Photo by Todd & Brad Reed Photography

Family-Friendly Events

August 2025

The lakeshore communities of West Michigan do a fantastic job of hosting events and activities that include the whole family. There’s so much happening that is geared specifically toward kids and families as a whole, and that’s part of what makes being here so amazing!

Every season in West Michigan has it’s unique, fun things to do for kids of all ages- from babies up to the “young at heart”. Indoors or outdoors, no matter the time of year, there’s always something great going on along the lakeshore for families to experience together!

In addition to the following list, check out all the special events and programs provided by Sandcastles Children’s Museum and the Ludington and Scottville branches of the Mason County District Libraries.

May 24th-August 22nd, 2025

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.

July 25th-August 3rd, 2025

Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival
Annual Festival with fun for the whole family. Downtown Grand Haven. For tickets or more information, visit tickets.coastguardfest.org.

Thursdays from June 26th-August 28th, 2025

Pentwater Civic Band Concerts
Weekly Summer Civic Band Thursday night concerts begin on the Village Green- 327 S. Hancock St., Pentwater.

July 31st-August 2nd, 2025

Annual Old Engine Club Show
This annual 3-day show has different events each day including daily tractor pulls featuring antique tractors, garden tractors, and doodle bugs. Times are 9am-7pm on Thursday and Friday, and 9am-6pm on Saturday. Daily events include tractor parades, large flea market, arts and crafts and swap meet. For more information, visit facebook.com.

July 31st-August 4th, 2025

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

Friday, August 1st, 2025
5-9pm

Muskegon Party in the Park
Live music featuring Indika, kids activities, food/drink trucks, and more. Hackley Park- 350 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon.

Friday, August 1st, 2025
6-9pm

Friday Night Live
Free event with live music, non-profit organization booths, and food. Front Street between Union Street and Park Street, Traverse City.

Friday, August 1st, 2025
8pm

Pentwater Movies on the Green
Free movie featuring Minecraft on the Village Green- 327 S. Hancock St., Pentwater.

August 1st-3rd, 2025

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

Saturday, August 2nd, 2025
8:30am

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

August 3rd-9th, 2025

Northwestern Michigan Fair
Multi-day event with fun for the whole family. 3606 Blair Town Hall Rd.- Traverse City.

August 5th-9th, 2025

Western Michigan Fair
Multi-day event with fun for the whole family. Mason County Fairgrounds- 5302 W. US-10, Ludington.

Thursday, August 7th, 2025
7:30pm

Downtown Ludington’s Movies in the Park
Free outdoor movie and Baby Badger rides for kids from 7:30-8:45pm when the movie begins. Featuring “Despicable Me 4”. Concessions available for sale. Rotary Park- corner of Ludington Ave. and Lewis St.

Saturday, August 9th, 2025
7am

Swim for Grand Traverse Bay
Celebrate clean, healthy water in Grand Traverse Bay with a unique open water swim event to benefit The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, a non-profit that works to protect the bay and its 1,000-square-mile watershed. Registration is $45 and required. Register by visiting runsignup.com. Greilickville Harbor Park- 13132 S. West Bay Shore Dr., Traverse City.

Saturday, August 9th, 2025
12:30-6pm

Great Lakes Surf Festival
This event is a celebration of Great Lakes surf culture and is open to all types of board sports disciplines that enjoy the surf. It includes music, various lessons, awards, giveaways, and more. Visit greatlakessurffestival.com for more information.

Tuesday, August 12th, 2025
6-7pm

Backpack Blowout
Children will receive free backpacks and school supplies. There will also be free walking taco dinner, games for all ages, raffles with prizes, books for children, various children’s activities and more. Children must be present. Trinity Lutheran Church- 5631 W. Stony Lake Rd., New Era.

August 12th-16th, 2025

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

Wednesday, August 13th, 2025
3-6pm

Back to School Backpack Bonanza
Mason County students in grades Kindergarten-12th grade (with a parent/guardian) are invited to play a round of free mini golf and receive a free backpack and school supplies. Children must be present. There will also be free face painting and temporary tattoos. The event is limited to 400 students. Ludington Area Jaycees Mini Golf at 900 W. Ludington Ave., Ludington. For more info, visit facebook.com.

Thursday, August 14th, 2025
12-4:30pm

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.

Thursday, August 14th, 2025
7:30pm

Downtown Ludington’s Movies in the Park
Free outdoor movie and Baby Badger rides for kids from 7:30-8:45pm when the movie begins. Featuring “Minecraft”. Concessions available for sale. Rotary Park- corner of Ludington Ave. and Lewis St.

August 14th-17th, 2025

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

Friday, August 15th, 2025
5-9pm

Muskegon Party in the Park
Live music featuring Let There Be Rock wsg Psychotic Paradise, kids activities, food/drink trucks, and more. Hackley Park- 350 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon.

