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Mackinac Island's Annual Lilac Festival

June 2025

A celebration of lilacs takes place every June on Mackinac Island where this Northern Michigan destination features many varieties of gorgeous lilacs in a 10-day festival.

With dozens of varieties, some brought to the island before the Civil War, the lilacs are the stars of this spectacular celebration. Don’t miss the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival with 10 days of activities in a spectacular setting.

Here's what happened in 2024:

Daily

  • Various Times – Kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling excursions with Great Turtle Kayak Tours. Visit mackinackayak.com for pricing and schedule.
  • Various Times – Free Family Fun Playground at Windermere Point- M-185, Mackinac Island. Bounce houses on weekends. 15 foot customized coloring mural for the entire event.
  • Various Times – Morning, Historic, and Sunset cruises with Sip N’ Sail cruises. Visit sipnsailcruises.com for pricing and schedule.
  • 9am-12pm – Lilac Wheel of Fortune at Sanders on Mackinac- 7330 Main St., Mackinac Island. Spin the wheel for your chance to
    win lilac treats or various discounts.
  • 10am-5pm – Display of all (including top 20) Lilac Festival posters at the Center for the Arts at the Mission Point Theatre Lobby- One Lakeshore Dr. Free event.
  • 10am-5:30pm – Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum- 7070 Main St.
  • 10am-8pm – View local artists, Nicki Griffith and Pat Pulte, new works in the Murray Hotel Lower Gallery- 7260 Main St.
  • Afternoons – Great Turtle Toys flying kites at Windermere Point (wind, weather, and staff permitting)
  • 1pm – Special Program at Fort Mackinac following the cannon firing. Included with admission to Fort Mackinac- 7127 Huron Rd.
  • 6:30pm – Special firing of the cannon at Fort Mackinac.
  • Evenings – Downtown entertainment with live music and local musicians in the downtown area.

Friday

  • 10am – Grand Hotel Garden Tour– 286 Grand Ave. Meet on the front porch. Tour included with $12 admission fee.
  • 12-5pm – Family Fun Bounce House Playground at Windermere Point. Free.
  • 1-3pm – Nancy Coco will be available to sign her book Three Fudges & a Baby. Free event. Island Bookstore- 7372 Main St.
  • 3-4:30pm – Lilac Festival Poster Contest artist reception at the Center for the Arts at the Mission Point Theatre lobby. Free and open to the public.
  • 3-5pm – Michigan Coffee Sampling with Drummond Island Coffee Company at Little Luxuries- 7372 Main St.
  • 5pm– Coronation of the Lilac Festival Queen and unveiling of the Lilac Festival Poster at Marquette Park- 7200 Huron St. Free event.

