It’s finally feeling like summer in Northern Michigan! We’re kicking off June with 30+ festivals, concerts, community celebrations and more local events taking place all month long across the region.
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June 3 | Cheese Festival | Suttons Bay
Leelanau Cheese Company hosts its second annual Cheese Festival from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with free events including games, face painting, kids’ curd making, a petting zoo and an assortment of workshops available for purchase.
June 3 | Empire Asparagus Festival | Empire
Celebrate all things asparagus at this local festival! From noon to 6 p.m., this unique festival features a run or walk along the scenic lakeshore, incredible local asparagus eats, live music, a poetry competition, a pig roast and much more in downtown Empire.
June 3 | Annual Spring Concert | Traverse City
Ballet Etc. present its 27th Annual Spring Concert for two shows at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Traverse City Central High School Auditorium. Ages 3 through 18 will perform works in ballet, jazz, modern, tap, contemporary, musical theater, ballroom, pre-ballet and more.
June 4 | Mi Music Scholarship Benefit Concert | Traverse City
Join this Music Scholarship Benefit Concert at Workshop Brewing Company with live performances starting at 2:30 p.m. and proceeds supporting music students.
June 6-29 | Historic Walking Tours | Empire
Interested in local history? Take a walking tour of historic Empire and hear about the past and people in this once-booming lumber town.
June 8 | Wild Orchids and Other Rare Plants | Traverse City
Go on an off-trail expedition to see rare orchids and other amazing plants with Grass River Natural Area Education Director James Dake. Space is limited and wearing muck boots is highly recommended. The event kicks off at 10 a.m.
Photo by Ludington Downtown Development Authority
June 9-11 | Love Ludington Weekend | Ludington
Don’t miss this 150th celebration street bash packed with fun events including live music, a fireworks display, a lakeside half marathon, House of Flavors Guinness World Record attempt for the longest sundae, putt-putt golf, and a Sesquicentennial Ball.
June 9-18 | Mackinac Island Lilac Festival | Mackinac Island
This year’s Mackinac Island Lilac Festival marks its 75th celebration! This 10-day, event-filled festival honors the beautiful lilacs on the island and its history. Take part in a 10K run or walk, the coronation of the Lilac Queen, lilac walking tours, planting seminars, cornhole tournaments, live music and the Grand Parade.
June 10 | Highlander Festival | St. Ignace
This Highlander Festival in St. Ignace features traditional Scottish Highland competitions including caber toss, hammer, sheaf, and stone games–hosted by Michigan Highlanders and the St. Ignace Visitors Bureau. Events kick off at 10 a.m. at the Little Bear East Arena. Be ready for live music, a beer tent, food trucks, and more.
June 10 | U.P. Rainbow Pride Fest | Marquette
Celebrate Pride in the Upper Peninsula! The 8th Annual U.P. Pride Festival takes place from 1 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in Marquette with a day of activities to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community including beer and wine, a drag show, vendors, and more.
June 10 |Leland Wine and Food Festival | Leland
This start-of-summer celebration highlights Northern Michigan’s winemaking and culinary scene in the heart of Leelanau County. Stop by for summer sips and wine pairings, and explore the area in Leland’s beautiful Fishtown.
June 10 | Short’s Fest | Elk Rapids
Summer starts at Short’s Fest! Enjoy an evening of Short’s Brews, Starcut Ciders, live music, and tasty snacks from local food trucks. There are two ticket options available, and they’ll go fast. Events take place from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Short’s Pull Barn.
June 11, 25 | Yoga by the Bay | Suttons Bay
Have a relaxing yoga session at Two K Farms, accompanied by breathtaking vineyard views, wine and views of West Grand Traverse Bay. The event starts at 11 a.m.
Photo by Allison Jarrell
June 15 | Farm Club Garden Tours | Traverse City
Take an exclusive tour of Farm Club’s garden led by Nic Theisen or Gary Jonas, co-owners of Farm Club and Loma Farm. They will tell the story of their passions for food, farming and the birth of Farm Club. Enjoy a beverage during the tour or stay after!
June 16 | Three Generations of Stargardts in Concert | Williamsburg
The Music House Museum is proud to welcome three generations of Stargardts in concert at 7 p.m. Pianist Steve Stargardt, his daughter Lori Jayne Dear (Stargardt) on flute, and grandson Jack Stargardt on bass will perform selections from the Bolling Suite, the American Songbook and contemporary artists.
