These Northern Michigan festivals in Leelanau County offer balmy summer air, local food samplings, quirky activities, wine by the bay, entertainment for the little ones, live music. Big city lights don’t even come close. From May to August, celebrate Northern Michigan summer at these favorite outdoor festivals across the Leelanau Peninsula.
Leland Food & Wine Festival, June 8
Pair local winery’s choice vintages with the offerings of local food vendors, all set to live music and unforgettable Lake Michigan harbor views.
Cedar Polka Fest, July 4–7
The Polish origins of Cedar are on full display at this party, which offers lively polka music and dancing nightly under a gigantic tent. Bonus: Catholic “Polka” Mass.
Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Wine on the Water Festival, July 20
Wineries, brewers and food vendors come together, to the sound of blues music, in celebration of Northern Michigan’s culinary abundance and the view along Suttons Bay’s scenic Marina Park.
Port Oneida Fair, August 9–10
A bygone way of life comes alive at the Port Oneida fair in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Check out farm animals, demonstrations of native crafts, children’s activities, folk music and more.
Empire Asparagus Festival, May 17–18
Festival-goers often don costumes of giant asparagus stalks, and there’s a poetry contest featuring the most moving asparagus odes. Those activities and the creative way that asparagus is worked into croissants, chocolates and ale prompted MSN.com to deem this one of the world’s weirdest festivals.
For more summer vacation ideas in Northern Michigan, grab the 2013 MyNorth Vacation Guide!
Your Guide to Traverse City, Mackinac Island, Petoskey, Charlevoix, Leelanau, Benzie & More
From the same people who produce Traverse, Northern Michigan’s Magazine, this is a colorful, easy-to-use guide to Northern Michigan vacation ideas from Ludington to Traverse City, from Charlevoix to Mackinac Island and everything in between. It is filled with ideas, tips and hundreds of websites that connect you to fun, food, activities, lodging and recreation in every part of Northern Michigan.
- More than 140, full color pages with stunning photography and travel stories
- Maps of each region
- Hundreds of resources
Be sure to also check out our free online area-specific vacation guides!
Traverse City
Ideas for your ultimate vacation in Traverse City, Acme, Fife Lake, Interlochen, Kingsley, and Williamsburg
Petoskey
Ideas for your ultimate vacation in Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Bay Harbor, Mackinac Island, and Boyne Country
Charlevoix & Chain of Lakes
Ideas for your ultimate vacation in Charlevoix, Alden, Beaver Island, Bellaire, Central Lake, Easst Jordon, Elk Rapids, and Torch Lake
Leelanau
Ideas for your ultimate vacation in Cedar, Empire, Glen Arbor, Lake Leelanau, Leland, Maple City, Northport, Peshawbestown, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Suttons Bay, and Omena
Benzie & West Shore
Ideas for your ultimate vacation in Benzie, Manistee, West Shore, Beulah, Benzonia, Crystal Lake, Frankfort, Ludington, Onekama, and Pentwater