21 July Events

From Manistee to Mackinaw City

By Rachel Pasche | July 6, 2024

It’s no secret that July is a busy month Up North. From the National Cherry Festival to Elk Rapids Harbor Days, it’s wall-to-wall activities, events, and festivals. If you want to get out and about—but without 100,000 of your closest friends—we found 21 can’t-miss events happening around the North this month. Explore away!

1. Sunset Sound Healing at the Inn at Bay Harbor
July 8, 15, 22, 29
Let the sounds of the Lake Michigan waves and crystal singing bowls, gongs, chimes, and drums carry you off into total relaxation. These guided meditation sessions at the Inn at Bay Harbor provide a yoga mat, blanket, eye pillow, and seat pillow—all you’ll need to bring is warm and comfortable clothing. Tickets are $40/person. innatbayharbor.com/events/sunset-sound-healing

2. National Writers Series Guest Erik Larson
July 11
The National Writers Series welcomes bestselling author Erik Larson to the lineup to discuss his newest book, The Demon of Unrest, a nonfiction that carries readers through a pivotal period in history between Lincoln’s election and the beginning of the Civil War. “His new work reads more like a novel and is impossible to put down,” Noelle Riley, marketing and communications director at NWS, says. “Attendees can expect a candid conversation between Larson and NWS co-founder Doug Stanton about why it’s important to dig deep into history to understand our current state in society.” The event takes place at City Opera House in Traverse City at 7pm. nationalwritersseries.org/erik-larson/

3. Shay Days in Harbor Springs
July 12-13
The Harbor Springs Area Historical Society puts on its 26th annual Shay Days celebration of Ephraim Shay, famous for his patented, geared locomotive. You’ll get to see live model steam trains, historic toys and games, logging demonstrations, interactive electric train layouts, and more! Visit Shay Park and the History Museum between 10am-3pm each day. harborspringshistory.org/events/calendar/shay-days/shay-days-event.html

4. Interactive Alpaca Tours
July 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
Meet and feed the alpacas at Cotton Creek Farms in Thompsonville! Attendees will be able to give the alpacas some tasty treats and gentle pets as the owners answer questions and teach about these cute and cozy creatures. Tours run from 12:30-1:30pm and are $5 for kids, $10 for adults. cottoncreekfarms.com

5. Mackinaw City Fireworks
July 13, 20, 27
Didn’t get your fill of fireworks over Fourth of July? Never fear: Mackinaw City has the booms and sparkles and colors running all summer long. Shows start at dusk (around 10-10:30pm) over the Straits of Mackinac. Popular spots include Alexander Henry Park, Wawatam Park, and the trails near Fort Michilimackinac. mackinawcity.net/mackinawcity/events/1/

6. Traverse City Whiskey Co.’s Cherry Whiskey Festival
July 13
Food trucks, live music, yard games, and all things cherry (and whiskey) await visitors at the fifth annual Traverse City Whiskey Co. Cherry Whiskey Festival. Enjoy the fun from 12-4pm, as well as the release of their nine-year-aged single barrel cherry whiskey. Tickets are $30 online or $35 at the door. tcwhiskey.com/events-classes

7. Elk Rapids Craft Show
July 13
Support over 70 vendors displaying their art and wares at the Elk Rapids Craft Show. Visitors can see demonstrations, find gifts, and shop for art in the village on River Street from 10am-4pm. The show is free and open to the public. elkrapidschamber.org/arts-crafts-show/

8. Tour de TART
July 19
Whether you’ve always intended to ride the TART Trail from Traverse City to Suttons Bay or it’s something you do regularly, participating in the Tour de TART is a great way to take advantage of this trail—plus get a picnic dinner and a ride back to Traverse City via bus (bikes will be transported as well). Janna Goethel, special events coordinator for TART, says participants will get an “exceptional meal by the VI Grill, root beer floats, local pies, local brews, wines, and ciders.” Stops along the way include cash bars for snacks and drinks, too! All proceeds from the event go toward adding more mileage and maintenance on the TART Trail network. Cyclists head out between 4-6:30pm to keep the crowds staggered, and the last bus from Suttons Bay to Traverse City departs at 9pm. Registration is $45 for adults; $25 for kids 17 and under. traversetrails.org/event/tour-de-tart

9. Beaver Island Music Festival
July 18-20
Music festivals these days bring to mind crowded stage areas, traffic issues, and pricey snacks and libations, but the Beaver Island Music Festival—at the Beaver Island Hideaway Campground—is a breath of fresh air. With campsites on the festival grounds, seated areas to enjoy the music, and a family- and pet-friendly atmosphere, this is a festival where everyone can relax and enjoy the music. Tickets start at $65 for a day pass. bimf.net

10. Bocce Tournament, Village at Grand Traverse Commons
July 20
Compete for prizes (and bragging rights) at the 16th annual Bocce tournament at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. The tournament starts at 10am and includes a picnic lunch break (players bring their own food and beverages). Registration is $80 per team; teams of four can register at tiny.cc/XVIBocce or by calling 231-941-1900 ext. 118.