June 17 | Accelerate the Cure | Traverse City
Accelerate the Cure is hosting its 5th annual drive, inviting car enthusiasts to raise awareness for those living with Alzheimer’s and raise funds to aid caregivers in our community. The starting line will be slated for the back lawn at Grand Traverse Pavilions with gates open at 7:30 a.m. and an 8:30 a.m. departure.
June 17 | Pizza and Pipes | Williamsburg
The Music House Museum welcomes back a crowd favorite, Pizza and Pipes. This event pairs gourmet pizza and a special concert from Red Wings Organist Dave Calendine on the Mighty Wurlitzer theater organ. Doors open at 6 p.m.
June 17 | From Bolivia with Love | Curtis
Join Sergio Ruiz and Javier Pinell as they perform music by Bolivian composers, comprised of unique pieces for violin and piano that combine Andean folk elements with the European tradition of art music.
June 22 | Mrs. Kelly’s Journey Home | Curtis
Don’t miss a showing of “Mrs. Kelly’s Journey Home,” created by Breeda Kelly Miller, who brings to life a funny and profound look at her mother’s journey from her native Ireland through the end of her life. This is a theatrical memoir, with Breeda performing each role, introducing the audience to her parents, their families, and friends.
June 22-25 | St. Ignace Car Show Weekend | St. Ignace
Be sure to catch one of the largest all-make, all-model shows in the country. This car show in St. Ignace boasts hundreds of antique, custom and celebrity automobiles, and you can even see them in action during Cruise Night and the Down Memory Lane Parade.
June 22 | The Little Garden Club Garden Tour | Leelanau County
This year’s tour will feature six gardens in the Leland area—each one different from the next. Guests may visit the gardens in any order. Tickets are $20 each (children are free, including high schoolers) and are available through Garden Club members and at outlets throughout the county; cash or check only. Proceeds support grants for gardening education (particularly for children) and public beautification projects.
June 22, 29 | UpBeat Cadillac | Cadillac
Get ready for the best in jazz, blues, soul and rock on the lakeshore with the UpBeat Cadillac summer series, taking place at 7 p.m., rain or shine, at the Cadillac Rotary Performing Arts Pavilion on Lake Street. Sunset Groove will be the first up on June 22, and Organissimo will follow on June 29.
June 23 | Steve Larson to Accompany Three Charlie Chaplin Shorts | Williamsburg
Three popular Charlie Chaplin shorts will be accompanied by long-time Music House contributor and Interlochen Pianist Steve Larson on the nine-foot Baldwin grand piano. The event begins at 7 p.m.
June 23-25 | Sol of the Lost Tamarack | Wolverine
Gear up for the 10th annual Sol of the Lost Tamarack music festival, hosted at the Lost Tamarack Lodge. This year’s three-day event features a great lineup of musicians from across the state including Funky Uncle, Killer Diller, Eliza Thorp, Jon Archambault Band, Scott Pellegrom Trio, Michelle Chenard, Bootstrap Boys and many more.
Photo by The Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company
June 24 | Midsummer Madness | Curtis
Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company presents Midsummer Madness, an hour-long adaptation of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The story follows four young lovers who journey into the forest outside of Athens and find their love lives in disarray due to the interference of some mischievous fairies. Chaos and calamity ensue during a night of confusion.
June 24 | Veterans Inspiring Veterans Art Show | Williamsburg
Support local veteran programs with this art show at Flintfields Horse Park, hosted by VIV Traverse City Horse Shows and Reining Liberty Ranch. Enjoy food by Mane Event Catering, view and purchase powerful art by veteran artists, and see the world-class equestrian facility. All of the profits will go toward veteran programs.
June 24 | Rainbow Run | Traverse City
TART Trails and Up North Pride are coming together to host the first-ever Rainbow Run, a color fun run and fundraiser around the Boardman Lake Loop Trail. Following, head to Hull Park for music and refreshments before and after the run. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the race will start at 11 a.m.
June 26 | Encore! Music of the Stage, Screen and Radio | Curtis
The Pine Performance Center will host Violinist Paul Lundin and Pianist Robert Conway for a concert featuring light classical music, virtuoso works, selections from Disney movies and even the great Mackinac Island film “Somewhere in Time!”
June 28 | TACKLE Golf Tournament | Gaylord
Otsego Resort invites golfers to play 18 holes on The Tribute with teams of four, all while enjoying lunch, games, a 50/50 raffle, and a hot meal after the tournament.
June 28 | Dig a Pony: A Beatles Tribute Band | Gaylord
Sojourn Lakeside Resort is once again hosting its Sojourn Summer Concert Series, starting with the band Dig a Pony. Bring lawn chairs, sunglasses, and your favorite food and beverages.
Photo by Sojourn Lakeside Resort