan extra time.
For those leaving the car at home, the guild points to the FAST Gratiot, No. 6 Gratiot and No. 31 Mack bus routes, which stop near the market. It lists fares of $2 for a four-hour pass and $5 for a 24-hour pass. Ride-hailing is another option for anyone who plans to sample.
What to know before you go
A simple plan for festival day:
- Buy ahead. Advance general admission is $10 cheaper than the gate price, and the gate takes cards only.
- Arrange a ride home. Pick a designated driver, a bus route, or ride-hailing before you arrive.
- Arrive early. Budget time for parking around the Saturday Market crowd; doors open at 1 p.m. ET for general admission.
- Pack light and smart: ID, a card, a camp chair if you want one, and layers for an outdoor afternoon.
The guild’s rules:
- Bring ID. Every attendee needs valid government identification, with no exceptions, the guild says.
- No kids or pets. Children, infants, and animals of any kind are not permitted.
- Leave these at home: outside alcohol, glass containers, grills, portable heaters, bicycles, skateboards, and strollers.
- Allowed, subject to search: outside food and nonalcoholic drinks (no glass), backpacks, coolers and camp chairs.
- Re-entry is allowed with a hand stamp.
- Plan for outdoor facilities. Restrooms are outdoor portable toilets, and there are no indoor restrooms, according to the guide.
Planning the rest of the weekend
Costume parties, haunted attractions and family Halloween events fill the rest of the calendar. Our guide to Halloween in Detroit collects them. On Sunday, the Lions host the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field; see where to watch Packers vs. Lions for kickoff time and TV. Visitors new to the city can also browse our list of the best things to do in Detroit.
The guild’s festival page does not mention a rain policy, so check it before heading out for any day-of changes.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Detroit Fall Beer Festival 2026?
It is Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, from 1 to 6 p.m. ET at Eastern Market. VIP ticket holders and Michigan Brewers Guild Enthusiast members can enter at noon.
How much are tickets?
General admission is $60 in advance plus fees or $70 at the gate. VIP is $80 in advance or $90 at the gate. A designated-driver ticket is $25 at the gate. All sales are final.
Do I need tokens for samples?
No. The guild says tokens are no longer used. Admission includes a sample cup, and sample sizes are limited.
Can I bring my kids or my dog?
No. The festival is 21 and older only, including designated drivers, and no children, infants, or animals are allowed.
Last updated Oct. 20, 2026. Event details are from the Michigan Brewers Guild and Eastern Market and are subject to change by the organizers.
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