Festival Season Is Coming...Are You Ready for It?

Event organizers share what’s new, plus pro tips for the 2023 experience

By Ross Boissoneau | May 27, 2023

Spring is in the air, and the calendar is quickly turning toward summer. In northern Michigan, that means we’ll soon be hearing melodies emanating from music festivals, smelling cherry pie, and hearing the boom of fireworks.

In short, ’tis the season for the many festivals that dot the region. In fact, research by fashion retailer Boohoo revealed that Michigan is the ninth-most festival-obsessed state in the country. (Wisconsin ranked first. We must try harder…or maybe not.)

Northern Express decided to check in with local festival organizations to find out what’s new and exciting for 2023 and how to make the most of each event. Here are some tips from the experts about how to best enjoy their particular mix this year.

Traverse City Horse Shows, Flintfields Horse Park

From June 7 to Sept. 17, Traverse City Horse Shows (TCHS) offers 13 weeks of exciting competition and provides a rare opportunity to witness elite equestrian athletes right in your backyard.

What’s New? TCHS is eagerly anticipating the second year of their Charity Partner program. Each week, they pair a local charitable organization with the pinnacle of the week's competition: the Grand Prix. For all ticketed events, they donate 100 percent of general admission ticket sales to the nonprofit partner of the week. This program lets spectators experience exhilarating horse jumping all while supporting worthy causes.

Pro Tip: Come early, come often! The festival’s must-see events are Major League Show Jumping and the American Gold Cup, showcasing top-tier talent among international riders and horses. TCHS’s detailed schedule online outlines these and all weekly Grand Prix events.

Lilac Festival, Mackinac Island

Mackinac’s historic flower-focused festival returns June 9-18. Activities include a 10K run/walk, lilac walking tours, lilac planting seminars, a cornhole tournament, live music, a parade, and more!

What’s New? It’s the 75th anniversary of the Lilac Festival, so there are a number of special events planned. This year, there will be two musical acts in Marquette Park. On Thursday, June 15, a Jimmy Buffett tribute is performing, and on Friday, June 16, Empty Canvas plays, a one-of-a-kind musical performance that combines music and live painting.

Pro Tip: The Lilac Festival is unlike most festivals that require tickets and are in a certain area—the festival is spread out across 10 days and takes place all across the island. The best thing someone can do is review the schedule and make a plan for all of the events they’d like to participate in.

Interlochen Arts Festival, Interlochen Center for the Arts

A highlight for music lovers across northern Michigan, Interlochen Arts Festival highlights major national acts on the scenic Kresge Auditorium stage. The first show kicks off with Big & Rich on June 22, and the curtain drops with Brandi Carlisle (already sold out!) on Sept. 1.

What’s New? Interlochen will have a beer and wine patio open for select Kresge concerts, so patrons can enjoy a beverage overlooking beautiful Green Lake or at their seats in the concert venue. They have also introduced ticket protection this year to offer flexibility in case plans change.

Pro Tip: Come early to enjoy the pre-concert experience. Grab a bite to eat at the grill tent, stop by the Melody Freeze Café for ice cream, coffee, and snacks, meet radio personalities and win some swag from local radio stations. You can even stay the night in one of Interlochen’s hotel rooms, cabins, or a house right on the lake through the Stone Hotel. Another tip is to purchase premier parking to be able to park as close to Kresge Auditorium as possible.

Manistee National Forest Festival, Manistee

A community tradition for visitors and families for almost 80 years, this signature event is organized by the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce and runs June 29 to July 4.

What’s New? The 338th Army Band, stationed out of Livonia, will be marching for the first time in Manistee’s Independence Day Parade. While details are still being finalized, the 338th Army Band will also be performing at the local VFW on July 4 to benefit community veterans and raise awareness for POW/MIA in partnership with local nonprofits. In addition, Lake Bluff Farms, home of the largest Giant Sequoia east of the Rockies, will be open for tours to highlight one of Manistee’s hidden treasures of the forest.

Pro Tip: Prepare for a wide range of activities. The Manistee National Forest Festival is a collaborative community effort, making the events diverse and unique, from family-friendly movie nights to the carnival to the beauty of our natural forests. For example, the Manistee National Forest Festival Golf Outing at the Manistee National Golf & Resort is a great way to kick off the Fourth of July weekend while supporting the local chamber efforts.

