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Fall Fun & Halloween Trick-or-Treating Up North

October-November 2024

The skies are heavy with ominous clouds, biting cold air envelops our bodies, and the trees are ablaze with color. It’s late October – time for pumpkins, ghouls, and witches to come out and scare innocent souls, in search for a treat.

Of course, we’re talking about Halloween, that most frightening time of year. Northern Michigan is not only beautiful in late September and throughout October, but there are plenty of annual events to satisfy the timid and those that dare to be scared!

From Halloween Parties for the young and the young at heart, to haunted events, fall festivals, and trick-or-treating; there’s something for everyone during this time of the year Up North in Michigan!

Here’s a List of the Northern Michigan Communities That Host Trick or Treating:

Downtown Petoskey
Downtown Mackinac Island Shops
Downtown Cheboygan
City of Cheboygan
Boyne City
East Jordan
Harbor Springs
Charlevoix
Petoskey

More Fun Fall Activities That Typically Take Place:

Alanson

Alanson Fall Festival – Event features donuts from the Dutch Oven, cider from Uncle Franks, pumpkin painting and carving, food, Business Poker Run for Prizes and more. Downtown Alanson. Visit petoskeyarea.com for more information.
Blissfest Country Dance – Enjoy traditional country dances like contra, square, and waltz for $10 per person, $5 per student, kids 12 & under free. Pot luck from 6-7:30pm, please bring your own table service. No partner necessary. Littlefield-Alanson Community Building- 7631 US-31, Alanson. For more info, visit blissfest.org.
Halloween Party at Riverside Bar & Grill – 6262 East St., Alanson. Costume contest, live music by The Backroads Band, drink specials, and more.
Trunk or Treat – at Alanson Public School- 7400 N. St., Alanson.

Boyne City

Tricks & Treats at Boyne City Farmers Market – Event includes costume contest, face painting, trick or treating, and more. Veterans Park Pavilion- 207 N. Lake St., Boyne City.
Trick-or-Treat – outside of Boyne District Library- 201 E. Main St., Boyne City.
Halloween Parade in Boyne City – The parade moves north along Lake St. to Water St., turning at Park St. and ending at the First Presbyterian Church (which generally hosts a trunk or treat, stay tuned for details)

Charlevoix

Charlevoix Apple Fest – Event includes arts & crafts show, farmer’s market, kids activities, pie eating contest and more.
Trick-or-Treat – at the Charlevoix Public Library – 220 Clinton St., Charlevoix.

Cheboygan

Trunk or Treat at Kat Fisher Bait & Tackle – 9872 N. Straits Hwy, Cheboygan.
Trick or Treating at Medilodge of Cheboygan – 824 S. Huron St., Cheboygan.
Trick or Treating at The Brook of Cheboygan – 11965 Townline Rd., Cheboygan.

Harbor Springs

Fall Festival at Harbor Springs Marina Park – 250 E. Bay St., Harbor Springs. Live music, corn hole, donut eating contest this weekend. Food available for purchase and farmer’s market in the morning.
Lakeview Cemetery Tours – Explore the history of Harbor Springs earliest residents on a guided walking tour of Lakeview Cemetery. The 90 minute tour features the graves of a dozen citizens. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at harborspringshistory.org
Kids Halloween Costume Contest at Pond Hill Farm – 5699 S. Lakeshore Dr., Harbor Springs.

Mackinac Island

Haunted Maze on the Grand Hotel’s Grounds – Donations to benefit “Give Kids the World” – Davidson Hospitality’s Foundation. Grand Hotel- 286 Grand Ave., Mackinac Island.
Haunted Trail and Maze on the Grand Hotel’s Grounds – Donations to benefit “Give Kids the World” – Davidson Hospitality’s Foundation.
Mackinac Island’s Halloween Weekend -Celebrate Halloween with the Great Turtle Trail Run, trick-or-treating for kids through downtown shops, and Halloween costume parties for adults throughout island establishments in the evening. For more information, visit mackinacisland.org.

Mackinaw City

Mackinaw City Haunted House – 114 S. Huron, Mackinaw City. Tickets are $8.50 each. For tickets or more info, visit mackinawmanor.com.
Fort Fright at Fort Michilimackinac – 106 W. Straights Ave., Mackinaw City. Eighteenth-century French-Canadian folklore comes to life as the fort is “haunted” by ghouls, ghosts, and more. Most activities suitable for all ages. Admission is $11 for adults, $7 for children ages 5-12, and free for children 4
and under and Mackinac Associates members (excluding Heritage Level). For tickets or more information, visit mackinacpark.com.
Autumn Trail Day -Bring a camera or binoculars to enjoy 3.5 miles of trails along the banks of Mill Creek. Staff will be on hand to answer questions, guide the walk, and tell stories around a campfire at the Forest Clearing. Free, open-house style event. Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park– 9001 W. US-23, Mackinaw City.
Lions Annual Soup in a Bread Bowl Supper – Tickets are $10 per person and the event will be held at Pancake Chef- 327 E. Central Ave., Mackinaw City.
Autumn at McGulpin Point – See spectacular views of the Straits of Mackinac with a free, self-guided tour to the top of the lighthouse tower. Enjoy complimentary cider and donuts with us while you explore the lighthouse and gift shop. McGulpin Point Lighthouse- 500 Headlands Rd., Mackinaw City.
Annual Ghost Supper – Bring a dish to pass that your ancestors would have enjoyed. Heritage Village Pavilion- 1425 W. Central Ave., Mackinaw City.
Trunk or Treat sponsored by the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce – Old School Park- East Jamet St., Mackinaw City.

Petoskey

Petoskey Rotary Club’s Annual Fall Festival – This free annual event includes pumpkin painting, lawn games, live music, and magic shows, cornhole tournament, food, and more. For more information, visit facebook.com. Petoskey Winter Sports Park- 1100 Winter Park Lane, Petoskey.
Halloween Fun in Petoskey – Downtown Trick-or-Treat from 10am-12pm. Parade at 10am from Central Elementary (410 State St.) down Howard Street to Pennsylvania Park (411 E. Lake St.). Annual Jack ‘O Lantern Walk… bring an already carved or decorated pumpkin to Pennsylvania Park between 1-6pm for a chance to win $50 in Downtown Dollars. Jack ‘O Lanterns will be lit and on display beginning at sunset.
Trunk or Treat at the Village at Bay Harbor – 4000 Main St., Petoskey.