Friday, August 15th, 2025
8pm

Pentwater Movies on the Green
Free movie featuring Frozen on the Village Green- 327 S. Hancock St., Pentwater.

August 15th-17th, 2025

The Monster Fishing Tournament
Monster Ladies/Kids prelim on Friday. Weigh your best 5. $100/team. $10,000 Cash Purse (30 boat min). All Big Checks Doubled. All 333 Choice & Combo Prizes Awarded. Additional Cash Payouts Based on Registration. Sequestered Weigh In Day 1. $400 Entry. For more information, visit tournamenttrail.net/tournaments.

Saturday, August 16th, 2025

Horse Shows
MCE Equestrian Speed Show at Mason County Fairgrounds- 5302 W. US 10, Ludington. 

Saturday, August 16th, 2025
10am-5pm

Arts & Drafts Festival
This annual event includes an art fair, Arts & Dash 5K, Arts & Wheels Car Show, a children’s activity, area and a beverage tent featuring live music. For details and to sign up for various events, visit nortonshoresparksandrecreation.com

Saturday, August 16th, 2025
12pm

Shelby Fruit Festival
This event includes live music, car show, food trucks, big wheel race, craft vendors, book walk,
free rides & activities for children, and more. 4101 Buchanan Rd., Shelby. For more info, visit facebook.com.

Saturday, August 16th-Sunday, August 17th; 2025

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.

Sunday, August 17th, 2025

Horse Shows
Mason County Saddle Club at Mason County Fairgrounds- 5302 W. US 10, Ludington. 

Wednesday, August 20th, 2025
9-11pm

Lake Michigan Carferry Shoreline Cruise
Lake Michigan Carferry cruise along the Ludington shoreline. Tickets include food and live entertainment and a cash bar is available. Shoreline cruises will sail rain or shine. Children 4 & Under are free. No passes will be accepted for this event. Tickets are non-refundable. 701 Maritime Dr., Ludington.

Thursday, August 21st, 2025
3:30-5:30pm

Diapers & Desserts
Families with children ages 3 and under are invited to attend. A parent or legal guardian must be present to receive diapers for the child(ren). We will have diapers up to size 6 available. Car seat safety checks will be available upon request. Sponsored by the First Methodist Church of Scottville. West Shore Family Support- 603 E. Tinkham Ave., Ludington.

Thursday, August 21st, 2025
7:30pm

Downtown Ludington’s Movies in the Park
Free outdoor movie and Baby Badger rides for kids from 7:30-8:45pm when the movie begins. Featuring “Wonka”. Concessions available for sale. Rotary Park- corner of Ludington Ave. and Lewis St.

August 21st-24th, 2025

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 22nd, 2025
5-9pm

Muskegon Party in the Park
Live music featuring Rockstar, kids activities, food/drink trucks, and more. Hackley Park- 350 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon.

Saturday, August 23rd, 2025
9am-12pm

Young Eagles Rally
The event offers free airplane rides for children ages 8 to 17 at the Wexford County Airport- 8040 E. 34 Rd., Cadillac. Pilots and ground support personnel participating in the event donate their time, their planes and fuel. For more info, visit chapters.eaa.org.

Sunday, August 24th, 2025
11am-3pm

Annual Grant Fire Department Chicken Dinner
Tickets are $15 and include 1/2 BBQ chicken, baked potato, baked beans, dinner roll, corn on the cob, sweet & sour cabbage, dessert, and drinks. There will also be a classic car show. 835 W. Hoague Rd., Manistee.

August 26th-30th, 2025

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

Friday, August 29th-Saturday, August 30th, 2025

Horse Shows
Shoreline All Breed Youth Show at Mason County Fairgrounds- 5302 W. US 10, Ludington. 

August 29th-September 1st, 2025

Brethren Days
The village of Brethren hosts in annual festival with activities for the whole family.

Saturday, August 30th, 2025
12-4:30pm

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.

Saturday, August 30th, 2025
1-6pm

“Honoring Our Elders” Traditional Pow-Wow
Native American social celebration with drumming, singing, dancing, storytelling, food, raffles, and arts and crafts vendors. Suggested admission is $5/person, $20 carload max. For more information, visit oceanacountyfair.com

Saturday, August 30th, 2025
1-11pm

LaborFest
Car show, parade, live music, and food/beverage tent. First Street Beach, Manistee. Visit saltcityrb.com for more information or tickets.

What's Happening in West Michigan?

Discover more to do in West Michigan!

Scroll below for more articles about Activities & Attractions in the West Michigan area.
 

West Michigan Activities & Attractions

Silver Lake State Park

The Silver Lake State Park is 3,000 acres and is situated between Silver Lake and Lake Michigan, offering boating, fishing, swimming, & ORV.

Manistee Fall Color Tour

Beautiful color emerges come Fall. Take it all in with an afternoon drive, or stroll, through the many forests of West Michigan.