
Thanksgiving Week Kicks Off the Holidays
Thanksgiving week in Northern Michigan is packed with several special events kick off the holiday season in style.
Photo by Denisse Leonon Unsplash.com
(Scroll down to see more events in September.)
Boyne City's Harvest Festival is held each September and fills the downtown with music, crafts, and fall produce.
You can find performances almost any night of the week in Northern Michigan with music by area musicians as well as professionals.
Enjoy Northern Michigan food favorites by local restaurants, delis, and gourmet shops all for a good cause at Taste of Harbor Springs.
The Harbor Springs Festival of the Book is a gathering of nationally known presenters for a celebration of their books and the stories.
From haunted houses to trick or treating, Northern Michigan is full of Halloween's fun activities during October.
Northern Michigan grows the best. Our Farmers Markets are open from late spring to fall, from cherries, to potatoes, to sweet corn, and more.
Annual Mackinac Bridge Walk
This free walk begins in St. Ignace at the north end of the Mackinac Bridge in the Upper Peninsula, and in Mackinaw City at the south end of the bridge in the Lower Peninsula. For more information, visit mackinacbridge.org.
Depot Teen Center Charity Golf Tournament
Proceeds benefit the Depot Teen Centers programs. To register, visit ejdepot.org. The Mallard- 9569 Bailey Rd., East Jordan.
Mackinac Bridge Antique Tractor Crossing
Staging area is located two miles west of Mackinaw City on West Central Avenue. For more info or to register, visit stignace.com.
Annual Mackinac Island 8-Mile Run/Walk
Race the Island perimeter with 1600 participants in this scenic summer-ending event. To register, visit runsignup.com.
Rock of Ages Stone Skipping Contest
Free event to benefit the Mancelona Food Pantry. Participants skip rocks and compete for cash prizes. Special guest and world record holder Kurt Steiner is registered. Pre-register at antrimchurch.org to avoid the line. Wetzel Lake Park, Mancelona. For more info, call Mike Anger at (989) 889-6174.
Annual St. Ignace Truck Show
This annual event allows viewing of semi-trucks with customized cabs, extraordinary paint/artwork and neon light displays at Little Bear East Arena- 275 Marquette St., St. Ignace and in downtown St. Ignace. For the most updated information, visit stignace.com.
Paddle Antrim Festival
This event celebrates the amazing waterways and communities of Northern Michigan. It includes a two-day paddle event through the Chain of Lakes Water Trail. Participants can choose to paddle one or both days and decide how far to travel. There are exits strategically placed along the route so the trip can be anywhere from 7 to 42 miles. For more information and to register, visit paddleantrim.com.
Balloons Over Bay Harbor
This annual event offers viewing of hot air balloons and many more activities. Hours are Friday from 4-9pm and Saturday from 10am-9pm. Visit bayharbor.com for more info. 4000 Main St., Bay Harbor.
Petoskey Harvest Showcase
This annual event takes participants to 15 wineries in the region where they’ll sample wines paired with small plates. Tickets are $65 per person and available at petoskey.wine.
Taste of Harbor Springs
Annual food and drink festival to benefit the Mary Ellen Hughes Culinary Scholarship fund. Harbor Springs Waterfront.
East Jordan Fall Fest
This annual event includes live music, beer tent, food trucks, softball tournament, kid’s activities, and much more. East Jordan Tourist Park- 218 N. Lake St., East Jordan. For the most updated information, visit facebook.com.
Harbor Springs Festival of the Book
This annual event is a three-day celebration of readers, writers, books, and literary craft. 153 E. Main St., Harbor Springs.
Boyne City Harvest Festival
Culminating event of the outdoor Boyne City Farmers Market featuring children’s games, local harvests, fall fun, and decorations. Veterans Park- 207 N. Main St., Boyne City.
Quilt the Boardwalk
The Don & Eileen Klein Boardwalk/Nature Trail (railings) will be lined with beautiful handmade quilts from local quilters. There is no entry fee to walk the boardwalk and view the quilts. 101 Union St., East Jordan. For more info, visit facebook.com.

Thanksgiving week in Northern Michigan is packed with several special events kick off the holiday season in style.

Calendar of Events for Northern Michigan- Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Boyne City, Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City, and more!

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

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

Charlevoix has beaches on Lake Michigan and also offers the warmer swimming waters of inland lake beaches on Lake Charlevoix.

Sailing is a special pastime that often brings friends together in Northern Michigan. And no wonder. The sailing here is wonderful.

The Andrew J. Blackbird Museum is named for a counselor who helped Native American veterans. Native American artifacts fill the museum space.

When visiting Northern Michigan, be sure to ride one of the local Lake Michigan ferries. It’s an adventure that should be on every travelers’ Up North bucket list!