The Ann Arbor Townie’s Ultimate Guide to Summer Festival 2025 aka Top of the Park

Every June, the city flips a switch. We go from “end of school year” sleepy to a straight-up electric vibe, and there’s one reason: the Ann Arbor Summer Festival.

If you’re new to A2SF, welcome. If you’ve been around, you already know this isn’t just a festival, it’s a vibe. A free, multi-week block party with music, movies, dance, kids' activities, art, and energy. And as someone who grew up here, I’m telling you: this is one of those local gems that makes Ann Arbor, well… Ann Arbor.

🎶 Who I’m Pulling Up To See

Let’s get into the music—because the lineup this year is stacked with local legends and future favorites. Here are a few of the acts I’m definitely showing up for:

• DJ Problematic Black Hottie – If you know, you know. Expect soulful cuts and house blends that’ll have the lawn dancing before sunset.

• Josef Deas – Funk, jazz, and smooth basslines that hit like Sunday brunch at your favorite spot.

• Baddie Brooks – Don’t sleep. Her sets balance sweet vocals with sharp storytelling—one of the most exciting artists rising out of the city.

• Ki5 – Looping live vocals with beatbox harmonies—he’s a one-man acapella symphony.

• DJ Medusa – High energy. High style. Her late-night sets are bold, fearless, and unforgettable.

• Kenyatta Rashon – Real soul. Real roots. Kenyatta brings the heart of Ypsi to the stage with vocals that cut straight through.

• DJ Graffiti – A hometown hero with years of crate-digging experience. Old-school heads and new-school fans unite when Graffiti spins.

• 3Steez – Clean flows, smart bars, and an energy that feels both chill and live-wire.

• Lady Sunshine & The X Band – Soul, funk, and everything in between. If you’ve never seen them live, this is your summer mission.

• Urban Art Orchestra – A true experience. Think symphonic jazz, Afrobeat, hip-hop, and improvisation all wrapped into one genre-blending performance.

This is what I love about A2SF—you’ll catch a world-class artist on one corner, a local treasure on the next, and somehow end the night in a conga line with strangers.

🎬 Movies After Dark (Trust Me—Don’t Miss These)

One of the best-kept secrets of the festival is the outdoor movie nights. Bring a blanket, something cold to sip, and settle in as the sun drops behind the Michigan Theater dome.

This year, the one I’m circling in bold? Summer of Soul—a must-watch if you care even a little about the history of Black music. It’s more than a concert doc—it’s a cultural archive and a beautiful way to connect past and present.

Other screenings include The Goonies, Toy Story, and Wicked—perfect for a date night or bringing the family out under the stars.

Movies usually kick off around 9:30 PM, and trust me when I say the energy is unmatched. Kids running around, adults whisper-laughing into snacks, and the occasional “Oh I LOVE this part!” from the back row—it’s pure magic.

💃 Not Just for Watching—You Can Move Too

A lot of folks think A2SF is just about music and movies, but the wellness offerings are some of the most slept-on parts of the whole thing. From capoeira to yoga, salsa, and even pilates, there’s a free class happening almost every evening on the lawn. Come early, lay out a mat, and move your body before the music starts.

And if you’ve got little ones? The KidZone is solid—chalk art, crafts, interactive workshops—all run by local educators and artists. Tuesdays to Saturdays at 5 PM, Sundays at 4 PM.

📍 Real Tips from a Real Townie

• Parking: Street meters are free after 6 PM and all day Sunday. Fletcher or Thayer structures are usually your best bet for fast parking. Real townies know you can always find a free street parking just a short walk away in the neighborhoods to the north and south of university street.

• Food: There are local food vendors on site, but I love to hit up Rich JC or Lan City Noodles if I have time to sit down. For a quick bite its Maze and Blue deli or Jamaican Jerk pit for me, before walking over.

• What to Bring: Blanket, refillable water bottle, snacks, bug spray, and maybe a sweater. Michigan nights will surprise you.

• Where to Post Up: Rackham Stage for big music nights. O&W Grove for lowkey listening. Anex tent for special events and near the KidZone if you're bringing the family.

• Pro Move: Hit Top of the Park on Thursdays and catch Summer Streets downtown afterward—more live music, more street art, and late-night energy.

🏙️ Why This Festival Still Matters

Ann Arbor’s growing fast, but A2SF keeps us rooted. It’s that time of year when professors, Teens, poets, toddlers, and your favorite LGBTQIA Auntie Toni all hang out on the same lawn. You see old friends. You meet new ones. And for a few hours, we’re all just locals again.

So whether you’re here for the music, the movies, the movement, or just the moment, the Summer Festival delivers.

And if you see me out there—probably vibing near the speaker stack, camera in hand—come say what’s up.

Follow @annarborhub for artist spotlights, performance footage, and Toni’s behind-the-scenes festival picks. You already know we’re covering it like only a local can.