Michigan Travel · Midland
Midland’s Chippewa Nature Center hosts free Nature at Night on Oct. 23, with a jack-o’-lantern trail, a puppet show and fireside stories
MIDLAND, Mich. — Chippewa Nature Center will hold Nature at Night, a free family evening about the plants and animals that come alive after dark, from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at its grounds at 400 S. Badour Road.
The event is open to all ages, and children under 18 must come with an adult, the nature center says. Kids are encouraged to dress as their favorite animal or in another nature-themed costume.
What to expect. From 4 to 7 p.m., the Visitor Center hosts crafts about moths, katydids and the life cycle of fireflies, along with a puppet show, MLive reported. Outside, families will find an obstacle course, fireside stories and an insect display.
The jack-o’-lantern trail. As it gets dark, jack-o’-lanterns carved by Bullock Creek Middle School students will light the Arbury Trail from 6 to 8 p.m., according to MLive.
Plan ahead. Some activities are outdoors, so dress in layers. If it rains, most activities will move inside. Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee of Saginaw will sell refreshments. AHP and Blasy Electric sponsor the evening.
Another night walk. For older kids who want more, the nature center lists a free Nocturnal Animal Search from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. The quiet walk looks for the night animals that live on the property and is meant for ages 9 and up, with anyone under 18 accompanied by an adult. Participants should wear dark colors, bring a red flashlight and meet at the Visitor Center.
Sources:
Chippewa Nature Center, “Nature At Night,” accessed Oct. 19, 2026, https://www.chippewanaturecenter.org/nature-at-night
MLive, “Chippewa Nature Center to host free family event featuring nocturnal nature activities,” Oct. 19, 2026, https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw-bay-city/2026/10/chippewa-nature-center-to-host-free-family-event-featuring-nocturnal-nature-activities.html
Chippewa Nature Center, “Nocturnal Animal Search,” accessed Oct. 19, 2026, https://chippewanaturecenter.doubleknot.com/registration/calendardetail.aspx?activitykey=3127096&orgkey=2941
Photo: Christian Collins, “Confluence of the Chippewa and Pine rivers in Michigan.jpg,” Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped and color-adjusted, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Confluence_of_the_Chippewa_and_Pine_rivers_in_Michigan.jpg
More from Midland
Community · October 18, 2026
Midland High and Dow High turn rivalry week into a food drive, with donations collected at Friday’s game
The Chemics and Chargers will collect non-perishable food Monday through Friday for the Midland County Food Assistance Network. Fans can bring donations to the Midland-Dow football game at 7 p.m. Friday at Midland Community Stadium.
Sports · October 18, 2026
Northwood football routs Lake Erie 41-7 behind 10 sacks and moves to 7-0 for the first time since 2005
Ethan Hamby threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns and became the first Timberwolves quarterback past 5,000 career passing yards. The defense held the Storm to 152 yards.
Michigan Travel · October 16, 2026
Midland’s Halloween Hullabaloo returns Oct. 30 at the Greater Midland Community Center
The family fun night runs 5–7 p.m. with games, trick-or-treat stations, a photo booth and a costume contest. Members get in free; the public pays $7 a person.
News · October 15, 2026
Midland council backs a grant bid for a protected bike lane and path on Rodd Street
The city would put up $1.16 million to match a federal Transportation Alternatives grant. The work would come with a Rodd Street rebuild tentatively set for 2029.