The 66th Annual Howell Melon Festival will return Aug. 13-16, celebrating the area’s agricultural roots and longtime community tradition.
To help you plan ahead, we’ve compiled everything you need to know before attending Melon Fest 2026:
What’s on the calendar for this year’s Howell Melon Festival?
There are numerous events taking place during this year’s festival, including:
Book Sale
The Howell Carnegie Library’s Friends of the Library will host a Melonfest Book Sale at 314 W. Grand River Ave.
During the sale, most hardcover books will be priced at $1, most paperbacks will be priced at 50 cents and all children’s books will be 25 cents. The proceeds will go toward library programs and events. The sale runs 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 14, 12-4 p.m. Aug. 15-16 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 17.
There will also be a members-only opportunity for shopping 4-7 p.m. Aug. 13.
Festival Tent
The festival tent at the corner of North State Street and Grand River Avenue will serve beer, local wines and food throughout the weekend. The tent’s admission is free and all ages are welcome until 9 p.m.
The tent will be open 5-10 p.m. Aug. 13, 5-11 p.m. Aug. 14, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Aug. 15 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 16.
There will be general pub trivia by Sporcle at 5:30 p.m. Aug 13. For that event, no pre-registration is required.
There is a ticketed event, Mimosas and Masterpieces, at 11 a.m. Aug. 16. The tickets are $35 for residents and $45 for non-residents. If space is available, on-site registration will be $45.
Classic Car Show
The classic car show presented by the Howell Historical Society runs 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 15.
Art at the Opera House
The Livingston Arts Council is hosting the 20th Annual Art at the Opera House at 123 W. Grand River Ave.
The event runs 3-8 p.m. Aug. 14, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 15 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 16 on the first floor of the Howell Opera House. There will be paintings, jewelry, digital prints, photography, crafts and more.
Treasures and Treats Craft Show
The First Presbyterian Church of Howell will host the 17th Annual Treasures and Treats Craft Show at 323 W. Grand River Ave.
Vendor Show
There will be a vendor fair 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 15 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 16 at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Grand River Avenue. A full list of participating vendors can be found at howellmelonfestival.com/vendorshow.
Howell Melon Roll and More
Other activities include the sold-out Howell Melon Roll, the Mascot Dash, the One-in-a-Melon Mile, the Howell Melon Run 5K and dog shows from Einstein Dog Training. There will also be a scavenger hunt.
What kid-friendly events are happening during the festival?
What bands are playing during the Howell Melon Festival?
Where can you get food during the Howell Melon Festival?
In addition to local restaurants, various food vendors will be lined up on North Walnut Street — 4-9 p.m. Aug. 14, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Aug. 15 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 16.
The current participating vendors include 2Fog’s Pub, Almonds R Nuts, Crazy Good Crepes LLC, Guy’s Pizza, JunkYard Pit Crew & More, Kona-Ice of Brighton, Nemeth Concessions, Olga’s Catering, Princess Mediterranean Grill, Slappin’ Meats BBQ, Sweet T’s Lemonade, Tony’s Dogs and Top That Chocolate.
Getty Up BBQ will be available inside the festival tent on North State Street.
The area’s famous melon ice cream will be sold (while supplies last) 4:30-9 p.m. Aug. 14, 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Aug. 15 and 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 16 by the Historic Howell Courthouse at 200 E. Grand River Ave.
For full event details and ticket information, visit howellmelonfestival.com.
— Contact reporter Makayla Coffee at mcoffee@livingstondaily.com
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Livingston Daily’s Ultimate Guide to the 2026 Howell Melon Festival
Reporting by Makayla Coffee, Livingston Daily / Livingston Daily
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Makayla Coffee, Livingston Daily | USA TODAY Network
