Photo by Pascal Bernardon on Unsplash.com

Bear Lake Days

July 2026

Each mid-July, the Village of Bear Lake bustles with a variety of activities for the annual Bear Lake Days. The Village is located in the northern part of Manistee County, about 15 miles north of Manistee on US 31. Activities of the 3-day festival typically include an adults and kids fishing contest, pig roast, kids games, entertainment tent, boat and pontoon parade, classic car show, arts/crafts fair, summer fun run, bike tour, Saturday night parade and fireworks.

Here's what happened in 2025:

Thursday

4-5pm – Golf Scramble Pre-registration at Wolf River Golf Park- Wolf River Golf Park- 11685 Chippewa Hwy, Bear Lake.

Friday

8am – Golf Scramble Registration at Wolf River Golf Park, $65/person. Limited to 80 golfers. Shotgun start at 9am.
10am-12pm – Garden Buddies for Kids at Pleasanton Valley Greenhouses- 14758 Pleasanton Hwy, Bear Lake.
11am-? – Detroit Coney Cart at Maggies- 7710 Lake St., Bear Lake.
4:30-6:30pm – Pig Roast at Bear Lake Community Church- 7861 Main St., Bear Lake, cost is free-will offering.
6-8pm – Horse Pull at Correct Compression- 11903 Chippewa Hwy., Bear Lake. Bring your own chairs, concessions available, 50/50 raffle.
7pm – Boat Parade beginning at Hopkins Lake Boat Launch- 7798 Hopkins Dr., Bear Lake.

Saturday

All Day – Sidewalk Chalk Art in the Filer Credit Union parking lot- 7685 Lake St., Bear Lake.
7am – 5k Walk/Run beginning at Hopkins Park- Hopkins Dr., Bear Lake, registration begins at 7am, Fun Run begins at 8am, 5k begins at 8:15am.
9am-3pm – Car Show at corner of US-31 and Maple St., Bear Lake, contact Bob at (231) 233-2435 or Ken at (231) 233-8870 to register.
9am-5pm – Arts & Crafts and Vendor Booths on Main St., Bear Lake, click here for registration info.
9am-5pm – Visit the Bear Lake Historical Museum– 7750 Main St., Bear Lake.
9am-5pm – “What makes Bear Lake, Bear Lake?” Adult Essay Contest – Short stories/paragraphs may be submitted to the Bear Lake Historical Museum.
9:30-10:30am – Loop the Lake Bike Ride Registration starting north of the Bear on US-31.
10am-2pm – Keddie Norconk Library Bike, free books. Weather permitting. At the corner of the Bear Lake Museum.
10am-2pm – Bounce House in the township lot.
10am-? – Food trucks open on Lynn St.
11am-12:30pm – Kids Games behind Bear Lake Township Hall.
11am-1pm – Free Photo Booth with Up North Photo Booth at the Bear Lake Township Hall
11am-1pm – Kids Activities & Fire trucks on display at Bear Lake Township Fire Department- 7771 Lake St., Bear Lake.
11am-1pm – Fairy Hair by Shanna
12-3pm – DJ Beats on the deck at Maggie’s- 7710 Lake St., Bear Lake
1pm – Free Throw Contest at the Harry D. Cosier Memorial Courts- Wise St., Bear Lake. Age groups: 9 and under, 10-13, 14-17, and 18+. $2 per shot. Medals for top two girls and boys in each age bracket.
1-4pm – Free carriage rides provided by Fantail Farm, LLC. Meet by the Bear Lake Post Office- 7777 Main St., Bear Lake
1:30-2:30pm – Watermelon Eating Contest under the tent.
3pm – Show by Magician John Russell under the tent.
6-10pm – Hot Air Balloon Rides with Michigan Hot Air Adventures at the Correct Compression Driving Range. $50 for adults, $20 for children age 10 and under. Fireworks ride raffle with drawing at 7pm. Weather permitting.
7pm – Bear Lake Days Parade Line-up beginning at Bear Lake High School- 7748 Cody St., Bear Lake, parade begins at 8pm.
After the Parade – Live music featuring The Cook Family Band under the tent.
Dusk – Fireworks over Bear Lake.

Sunday

8-11am – Bear Lake Pancake Breakfast at Lakeside Cafe-7833 Lake St., Bear Lake. $12, cash or check only.
10:30am-12pm – First Baptist Church Service under the tent.

These Activities Typically Happen on Multiple Days

Friday at 8am through Saturday at 6pm – Kid’s Fishing Contest, Check-in fish from 11am-12pm and 5-6pm both days at Bear Lake Hopkins Park Boat Launch- 12376 Virginia St., Bear Lake.
Friday from 5-7pm & Saturday from 10am-6pm – Promoters Booth T-shirt Sales under the tent.
Friday at 12pm through Sunday at 5pm – “Why I Love Bear Lake” Artwork Event at Saddle Up Gas & Grocery- 12991 Pleasanton Hwy, Bear Lake, Kids who drop off artwork about why they love Bear Lake will receive a free small slushy.
Saturday from 10am-7pm & Sunday from 10am-1pm – Triginta Club Silent Auction at the Michael W. Smith Community Center (aka old Lions Club)- 7748 Lake St., Bear Lake.