Get ready for some Red Hot Best summer fun! From the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival to the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, here are the Red Hot Best winning events you can’t miss this summer in Northern Michigan.
Take a Red Hot Best Road Trip! Grab the June issue with ALL the Red Hot Best winners and take the list with you as you make your way across Northern Michigan this summer. Find out what makes each winner RED HOT BEST! Available for a limited time only, grab your RHB issue here.
Photo by Mackinac Island Tourism
Red Hot Best Winning June Events
MACKINAC ISLAND LILAC FESTIVAL: JUNE 3–12
Take part in lilac walking tours, a 10K run/walk, Michigan Cornhole tournament, Grand Parade and more during the 10-day event.
ST. IGNACE CAR SHOW WEEKEND: JUNE 23–26
On Saturday, “The Big Show” takes over downtown. Also fun: Cruise Night, Muscle on the Mac Bridge Crossing, fireworks.
MANISTEE NATIONAL FOREST FESTIVAL: JUNE 30–JULY 4
Fourth of July weekend is always a blast in Manistee with carnival rides, a parade and the dazzling fireworks finale over Lake Michigan.
Red Hot Best Winning July Events in Northern Michigan
NATIONAL CHERRY FESTIVAL: JULY 2–9
The air show is back in 2022 with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Catch comedian Jim Gaffigan at the Bayside Music Stage. Parades, farmers markets and more round out the week in Traverse City.
BOYNE CITY 4TH OF JULY FESTIVAL: JULY 3–4
Serious bragging rights: Recognized by “Good Morning America” and USA Today as one of the Top 10 Independence Day Celebrations in the Nation; named #1 Best Small-Town July Fourth Fireworks by Reader’s Digest and the Travel Channel says it’s the #2 Best Small Town Fourth of July Celebration in the USA.
BLISSFEST: JULY 8–10
A celebration of folk, world and roots music featuring approximately 70 artists and bands. Held in a beautiful rural setting near Cross Village.
ALPENFEST: JULY 12–16
The annual Gaylord fest has a carnival, craft show and concerts.
ART IN THE PARK: JULY 16
Hundreds of artists come to Petoskey each year for this juried art show. More than 100 booths line Pennsylvania Park.
CHARLEVOIX VENETIAN FESTIVAL: JULY 16–24
A street parade and boat parade, AquaPalooza beach and boat party, carnival, two nights of fireworks and more.
ARCADIA DAZE: JULY 22–24
Small-town fun at its finest: family fishing, pulled-pork sandwiches with all the fixings, arts & crafts fair, kite flying, pie sale, fireworks over Lake Michigan.
AUSABLE RIVER FESTIVAL: JULY 23–30
A week-long celebration in Grayling leading up to the AuSable River Canoe Marathon (an epic 120-mile race).
TRAVERSE CITY FILM FESTIVAL: JULY 26–31
After being postponed for two years due to the pandemic, the Film Festival returns with 40-plus movies and nearly two dozen filmmakers and stars attending in person.
Photo by Taylor Brown
Red Hot Best Winning August Events
ELK RAPIDS HARBOR DAYS: AUG. 2–6
A carnival kicks off the festivities and continues throughout the week, joined by parades, fireworks, a farmers market, evening paddle with Paddle Antrim and more.
SUTTONS BAY ARTS FESTIVAL: AUG. 6–7
This art-filled weekend at the beach includes 100 artists, food vendors, a community book sale, children’s area and a pancake breakfast on Sunday morning.
CEDAR POLKA FEST: AUG. 25–28
You’ll eat, drink and dance the night away at this 40th annual fest that welcomes thousands of people to Cedar for live Polka music, Polish food and kids’ games.
Photo by Chuck Marshall, Live in Michigan
Red Hot Best Winning September Events in Northern Michigan
U.P. FALL BEER FESTIVAL: SEPT. 10
A perfect pair: The Michigan Brewers Guild and Marquette, Michigan. Spend a day sampling local craft beer.
LEELANAU UNCAGED: SEPT. 24
Musicians, artists, dancers, drummers, poets, actors, stilt-walkers, mermaids and food vendors descend on Northport, always on the last Saturday in September.