Summer has arrived in Northern Michigan and events are making a comeback for the 2021 season. From the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City to Black Star Farms wine tours in Suttons Bay, here are the events you can’t miss this July.
Searching for more events this summer? View our Northern Michigan Events page for more information or MyNorth Tickets for event ticket availability.Â
9th Annual Blessing of the Fleet | July 1 | Harbor Springs
All watercraft are invited to join Harbor Spring’s 9th Annual Blessing of the Fleet boat parade in Little Traverse Bay.
Historic Empire Walking Tour | July 1 to August 31 | Empire
Step back into the past with a walking tour through historic Empire! The history of Empire goes back to the lumber days of 1884 and there are still remnants to see from that time. Hear about early settlers, how Empire got its name and what people did and where they came from.
Tapawingo Thursday Night Dinner + Guitar | July 1 | Ellsworth
A Matter of Taste @ Tapawingo is welcoming back Thursday night dinners this summer. Join them in Ellsworth for an all-American BBQ this month with a Plath’s sausage sampler, wedge salad and cherry cobbler.
National Cherry Festival | July 3 to 10 | Traverse City
The National Cherry Festival in Traverse City is planning a safe celebration with adjustments like virtual events, reconfiguring spaces for in-person events to allow room for social distancing and postponing The Bayside Music Stage concerts and air shows until 2022.
View our Traverse City National Cherry Festival planner to start planning your trip today!
Fourth of July on Mackinac Island | July 4 | Mackinac Island
Celebrate Independence Day on Mackinac Island with a skipping stone contest followed by fireworks at dusk!
Related Read: New Things To Do On Mackinac Island This Summer.
T.A.C.K.L.E. Golf Outing | July 7 | Gaylord
Otsego Resort in Gaylord is hosting a benefit golf outing for the T.A.C.K.L.E. Fund of the Otsego Community Foundation. T.A.C.K.L.E. stands for “Together Against Cancer Kept Local Everyday” and helps to provide comfort, care and transportation of patients.
Related Events: Indulge in a Weekend Getaway at Otsego Resort.
“The Sound of Music” | July 8 to 24 | Traverse City
The hills are alive with the sound of music! Don’t miss this opening night of Parallel 45’s performance of “The Sound of Music” at the Civic Center Park Amphitheatre in Traverse City.
Craft & Sip | July 8 & 22 | Gaylord
Enjoy a night of creativity and refreshments at Otsego Resort in Gaylord. Your host Deanna will be choosing a new creative project each week—every event is unique.
Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic | July 8 | Curtis
Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic, America’s premier youth fiddling show band from Saline, Michigan, astounds audiences every time the group takes the stage. The musicians, all from Saline High School, present an energetic and polished show that features a diverse range of music from American folk, fiddle, bluegrass, jazz, western swing, and Celtic traditions. See them at The Pine Performance Center in Curtis.
A “Toppermost” Beatles Tribute Concert | July 9 | Petoskey
Celebrate the ’60s and ’70s! Dust off your bell-bottoms, dress up and be ready to party at Rudbeckia Winery/Burnt Marshmallow Brewing in Petoskey. Toppermost is an authentic Beatles tribute that recreates the energy and youthfulness of the Beatles. They don’t just stand at the microphone, they dance around and joke with each other just like the Lads did.
Red, White and Sparkle | July 9 | Gaylord
The goal of the evening is simple: Otsego Resort in Gaylord wants to share its love for great wines, good food and, of course, new friends. Enjoy a relaxed evening exploring the world of wine pairings.
Drew Hale Band Live | July 10 | Cadillac
Drew and the boys are returning to Coyote Crossing Resort in Cadillac on July 10. Throughout Michigan, the name Drew Hale is synonymous with powerful vocals, compelling lyrics and haunting melodies.
Elk Rapids Garden Club Walk | July 13 | Elk Rapids
Attendees of the Elk Rapids Garden Club Walk can look forward to touring six unique gardens throughout the community, including two gardens on Torch Lake and multiple gardens on a 40-acre estate.
The Friendly Garden Club of Traverse City’s 38th Annual Garden Walk | July 15 | Traverse City
The Magical Garden Tour features four private gardens, the Hofbrau garden, and a Botanical Lab and Community Gardens in the area west of Long Lake, through Interlochen and Grawn.
