July 4th Up North
An amazing array of activities like parades, fireworks, and more, make the 4th of July a special day in Northern Michigan.
Photo by the Charlevoix Venetian Festival
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!
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.
The Charlevoix Circle of Arts is a vibrant, cultural center in downtown Charlevoix that presents six major visual exhibits annually.
The Harsha House and the Charlevoix Depot Museum, run by the Charlevoix Historical Society, preserve much of Charlevoix's rich history.
Charlevoix is a bustling community nestled between Lake Michigan and Round Lake and hosts many festivals and events throughout the year.
With woods, dunes, and frozen lakes, the trails near Charlevoix and Boyne City are the places to cross country ski from December-March.
Beaver Island is located 32 miles offshore of Charlevoix, Michigan and is the largest island in Lake Michigan.
Charlevoix is a bustling community with activities and attractions that include their waterfront park and fountain.
Northern Michigan builder Earl Young created the unusual mushroom houses in Charlevoix. Tours are available.
Charlevoix has beaches on Lake Michigan and also offers the warmer swimming waters of inland lake beaches on Lake Charlevoix.
A group of professors visited Charlevoix after the Civil War and formed a summer association. More followed and it became a resort town.
Fisherman's Island State Park has more than 2,600 acres and miles of gorgeous Lake Michigan beach and is located just south of Charlevoix.
Charlevoix Venetian Festival
309 Petoskey Ave., Charlevoix, MI, 49720
(231) 547-3872
An amazing array of activities like parades, fireworks, and more, make the 4th of July a special day in Northern Michigan.
Indian River celebrates summer in Northern Michigan with Old Fashioned Days, an event with five days of family fun.
Celebrate the winter at Petoskey’s Winter Wonderland Weekend, in partnership with the Winter Sports Park Winter Carnival!
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.
This Inland Waterway covers 38.2 miles from outside of Petoskey to Cheboygan. Find state parks, fishing, swimming, and more along the way.
Charlevoix has beaches on Lake Michigan and also offers the warmer swimming waters of inland lake beaches on Lake Charlevoix.
Petoskey State Park is one of the premier destinations for campers and outdoor lovers and is tucked away between Petoskey and Harbor Springs.
The Harsha House and the Charlevoix Depot Museum, run by the Charlevoix Historical Society, preserve much of Charlevoix’s rich history.
Fort Mackinac is open from May-October and includes buildings restored their original look after the fort’s occupation by the British