Photo by Ludington Area CVB

August 2023 Events Calendar

Browse by Week

Featured August Events

(Scroll down to see more events in August.)

August 1-7, 2023

Friday, August 4th, 2023
10am-4pm

Harbor Days Arts & Crafts Show
To register, visit elkrapidschamber.org. River Street, Elk Rapids. 

Saturday, August 5th, 2023
6am-12pm

Teach a Kid Youth Fishing Tournament
Sponsored by the Pentwater Sportfishing Association. For more information, visit pentwaterpsa.org.

Saturday, August 5th, 2023
8:30am

COVE Benefit Beach 5k/10k Run/Walk
Charles Mears State Park- 400 W. Lowell St., Pentwater.

Saturday, August 5th, 2023
6pm

West Shore Bank Rhythm & Dunes Concert
Featuring Boy Band Review. Free outdoor concert with a portion of the proceeds from vendor sales donated to the music programs at three Mason County schools. Waterfront Park- 319 S. William St., downtown Ludington. 

Sunday, August 6th, 2023
11:30am (until gone)

Chicken Dinner
Take-out only chicken dinner. St. James Episcopal Church-82 S. Wythe St., Pentwater.

Sunday, August 6th, 2023
2pm

Veterans and Service Personnel Appreciation Picnic & Benefit
This event is free for veterans and service personnel and open to the public. Proceeds benefit Miss Sawyer’s Kids With A Cause Sawyer’s Stockings Project and will include a BBQ lunch, live music, games, raffles, silent auction, and more. For more information, visit facebook.com. Charlie’s Marina- 2 E. Lake Rd., Pentwater.
We would love to have you join u

August 8-14, 2023

Thursday, August 10th-Sunday, August 13th; 2023

Pentwater Homecoming Celebration
Pentwater’s biggest event of the year includes fun for the whole family!

Saturday, August 12th-Sunday, August 13th; 2023

Gold Coast Artisan Fair
Saturday from 10am-5pm and Sunday from 10am-4pm. Rotary Park- Corner of Lewis St. & Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Saturday, August 12th-Sunday, August 13th; 2023

Run the Pier 5k
First Street Beach- 100 S. Lakeshore Dr., Manistee.

Saturday, August 12th, 2023
9am-3pm

Merchants and Makers Market
Shop over 100 booths while enjoying live music and enjoying a variety of food trucks. Chinook Pier- 301 N. Harbor Dr., Grand Haven. For more information, visit merchantsandmakers.com.

Saturday, August 12th, 2023
10am-3pm

Outdoor Craft & Vendor Show
Shop on the historic front lawn of The Village at Grand Traverse Commons- 1200 W. Eleventh St., Traverse City. To register, visit downtowntc.com

Sunday, August 13th, 2023

Ludington Lighthouse Triathlon
This event begins in downtown Ludington and ends at the beach. It includes biking, kayaking, and running.

August 15-21, 2023

Friday, August 18th-Sunday, August 20th, 2023

Advanced Photography Weekend Workshop
Presented by Todd & Brad Reed Photography and held at Heaven on Hamlin- 3795 N. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington.

Saturday, August 19th-Sunday, August 20th, 2023

Michigan’s Free ORV Weekend
Michigan residents and out-of-state visitors can ride DNR-designated routes and trails without purchasing an ORV license or trail permit.

Saturday August 19th, 2023
10am-4pm

Rubber Ducky Festival Arts & Crafts Show
To register, visit bellairechamber.org. Downtown Bellaire

Saturday, August 19th, 2023
10am-5pm

Downtown Art Fair
To register, visit downtowntc.com. Downtown Cass St., Traverse City.

Saturday, August 19th, 2023
12-5pm

Suds on the Shore Craft Wine & Beer Festival
Benefit for the United Way of Mason County. Rotary Park- Corner of Lewis St. and Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Saturday, August 19th, 2023
9am-1pm

Clean Sweep Household Hazardous Waste & Pharmaceutical Collection Day
Residents of Mason, Manistee, and Oceana Counties may drop off hazardous waste at collection sites. Mason County: Mason-Lake Conservation District- 655 N. Scottville Rd., Scottville. Manistee County: Manistee Conservation District- 8840 Chippewa Highway, Bear Lake. Oceana County: Oceana Conservation District- 1064 Industrial Park Dr., Shelby.

August 22-31, 2023

Thursday, August 24th-Sunday, 27th; 2023

Cedar Polka Fest
Annual festival with fun for the whole family include live music, food, car show, 5k, and more! Visit cedarpolkafest.org for more information. Festival Grounds- 3075 E. Sullivan St., Cedar.