Saturday

  • 9am-4pm – Fire the cannon at Fort Mackinac at 6:30pm.  Sign up at the Tourism Booth on Main Street for a chance to fire the cannon. Age 13 and up.
  • 9:30am – Rolling start of the Lilac Festival 10K Run & Walk. Starts in front of Windermere Point and finishes in the Mackinac Island School Yard- 7846 Main St. Register at runmackinac.com.
  • 10am – Grand Hotel Garden Tour– 286 Grand Ave. Meet on the front porch. Tour included with $12 admission fee.
  • 10am – Michigan Cornhole Tournament at Windermere Point. Bags fly at 11:am. $10/player or $20/team.
  • 10-11:30am – Free Lilac Walking & Talking Tour, Meet behind the Art Museum, near the playground in Marquette Park. Free event, will move about 1 mile.
  • 10am-5pm -Family Fun Bounce House Playground at Windermere Point. Free.
  • 11am-1pm – Pop up shop with local island business, Mackinpaws – for the love of island dogs at
    Little Luxuries.
  • 11am-4pm – Vintage Bicycle Rally on the Rock. Meet & Greet, Best of Show, Ride around the Island, and more. Meet at Marquette Park.
  • 11am-4:30pm – Annual Used Book Sale at the Mackinac Island Public Library- 903 Huron St. Cash only.
  • 11:45am – Lil Lilac Kids Run. Starts and ends at Mackinac Island Public School. Register at runmackinac.com.
  • 12-1pm – Mission Point Resort Garden Tour. Free event, register online at missionpoint.com.
  • 12-3pm – MSU Master Gardener Activities. Q&A, Resources, and Smart Gardener program information. Near Art Museum in Marquette Park. Come and go, free event.
  • 12:30-2pm: Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Meet behind the Art Museum, near the playground in Marquette Park. Free event, will move about 1 mile.
  • 1-3pm – Linda Hughes will be available to sign her book The Promise of Christmas Forevermore. Free event. Island Bookstore- 7372 Main St.
  • 3-4pm – Lilac Planting, Pruning, & Propagation Seminar at Ste. Anne Catholic Church- 6837 Main St. Free event.
  • 3-4:30pm – The McCartney Years at Mission Point Resort Theatre. Tickets are $25 each and may be purchased online at missionpoint.com  or at the door.
  • 6-8pm – Lilac Bouquet Watercolor Class at Watercolor Café- 6939 Main St. All supplies provided. Fee is $48. Space is limited, register at watercolormakcinac.com ahead of time.
  • 6:30-8:30pm – Line Dancing in the Street with West Michigan Bootscooters. Located on Market St. between Fort St. and Astor St. Free event.
  • 9-11:30pm – Movie in the Fort located in Fort Mackinac. Free admission, bring a chair or blanket and your favorite snack.

Sunday

  • 9:30-10:30am – Lilacs & Warblers Walk beginning at Marquette Park. 
  • 10am – Grand Hotel Garden Tour– 286 Grand Ave. Meet on the front porch. Tour included with $12 admission fee.
  • 10am-5pm – Family Fun Bounce House Playground at Windermere Point. Free.
  • 11am-12:30pm – Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Meet behind the Art Museum, near the playground in Marquette Park. Free event, will move about 1 mile.
  • 11:30am-12pm – Garden Tour at Island House Hotel (6966 Main St.) unveiling the rich history and timeless beauty of the Victorian-style gardens. Meet at the Island House Hotel front porch. Free event.
  • 12-3pm – MSU Master Gardener Activities. Q&A, Resources, and Smart Gardener program information. Near Art Museum in Marquette Park. Come and go, free event.
  • 1-2:00pm – Kids planting activity. Join the MSU Master Gardeners behind the art museum for a fun-filled activity for kids. Join anytime within the hour. Free event.
  • 1-3pm – Jewelry Pop Up with local jewelry artist Megan Krommer at Little Luxuries.
  • 3-4pm – Lilac Planting, Pruning, & Propagation Seminar. Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Free event.
  • 3-4:30pm – The McCartney Years at Mission Point Resort Theatre. Tickets are $25 each and may be purchased online at missionpoint.com  or at the door.
  • 6-8pm – Lilac Festival Puzzle Challenge at Community Hall- 7358 Market St. Fastest teams to complete the puzzle wins prizes! Limited space, 6 people per team, sign up at mackinacisland.org. 

Monday

  • 10am – Grand Hotel Garden Tour. Meet on the front porch. Tour included with $12 admission fee.
  • 10am – Get an inside look at what it takes to design and plant beautiful historic gardens on Mackinac Island with Mackinac Landscape and Garden. Meet at the Post Office for a downtown walking tour. Free event.
  • 11am-12:30pm – Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Meet behind the Art Museum, near the playground in Marquette Park. Free event, will move about 1 mile.
  • 11am-2pm – Popup Art Market with Lovely Little Lettering Co at Watercolor Café. Art prints, greeting cards, and live painting demonstrations. Free event.
  • 11:30am-12pm – Garden Tour at Island House Hotel unveiling the rich history and timeless beauty of the Victorian-style gardens. Meet at the Island House Hotel front porch. Free event.
  • 1-4pm – Plein Air paint class with local artist, Maeve Croghan at Mission Point Resort. Sign up at missionpoint.com.
  • 3-4pm – Lilac Planting, Pruning, & Propagation Seminar. Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Free event.
  • 4-6pm – Meet Michigan Watercolor Artist, Emily Frushour and view her artwork at Little
    Luxuries.
  • 5pm – Somewhere in Time movie at Mission Point Resort Theatre. Free event by the Mackinac Arts Council.
  • 6-8pm – Lilacs & Lettering at Watercolor Café. All supplies provided. Space is limited, register at watercolormakcinac.com, ahead of time.