National Cherry Festival, Traverse City

This festival almost needs no introduction—all you need to know is that the cherry fun begins July 1 and concludes July 8.

What’s New? New events and new community partnerships abound in 2023! Try your hand at curling at the new Traverse City Curling Center, enter pickleball tournaments, and enjoy a garden party at The Botanic Gardens at Historic Barns Park.

Pro Tip: While the festival is known for the parades and Bayside Stage music shows, not-to-be-missed features include orchard tours at the MSU Horticultural Research Station located near Suttons Bay. The Princess Tea is also a must for kids to join with the queen and her court; tickets sell out fast, so go online to reserve soon.

Blissfest Music Festival, Harbor Springs

This annual folks and roots festival brings all the good vibes Up North July 7-9 at a picturesque campground in Harbor Springs.

What’s New? Blissfest is proud to announce a lineup including Colin Hay, Valerie June, and Molly Tuttle. They have new camping areas and are very excited to bring back the Taste of Bliss and Folkscool, aka workshops in arts, music, and sustainability, which will return for its second year.

Pro Tip: You don’t have to camp to have a good time, but it makes it a lot easier to enjoy the festival. If you don’t want to take a chance at first come-first served camping, reserve a camping spot. Using festival maps on the website is also handy to see what stages you would like to visit and when. Bring a camping chair or something to sit on at the Main Stage. Pack a swimsuit because the festival offers a shuttle to nearby Sturgeon Bay beach. One last insider tip: Don’t skip out on checking out all stages and performance areas within the Hardwood Haven Camp Area and in the Back Forty Camp.

Venetian Festival, Charlevoix

Boats take center stage during the Venetian Festival in Charlevoix, alongside a carnival, parades, and other celebrations. Catch the nautical action July 15-22.

What’s New? The Venetian Boat Parade is the longest running tradition of the Charlevoix Venetian Festival, and the theme for 2023 is Hawaiian Luau. Boats that participate will be in the running to win several prizes and qualify for free docking in the Charlevoix City Marina for the weekend of the festival.

Pro Tip: Be sure to keep tabs on daily activity and event schedules as there are many events in various locations throughout the festival.

Beaver Island Music Festival, Beaver Island

Nearly 20 music artists—playing in just about every genre—will be living the island life July 20-22 at the Beaver Island Music Festival. The weekend is all about music, art, and the great outdoors.

What’s New? This year, the festival is updating the shuttle experience, installing new restrooms, and adding lighting to the stage. These will be major improvements for the festival visitor.

Pro Tip: Get your tickets right away. Purchasing the package includes your travel (ferry or plane), three-day pass, three meal tickets, and your shuttle band. It is the easiest way to unwind and have no worries before, during, and after the festival.

Baroque on Beaver, Beaver Island

Speaking of Beaver Island, the location may be remote, but the music is classic(al). This festival, running July 27 to Aug. 5, focuses on world-class orchestral, chamber, and vocal performances.

What’s New? This is the second year of the Young Soloist Competition, and the winner is 14-year-old violinist Serafima Bezuglova from East Lansing. She will appear as soloist with the Festival Orchestra on Saturday, Aug. 5. The Festival opens with a return engagement solo piano recital by Ying Li, who made her Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center debuts this past year.

Pro Tip: Baroque on Beaver also offer free outdoor events like “Brass on the Grass” and “Chamber Music al fresco” as part of the series. These take place in two spectacular locations in the town of St James. You can make a day of it on the Beaver Island ferry, have lunch, see a concert, and be back in Charlevoix for dinner.

Northwestern Michigan Fair, Traverse City

Well, that radio jingle is already stuck in our heads. This classic regional fair started way back in 1908, and this year runs Aug. 6-12.

What’s New? The NWMI Fair is working on upgrades to the power, the draft horse barn, and the grandstand. Plus, Arnold’s Amusements will be back with two new rides: Alien Abduction and Magic Coaster.

Pro Tip: You can purchase mega-ride bands, tickets to grandstand events, including a weekly grandstand pass, and gate tickets online at northwesternmichiganfair.net. The 2023 Premium Book will be online shortly, and this year for the first time you will be able to register for the fair online!