Photo by mushroomappreciation.com

National Morel Mushroom Festival in Boyne City

May 15th-18th, 2025

Spring in Northern Michigan means plants and wildflowers popping up from the ground–and of course, it means morel mushroom time. Northern Michigan is a fabulous place to hunt for morels and many conversations during this time of year revolve around the “secret spot” and how many pounds of the tasty mushrooms are found.

The morels are so popular in Northern Michigan that there is even a festival to celebrate them. At this Boyne City festival, hundreds of mushroom lovers from around the country come to seek that elusive delicacy-the marvelous morel. Found in nearby woods and clearings, morels are favored by those who know their mushrooms and during the festival, hunters hit to Northern Michigan woods to take home the top prize for the most mushrooms found.

During the festival, everything is all about mushrooms. Restaurants prepare exotic, morel-laden entrees, local songsters sing of the morel, secret hunting places are discussed, but not shared. Recipes are definitely shared and everyone goes hunting. In a good year, hunters can find thousands of the mouth-watering treats.

If you love morels, don’t miss this unique–and tasty–festival!

Here's the most updated schedule for the event:

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

  • 3-10pm – Schmidt Amusements Carnival at Veteran’s Memorial Park- 207 N Lake St., Boyne City.
  • TBA – Battle of the Bands sponsored by Boyne City PirateFest: Doors open at 5pm, and the Battle starts at 6pm. Heated Tent in Veterans Memorial Park.

Friday, May 16th, 2025

  • 12-6pm – Arts & Crafts Show & Food Trucks at Veterans Memorial Park. Click for an arts/crafts show application or click here for food truck application.
  • 3-10pm – Schmidt Amusements Carnival at Veterans Memorial Park.
  • 3-4:30pm – Free morel hunting seminar presented by Tony Williams, five-time winner of the “National Competitive Hunt” in Heated Festival Tent at Veterans Memorial Park.
  • 5:30-9:30pm– Morelfest Wine & Dine at Beach House Restaurant- 439 E Deer Lake Rd., Boyne Falls. Reserve tickets by calling the Boyne Area Chamber at (231) 582-6222. Stay tuned for ticket information.
  • 7-10pm – Live music featuring Derailed. 21+ with cash bar, $10 Admission. In Heated Tent at Veterans Memorial Park.

Saturday, May 17th, 2025

  • 7:30-8:40am – Registration for Annual National Competitive Morel Mushroom Hunt at Boyne City High School- 1305 Boyne Ave. Stay tuned for registration information.
  • 8am-12pm – Farmers Market at Veterans Memorial Park.
  • 9-11am – Annual National Competitive Morel Mushroom Hunt sponsored by Boyne City Kiwanis. Boyne City High School. Stay tuned for registration information.
  • 10am-6pm – Arts & Crafts Show & Food Trucks at Veterans Memorial Park. Click for an arts/crafts show application or click here for food truck application.
  • 10am-6pm – Painting in the Park with Dan. Kids (and adults) can paint their own one-of-a-kind morel masterpiece alongside Daniel Duncan of Duncan Studios. Donations appreciated to cover the cost of materials. At Veteran’s Memorial Park behind Duncan Studios’ booth in the Arts & Crafts Show.
  • 10am-6pm – Boyne Area Skate Park Fundraiser at Veterans Memorial Park. Mini skateboard lessons on basics and tricks by donation benefitting the construction of the future Boyne Area Skate Park. 
  • 11am-10pm – Schmidt Amusements Carnival at Veterans Memorial Park.
  • 12-3pm – Taste of Morels, the festival’s premiere event, features the largest concentration of morel mushroom cooking in the world. Northern Michigan Chefs prepare morel-infused delicacies and compete for the top three winning dishes. Cash bar. $10 Admission with tasting tickets for purchase. Heated Festival Tent in Veterans Memorial Park.
  • 4-5pm – Great Morel Giveaway. Enter to win a pound of morels or a $50 gift certificate at multiple participating downtown businesses. Entries are free and unlimited and drawings begin at 4pm at Freshwater Art Gallery- 217 S. Lake St. Must be present to win.
  • 7-11pm – Motherload Bash featuring live music by The Family Tradition Band. 21+ with a cash bar. $10 admission. Heated Festival Tent in Veterans Memorial Park.

Sunday, May 18th, 2025

  • 12-3pm – Arts & Crafts Show at Veterans Memorial Park.
  • 12- 3pm – Paint & Sip with Duncan Studios. Create a one-of-a-kind Michigan Morel painting with detailed instruction by artist Dan Duncan, complimentary glass of wine or beer (cash bar afterwards). $60 per person. Heated Festival Tent in Veterans Memorial Park. Stay tuned for pre-registration and painting design info.
  • ​12-5pm – Schmidt Amusements Carnival at Veterans Memorial Park.

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Boyne City is a gem in Northern Michigan's crown. This growing, bustling city has it all, including great festivals and events for all ages.

For more information on the Boyne City Morel Festival, please contact the event organizer:

Boyne City Chamber of Commerce

28 S. Lake St
Boyne City, MI 49712

(231) 582-6222

bcmorelfestival.com

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