Tuesday

  • 10am – Grand Hotel Garden Tour. Meet on the front porch. Tour included with $12 admission fee.
  • 11am-12:30pm – Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Meet behind the Art Museum, near the playground in Marquette Park. Free event, will move about 1 mile.
  • 11am-2pm – Popup Art Market with Lovely Little Lettering Co at Watercolor Café. Art prints, greeting cards, and live painting demonstrations. Free event.
  • 11:30am-12pm – Garden Tour at Island House Hotel unveiling the rich history and timeless beauty of the Victorian-style gardens. Meet at the Island House Hotel front porch. Free event.
  • 12-3pm – MSU Master Gardener Activities. Q&A, Resources, and Smart Gardener program information. Near Art Museum in Marquette Park. Come and go, free event.
  • 12:30-2:30pm – Nature Tour with Trish Martin, starts at Bogan Lane Inn- 1420 Bogan Lane. Free event.
  • 1-4pm – Plein Air paint class with local artist, Maeve Croghan at Mission Point Resort. Sign up at missionpoint.com.
  • 3-4pm – Lilac Planting, Pruning, & Propagation Seminar. Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Free event.
  • 5pm – Mackinac: Our Famous Island movie at Mission Point Resort Theatre. Free event by the Mackinac Arts Council.
  • 5:30-6:30pm – Walking Tour: Creating the Village of Mackinac Island on Historic Downtown Mackinac Market Street.
  • 6pm – This Time for Keeps movie at Mission Point Resort Theatre Free event by the Mackinac Arts Council.
  • 6-8pm – Lilacs & Lettered Tote Bag at Watercolor Café. All supplies provided. Space is limited, register at watercolormakcinac.com, ahead of time.

Wednesday

  • 9am – Free Lilac Festival flag giveaway at Flagship- 1511 Astor St. While supplies last.
  • 9:30-11:30am – Michigan Governor’s Summer Residence Tour. Free, 15 minute guided tour.
  • 10am – Grand Hotel Garden Tour. Meet on the front porch. Tour included with $12 admission fee.
  • 10am – Get an inside look at what it takes to design and plant beautiful historic gardens on Mackinac Island with Mackinac Landscape and Garden. Meet at the Post Office for a downtown walking tour. Free event.
  • 11:30am-12pm – Garden Tour at Island House Hotel unveiling the rich history and timeless beauty of the Victorian-style gardens. Meet at the Island House Hotel front porch. Free event.
  • 11:30am-1pm – Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Meet behind the Art Museum, near the playground in Marquette Park. Free event, will move about 1 mile.
  • 12-3pm – MSU Master Gardener Activities. Q&A, Resources, and Smart Gardener program information. Near Art Museum in Marquette Park. Come and go, free event.
  • 3:30-4:30pm – Lilac Planting, Pruning, & Propagation Seminar. Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Free event.
  • 4-5pm – Mission Point Resort Garden Tour. Free event, register online at missionpoint.com.
  • 5:30-6:30pm – Walking Tour: Mackinac in the 1830’s on Historic Downtown Mackinac Market Street.
  • 6-8pm – Lilacs Bouquet Watercolor Class at Watercolor Café. All supplies provided. Fee is $48. Space is limited, register at watercolormakcinac.com, ahead of time.
  • 7-8pm – Artist-in-Residence Program. Station 256 Conference Room above the State Park Visitor Center- 7200 Lake Shore Dr. Free event.

