Thanksgiving Week Kicks Off the Holidays
Thanksgiving week in Northern Michigan is packed with several special events kick off the holiday season in style.
Photo by Vidar Nordli Mathisen on Unsplash.com
(Scroll down to see more events in August.)
Northern Michigan grows the best. Our Farmers Markets are open from late spring to fall, from cherries, to potatoes, to sweet corn, and more.
Each August, the Mackinac Island Fudge Festival celebrates this delight with music and activities throughout the weekend.
The Emmet-Charlevoix County Fair is held at the fairgrounds on Charlevoix Avenue, and is a mix of carnival rides, food, exhibits, and more.
You can find performances almost any night of the week in Northern Michigan with music by area musicians as well as professionals.
Lighted Boat River Parade
Indian River. For more info, visit irchamber.com.
Michaywe Arts & Crafts Fair
Friday from 11am-5pm and Saturday from 10am-4pm at Michaywe Clubhouse & Grounds- 1535 Opal Lake Rd., Gaylord. This fair features one-of-a-kind handmade crafts, distinctive indoor and outdoor décor, original artwork, creative natural products, beautiful jewelry, and unique foods. There are more than 100 booths both inside the clubhouse & around the pond. Booth fees are $115 or $125 and can be reserved at michayweartfair.com. For more information, email Karen at artfair@michaywe.com.
Lumberjack Festival
Indian River. Visit irchamber.com for more info.
Top of Michigan Outboard Races
Indian River. For more info, visit irchamber.com.
Corvette Crossroads Auto Show
On Friday, Corvettes arrive and cruise the area and on Saturday, they are on display from 10am-2pm in downtown Mackinaw City. There is also a parade of Corvettes at 7pm. Cost for show participants is $25-$35 and can be paid by calling (231) 436-5574. Spectators are free.
Mackinaw City Arts & Crafts Show
Saturday from 10am-7pm and Sunday from 10am-3pm. Conkling Heritage Park- 335 S. Huron St., Mackinaw City. For an application, visit mackinawcity.com.
Lavender Fest
Make a craft, bring a picnic, and enjoy the many other Friday farm activities we have scheduled throughout the summer. The farm is free to visit. Some weeks will feature live music, food vendors, and additional classes and activities. Lavender Hill Farms- 7354 Horton Bay Rd. North, Boyne City.
Boyne City Pirate Festival
Annual event with fun for the whole family. For more information, visit boynecitypiratefest.com.
Charlevoix Live on the Lake Concert Series
Live music at the East Park Odmark Performance Pavilion- 400 Bridge St., Charlevoix.
Street Musique
Live musical performances at various locations throughout the Harbor Springs Business District.
Music in the Park
Free and open to the public. Marquette Park- 7200 Huron St., Mackinac Island. (Rain Location: Mission Point Theater- 6639 Main St., Mackinac Island)
Charlotte Ross Lee Concerts in the Park
Live music in Pennsylvania Park- 411 E. Lake St., Petoskey.
Sound Journey & Meditation Class
75-minute, outdoor class for self-reflection and meditation at Lavender Hill Farm- 7354 Horton Bay Rd. N, Boyne City. Fees apply. Bring something to lay on and a pillow. For more information, call Marie Rothenberger at (231) 206-1133.
Blazer Bash
Kalkaska Public School students and families are invited to visit their new classrooms, meet teachers, and get a schedule of classes for older students. Local businesses, organizations, and clubs/groups will also have informational booths and there will be food, refreshments, and a kids carnival. Kalkaska Middle School- 1700 Kalkaska Rd., Kalkaska. For more information, contact Heather at hreust@kpschools.com or by calling (231) 499-7814.
Mackinac Fudge Festival
Annual festival celebrating the island’s most famous treat. Events include fudge-making demonstrations, fudge inspired food and cocktails, an outdoor movie, family games, and more. For more information, visit mackinacisland.org.
Thanksgiving week in Northern Michigan is packed with several special events kick off the holiday season in style.
The Harbor Springs Festival of the Book is a gathering of nationally known presenters for a celebration of their books and the stories.
This 25-year-old rite of spring in Northern Michigan is a bike ride from the Zoo Bar at Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs, to Mackinaw City.
Skitoberfest celebrates the best of fall’s family offerings in an Oktoberfest style setting., all at amazing Boyne Mountain!
Charlevoix is a bustling community nestled between Lake Michigan and Round Lake and hosts many festivals and events throughout the year.
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This 28-mile scenic highway running between Atwood and Boyne Falls known as the Breezeway draws visitors because it is gorgeous.
With woods, dunes, and frozen lakes, the trails near Charlevoix and Boyne City are the places to cross country ski from December-March.
Historic Mill Creek Discover Park has 625 acres along Lake Huron, 3.5 miles of hiking trails, a reconstructed saw mill, mill dam, and more.
The Mackinac Bridge is the 10th largest suspension bridge (over water) in the world and connects Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsula.
Get off the ferry from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace to Mackinac Island and the first thing you’ll see is the historic downtown area.
Spring brings lots of outdoor activities to Northern Michigan but one often ends up on pancakes: making maple syrup.
The Harbor Springs History Museum offers a unique look at the history of the community, starting with the first Catholic missionaries.
This Inland Waterway covers 38.2 miles from outside of Petoskey to Cheboygan. Find state parks, fishing, swimming, and more along the way.
Just a short drive from Harbor Springs or Petoskey are more than a dozen Northern Michigan cross country ski trails in Emmet County.
The Andrew J. Blackbird Museum is named for a counselor who helped Native American veterans. Native American artifacts fill the museum space.