Labor Day 2024 in Northern Michigan

10 ways to celebrate the long weekend

By Rachel Pasche | Aug. 24, 2024

Summer isn’t over yet, but Labor Day signals the busy back-to-school season and ushers in cooler temperatures. So, before you’re helping out with homework or pulling your sweaters out of the closet, indulge in a final weekend of Up North fun. We’ve found 10 events around northern Michigan to help you celebrate the holiday weekend.

ALL WEEKEND

Labor Day Live at Crystal Mountain
Crystal Mountain celebrates the end of summer with a weekend-long bash that’s fit for all ages including live music day and night, workshops with sand art, flower arranging, painting, and nature frames, a 5K and mile fun run, and visiting alpacas. The tent sale has deals on winter gear up for those looking to get some new digs for next season.

But the most unique—and perhaps the most fun—part of the weekend includes some dance moves. “The Heikki Lunta Snow Dance is a light-hearted tradition to get people excited about the upcoming winter, and hopefully, create some good mojo around fresh snow for the season,” says Brittney Primeau, director of communications at Crystal Mountain. Visitors can also check out the resort's huge variety of outdoor activities, like golf, the Crystal Coaster Alpine Slide, chairlift rides, a zipline, the Michigan Legacy Art Park, and more. crystalmountain.com/event/labor-day-weekend

Minnehaha Brewhaha Music Festival at Arcadia
Friday and Saturday of Labor Day bring the Minnehaha Brewhaha music festival (pictured) to Arcadia. The two-day long event includes craft beer tastings, local food trucks, a 5k and 15k race on Saturday morning, and an impressive lineup of local musicians. Friday is a $5 cover charge, and Saturday tickets are $25 (presale) or $30 (day-of). Camping is available, and attendees are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs. Tickets and more information can be found at music-moves-me.org.

Mamma Mia! at Great Lakes Center for the Arts
Between the ABBA songs we all know and love, the bright costumes, and the stunning set, Mamma Mia! is a timeless classic, and Great Lakes Center for the Arts is bringing the magic of this musical to the stage this weekend. Tickets start at $57, show times are 8pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, plus a matinee at 3pm Sunday. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/mamma-mia

SATURDAY, AUG. 31

Cadillac Festival of Races
Get active this weekend and join one of the events in the Cadillac Festival of Races. Participants can try their luck at the quarter-mile swim race, a seven-mile team relay run around Lake Cadillac, a 5K or 10K race along the lake, or a 1-mile kids' fun run. Events begin at 9am, and registration starts at $35. Athletes can register at 8am day-of, or online at rfeventservices.redpodium.com/2024-cadillac-festival-of-races.

The Bolt in Northport
If a 5k feels overly ambitious, the Bolt in Northport may be more your speed. This 1.1-mile foot starts at the marina, zips through downtown, speeds along the Nagonaba Footpath, and ends at Braman Hill, one of the highest hills in Leelanau. The race kicks off at noon, with an awards ceremony immediately following. Registration is $25 for kids and $35 for adults and can be done online or in person on race day. eventbrite.com/e/the-bolt-5-northports-11mi-foot-race-to-preserve-history-tickets-911842213607

LaborFest: Manistee
Manistee’s LaborFest returns for the seventh year to celebrate the region’s rich industrial history and acknowledge the work of the laborers who supported the salt, lumber, and sand industries. The festival is held on Saturday, Aug. 31, at Douglas Park in Manistee from 1pm to 11pm. Eight music performers are on the lineup, including headliner My Son the Hurricane out of Niagara, Ontario—self-described as “a multi-horn, multi-drummer, multi-singer brass funk beast”—and plenty of local talent. Salt City Rock and Blues, a nonprofit operating since 2013, puts on the event and is directing proceeds toward their ongoing efforts to build a state-of-the-art amphitheater on the shores of Lake Michigan. Visit saltcityrb.com for tickets, $30, and to learn more about the festival.

Star Party at Sleeping Bear Dunes
Soak up some new views at the dunes at the Star Party, hosted by rangers at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society (GTAS). Attendees meet in the Dune Climb parking lot from 9-11pm and are encouraged to pack chairs, blankets, bug spray, and binoculars. Park rangers will discuss how to preserve dark skies, and astronomers from GTAS will have telescopes set up to view the moon and a multiple-star system in the Big Dipper’s handle. No admission fee required. leelanauchamber.com/events/star-party-1-4lrp9-nz6s5

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

Grayling Summer Concert Series: Motor City Memories
For a final bout of summer fun, stop in at Paddle Hard Brewing in Grayling for the last performance in their summer concert series. Motor City Memories plays from 7-9pm in the Paddle Hard Yard, the new (and enormous) patio behind the brewery. Visitors can sip on one of the 20 beers and ciders on tap, or enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine. A full menu of elevated pub grub makes for an easy dinner for the whole family, too. Motor City Memories will be playing a blend of classic rock from the ’50s to the ’80s that’s sure to get the whole yard jamming.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

Mackinac Bridge Walk
Once a year, the Mackinac Bridge closes for a few hours, allowing people to walk across this spectacular piece of architecture. Those wishing to participate in the annual Bridge Walk can park at Mackinaw City or St. Ignace and opt to walk the full length or halfway across and then turn around. Transportation will not be provided; those who wish to walk the full five miles need to arrange transport back to their cars. Ferry services and local transportation services are available between the two cities. The bridge will be closed from 6:30am until 12pm; walkers must start before 11:30am. There is no cost to walk the bridge. mackinacbridge.org/events/walk

Charlevoix Bridge Walk
Can’t make the Mackinac Bridge Walk? Charlevoix’s “Little But Mighty” bridge walk also takes place on Monday. Participants can enjoy a short but sweet stroll across the Charlevoix double-leaf bascule bridge. Those interested in this free event should meet at Town House Bar at 12:30pm. The walk starts at 1pm. visitcharlevoix.com/LittlebutMightyBridgeWalk