Gilmore Girls fans, the iconic show’s theme weekend is coming back to Michigan, and this year you can even meet some of the cast — including one Detroit native who was a regular.
Destination Stars Hollow, a Gilmore Girls-themed fan event, returns to downtown Brighton, in southeast Michigan, today through Sunday, Sept. 19-21, featuring a lineup of activities from participating businesses in the community.
Friday, Sept. 19, features a $150 VIP shopping experience, while free-to-attend, public festivities take place Saturday, Sept. 20, and Sunday, Sept. 21.
The second-year festival, inspired by the cozy fictional town at the heart of the early 2000s cult favorite TV show “Gilmore Girls,” returns as the show marks its 25th anniversary.
“This free immersive weekend experience sprinkles a little fairy dust on reality, letting visitors imagine life as a true Stars Hollow resident. Participating businesses join in the fun with exclusive merchandise, delicious themed treats, adorable photo ops, and so much more,” the event website says.
Rose Abdoo, a Detroit native, will host a meet-and-greet Saturday, Sept. 20, according to the event website. Limited tickets are $50 and can be purchased online. Abdoo was raised in Southfield and is a Michigan State University alumna.
Here’s what to know about Destination Stars Hollow.
When is Destination Stars Hollow?
Destination Stars Hollow takes place Friday through Sunday, Sept. 19-21, in Brighton, Michigan.
What is the ‘Gilmore Girls’?
“Gilmore Girls” is an American television show drama that aired for seven seasons from 2000 to 2007, according to IMDb, the series’ 25th anniversary is in October.
The series followed the lives and relationship between fictional single mother Lorelai Gilmore and her daughter Rory Gilmore, living in the fictional town Stars Hollow, Connecticut, known for its quirky charm and tight-knit community.
The series starred actress Lauren Graham as Lorelai Gilmore, Alexis Bledel as Rory Gilmore, Scott Patterson as Luke Danes, Star Hollow’s grumpy but lovable diner owner, Abdoo as Gypsy, Star Hollow’s quirky auto mechanic and Berta the maid, and Melissa McCarthy as Sookie St. James.
Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, the show made over $172 million in domestic video sales, according to The Numbers.
What is Destination Stars Hollow?
Destination Stars Hollow brings to life fans’ dream of a real-life version of the iconic Stars Hollow, turning Brighton into a temporary tribute to the show’s idyllic setting.
Participating businesses take on different identities inspired by the show, with themed decorations and curated experiences to create an immersive experience that transforms Brighton into a fan’s dream.
The event’s first year in 2024 went viral, drawing more than 40,000 visitors — far surpassing the 5,000 people organizers expected.
“Last year was such a surprise success,” Kathleen London, who co-founded Destination Stars Hollow alongside Laura Boote, told the Free Press. “The event itself came out of the desire to draw a spotlight on small businesses and main streets that have suffered over the past few years and struggled to stay relevant.”
Meet the actors in Brighton
A meet and greet will offer attendees the chance to meet Gilmore Girls cast members Patterson and Abdoo, at a cost.
While Sept. 20 and Sept. 21 meet and greets with Patterson are sold out, you won’t be out of luck.
Abdoo, a Detroit native, will host a meet-and-greet Saturday, Sept. 20, according to the event website. Limited tickets are $50 and can be purchased online.
What businesses are participating in Destination Stars Hollow?
There are about 40 businesses in Brighton transforming their storefronts to fit the theme of iconic spots in Stars Hollow. You’ll also find a range of in-store activities, including photos opportunities, themed menu items and plenty of themed merchandise.
A full list of participating vendors is available online. Here are the Livingston Daily’s recommendations:
Other participating businesses will pay tribute to notable places and events from the show, including the Independence Inn, Al’s Pancake World and Kim’s Antiques.
What’s the event schedule for Destination Stars Hollow?
The weekend is packed with events, including:
Saturday, Sept. 20
Sunday, Sept. 21
The Stars Hollow Farmers Market will be located at 200 N. First St. with a range of vendors and several food trucks.
Where can I park for Destination Stars Hollow?
Looking for free public parking? Try these lots:
There are also residential streets available for parking — but attendees are advised to follow posted signage.
There’s handicap-only parking available at 230 N. Second St. Suite 100.
How did Destination Stars Hollow come about?
London and Boote started Destination Stars Hollow in 2024 after meeting at a “Gilmore Girls”-themed event, the website says.
Both Brighton residents and longtime fans of the show, they originally envisioned a one-day celebration that highlights small local Brighton businesses along Main Street, the Detroit Free Press reported. But the response exceeded anything they imagined, with attendees coming from across Michigan and as far as Hawaii, Arizona, New York, and Florida.
The one-day event saw thousands of fans pack into downtown Brighton, with local businesses embracing the Stars Hollow theme for the day, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Are there shuttles to Destination Stars Hollow?
Yes — organizers have made the important addition of shuttles to and from the event in 2025. The shuttles run about every 15 minutes from 8:45 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 20, and from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 21.
The first shuttle can be accessed at:
That shuttle will drop off at the Brighton Courthouse at 224 N. First St.
The second shuttle can be accessed at:
That shuttle will drop off at the Brighton Chamber of Commerce at 218 E. Grand River Ave.
Where can I find cooling stations at Destination Stars Hollow?
This year brings the addition of several cooling stations, for your body and mind, at:
How does the Detroit Free Press appear in ‘Gilmore Girls’?
In the show, Rory Gilmore aspires to be a journalist and later pursues a career in journalism.
The Detroit Free Press gets a brief nod in the series in episode 17 of season 7, which aired in 2007. During a conversation about Rory’s post-college job search, she lists the Detroit Free Press among several newspapers where she’s applying. Her grandmother, Emily, calls the paper “quite reputable.”
Learn more at destinationstarshollow.com.
The Detroit Free Press and Livingston Daily contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Brighton transforms into ‘Stars Hollow.’ What to know about ‘Gilmore Girls’ festival
Reporting by Makayla Coffee and Jenna Prestininzi, USA TODAY NETWORK / Livingston Daily
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
