Nearby Activities & Attractions

Before planning on attending any event, we highly encourage you to confirm all events for cancellations or re-scheduled dates due to
Covid-19 changes 2022-2023 Winter.
Click here for 2022 Season Updates.
Starline Ferry Schedules
Shepler’s Ferry Schedule

Upcoming Events in the area

Twilight Turtle Trek, February 4, 2023 and March 4th, 2023 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Mackinac Island Turtle Trek – A lantern-lit ski and snowshoeing trek through some of Mackinac Island’s natural winter wonderland. The trail begins at Greany Grove (corner of Arch Rock Road and Huron Road) with a bonfire and hot chocolate. The trail is groomed, track set, lit by lanterns and approximately two miles long. This is a free event sponsored by Mackinac State Historic Parks, Mackinac Island Community Foundation and the Mackinac Island Ski Club. More information here.

47th Annual St.Ignace Auto Show, June 22-25, 2023

Join us for the 47th Annual St. Ignace Car Show Weekend! This ALL makes, ALL models show has taken over downtown St. Ignace the last weekend of June for 45 years! We’re especially excited to see the return of some perennial favorites that have been missing for the last two years as well some brand new activities.
More information here.

10th annual Mackinaw Mustang Stampede, July 15, 2023 from 10:00 – 4:00 pm

Join us for the 10th Annual Ford Mustang Car Show in Mackinaw City. This will include Mustangs from 1964 to 2021 on display. An Event not to be missed! Games, prizes and more. Cars will be on display 10am ~ 4pm.Parade across Mackinac Bridge will begin around 4:30.
More information here

July 4th Fireworks,2023 Begin at 10:00 p.m.

Fireworks begin at dusk! Grab a spot on the West side of the Island, near the boardwalk, Windermere Point or Mackinac Island Public School. Always a festive display!
More information here

W. T. Rabe Stone Skipping contest, Monday, JULY 4, 2023

Join us for this fun annual event held on the 4th of July! Professional stone skippers will bring their best skipping skills and compete for the much coveted trophy!
More information here

Annual Mackinac Island Memorial Horse Show, August, 2023 Not Scheduled Yet

Calling all riders to the 51st Annual Mackinac Island Memorial Horse Show at Turtle Park – trophies, ribbons, food & fun!

MACKINAC Bridge Antique Tractor Crossing & Show, Sep 8-10, 2023

This is the 14th year for this awesome event! Tractor parade begins in Mackinaw City, parades across the bridge, through downtown St. Ignace, and ends at the Little Bear Arena, located at 275 Marquette Street.
More information here.

A Must***The Annual Mackinaw Bridge Walk, September 4, 2023 , from 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Mackinaw Bridge The Mackinac Bridge Authority, the St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Mackinaw Area Chamber of Commerce would like to make your Bridge walk as pleasant as possible and offer the following information:

No Fee or registration to participate in the walk.
Bus transportation from Mackinaw City to St. Ignace is available at $5 per person (infants are free).
Walk starts at 7:00 a.m.
You may start walking anytime after the Governor’s party starts the walk at approximately 7:00 a.m. No one will be permitted to start after 11:00 a.m., so arrive early.
More information here

Mackinac Island’s Halloween Weekend, October 27-29, 2023

Halloween comes earlier on Mackinac Island – the weekend of October 21-23! This weekend typically marks the last big weekend before most island businesses close for the season. Celebrate Halloween with the Great Turtle Trail Run, Haunted Trail & Maze, trick-or-treating for kids through downtown shops, and Halloween costume parties for adults throughout island establishments in the evening.
More information:here