Friday, August 25th-Sunday, August 27th; 2023

Benzie Fishing Frenzy Pro/Am Sportfishing Tournament
For more information or to register, visit tournamenttrail.net/tournaments#/frankfort.

Friday, August 25th-Saturday, August 26th; 2023

Pentwater Sidewalk Sales
Downtown Pentwater.

Saturday, August 26th, 2023
10am-4pm

Pentwater Wooden & Classic Boat Show and Parade
Boat show on the water and on the Village Green- 327 S. Hancock St., Pentwater. Open to the public.

Thursday, August 31st, 2023
8-10pm

Sunset Bonfire
Free bonfire with live music at Stearns Park Beach, Ludington.

The following events are from 2022. Stay tuned for information on dates for these events in 2023!

Win & Bette Matteson Annual Big Fish Contest
Sponsored by the Pentwater Sportfishing Association. For more information or to register, visit pentwaterpsa.org/annual-big-fish-contest.

PLA Concerts in the Park
Village Park- Portage Ave., Onekama.

Children’s Pioneer Camp
Kids will learn about the pioneers during this hands-on experience at the Historic White Pine Village– 1687 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington. Cost is $25 per child and reservations can be made by e-mailing Michelle at michelle@mchshistory.org.

Silver Lake Community Concert Series
Golden Township Park- 445 N. Lighthouse Dr., Mears.

Manistee Shoreline Showcase
Live music at Douglas Park- First Street Beach, Manistee.

LACA Summer Concert Series
Free concert at Waterfront Park- 300 W. William St., Ludington.

Live Music in Legacy Plaza
 Legacy Plaza- 110 N. James St., Ludington.

Downtown Ludington’s Movies in the Park
Rotary Park- corner of Ludington Ave. and Lewis St.

Pentwater Civic Band Concert
Weekly Summer Civic Band Concerts on the Village Green- 327 S. Hancock St., Pentwater.

Music on the Commons
Live music at the Hart Commons- 49 S. State St., Hart.

Roots on the River Concert Series
Live music at the Manistee Jaycees Bandshell- 117 Memorial Dr., Manistee.

Celebrating the Ludington State Park Art Exhibit
Artists will display their multi-media artworks celebrating the State Park. Ludington Area Center for the Arts– 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington. Submissions will be accepted from May 27th-July 29th at $5/piece with a limit of three submissions. For more information or to submit art, visit ludingtonartscenter.org/modes-of-abstraction.

Annual Stratford “Off” the Avenue Theatre Festival
The Stage Left Theatre Company presents a classic production and a comedic adaptation of Shakespearean plays. Ludington Area Center for the Arts– 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington. Tickets available at eventbrite.com.

Onekama Days
Annual festival in Onekama with fun for the whole family. 

Party in the Park
Live music at Hackley Park- 350 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon.

Major League Show Jumping Team Competition Horse Show
Flintfields Horse Park- 6535 Bates Rd., Williamsburg.

Copemish Heritage Days
Annual community festival featuring a parade, live music, 5k, and more. For the most updated information, visit copemishheritagedays.com.

Teach a Kid Youth Fishing Tournament
Sponsored by the Pentwater Sportfishing Association. 

#WillStrong Benefit Soccer Tournament
100% of the proceeds raised goes to the local Childhood Cancer Campaign. Bryant Soccer Fields- Corner of Bryant Rd. and Washington Ave. in Ludington.

Annual Homecoming Jazz & Blues Festival
Free live music event sponsored by the Idlewild African American Chamber of Commerce at John Meeks Park- Martin Luther King & Idlewild Blvd, Idlewild.

Western Michigan Fair
Mason County Fairgrounds- 5302 US-10, Ludington.

Leo’s Classic Car Show
Car Show with music, ice cream, and cake. Golden Sands Golf & Bucket Bar- 2501 N. Wilson Rd., Mears. No pre-registration necessary. For more information, call (231) 873-4909.

Bus Day to Big Point Sable Lighthouse
Free concert from 1-3pm. Bus transportation from 12pm-5pm. Big Sable Point Lighthouse in Ludington State Park- 8800 M-116, Ludington.

Back to School Backpack Bonanza
Mason County students in grades Kindergarten-12th grade (with a guardian) are invited to play a round of free mini golf and receive a free backpack and school supplies. The event is limited to 250 students. Safe Kids West Michigan will also be doing free car seat checks. Transportation is available for families outside of Ludington. Those in need should call Kerry at (231) 852-0996. Ludington Area Jaycees Mini Golf at 900 W. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

The Fred Relays
A series of relays consisting of 200-mile, 100-mile, and 50-mile relays spanning the White Pine Trail from Belmont to Cadillac, Michigan. For more information or to register, visit runsignup.com.