Thursday

  • 10am – Grand Hotel Garden Tour. Meet on the front porch. Tour included with $12 admission fee.
  • 10-11:30am – Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Meet behind the Art Museum, near the playground in Marquette Park. Free event, will move about 1 mile.
  • 11:30am-12pm – Garden Tour at Island House Hotel unveiling the rich history and timeless beauty of the Victorian-style gardens. Meet at the Island House Hotel front porch. Free event.
  • 12-3pm – MSU Master Gardener Activities. Q&A, Resources, and Smart Gardener program information. Near Art Museum in Marquette Park. Come and go, free event.
  • 1-4pm – Plein Air paint class with local artist, Maeve Croghan at Mission Point Resort. Sign up at missionpoint.com.
  • 3-4pm – Lilac Planting, Pruning, & Propagation Seminar. Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Free event.
  • 4-5pm – Music & Meditation with Pianist John Kissane at Ste. Anne Catholic Church. Free, come and go event, donations accepted. No applause please.
  • 4-6pm – Michigan beer sampling event at Little Luxuries.
  • 6-7:30pm – Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Meet behind the Art Museum, near the playground in Marquette Park. Free event, will move about 1 mile.

Second Friday

  • 9am-4pm – Fire the cannon at Fort Mackinac at 6:30pm.  Sign up at the Tourism Booth on Main Street for a chance to fire the cannon. Age 13 and up.
  • 9am – Free American Festival flag giveaway at Flagship- 1511 Astor St. While supplies last.
  • 10am – Grand Hotel Garden Tour. Meet on the front porch. Tour included with $12 admission fee.
  • 10-11:30am – Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Meet behind the Art Museum, near the playground in Marquette Park. Free event, will move about 1 mile.
  • 10am-5pm – Family Fun Bounce House Playground at Windermere Point. Free.
  • 11:30am-12pm – Garden Tour at Island House Hotel unveiling the rich history and timeless beauty of the Victorian-style gardens. Meet at the Island House Hotel front porch. Free event.
  • 12-3pm – MSU Master Gardener Activities. Q&A, Resources, and Smart Gardener program information. Near Art Museum in Marquette Park. Come and go, free event.
  • 12:30-2pm – Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Meet behind the Art Museum, near the playground in Marquette Park. Free event, will move about 1 mile.
  • 1-4pm – Plein Air paint class with local artist, Maeve Croghan at Mission Point Resort. Sign up at missionpoint.com.
  • 3-4pm – Lilac Planting, Pruning, & Propagation Seminar. Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Free event.
  • 3-4:30pm – The McCartney Years at Mission Point Resort Theatre. Tickets are $25 each and may be purchased online at missionpoint.com  or at the door.
  • 6-7pm – The History of Anishnaabek at the Straits in the Early 1800’s at the Biddle House- 7406 Market St.
  • 6-8pm – Creative Journaling for the Mindful Traveler at Watercolor Café. All supplies provided. Space is limited,register at watercolormakcinac.com, ahead of time.