Festivals

Lilac Festival-June 9-18, 2023
It is the first and largest summer event on the Island, attracting thousands of visitors. Festivities for the 10-day festival include the coronation of the Lilac Festival Queen and Court, Lilac Festival Run/Walk, Mackin-Paws Dog Celebration, the Lilac Festival Grand Stationary Parade and much more.
Lilac Festival Cornhole Tournament-To be Announced-
Mackinac Island Tourism and Michigan Cornhole are partnering up again for a fun day filled with cornhole, beverages and an all around great time at the 2021 Mackinac Island Lilac Festival. This event offers a tournament for all skill levels. Whether you’re a “Social” or “Competitive” player, this event is for you so come out show your skills at Mission Point Resort’s Great Lawn
Lilac Grand Parade-Sunday, June 14, 2023 4p.m.
Considered a Local Legacy Event by the United States Library of Congress, this festival finale has marching bands, horse-drawn floats, the Lilac Queen and Court, clowns, various groups and other parade participants to help wrap up the end of our fabulous festival week!
Mackinaw Area Historical Festival-Saturday, July-to be Announced
Heritage Village offers a fun filled family event that celebrates history with historic programs that are free and open to all.
Vintage Base Ball at Fort Mackinac-July 29,2023
A vintage game of “base ball” as it was meant to be played, barehanded and by gentlemen’s rules on the old Fort Mackinac ball field behind Fort Mackinac, the oldest continually used ball field in Michigan! Learn an old-fashioned cheer, watch players fined for smoking cigars on the field, and enjoy a good old-fashioned rivalry! We welcome back the Rochester Grangers for the 2021 match! Sponsored by Mary’s Bistro and Draught House.
Mackinac Island Fudge Festival,-August 25-27, 2023
The Mackinac Island Fudge Festival celebrates the island’s most famous treat and features a number of fudge-related, fun, family events! Activities include fudge-making demonstrations, fudge inspired dinners and cocktails, outdoor movie, family concert, and more! Schedule of events coming soon.
Grand Hotel Labor Day Jazz Festival 2023 Jazz Weekend Line-Up To Come
Grand Hotel first opened its doors in 1887 as a summer retreat for vacationers who traveled to Michigan by train, and came to Mackinac Island via steamer and boat. Escape to America’s Summer Place for Labor Day Weekend and immerse yourself in the melody of beautiful jazz music, played by some of the country’s top performers.

Run, Walk and Bike Events

Fort 2 Fort 5-Mile challenge-Saturday, May 13, 2023
Join us for this fun race on Mackinac Island! The race starts with a blast of the rifles at Fort Mackinac, takes a winding route up to Fort Holmes, and back down to a finish behind Fort Mackinac next to the scout barracks. Register at: www.runmackinac.com
ZOO-DE-MACK BIKE RIDE Weekend, May 19-21, 2023
The Zoo-de-Mackinac is a weekend of huge parties with great bands, one of the most scenic bicycle rides in the country, a lot of sunshine, views of the mighty Mackinac Bridge, and one magical island. For more information and to register, go online:www.zoo-de-mack.com
18th Annual Mackinaw Memorial Bridge Run -May 27,2023(subject to change)
This is one of only two times a year that you will be allowed to run the “Mighty Mac”.
Lilac 10 K Run & Walk-Saturday, June 10, 2023
Join Run Mackinac Saturday, June 10, 2023, to kick off the 74th Mackinac Island Lilac Festival! This is a great morning race to enjoy the early season beauty on the Island. The course will provide you with the tree-covered paved roads through the center of the Island, and tremendous lake views with the Mackinac Bridge on the horizon. This is certainly a race you don’t want to miss! For more information and registration please visit:www.runmackinac.com
Labor Day Mackinaw Bridge Run -Sept. 5, 2022
This is second of only two times a year that you will be allowed to run the “Mighty Mac”
Mackinac Island Eight Mile Race-Saturday, September 19, 2023
Join us for this exciting, summer-ending event. You will experience Mackinac Island in one of the oldest and most scenic races in Michigan. The Island is a unique destination that can only be reached by ferry. Step back in time to a bygone era where travel is done by foot, bicycle, carriage or horse. With over 2,500 runners and walkers, this is definitely a race you and your family will never forget!
Great Turtle Trail Run-Saturday, October 28, 2023
One of the most scenic trail events in the state. We have a capacity of 3,500 participants running and walking the inside trails of Mackinac Island during the last open weekend of the season.

Boat Races

Pink Pony July 3rd Sailboat race-July to be Announced , 2023
This annual race, sponsored by the Pink Pony and Chippewa Hotel, is open to all sailboats as a jib and main event. This is a fun, family event with a cabin plaque awarded to all boats. There is no entry fee.
Bayview Mackinac Race– July 15-18, 2023
Since the first Mackinac Race in 1925, Bayview Yacht Club has hosted this spectacular annual fresh water event which has attracted intrepid sailors from around the globe.
Chicago Yacht Club Race to Macinac-July 22-25, 2023
The world’s longest freshwater sailing event and is recognized as one of the most prestigious sailing races in the world. Today, sailors from Maine to California make this race an invariable part of their summer.
Mission Point Mac Regatta -August – to be Announced, 2023
This race is an annual regatta co-sponsored by Mission Point Resort and Mackinac Island Yacht Club and open to all sailboats. The race course will be a 12.5 miles out and back, racing from the east break wall in Mackinac Island Harbor to the Mackinac Bridge.
Horns Bar Labor Day Regatta -September to be Announced, 2023
The annual Horns Bar Labor Day Regatta takes racers through the round the Island course. It is a fun event open to sailboats of all classes. There is no entry fee.

Other Activities and things to do:

We are 15 Miles from Cheboygan, Michigan where there is a Wal-mart, Walgreens and 30 miles from Petoskey/Harbor Springs which have larger box stores like a Home Depot.