Northern Michigan is bustling with exciting and unique winter events! From Traverse City Comedy Fest to the North American Vasa, Valentine’s dinners and more, there’s plenty to do across the region this February 2023.

February 3 | Singer-Songwriter & Popular Music Ensemble | Traverse City

Interlochen Arts Academy’s Popular Music Ensemble teams up with the singer-songwriter majors to share a selection of original songs at Traverse City’s City Opera House.

February 2-4 | TC Comedy Fest | Traverse City 

Get ready for a winter weekend packed with laughs in Downtown Traverse City. The 2023 Traverse City Comedy Fest will feature more than 40 comedians and over 20 shows–including national headliners and local and state favorites. 

February 9 | Play Reading – The Inheritance Part 2 | Traverse City 

Parallel 45 Theatre’s Play Reading series is back for 2023! First up, “The Inheritance,” inspired by E.M. Forster’s masterpiece “Howards End.” The Inheritance is an epic examination of survival, healing, class divide, and what it means to call a place home. Part one of The Inheritance was presented in February 2022.

February 10-12 | Taste the Passion | Leelanau Peninsula 

On the hunt for a winter wine-tasting event? You’ll want to try this Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail adventure! Taste the passion invites attendees to fall in love with vintage wines paired with a delicious bite, taking place all weekend long.

man carving ice

Photo by Downtown Harbor Springs

February 10-11 | Harbor Springs Ice Fest | Harbor Springs

Downtown Harbor Springs Ice Fest returns with live ice carving demonstrations, more than 30 ice sculptures, dueling chainsaws, a chili cook-off, sleigh rides and more.

February 10-11 | Chocolate Covered Boyne | Boyne City

Head to downtown Boyne City for the sweetest celebration in Northern Michigan. Chocolate Covered Boyne features a dessert contest, tasty specials, treats and sales offered by 30 local businesses. 

February 11 | Valentine/Galentine Bouquet Workshop | Traverse City 

Create a beautiful bouquet at this Farm Club and IndieGrow Flower Farm Valentine’s Day workshop, featuring beautiful blooms and lots of creativity. Learn from Alissa Thomson, Founder of IndieGrow Flowers, about the art of making flower arrangements. All materials will be provided.

February 11 | Fabulous Horndogs Sweetheart Dance | Leland

Bring your sweetheart to this fundraiser and Valentine’s dance presented by 5 loaves and 2 Fish. The Fabulous Horndogs will take the stage, while you dance the night away.

February 11-12 | North American Vasa | Traverse City

The North American Vasa returns, continuing a 47-year tradition that celebrates cross-country skiing and winter sports. All races begin and end at Timber Ridge in Traverse City. 

Winterlochen

Photo by Interlochen Center for the Arts

February 11 | Winterlochen Festival | Interlochen 

Shake off the winter blues at the annual family-friendly Winterlochen festival, hosted by Interlochen Center for the Arts. Enjoy wild outdoor activities like human snow bowling and a frozen fish toss before warming up indoors with creative crafts for children of all ages.

February 11 | Black Star Farms Valentine’s Wine Dinner | Suttons Bay

Treat your Valentine to a special evening at the Inn at Black Star Farms. Intimate tables of two will await in their Aquarius room, well-known for hosting beautiful wedding events.

February 11 | Abigail Stauffer | Cadillac

Gopherwood Concerts will host folk singer Abigail Stauffer at the Cadillac Elks Lodge. Her music and live performances evoke so much emotion, it’s hard to believe each song isn’t specifically about you.

February 14 | Valentine’s Day Date Night Movie | Curtis 

Get cozy with your Valentine at this Upper Peninsula movie night, featuring the hit movie “When Harry Met Sally.” Tickets include a carnation and candy from Main Street Floral and Gifts of Newberry.

UP200 Sled Dog Racing

Photo by Sigurd Utych & Russell Utych

February 16-20 | UP200 | Marquette

Cheer on mushers and their sled dogs as they take on the 228-mile UP200. The course runs from Marquette to Grand Marais and back again through forested lands and wilderness. 

February 17 | Comedy with Jerry Donovan | Traverse City 

Head on down to Traverse City Comedy Club for this comedy show with Jerry Donovan, a quick-wit comedian known for his clean and uncanny observations.

February 18 | Wine and Spirits Show | Gaylord

Enjoy an array of wine, spirits and beer at this weekend tasting event, hosted by Otsego Resort. While you sip your drinks, music will also be provided by Todd Aldrich.

February 18 | Yeti Fest | Suttons Bay

This winter festival has a fun special guest, the Suttons Bay Yeti! Enjoy a chili cook-off, scavenger hunt and hockey tournament in the downtown area, presented by the Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce.

February 18 | Pico and Chown Live | Williamsburg 

The Music House welcomes back local duo Miriam Pico and David Chown. David is known locally and nationally for his piano playing, and Miriam is a local legend who has been chosen multiple times by area voters as “Best Solo Artist.”

February 18 | Winter Wine Walk | Gaylord

This winter walk has a fabulous perk, wine-tasting along a scenic trail in Gaylord, Michigan. Otsego Resort invites attendees to hike, snowshoe or cross-country ski (weather depending) along the cedar forest, stopping at three stations along the way. You’ll even end at a roaring bonfire to warm up before you head back.

summer reading series

Photo by Harpe Star / Parallel 45 Theatre

February 23 | Play Reading – The Children | Traverse City 

Join Parallel 45 Theatre for a play reading, featuring the play “The Children.” In this piece, two retired nuclear scientists reside in an isolated cottage by the sea as the world around them crumbles. Together they are going to live forever on yogurt and yoga, until an old friend arrives with a frightening request.

Photo(s) by Angela Brown