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(Scroll down to see more events in May.)
Northern Michigan communities offer many Memorial Day events: a great way to begin another summer season and remember those who gave all.
You can find performances almost any night of the week in Northern Michigan with music by area musicians as well as professionals.
This 25-year-old rite of spring in Northern Michigan is a bike ride from the Zoo Bar at Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs, to Mackinaw City.
At this Boyne City festival, hundreds of mushroom lovers from around the country come to seek that elusive delicacy-the marvelous morel.
Northern Michigan grows the best. Our Farmers Markets are open from late spring to fall, from cherries, to potatoes, to sweet corn, and more.
The Fort Michilimackinac Historical Reenactment Pageant in Mackinaw City is the U.S.' longest running free Memorial Day historical program.
Dousman’s Mill (formerly Historic Mill Creek) Opens for the Season
526 N. Huron Ave., Mackinaw City.
Fort Mackinac Opens for the Season
7127 Huron Rd., Mackinac Island.
Ellsworth Labyrinth Garden Party
Event will include entertainers, food, crafts/activities, and vendors! The Labyrinth is located at the Ellsworth Community Park- 9238 Lake St, Ellsworth, and is a Wellness & Sensory Garden, planted to appeal to all 5 senses while giving space for contemplation & meditation.
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse Opens for the Season
526 N. Huron Ave., Mackinaw City.
Colonial Michilimackinac Opens for the Season
Beneath the Mackinac Bridge, Mackinaw City
Petoskey Restaurant Week
Participating establishments offer deals. Petoskey
Ebenezer Christian School Annual Garage Sale
Fill a bag for $5, larger items also for sale, and bake sale. Thursday & Friday from 8:30am-4pm and Saturday from 9am-12pm. All proceeds go to Ebenezer Christian School- 9541 White St., Ellsworth.
Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center Opening Day
For more info, visit mackinacparks.com. 7165 Main St., Mackinac Island.
The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum Opens for the Season
For more information, visit mackinacparks.com. 7070 Main St., Mackinac Island
Jeep the Yoop
This event is full of Jeep themed activities and, while the Mackinac Bridge crossing won’t take place due to construction, the excitement continues. St. Ignace and Drummond Island have joined forces to bring you an unforgettable Jeep-only event, packed with an incredible itinerary that celebrates everything Jeep in Michigan’s stunning Upper Peninsula. For more info or to register, visit stignace.com.
Fort-2-Fort 5-Mile Challenge
Race begins with a blast of the rifles at Fort Mackinac- 7125 Huron Rd., Mackinac Island. Then it takes a winding route up to Fort Holmes, and back down to a finish behind Fort Mackinac next to the scout barracks. Register and find more information at: runsignup.com.
Spring Craft & Vendor Show
VFW Post 2051- 599 W. Conway Rd., Harbor Springs. For more information, visit facebook.com.
Mother Daughter Banquet
Tickets are $15 presale, $20 at the door, kids over age 3 are $10, and 3 and under are free. Proceeds benefit the Miss East Jordan Scholarship Pageant. Nominate a mother in your life for mother of the year by submitting a brief summary of why that person deserves the honor to missejboard@gmail.com. To reserve tickets message the event organizer on facebook.com. The Boathouse on Lake Charlevoix- 204 Water St., East Jordan.
National Morel Mushroom Festival
Annual, multi-day event with fun for the whole family.
Zoo-de-Mack Bike Ride
This leisurely 51-Mile Bike Ride takes participants from the Zoo Bar at Boyne Highlands, to Harbor Springs, to Mackinaw City. It also includes live music and huge parties.
Petoskey Stone Festival
Annual festival featuring live music, craft vendors, and food at 12298 Barnes Park Road, Eastport. For a vendor application or more info, visit petoskeystonefestival.com.
Polish Dinner
Dinners include cabbage rolls, noodles, pierogies, kielbasa, kraut, mashed potatoes, vegetables, rolls, and desserts. Cost is $15 for adults, $5 for kids age 6-10, and under 6 eat free. St. Joseph Church Parish Hall- 205 Nicholls St., East Jordan.
100+ Women Who Care
This fundraising endeavor asks participants to make a one-time donation of $100 to participate. Each participant may nominate a local nonprofit for the $5,000 grant. Four nominated and approved nonprofits will be randomly selected at the event. If your nomination form is drawn, you can address the group and let them know why the nonprofit you nominated should get their vote. For more information and to register, visit otsegofoundation.org. North Life Church- 115 E. Main St., Gaylord.
Top of Michigan Festival of Races
5k, 10k, and half marathon beginning at Bayfront Park- 101 E. Lake St., Petoskey. Register by visiting runsignup.com.
Breezeway Garage Sales
Residents, businesses, and organizations along the C-48 Breezeway – from Atwood to Ellsworth to East Jordan to Boyne Falls hold garage sales.
Fort Michilimackinac Historical Reenactment Pageant Including Parade
The longest running free Memorial Day historical program in the U.S. which takes place in Mackinaw City, Michigan. More than 400 cast members take part in the three-day pageant that brings to life the 1763 Fort Michilimackinac battle between the French, British, and Native Americans. Fort Michilimackinac- 106 W. Straights Ave., Mackinaw City.
Hike & Hang
Short, family-friendly hike followed by s’mores by the fire. Wagbo Farm- 5745 N. M-66, East Jordan.
Native American Festival
For more information, call (906) 643-9161. Museum of Ojibwa Culture-500 N. State St., St. Ignace. For more information, visit stignace.com.
Main Street Market
Local vendors, sidewalk sales, and live entertainment. Main Street, East Jordan.
Calendar of Events for Northern Michigan- Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Boyne City, Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City, and more!
A unique event featuring a variety of one-of-a-kind exhibitors offering everything from yachts to boating goods for sale.
The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is filled with events and the celebration of the Island’s many varieties of lilacs.
Indian River celebrates summer in Northern Michigan with Old Fashioned Days, an event with five days of family fun.
You can find performances almost any night of the week in Northern Michigan with music by area musicians as well as professionals.
The Headlands, just west of Mackinaw City, is one of six International Dark Sky Parks in the U.S. and one of nine in the world.
Harris Gardens at North Central Michigan College is a spectacular sculpture garden filled with 26 pieces of vibrant art.
The Charlevoix Circle of Arts is a vibrant, cultural center in downtown Charlevoix that presents six major visual exhibits annually.
With woods, dunes, and frozen lakes, the trails near Charlevoix and Boyne City are the places to cross country ski from December-March.
North Central Michigan College’s Natural Area in Petoskey includes over five miles of trails that run through unique habitats.
Arch Rock is a geologic wonder on Mackinac Island and stands 146′ over the Lake Huron shoreline- nearly 15 stories tall.