Grand Prix Horse Show
Flintfields Horse Park- 6535 Bates Rd., Williamsburg.

Forest Trail Summer Sunset Music Series
Featuring The Ragbirds with Ben Traverse. 352 W. Forest Trail, Free Soil. For more information, visit foresttrailmusic.com.

S.S. Badger Carferry Shoreline Cruise
S.S. Badger Carferry- 701 Maritime Dr., Ludington. (800) 841-4243.

North American Youth Championship Final Horse Show
Flintfields Horse Park- 6535 Bates Rd., Williamsburg.

Manistee County Fair
Fun for the whole family at the Manistee County Fairgrounds- 7587 1st St., Onekama.

Oceana County Fair
Oceana County Fairgrounds- 1025 S. State St., Hart.

AFFEW Beach Sweep
Beach clean-up at Stearns Park, Ludington.

Living History Day
Special performances by Suzanne and Jim, musicians who explore new directions by looking back into the roots of Americana music and lore. Cost is $18 for Adults, $16 for Seniors, $14 for Children ages 4-13, and free for Children under age 4. Historic White Pine Village– 1687 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington.

Ice Cream Social
The Ludington Senior Center hosts an ice cream social which is open to the public. Ice cream has been donated by House of Flavors. Suggested donation is $2 with proceeds to benefit improvements to the center. Customers may dine-in, drive-up, or sit outside to enjoy their treats and live music. 308 S. Rowe St., Ludington.

Hoxeyville Music Festival
Americana and Roots festival with two stages featuring national touring artists, and the best and brightest Michigan talent. 11130 W. 48 1/2 Rd., Wellston. For tickets or more information, visit hoxeyville.com.

Frankfort Art Fair
Market Square Park on M-22, Frankfort. Free Benzie Bus Shuttle. Friday from 1-7pm and Saturday from 10am-4pm.

Community Cats TNR Benefit Sale
There will be a sale of a variety of donated items to help offset costs of spaying/neutering, health checks, and vaccinations for homeless cats in Mason County through Community Cats TNR. Mason County Fairgrounds 4-H Building- 5302 US-10, Ludington.

Cal’s Angels Annual “War on Wheels”
Cal’s Angels will have more than twenty cyclists riding from Michigan to Illinois this summer while raising awareness and funding for pediatric cancer research. The ride will encompass nearly one thousand miles and take cyclists from Mackinaw City, Michigan to St. Charles, Illinois. For more information or to make a donation, visit calsangels.org/event.

Horse Shows
Caswell Horse Park at the Mason County Fairgrounds- 5302 US-10, Ludington.

Shaw Family Backpack Giveaway
Mike & Debbie Shaw will be giving away backpacks full of school supplies at Pathfinders Community Library- 812 Michigan Ave., Baldwin. 

Ludington & Scottville Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing
Visit ludington.org for more information.

Annual Shoreline Jazz Festival
Alexander Zonjic presents this world class jazz festival at Heritage Landing- 1050 7th St., Muskegon. For tickets or more information, visit zonjic.com

Ludington Slow Roll
The Shoreline Cycling Club is organizing this social ride with a relaxed pace. Riders will travel the alleys and back streets of town. The ride begins near the south concession building at the Stearns Park Beach. The ride coincides with the Sunset Beach Bonfire that begins at 8pm, so bring a chair and some refreshments and stick around after the ride.

Western Michigan Boat, RV, Outdoor, & Home Show
Rotary Park- Corner of Lewis St. & Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Pentwater Gallery Stroll
Visit Pentwater galleries to browse art and enter to win prizes. Downtown Pentwater.

Custer VFW Car Show
Pre-registration is due by August 12th. Custer VFW Gold Post 5096- 2022 State St., Custer. For more information, call Ruth at (734) 770-6279 or Annette at (231) 233-0869.

Burning Foot Beer Festival
Muskegon’s craft beer festival, the only beer fest to take place on a sandy beach, taking place on beautiful Pere Marquette Beach- 3510 Channel Dr., Muskegon. For more information, visit burningfoot.beer

Check back often for updates to this calendar of events!

Current Events in West Michigan

Current Events in West Michigan

Annual Tree & Plant Sales

Every year, the Mason-Lake Conservation District offers sales for tree seedlings and for native plants. Take advantage of this great service!

Family Friendly Events

Current family-friendly events in West Michigan, great, fun, things to do for kids of all ages! Fun for the whole family!