11. Taco and Tequila Festival
July 20
Tantalize your taste buds with some of Michigan’s best tacos and world-renowned tequila all in one place. The festival, started in 2018, comes to Traverse City’s Turtle Creek Stadium this summer with live music alongside stand-out food and drinks. Sounds like a recipe for a lovely summer night! The event runs from 5-10pm, tickets start at $39. tacoandtequilafestmi.com/tickets

12. Friends of Fishtown 5K
July 20
Run through historic Fishtown during this fundraising race event held in Leland. With some small hills and descents, serious and novice runners alike can enjoy this chip-timed race. Proceeds benefit ongoing preservation efforts in Fishtown. Registration is $40; the race begins at 9am at 201 W. River St. runsignup.com/Race/MI/Leland/Fishtown5K

13. Cadillac Bushcraft Survival and Wild Edibles Clinic
July 19-21
Ever wanted to learn the basics of bushcraft? This three-day class, taught by woodsman Edward Shaw, gives attendees a crash course on the necessities of surviving out in the wild. Topics include navigating with a map and compass, wilderness first aid, preparing water for drinking, plants to eat and plants to avoid, matchless fire starting, and more. The cost of the class is $110. michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/calendar/2024/07/19/mitchell-state-park-july-19-21-bushcraft-survival-and-wild-edibles-clinic

14. Northport Summer Art and Craft Show
July 20-21
Stroll around Haserot Park and peruse the fine art at the second annual Northport Summer Art and Craft show. Visitors will find sculptures, fiber art, jewelry, paintings, photography, woodwork, and more at this free event. The show runs from 10am until 5pm both days.

15. Abra Berens and Women in Wine Dinner at Willowbrook Mill
July 25
Willowbrook Mill in Northport is welcoming chef and cookbook author Abra Berens to host a Women in Wine dinner, featuring recipes from Berens’ cookbooks and wines from Kasey Wierzba, executive winemaker at Shady Lane Cellars. The five-course meal includes some of Berens’ favorite recipes, alongside award-winning whites such as the Pinot Gris, Late Harvest Riesling, and Gruner Veltliner made by Wierzba. “We will be locally sourcing as much product as we can so diners will be able to recreate these dishes at home,” says Mimi Heberlein, proprietor and general manager of Willowbrook Mills. Heberlein promises guests a one-of-a-kind experience, saying, “They’ll be entering a space that has been designed for this event only—the seating, the menu, the carefully curated pairings, the decor—everything is taken into consideration.” Tickets are $145; mynorthtickets.com/events/abra-berens-women-in-wine-7-25-2024

16. Farm Club Garden Tour
July 25
If you’ve ever wanted a behind-the-scenes look at what it really means to be farm-to-table, the Farm Club Garden Tour is where you want to be. Led by Gary Jonas or Nic Theisen (co-owners of Farm Club), the tour explores farming practices, why and how they grow the produce on the farm, and how the farm drives the menu at Farm Club. Tickets are $10/person, the tour runs from 11am-12pm. farmclubtc.com/events/farm-club-garden-tour

17. Plant It Wild Field Trip Through the Bog
July 26
Trek through a unique wetland environment and learn about some of the native plants that grow there. Liana May leads this field trip, which starts at 10am and wraps up at 12pm. Among the plants visitors can expect to see are delicate white fringed bog orchids. The only pro tip? Bring your boots! plantitwild.net/calendar-of-events. 

18. Run the Pier Race Series
July 27
Get some exercise and support local nonprofits at the Run the Pier Race Series in Manistee. Participants can choose a 5K, 10K, half-marathon, or full marathon. (The shorter two courses run down and back Manistee North Pier Lighthouse, too!) Racers can enjoy the post-race celebration at Duffy Park for live music, beer tents, and more. Registration starts at $35. runsignup.com/Race/MI/Manistee/RTP5K

19. Latin Dance Class at Black Star Farms
July 27
Whether you love Latin dancing or you’re totally new, spending an evening dancing in a scenic barn is hard to pass up. Professional instructors Naitvidad Kolb and Ramon Gaitan kick off the night with a 45-minute lesson, followed by 90 minutes of open dancing to work on what you’ve learned and fine-tune your moves. Tickets start at $15. mynorthtickets.com/events/latin-dancing-at-black-star-farms-7-27-2024

20. TC Dance Project
July 28
Enjoy a free performance by professional dancers courtesy of the TC Dance Project. While the show begins at 3pm, the audience is welcome to arrive early to enjoy pre-show music by Jordan Hamilton and his band, as well as a free kids’ dance class. The show takes place at the Kalkaska Railroad Square Pavilion. If you can’t make it, check out the company’s full list of events (including stops in Frankfort, Charlevoix, and Traverse City) at tcdanceproject.org.

21. Comedy Mixtape #12 at the Workshop
July 28
Come for the laughs, stay for the beer. The Workshop Brewing Co. is hosting a comedy night full of improv, parody songs, original sketches, stand-up, and more. The event runs from 7-9pm, and an honor cover of $10 is suggested. traversecityworkshop.com/events