Photo by the Charlevoix Venetian Festival

The Venetian Festival is a Summer Must in Charlevoix

July 15th-22nd, 2023

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 plus a Battle of the Bands for youth musicians. Kids Day at Lake Michigan Beach includes an inflatable climb, ragamuffins theatre, twister joe, pony rides, bubble fun and craft tent.

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 a typical schedule for the event:

Activities Happening Over Multiple Days

  • Tuesday-Saturday at 7pm – Venetian Rhythms at  Odmark East Park. Live music.
  • Wednesday-Saturday – Food Concessions at East Park. Time varies by vendor.
  • Wednesday-Saturday from 12-10pm – Venetian Merchandise at East Park.
  • Wednesday-Saturday from 6-11:30pm – Live music at the Tiki Tent in East Park.
  • Wednesday-Saturday from 5-10pm – Arnold Carnival Downtown.

First Friday

  • Jr. Golf Finals & Carey Cup

First Saturday

  • 9am – Nick Kling Memorial Tennis Tournament at Stroud Park Courts. Begins Saturday with Finals on Thursday. Singles & Doubles, open to all ages. Register at venetianfestival.com/games.
  • 12-6pm – Aquapalooza Beach & Boating Party at Ferry Beach- 224 Ferry Ave. Live music begins at 1pm.
  • 12pm – “Cornetian” Corn Toss Tourney at Ferry Beach. $20 per person, no double needed. Register on-site at 10:30am.
  • 12pm – Volleyball Tournament at Ferry Beach. 6 Member Co-ed teams. $90/team. Register at venetianfestival.com/games.

Sunday

  • 9am – Beach Bash Basketball Tournament at Ferry Beach. 3-v-3 Teams. $80/team Register at venetianfestival.com/games.
  • 10am – 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.
  • 5pm – “Worship on the Water” at Odmark East Park Pavilion- 400 Bridge St. Live Christian Rock music.

Monday

  • 9 am – Nick Kling Memorial Youth Tennis Clinic at Stroud Park Courts. Free for ages 6-17. Register at  venetianfestival.com/games.
  • 1:30pm – Cottage Croquet Tourney at East Park- 400 Bridge St. Register on-site.

Tuesday

  • 10:30am – Junior Sailing Regetta at Depot Beach North End – 307 Chicago Ave. Open to Ages 8 to 19. Register at  venetianfestival.com/games.
  • 1:30pm – Bingo at Castle Farms– 5052 M-66. Free and open to all ages. No registration needed. Hosted by American House Charlevoix.
  • 5:30pm – 3-on-3 Soccer Tournament at Shanahan Field- Finals on July 20th. Divisions: Youth, High School, Adult, and Over 35. $50/team. Register at venetianfestival.com/games.

Wednesday

  • 1pm – 3-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.
  • 5:30pm – Sailing Regetta on Lake Charlevoix at Ferry Beach. Many Fleets: Personal Boats and Crews.

Thursday

  • 8am-1pm – Charlevoix Farmers Market at Bridge Park- 200 Bridge St.
  • 10am-3pm – Kids Day at Hungry Ducks Farm– 4580 M-66. Free & armband activities for the whole family. Armbands are $13 each and scholarships are available.
  • 12-4pm – Venetian Car Show hosted by Charlevoix Street Legends on Bridge Street- North & South of the light.

Second Friday

  • 8am – Pickleball Tournament at the Charlevoix Courts- 108 Elm St. Limit of 16 teams. $20/team. Mixed Doubles Round Robin.  Championship on Saturday. Pre-registration only at venetianfestival.com/games
  • 12pm – Bridge Street Block Party Kid’s Zone: Bridge St.- North of the light. Various activities for children of all ages. Hosted by Scouts BSA Troop 15.
  • 1:30pm – Bridge Street Block Party “Peaches n Cream” Corn Toss Tourney: Bridge St.- South of the light. Register at East Park Clock Tower at 12pm. $20/team. Hosted by CHS Model Unite.
  • Dusk – “Night Sky” World Class Fireworks over Lake Charlevoix. Includes Airshow prior to Fireworks. Visible from Ferry Beach, Depot Beach, and East Park.

Second Saturday

  • 8am – Pickleball Championship at Charlevoix Courts.
  • 9am – Drenth Memorial Footrace on Bridge St. Prior to parade. Family Mile, 5k, & 10k. All Ages welcome. Register at venetianfestival.com/games.
  • 10:30am – Ryan Shay Mile on Bridge St. Championship Competition by invitation only.
  • 11am – Parade on Bridge St.
  • 3:30-6:30pm – “Rockin’ the Townhouse” street concert on  Bridge Street, north of the light.
  • Dusk – 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 updated information on the 2023 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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