Festivals & Events in Mackinaw City
While it may be the gateway to Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City offers it’s own set of awesome festivals and events.
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(Scroll down to see more events in January.)
Enjoy amateur snow carving, outhouse races, sleigh rides, poker walk, chili cook-off, and more at Mackinaw City's Winterfest Celebration!
Northern Michigan Camping & RV Show
Thursday-Saturday from 10am-8pm and Sunday from 12-5pm. Admission is three non-perishable food items or cash donation to benefit the homeless in Otsego County. The Ellison Place- 150 Dale Dr., Gaylord. For more information, visit facebook.com.
Fat & Flurrious Fat Bike Race
The race begins in downtown Boyne City and ends at Avalanche- 184 Prospect Ct., Boyne City. Once there, participants race on the same singletrack and two tracks that are open in the summer. There’s also an after-party and awards at Stiggs Brewery- 112 S. Park St., Boyne City. For more info or to register, visit fatandflurrious.com.
Sledding & S’mores
Free sledding and s’mores at Kiwanis Park- 1100 Arbor St., Harbor Springs. For more information, call Rachel Roon at (231) 526-2104.
Mackinac Island Twilight Turtle Trek
A 2-mile, lantern-lit ski and snowshoeing trek through some of Mackinac Island’s natural winter wonderland. Begins at the corner of Arch Rock Road and Huron Road. with a bonfire and hot chocolate. For more information, visit mackinacparks.com.
Candlelight Hike at Mt. McSauba
Self-guided hiking, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing along a candlelit trail ending with a fire and hot cocoa. Trek begins at the sledding hill parking lot. For more information, contact the Charlevoix Recreation Department at (231) 547-7183. Mt. McSauba- 09223 McSauba Rd., Charlevoix.
Dogman Challenge Fat Bike Race
Dogman is part of the 2024 Tour De Fat Bike Race Series. The series includes Fat & Flurrious, Dogman, Fat Chance, VASA and Fatty Caddy. For more information or to register, visit runsignup.com. 09223 Mt. McSauba Rd., Charlevoix.
Mackinaw City Winterfest
Annual festival includes fun for the whole family with outhouse races, obstacle course, chili cook-off, and more.
While it may be the gateway to Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City offers it’s own set of awesome festivals and events.
This annual event includes live musical performances, workshops, vendors, and more all in beautiful Harbor Springs, Michigan.
The Emmet-Charlevoix County Fair is held at the fairgrounds on Charlevoix Avenue, and is a mix of carnival rides, food, exhibits, and more.
People come from all over to celebrate the July 4th in Harbor Springs for the gorgeous setting along the water and many great activities.
Each August, the Mackinac Island Fudge Festival celebrates this delight with music and activities throughout the weekend.
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The National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods is a 55′ x 22′ redwood cross cut from one redwood tree and with a 28′ tall bronze crucifix.
Spring brings lots of outdoor activities to Northern Michigan but one often ends up on pancakes: making maple syrup.
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.
The Andrew J. Blackbird Museum is named for a counselor who helped Native American veterans. Native American artifacts fill the museum space.
Northern Michigan has many varied settings for kayaking- whether it by river, one of the inland lakes, or Lake Michigan,
The history Northern Michigan’s Inland Water Route is preserved at the Inland Water Route Historical Museum in Alanson.
Beaver Island is located 32 miles offshore of Charlevoix, Michigan and is the largest island in Lake Michigan.
Within the historic Chicago/West Michigan railroad depot in Petoskey, the Little Traverse History Museum is a history filled gem.
With woods, dunes, and frozen lakes, the trails near Charlevoix and Boyne City are the places to cross country ski from December-March.
Harris Gardens at North Central Michigan College is a spectacular sculpture garden filled with 26 pieces of vibrant art.