Second Saturday

  • 9am-4pm – Fire the cannon at Fort Mackinac at 6:30pm.  Sign up at the Tourism Booth on Main Street for a chance to fire the cannon. Age 13 and up.
  • 10am – Grand Hotel Garden Tour. Meet on the front porch. Tour included with $12 admission fee.
  • 10am – Get an inside look at what it takes to design and plant beautiful historic gardens on Mackinac Island with Mackinac Landscape and Garden. Meet at the Post Office for a downtown walking tour. Free event.
  • 10-11:30am – Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Meet behind the Art Museum, near the playground in Marquette Park. Free event, will move about 1 mile.
  • 10am-5pm – Family Fun Bounce House Playground at Windermere Point. Free.
  • 11am-1pm – Meet Michigan handbag designer, Jenna Kator and be a part of a special shopping
    event at Little Luxuries
  • 11:30am-12pm – Garden Tour at Island House Hotel unveiling the rich history and timeless beauty of the Victorian-style gardens. Meet at the Island House Hotel front porch. Free event.
  • 12-1pm – Mission Point Resort Garden Tour. Free event, register online missionpoint.com.
  • 12-3pm – MSU Master Gardener Activities. Q&A, Resources, and Smart Gardener program information. Near Art Museum in Marquette Park. Come and go, free event.
  • 12:30-2pm – Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Meet behind the Art Museum, near the playground in Marquette Park. Free event, will move about 1 mile.
  • 1-3pm – Open house at Grand Hotel Stables. Free event featuring the Hackney Horses.
  • 1-3pm – Cynthia Burke will be available to sign her book Finding Lilacs. Free event. Island Bookstore- 7372 Main St.
  • 1-4pm – Plein Air paint class with local artist, Maeve Croghan at Mission Point Resort. Sign up at missionpoint.com.
  • 2-5pm – Live music featuring Jerry Sprague behind the Cannonball Oasis- 7641 British Landing Rd. Free Event.
  • 3-4pm – Lilac Planting, Pruning, & Propagation Seminar. Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Free event.
  • 3-4:30pm – Meet Michigan artist and author mother-daughter duo, Jennifer and Natalia
    Wolhetz for a special book signing event.
  • 3-4:30pm – The McCartney Years at Mission Point Resort Theatre. Tickets are $25 each and may be purchased online at missionpoint.com  or at the door.
  • 6-8pm – Creative Journaling for the Mindful Traveler at Watercolor Café. All supplies provided. Space is limited,register at watercolormakcinac.com, ahead of time.
  • 6:30-8pm – Concert featuring Three Men and a Tenor in Marquette Park. Free event. Rainy day backup at Mission Point Resort.

Second Sunday

  • 10-11:30am – Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Meet behind the Art Museum, near the playground in Marquette Park. Free event, will move about 1 mile.
  • 1-4pm – Plein Air paint class with local artist, Maeve Croghan at Mission Point Resort. Sign up at missionpoint.com.
  • 1:30-4pm – Grand Parade Pre-Party in Marquette Park. Musical performances, face painting, henna, glitter tattoos, clowns, balloon animals, and more fun at Marquette Park. Free event before the parade.
  • 3-4:30pm – The McCartney Years at Mission Point Resort Theatre. Tickets are $25 each and may be purchased online at missionpoint.com  or at the door.
  • 4pm – Special cannon firing from Fort Mackinac to kick-off the 2024 Lilac Festival Parade
  • 4pm – Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Parade beginning at Mission Point Resort and ending at Windermere Point.
  • 5:30pm – Raffle Ticket Party at Mary’s Bistro. Tickets are $100. First place is $3,000 and 2nd-8th place is $1,000 each. Drawing is at 6:30 pm

Experience Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island was originally a fort built to protect nearby territories, but now it is filled with beauty and lots of things to do. Read the stories below or go to the Mackinac Island destination page.

Activities & Attractions on Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island is rich in history and is also filled with beauty and lots of activities and attractions to explore.

The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island

The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island

The majestic and historic Grand Hotel is one of the first sights visitors see as they head into the harbor on Mackinac Island.

Arch Rock

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.

Colonial Fort Michilimackinac

How do you say Mackinac and Mackinaw?

Mackinaw and Mackinac are pronounced the same way. Why? It's the area's rich history with the Native Americans, French, and British.

Downtown Mackinac Island

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.

Mackinac Bridge

The Mackinac Bridge in Northern Michigan

The Mackinac Bridge is the 10th largest suspension bridge (over water) in the world and connects Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsula.

Festivals & Events on Mackinac Island

Referred to as the "Jewel of the Great Lakes", Mackinac Island has many special festivals and events that go on during their prime season.

Fort Mackinac

Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island

Fort Mackinac is open from May-October and includes buildings restored their original look after the fort's occupation by the British

Stay tuned for information on the 2025 Mackinac Island Lilac Festival!

For more information on the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival, please contact the event organizer:

Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau

7274 Main Street, Mackinac Island, MI 49757

(906) 847-3783

mackinacisland.org

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