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.
Charlevoix is a bustling community with activities and attractions that include their waterfront park and fountain.
Charlevoix is a bustling community nestled between Lake Michigan and Round Lake and hosts many festivals and events throughout the year.
A group of professors visited Charlevoix after the Civil War and formed a summer association. More followed and it became a resort town.
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.
With woods, dunes, and frozen lakes, the trails near Charlevoix and Boyne City are the places to cross country ski from December-March.
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.
The Harsha House and the Charlevoix Depot Museum, run by the Charlevoix Historical Society, preserve much of Charlevoix's rich history.
The Charlevoix Circle of Arts is a vibrant, cultural center in downtown Charlevoix that presents six major visual exhibits annually.
Beaver Island is located 32 miles offshore of Charlevoix, Michigan and is the largest island in Lake Michigan.
Charlevoix Venetian Festival
309 Petoskey Ave., Charlevoix, MI, 49720
(231) 547-3872
Calendar of Events for Northern Michigan- Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Boyne City, Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City, and more!
Hundreds of antique, custom, and celebrity automobiles take part in the internationally acclaimed St. Ignace Car Show Weekend.
East Jordan’s Freedom Festival has food, music, fun, entertainment, carnival, dancing, and more. Fun for the whole family!
The history of the fur trade in Northern Michigan is captured at Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City.
Fort Mackinac is open from May-October and includes buildings restored their original look after the fort’s occupation by the British
Arch Rock is a geologic wonder on Mackinac Island and stands 146′ over the Lake Huron shoreline- nearly 15 stories tall.
When visiting Northern Michigan, be sure to ride one of the local Lake Michigan ferries. It’s an adventure that should be on every travelers’ Up North bucket list!
Why do people enjoy being up north so much? Find out what makes being up north feel special with our list of Northern Michigan specialties.
Crooked Tree Arts Center is a place where artists from northern Michigan can display their talents and artwork to the public.