Planning ahead and want to know the best events and festivals in Northern Michigan to add to your RV travel itinerary?
As you probably already know, Michigan is one of Jennifer and my favorite states to visit.
It's beautiful country with so much to do, including some great festivals. We missed them during the pandemic, but now they're back!
From cherry to wool festivals, there is sure to be an event that is fun for the whole family.
8 Best Events & Festivals in Northern Michigan
This list of the best festivals in Northern Michigan is one of the most eclectic you'll see. It covers such a wide range of interests!
1. National Cherry Festival
Dates: June 29 to July 6, 2024
Location: 521 Union Street, Traverse City, MI 94684
As one of Michigan's most popular festivals, this one has it all! You can get delicious treats from food vendors, do a fun run, or watch one of their live performances. The National Cherry Festival has over 150 events and activities, and 85% are free for all! Kids of all ages can enjoy events like cherry pie eating, parades, pet shows, and more!
Of course, it's a great place to find cherry merchandise from local merchants or u-pick cherries to take home.
If food is what you are after, then food is what you will get. The local favorite is a Very Cherry Flying Pancake Breakfast. After eating, you can cool off with a cold one from “Traverse City's Coolest Bar on the Bay.” The view is beautiful!
You can also enjoy live performances by several different artists, including the GooGoo Dolls this year!
If you want to be part of the action, you can join in the Meijer Festival of Races, happening on July 6 this year – (check dates before you travel).
For the family, there are kids' activities aplenty. Don't miss the classic car show, porch parade, a balance bike race, bike trek, Kids! Club, and more.
Last but not least, you can enjoy one of their traditional programs. They include a Prince and Princess program, Cherry Awards, Grocer's Program, and Green Team.
If you want to scan through the entire Event Calendar – here you go.
2. Michigan Fiber Festival
Dates: AUGUST 14-18, 2024
Location: Allegan County Fairgrounds, Allegan, Michigan
Known also as the Wool Festival, the Michigan Fiber Festival celebrates all things sheep and wool.
PLEASE NOTE: They are currently updating their festival website and even though it has the dates for 2024, the individual listings are being updated. Make sure you CHECK the dates.
This family-friendly event has typical event fare like food and merchandise vendors. You will also find unique workshops and animal shows!
Festival highlights include unique food vendors featuring local food and a fiber art challenge. There's also plenty of fun, and festival merchandise is available for purchase.
There are also workshops you can join. You can learn to do needle felting, use a fiber blending board, or crochet sparkly beads. Or, try knitting, spinning on a Tibetan spindle, or working with cashmere.
If animal competitions or exhibits are your ideas of a great time, then you won't want to miss theirs:
- Angora Rabbit Exhibit
- Angora Rabbit Wool and Garment Competition
- Fiber Goat and Pygora Goat Shows
- Fiber Animal Costume Parade
- Sheep and Wool Fleece Show
And one of the reasons we really like to list this show, they have on-site camping!
3. Suttons Bay Art Festival
Dates: August 3-4, 2024
Location: Suttons Bay. MI
This annual art fair takes place next to the picturesque Suttons Bay Marina Park. It's held every year during the first weekend of August.
This festival features fine art from local artists, a community library book sale, food vendors, and a fun children's area.
It is a wonderful way to spend an art-filled weekend!
If art is not enough, take part in the pancake breakfast on Sunday morning.
4. Charlevoix Venetian Festival
Dates: July 20-24, 2023
Location: 309 Petoskey Avenue, Charlevoix, MI 49720
This festival features so many special events, they are too numerous to name. That's why this makes the list of best festivals in Northern Michigan.
There is a street parade, fireworks, and a kid's day filled with kids' activities You also won't want to miss the Miss Charlevoix contest, Aquapalooza, and Farmer's Market to name a few.
To get more information on their events, check out their festivities pages.
5. More Festivals in Northern Michigan – Great Indoor Folk Festival
Dates: February 25, 2024
Location: The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
This family-friendly, annual event features free admission to hear live music by local musicians.
You'll get to hear a variety of music from the Northern Michigan's folk, bluegrass, and acoustic music scene.
6. Big Ticket Festival
Dates: June 20-22, 2024
Location: Gaylord, MI
This celebration brings people together to celebrate God through a series of shows put on by artists and speakers.
This year, they're featuring Chris Tomlin.
And they have camping available too!
7. Indian River Summerfest
Dates: July 2024 Dates TBA
Location: Marina Park Indian River, MI
This Pure North Family Celebration is one of Michigan's favorite local events. It is an annual celebration usually taking place every third week of July.
The festival features live entertainment, craft show, classic car and truck show, and more. Both adults and kids alike will have a blast.
8. Leelanu's Vineyards
Dates: Year-Round Trail & Multiple Events
Location: NW Michigan
If wine tasting or wine tours are more appealing than a food festival, check out Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail.
You can sip and taste from three different wine trails: the Sleeping Bear, the Northern Loop, and the Grand Traverse Bay Loop.
Plus, they have multiple events throughout the year, which earns it its spot on this list!
Have you been to any of these festivals in Northern Michigan?
Please share your experiences in the comments!
Want to read more about Michigan?
- 5 Picturesque Waterfalls in Lower Michigan & the UP
- The Best Camping in Upper Peninsula Michigan (9 campgrounds)
- 14 Best Cities and Towns Along Lake Michigan
- Awesome camping in the UP: Michigan’s stunning Upper Peninsula
The Great Lakes RV Adventure Guides
Mike and Jennifer's Great Lakes Bundle – 2 ebooks!
This bundle is our popular Upper Peninsula RV Adventure Guide PLUS our newest Adventure Guide – The Great Lakes Shoreline Tour! Both ebooks will give you plenty of ideas and resources to enjoy this part of the US.
Explore this Bundle and plan your next trip!
9 Responses to “8 Best Events & Festivals in Northern Michigan (2024)”
Comments are closed.
January 31, 2024at11:18 am, James Voon said:
This is a good music festival in Michigan that you didn’t mention
February 01, 2024at2:33 pm, Team RV Lifestyle said:
Can you share it here? Will be a way to add it to the list- Team RV Lifestyle
January 31, 2024at10:31 am, Ron Stuebing said:
Here is another great opportunity The Paradise Wild Blueberry Festival.
January 31, 2024at9:04 am, Terry Gorgon said:
I’ve always found the Posen Potato Festival to be a fun time.
February 01, 2024at2:33 pm, Team RV Lifestyle said:
Thanks for sharing!
June 30, 2021at12:33 pm, 9 Best Events & Festivals In Northern Michigan (2021) - Coast Swimming said:
[…] Source link […]
June 30, 2021at10:05 am, Michael Keyes said:
If you wants a family friendly music festival at the city campground in Marquette, you can’t go wrong with the Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival.
https://hiawathamusic.org/
There’s great music, plenty of kid and teen oriented activities and it is on an RV friendly campground with all the amenities.
June 29, 2021at9:47 am, John W said:
Don’t forget the Michigan U.P. Fall Beer Festival up in Marquette. It’s typically the weekend after Labor Day. Tickets are required. Designated Drivers get a heavily discounted ticket price.
June 29, 2021at8:06 am, Tom said:
We’ve gone to the Sutton’s Bay Arts Festival. Beautiful location right next to the bay. Sutton’s Bay is a great little town. We’re heading back in a few weeks.
Also have done the Venetian Festival at Charlevoix. Make sure to check out the live music. Granddaughter loved all the carnival rides.