Welcome to the Top 10 Events in Michigan
Explore the selection of the top 10 annual events and festivals, fairs and celebrations (listed in calendar priority) across the State of Michigan, including events in Houghton, Mackinac Island, Frankenmuth and Holland.Tip-Up-Town USA
Last 2 Weekends of January
Houghton Lake, Michigan
Thousands of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and neighboring residents return each year to see this largest Winter Festival in Michigan, held annually on the last two weekends in January.
Winter fun and enjoyment for the whole family at Houghton Lake includes two fireworks shows, concerts, monster truck rides, ice sculptures, softball on the ice, “the world’s largest tip-up”, and two parades guaranteed to keep the festival-goers busy.
For more information visit: www.tip-up-townusa.com
North American Snow Festival
February
Cadillac, Michigan
Cruise around frozen Lake Cadillac with 10,000 other sleds for Michigan’s largest snowmobile shindig features fun around frozen Lake Cadillac with over 10,000 sled, poker runs and radar sprints, guided snowy safaris through state and national forests, entertainment, arts and crafts, and food.
One of the highlights of the festival is the evening torch-lit snowmobile parade.
Snowmobile manufacturers also show off the latest snowmobiles and snowmobile gear and equipment.
For more information visit: www.cadillacmichigan.com
Winter Carnival
February
Houghton, Michigan
In a tradition that began in 1922, the Winter Carnival at Michigan Technological University in Houghton celebrates an regularly abundant seasonal snowfall.
Engineering students put their skills to the wintery test by constructing large snow and ice sculptures, some up to 30 feet high.
There are also sleigh rides, food, and the snow!
For more information visit: www.mtu.edu/carnival
Blossomtime Festival
April / May
Benton Harbor / St. Joseph, Michigan
The party begins with the Blessing of the Blossoms ceremony and continues all week at Michigan’s oldest and largest multi-community festival, celebrating 101 years.
Visitors and locals alike take a self-guided driving tour through blossoming orchards, then sit curbside to watch the two-mile-long Grand Floral Parade, as it winds through these neighboring Lake Michigan shore towns. Flower-decked floats and marching bands from 24 area towns participate.
For more information visit: www.blossomtimefestival.org
Tulip Time Festival
May
Holland, Michigan
One of the largest flower festivals in the United States, this unique festival features the display of millions of tulips and celebrates Dutch heritage and culture through dance (with 1,500 wooden-shoed dancers), art, theatre, and different events.
The festivities include three exciting parades, Klompen Dancing, big name entertainment, free concerts, music and variety shows, a Dutch market, trolley tours, children’s events and fireworks.
For more information visit: www.tuliptime.org
Highland Festival
May
Alma, Michigan
A tradition for over 40 years, The Highland Festival on the campus of Alma College showcases the very best of Scottish tradition.
The festival includes piping, drumming and band competitions along with traditional Scottish dancing and fiddling, a border collie competition, Grand Parade and vendors selling kilts, bagpipes, meat pies and shortbread. The clan tents demonstrate still more about Scottish tradition.
For more information visit: www.almahighlandfestival.com
Bavarian Festival
June
Frankenmuth, Michigan
Located in Heritage Park, this annual Bavarian Festival, a tradition for over 50 years brings the warmth and hospitality of Michigan’s charming Bavarian village, Frankenmuth to the fore.
Visitors and locals alike sing and dance to Bavarian music played by colorful, costumed German bands, and taste the hearty Bavarian foods of plump bratwurst, barbecued chicken and homemade pretzels.
For more information visit: www.frankenmuthfestivals.com
Annual Lilac Festival
June
Mackinac Island, Michigan
A ten day celebration highlighted by many free events including the world's longest horse hitch parade and a fireworks display.
Guests stroll and enjoy the fragrant blossoms and colors of some of the oldest living lilacs in North America. Family hayrides, country line dancing, scavenger hunts, free outdoor concerts, boat cruises and garden tours are some of the highlights of this festival voted one of the top 100 festivals in the United States by Bus Tours of America.
For more information visit: www.mackinacisland.org
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival
July / August
Grand Haven, Michigan
The Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival honors the men and women of the United States Coast Guard with two exciting parades and concludes with a spectacular fireworks display that is truly one of the best in the nation.
Festival participants are invited to tour a Coast Guard cutter, an exciting midway carnival, water ski show and a nightly schedule of live musical performances. Additionally, the popular Street Dance for old and young alike is a fun night not to be missed.
For more information visit: www.coastguardfest.org/
Great Lakes Folk Festival
August
East Lansing, Michigan
Produced by the Michigan Traditional Arts Program at the Michigan State University Museum, the Great Lakes Folk Festival is an unique fusion of arts fair, music festival, county fair, and multiethnic festival.
Taking place in downtown East Lansing, this free festival showcases the traditional cultural treasures of the nation's Upper Midwest and a sampling of the best of traditional artists from around the country and the world.
For more information visit: www.greatlakesfolkfest.net
Wheatland Music Festival
September
Remus, Michigan
Created in 1974, the Wheatland Music Festival takes place the weekend after Labor Day each year, drawing 10,000 folk music fans to enjoy three days of music and art.
Each year thousands of people converge on the 160-acre festival site to enjoy a wide variety of activities, as well as the star-studded lineup on the main stage.
There is a juried arts and crafts show, a raffle, children’s activities, teen and young adult activities, instrument and dance workshops, music, food, fellowship and fun. Impromptu jam sessions can be found throughout the campgrounds all weekend long.
For more information visit: http://wheatlandmusic.org/
