Photo by Cheboygan Opera House
Cheboygan Opera House
The elegant and history-filled Cheboygan Opera House was originally constructed in 1877. The beautiful facility played an important role in the history of the colorful lumbering era in Northern Michigan. Twice ravaged by fires and then rebuilt in 1888 and 1903, the Opera House now houses City Hall, Police Department, Fire Department, and the gorgeous 582-seat theatre as it did in its early years.
In 1960, the Opera House closed and it was 24 years later before it came to life again. The elegantly restored Opera House is managed by the Cheboygan Area Arts Council with the support of The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. The Opera House is an acoustically superb, Victorian theatre that is the focal point for entertainment and the performing arts in the Straits of Mackinaw area and beyond.
The Opera House is a year ’round arts and theatre destination for all of Northern Michigan. The children’s programs provide art, theatre, music, and puppetry. The annual youth arts festival in late March celebrates the talents of children throughout the North.
The Concert Series at the Opera House brings in national, regional, and local talent. Since 1986, dance classes have been offered at the Opera House in modern, jazz, ballet, lyrical, tap, and character for area adults and children.
The Cheboygan Opera House is a gem. Filled with year ’round cultural activities, the Opera House is bringing arts to Northern Michigan as it has since 1877.
2023 Performance Schedule
January
- 6th – Cornerstone Christian School: “A King is Coming to Town”, 7pm
- 14th – The Peters, Pauls & Marys: A Benefit Show for the Opera House, 7:30pm
- 22nd – National Theatre Live: “Jack Absolute Flies Again”
- 23rd – Audition for Missoula Children’s Theatre: “The Frog Prince”
- 28th – Missoula Children’s Theatre: “The Frog Prince”, 3pm & 5:30pm
February
- 3rd – Delta 88, 7:30pm
March
- 19th – Opera House Film Club: “The Big Lebowski”, 4pm
April
- 1st – The Way Down Wanderers, 7:30pm
- 20th – Artrageous, 7:30pm
For more information on the Cheboygan Opera House:
403 N. Huron St., Cheboygan, MI, 49721
231-627-5432
Destinations Up North
Activities & Attractions in Northern Michigan

Maple Syrup Season
Spring brings lots of outdoor activities to Northern Michigan but one often ends up on pancakes: making maple syrup.

Thorne Swift Nature Preserve in Harbor Springs
Wildlife sanctuary Thorne Swift Nature Preserve is located 3 1/2 miles north of Harbor Springs, between Lower Shore Drive and Lake Michigan.

Harris Gardens at North Central Michigan College
Harris Gardens at North Central Michigan College is a spectacular sculpture garden filled with 26 pieces of vibrant art.

Petoskey’s Bear River Valley Recreation Area
This 36 acre, 1.5 mile long Bear River Valley in Petoskey is truly spectacular and filled with natural beauty and things to do.

Oden State Fish Hatchery in Alanson
The Oden State Fish Hatchery in Alanson produces three strains of brown trout and one strain of rainbow trout.

Arch Rock – A Natural Wonder on Mackinac Island
Arch Rock is a geologic wonder on Mackinac Island and stands 146′ over the Lake Huron shoreline- nearly 15 stories tall.

Northern Michigan Lighthouses
In Northern Michigan, you’ll find lighthouses where lighthouse keepers once lived and worked that have been restored and are open to visitors.

Northern Michigan Beaches
Summer’s not summer without a day at the beach and Northern Michigan offers some of the best beaches anywhere.

Cross Country Ski Trails
Just a short drive from Harbor Springs or Petoskey are more than a dozen Northern Michigan cross country ski trails in Emmet County.

Sledding and Ice Skating in Northern Michigan
Get the sleds and the skates out, put on the cold weather clothes, and enjoy sledding and ice skating in Northern Michigan.

Wilderness State Park on Lake Michigan
Wilderness State Park’s 2,582 acres of natural area and 4,492 acres of wilderness area make this a great place to explore all year ’round.

National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods in Indian River
The National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods is a 55′ x 22′ redwood cross cut from one redwood tree and with a 28′ tall bronze crucifix.

Cross Country Skiing in Charlevoix & Boyne City
With woods, dunes, and frozen lakes, the trails near Charlevoix and Boyne City are the places to cross country ski from December-March.

M-119 Tunnel of Trees
Take a beautiful color tour as you travel under a tunnel of colorful trees along M-119 from Harbor Springs to Cross Village.

Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey
Crooked Tree Arts Center is a place where artists from northern Michigan can display their talents and artwork to the public.