Black Star Farms Estate & Wine Tour | July 16 to October 29 | Suttons Bay
Go behind the scenes and experience Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay in a whole new way with a 45-minute guided walking tour throughout the 160-acre estate. Learn about the incredible journey from grape to wine glass. Select Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Double Show: Rachael Davis & Luke Winslow-King | July 17 | Cadillac
Rachael Davis kicks off the night at Coyote Crossing Resort in Cadillac, followed by Luke Winslow-King, showcasing his latest album which radiates warmth and timeless elegance.
St. Ignace Fish Feast | July 17 | St. Ignace
Bring your appetite and fun spirit to the St. Ignace marina pier for the annual Fish Feast and live music.
Ragtime Piano with Peter Bergin | July 17 | Curtis
The Erickson Center for the Arts welcomes ragtime pianist Peter Bergin to the Pine Performance Center in Curtis. Peter’s mission for two decades has been to celebrate life through music and stories, and he especially loves sharing the rhythms and history of America’s original music, ragtime piano.
Glen Arbor Art Rangers | July 19 | Glen Arbor
Art Rangers (session #4) offers children ages 6-12 the opportunity to paint, draw, sculpt and more each week with new and exciting projects, leaving campers with an overflowing portfolio that’s sure to inspire continued curiosity.
The Beatles vs. The Four Seasons | July 20 | Bay Harbor
Canadian Brass trumpeter Brandon Ridenour, performing in concert with the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, will present a great selection of tunes by The Beatles. In addition, the Orchestra will perform Astor Piazzolla’s “The Four Seasons” in this entertaining mash-up in which old meets new at the Great Lakes Center for the Arts in Bay Harbor.
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” | July 21 to August 1 | Traverse City
Bring the entire family to experience the acclaimed musical comedy “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” at P45 Amphitheatre at Civic Center Park in Traverse City. Meet Charlie Brown and the entire Peanuts gang as they explore life’s great questions and celebrate the joy of being together.
Northport Plein Air Paint Out & Wet Paint Sale | July 23 & 24 | Northport
Come see the Northport Plein Air Paint Out & Wet Paint Sale where artists will paint, au plein air, throughout the day in the Northport area. They will capture the beauty of the village, beaches, marina, orchards, vineyards, landscapes and landmarks.
Adam Joynt Band Live | July 24 | Cadillac
The Adam Joynt Band will once again play on the Emington Schultz Insurance stage at Coyote Crossing Resort in Cadillac. The band has played at Coyote multiple times and always brings good vibes and great music!
Luke Winslow-King Live | July 28 | Gaylord
Join Sojourn Lakeside Resort in Gaylord for its second Sojourn Summer Series Concert with Luke Winslow-King. Gather around the outdoor stage and bring chairs, snacks and drinks—they’ll bring the tunes.
Benzie Bayou: Blues & Zydeco Fundraiser | July 30 | Elberta
Enjoy live music on the bay at the Elberta Outdoor Amphitheater. Internationally renowned musicians will perform blues, jazz, and zydeco music with food vendors cooking up southern-style cuisine (using Michigan ingredients when possible). Fundraising proceeds benefit Grow Benzie’s community center and partner programs.
Run with the Cows 5k | July 31 | Alger
Have a run with the cows at the Alger County Fair! All participants receive free ice cream at Mama Cows and a day pass to the fair. The race will begin at the Peoples State Bank in Chatham and proceed past the cow-filled pastures of Michigan State University’s Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center.
“UGLY: A New Pop Musical” | July 31 & August 1 | Traverse City
This fresh spin on Hans Christen Anderson’s “The Ugly Duckling” is told through the lens of local teen performers with a soundtrack of Broadway and pop faves. A twisted tale of a familiar fable turned upside down, “Ugly” will rock your socks off as it explores learning to love what makes us different. See a show at P45 Amphitheatre at Civic Center Park in Traverse City.
P45 Play Reading Series // July 31 at 2:00, 5:00 & 8:00
Each season, Parallel 45 Theatre in Traverse City invites audiences to a series of play-readings featuring the work of daring playwrights produced across the country and around the world. These plays include multiple voices in important, ongoing conversations around race, religion, gender identity and more.
Myron Elkins & the Dying Breed Live |Â July 31 | Cadillac
This hillbilly band out of Southwest Michigan is visiting Coyote Crossing Resort in Cadillac again this summer. Catch their traditional yet eclectic sound on the outdoor stage.
Searching for more Northern Michigan events or looking to start planning your vacation? Visit our town pages to explore things to do in Traverse City, Suttons Bay, Charlevoix, Petoskey and so much more.