Obligatory Arts, Beats & Eats Post

Let's be honest, Arts, Beats & Eats kind of sucks. The four day festival pretty much closes down all of Royal Oak for the holiday weekend and makes it impossible to park anywhere within walking distance for under $20 a car. They charge to get into the festival, they make you buy tickets to get food or beer, and they won't let you bring in your own food to avoid the high prices. They won't even let you bring in a chair!

Overall, we would usually say stay away from the area and skip this one (especially when Hamtramck Labor Day Festival is better, free, and less crowded) but there is one thing that always draws us in, live music. This year's lineup is full or acts that we love, including The B52's, 311, George Clinton, Harlow, Dude, The Messenger Birds, Kubat, Finlay & Rose, 1592 and Zander Michigan. So, it's hard to stay away from the fest despite all of the pitfalls.

The festival opens at 11 a.m. each day and runs until about 11 p.m. It is free to get in before 5 p.m. on Friday and $7 after that. It is $3 to get in before 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. $5 from 3 p.m. till 7 p.m. and $7 a person after 7 p.m. Kids under three are free. You can get all the details that you need here including set times! Also, we suggest taking an Uber, eating before you go out, and pre-drinking so that you don't go broke seeing a few good bands!

~S