Photo by the Charlevoix Venetian Festival

The Venetian Festival is a Summer Must in Charlevoix

July 2024

The volunteers who host each July’s week-long Venetian Festival in Charlevoix like to say that the event is only missing thing: a cost for admission. Free music, parades, children’s activities and fireworks are all free.

The Venetian Festival in Charlevoix has been a highlight of summer in Northern Michigan for more than 80 years. During the Festival, there are daily music performances on two stages in Charlevoix’s East Park. Venetian Games include kids and teens in soccer, basketball, running, boarding, sailing, volleyball, golf and tennis tournaments.

Water activities include a night boat parade–with boats decorated, animated and lit–and an AquaPalooza boating party take place on Round Lake in Charlevoix.

The Charlevoix Venetian Festival queen is crowned in special festivities. The street parade is the place to be for fun, music, and craziness and thousands of people line the street to watch the floats. Two nights of fireworks? Yes, two!

Here's the typical schedule of events:

Activities Happening Over Multiple Days

  • Venetian Rhythms: Live Music. See daily schedule for performers/locations.
  • Food Concessions at East Park- 400 Bridge St.. Time varies by vendor.
  • Venetian Merchandise at East Park. Wednesday & Thursday from 6-10pm, Friday from 12-10pm, and Saturday from 10am-8pm.
  • Live music at the Tiki Tent in East Park. See daily schedule for performers.
  • Arnold Carnival –  Downtown. Wednesday from 5-11pm, Thursday from 12-11pm, Friday from 1-11pm, and Saturday from 11am-11pm.

Friday

Saturday

  • Aquapalooza Beach & Boating Party at Ferry Beach- 224 Ferry Ave. Live music featuring Lazo & Exodus begins at 1pm.
  • “Cornetian” Corn Toss Tourney at Ferry Beach. $20 per person, no double needed. Register on-site at 10:30am.
  • Volleyball Tournament at Ferry Beach. 6 Member Co-ed teams. $90/team. Register at venetianfestival.com/games.

Sunday

  • Beach Bash Basketball Tournament at Ferry Beach. 3-v-3 Teams. $80/team Register at venetianfestival.com/games.
  • Disc Golf Doubles at  Mt. McSauba- 09223 Mt. McSauba Rd. Bring your own partner. Best shot doubles. $40/Rec Team and $60/Advanced Team. Register at  venetianfestival.com/games.
  • “Worship on the Water” at Odmark East Park Pavilion- 400 Bridge St. Live Christian Rock music.

Monday

  • Nick Kling Memorial Youth Tennis Clinic at Stroud Park Courts. Free for ages 6-17. Register at  venetianfestival.com/games.
  • Cottage Croquet Tourney at East Park. Register on-site.
  • Charlevoix Pool Party at Charlevoix Community Pool- 11905 US-31. Pre-registration required by calling (231) 547-0982.

Tuesday

  • Junior Sailing Regetta at Depot Beach North End – 307 Chicago Ave. Open to Ages 8 to 19. Register at  venetianfestival.com/games.
  • Bingo at Castle Farms– 5052 M-66. Free and open to all ages. No registration needed. Hosted by American House Charlevoix.
  • Charlevoix Township Fire Department Open House. 210 State St.
  • 3-on-3 Soccer Tournament at Shanahan Field- 12491 Waller Rd. Divisions: Youth, High School, Adult, and Over 35. $50/team. Register at venetianfestival.com/games.
  • Venetian Rhythms: Live Music at Odmark East Park Pavilion

Wednesday

  • Club Golf Tournament at Charlevoix Municipal Course- 700 Petoskey Ave. Youth league: $12/player; Adult Male & Female, Senior Male & Female leagues: $25/player. Register at venetianfestival.com/games.
  • Dusk – Spectator Viewing of Sailing Regatta on Lake Charlevoix at Ferry Beach. Many Fleets: Personal Boats and Crews.
  • Tiki Tent features Galactic Sherpas
  • Venetian Rhythms: Live Music at Odmark East Park Pavilion
  • Miss Charlevoix Competition and Coronation at East Park

Thursday

  • Charlevoix Farmers Market at Bridge Park- 200 Bridge St.
  • Kids Day Downtown. Free & armband activities for the whole family. Armbands are $13 each and scholarships are available.
  • Tiki Tent features Lou Thumser
  • Venetian Rhythms at Odmark East Park Pavilion, features Sweet Tea Trio and Easton Corbin

Friday

  • Venetian Car Show hosted by Charlevoix Street Legends on Bridge Street- North & South of the light.
  • Bridge Street Block Party with Kids Zone
  • Bridge Street Block Party “Peaches n Cream” Corn Toss Tourney: Bridge St.- South of the light. Register onsite at 12pm. $20/team.
  • Tiki Tent live music
  • Venetian Rhythms: Live Music at Odmark East Park and Ferry Beach
  • Redline Air Show & Flag Jump at Round Lake
  • “Night Sky” World Class Fireworks over Lake Charlevoix. Includes Airshow prior to Fireworks. Visible from Ferry Beach, Depot Beach, and East Park.

Saturday

  • Drenth Memorial Footrace on Bridge St. Prior to parade. Family Mile, 5k, & 10k. All Ages welcome. Register at venetianfestival.com/games.
  • Ryan Shay Mile on Bridge St. Championship Competition by invitation only.
  • Parade on Bridge St.
  • Charlevoix All Class Reunion at the Tiki Tent
  • Venetian Rhythms “Rockin’ the Townhouse” street concert on  Bridge Street, north of the light
  • Tiki Tent live music
  • Venetian Rhythms at Odmark East Park
  • Venetian Lighted Boat Parade on Round Lake.
  • Immediately following the Boat Parade – Spectacular Harbor Fireworks over Round Lake.

Experience Charlevoix

The sight of this bustling community nestled between Lake Michigan and Round Lake is simply beautiful. The waterfront park is a jewel complete in Charlevoix with a spectacular water fountain. Read the stories below or go to the Charlevoix destination page.

Stay tuned for information on the 2024 Charlevoix Venetian Festival!

For more information on the Charlevoix Venetian Festival, please contact the event organizer:

Charlevoix Venetian Festival

309 Petoskey Ave., Charlevoix, MI, 49720

(231) 547-3872

venetianfestival.com

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