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(Scroll down to see more events in May.)
The Fort Michilimackinac Historical Reenactment Pageant in Mackinaw City is the U.S.' longest running free Memorial Day historical program.
Northern Michigan communities offer many Memorial Day events: a great way to begin another summer season and remember those who gave all.
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.
Northern Michigan grows the best. Our Farmers Markets are open from late spring to fall, from cherries, to potatoes, to sweet corn, and more.
You can find performances almost any night of the week in Northern Michigan with music by area musicians as well as professionals.
At this Boyne City festival, hundreds of mushroom lovers from around the country come to seek that elusive delicacy-the marvelous morel.
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. Ebenezer Christian School- 9541 White St., Ellsworth.
Fort Mackinac Opens for the Season
7127 Huron Rd., Mackinac Island.
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
Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park Opens for the Season
526 N. Huron Ave., Mackinaw City.
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 (by April 28th,2025), visit visitorsbureau.redfox.com.
Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center Opening Day
For more info, visit mackinacparks.com. 7165 Main St., Mackinac Island.
Biddle House, featuring the Mackinac Island Native American Museum, Opens for the Season
For more information, visit mackinacparks.com. 7406 Market St., Mackinac Island
Benjamin Blacksmith Shop Opens for the Season
For more information, visit mackinacparks.com. 7406 Market 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
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: runmackinac.com.
Mother Daughter Banquet
Tickets are $15 for adults or $10 for children ages 4 and up presale or purchase at the door for $20/adult or $15/child 4 and up (children 3 and under get in 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.
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. Eligibility requirements apply and must be approved by April 29th, 2025. 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 give.otsegofoundation.org. Big Buck Brewery- 550 S. Wisconsin Ave., Gaylord.
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.
Young Eagles Rally
The event offers free airplane rides for children ages 8 to 17 at the Antrim County Airport- 3366 S. Derenzy Rd., Bellaire. Pilots and ground support personnel participating in the event donate their time, their planes and fuel. For questions, visit chapters.eaa.org.
Spring Craft & Vendor Show
VFW Post 2051- 599 W. Conway Rd., Harbor Springs. For more information, visit facebook.com.
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, and desserts. Cost is $15 for adults, $5 for kids age 6-10, and under 6 eat free. There will also be a raffle for a goody basket and 50/50 raffles. St. Joseph Church Parish Hall- 205 Nicholls St., East Jordan.
Jordan Valley Community Band Spring Concert
Free concert at East Jordan Community Auditorium- 304 Fourth St., East Jordan. Donations appreciated.
Breezeway Garage Sale
Breezeway Community- C-48 in East Jordan.
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.
Main Street Market
Local vendors, sidewalk sales, and live entertainment. Main Street, 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.
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.
Mackinaw City Memorial Day Observance
Service on the Marina lawn near the cannon to follow parade then a ceremony at Lakeview Cemetery– W. Central Ave., Mackinaw City.
Mackinac Island Memorial Day Observance
A brief and informal Memorial Day observance to pay tribute to the soldiers who served at Fort Mackinac. Soldiers will assemble at Fort Mackinac, march to the cemetery, perform a short ceremony and salute, and return to the fort. Fort Mackinac- 7125 Huron Rd., Mackinac Island.
Memorial Day Parade & Service
Memorial Day Parade beginning at GAR Park across from American Legion Post #227- 305 Service follows the parade at Memorial Park- 101 Spring St.
You can find performances almost any night of the week in Northern Michigan with music by area musicians as well as professionals.
The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is filled with events and the celebration of the Island’s many varieties of lilacs.
East Jordan’s Freedom Festival has food, music, fun, entertainment, carnival, dancing, and more. Fun for the whole family!
A unique event featuring a variety of one-of-a-kind exhibitors offering everything from yachts to boating goods for sale.
Calendar of Events for Northern Michigan- Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Boyne City, Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City, and more!
The Charlevoix Circle of Arts is a vibrant, cultural center in downtown Charlevoix that presents six major visual exhibits annually.
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.
The Harsha House and the Charlevoix Depot Museum, run by the Charlevoix Historical Society, preserve much of Charlevoix’s rich history.
Just a short drive from Harbor Springs or Petoskey are more than a dozen Northern Michigan cross country ski trails in Emmet County.
Harris Gardens at North Central Michigan College is a spectacular sculpture garden filled with 26 pieces of vibrant art.