Photo by Todd & Brad Reed Photography
(Scroll down to see more events in July.)
Pentwater is known for its art galleries, antiques shops and boutiques, so expect some great finds at their summer arts and crafts fairs.
Grab snacks, chairs, and blankets to enjoy a family friendly movie at Manistee’s beautiful First Street Beach near the Rotary Gazebo.
Ludrock Nation is an organization presenting events: Ludrock, Girls Rock, Ludrock All Stars, Night of Fright to benefit other non-profits.
Learn about the annual Young Eagles Rallies in Mason and Oceana Counties and find information about flights at the Mason County Airport.
Spend a Friday afternoon and evening strolling around the galleries in the quaint harbor village of Pentwater.
West Michigan fishing tournaments give anglers a chance to add a little money to their pocket in addition to the fish in their bucket.
The communities along Lake Michigan are blessed with talented actors and musicians that entertain us throughout the year.
Annually, late in July, the Village population soars with attendees and participants in the annual Arcadia Daze celebration.
Each July, Baldwin comes alive with the Baldwin Troutarama which include an entertainment tent, midway, concerts, and more.
Enjoy a variety of shoreline cruises with various themes on the S.S. Badger Carferry in both Ludington and Manitowoc.
Farm Markets & U-Pick farms offer locally grown and organic produce, flowers, plants, seeds, and more in West Michigan.
Kaleva holds a festival in mid-July which includes ,softball tournament, car show, pony rides, parade, arts and crafts, fireworks, and more.
Spending the July 4th holiday in West Michigan makes it a real celebration, as the area has six firework displays!
This nationally renowned festival includes eight days of air shows, concerts, parades, food tastings, arts/crafts show, and fireworks.
Summertime and music just go together perfectly and at the Village Green in the center of Pentwater, the evening is simply charming.
Summertime means outdoor arts and crafts fairs, and communities in Manistee County often include these fairs as part of their festivals.
The Ludington Area Jaycees annual Freedom Festival is one of the few great July 4th festivals still in existence in Michigan.
The harbor village of Pentwater offers “Movies on the Green” during June-August. Films are shown on the Village Green in downtown Pentwater.
After a busy day at the beach or at work, it’s time to kick back and relax a while. What better way than to listen to some music.
West Michigan is a popular location for various races and runs... including the Lakestride Half Marathon and the Lighthouse Triathlon.
West Shore Bank hosts the Rhythm & Dunes Summer Concert Series each summer at the Waterfront Park Pavilion in downtown Ludington.
The annual Manistee National Forest Festival in July features fireworks, parades, and family entertainment in Manistee, Michigan!
Manistee National Forest Festival
Annual event with fun for the whole family.
National Cherry Festival
Annual festival with fun for the whole family including concerts, parades, fireworks, and an appearance by The Blue Angels. For more information, visit cherryfestival.org. Festival Grounds- 521 S Union Street, Traverse City.
West Shore Art Fair
Sponsored by Ludington Area Center for the Arts. Rotary Park- Corner of Lewis St. and Ludington Ave., Ludington.
Pancake Breakfast
Pentwater VFW- 8440 N. US-31, Pentwater.
Hart Sparks Celebration
Free kids activities from 6-9pm, food trucks & vendors from 6-10pm, live music featuring Faster Horses from 7-10:30pm, and fireworks at Dusk.
Pentwater Fireworks
At Charles Mears State Park.
Ludington Area Jaycees Freedom Festival
Event includes 1-Mile Fun Run at 1:30pm, Parade at 2pm, and Fireworks at Dusk. Downtown Ludington.
Stony Lake Sparkler 5k
Starts at Stony Lake Inn- 4722 Scenic Dr., Shelby.
Junior Tennis Clinic
Pentwater Tennis & Pickleball Club- 8502 N. US-31, Pentwater. For more information or to register, visit pentwatertennisclub.com.
Independence Day Bike Parade
Registration/Line-up at 9:30am, Parade at 10am. Charles Mears State Park– 400 W. Lowell St., Pentwater. For more information, visit pentwater.org.
Thunder on the Dunes Fireworks
Over the Silver Lake Sand Dunes.
Bear Lake Days
Annual festival in Bear Lake with fun for the whole family.
Ludrock
Music festival with raffles, silent auction, food, drinks, and more. Proceeds benefit local non-profit organizations. Waterfront Park- 391 S. William St., Ludington.
Glow Bash
Event includes Dinner Glow Crafts, Glow Paint, Glow Games, live music, and Glow Golf with Glow Desserts & Snack Bar Included. Golden Sands Gold & Bucket Bar- 2501 N. Wilson Rd., Silver Lake/Mears.
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.
Pentwater Juried Arts & Crafts Fair
The Pentwater Junior Women’s Club hosts this one-day, juried, high-traffic arts and crafts fair, which has had an excellent reputation for high quality since 1964. For an application or more information, visit pentwaterjrwomensclub.com/artscrafts.
Ludington Offshore Classic Fishing Tournament
Waterfront Park- 391 S. William St., Ludington
Elk Rapids Arts & Crafts Show
To register, visit elkrapidschamber.org. River Street, Elk Rapids.
Baldwin Troutarama
Annual festival with fun for the whole family. Downtown Baldwin.
Arcadia Daze
Annual festival in Arcadia with fun for the whole family.
Sunset Bonfire
Free bonfire with live music at Stearns Park Beach, Ludington.
Ladies Classic Fishing Tournament
Sponsored by the Pentwater Sportfishing Association. Visit pentwaterpsa.org for more information or to register.
West Shore Bank’s Rhythm & Dunes Concert
Featuring Rock the 90’s USA: The Official 90’s Rock Tribute. Free outdoor concert with a portion of the proceeds from vendor sales donated to the music programs at three Mason County schools. Waterfront Park- 391 S. William St., downtown Ludington.
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.
Submissions Accepted for the Celebrating the Ludington State Park Art Exhibit
Artists will display their multi-media artworks celebrating the State Park on August 5th-27th at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts– 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington. Submissions cost $5/piece with a limit of three submissions. For more information or to submit art, visit ludingtonartscenter.org/modes-of-abstraction.
Frankfort-Elberta 4th of July Carnival
Annual old fashioned carnival with rides and games and Carnival food. Hours are Thursday from 5-10pm, Friday from 3-10pm, and Saturday/Sunday from 12-10pm. Frankfort Open Space- 800 Main St., Frankfort.
Luther Days
Annual festival with fun for the whole family including live music, fireworks, 5k run/walk, kids games, rodeo, and more. Downtown Luther. For more information, visit facebook.com/lutherloggingdays.
Live Music at Legacy Plaza
Legacy Plaza- 110 N. James St., Ludington.
Ludington Golf Cart Show
Free golf cart awards show with crystal trophies for winners in eight categories Best Hometown Pride, Best Work in Progress, Farthest Traveled Cart, Best Overall Modified, Best Theme, Cleanest, Best Feature, and Best Use of Homemade Supplies. The event also includes parade, live music, family fun, and prizes. Visit ludingtongolfcartshow.com to register. West Foster St., Ludington.
Manistee World of Arts & Crafts
Red Szymarek Park- 106 Charter Ct., Manistee.
Heykoop Veteran Memorial Car Show & Benefit
All vehicles are welcome to enter with multiple awards and trophies to be given out. Winners are chosen by public vote and by the Board of Directors. Categories include: motorcycles, trucks, jeeps, and tribute vehicles. Event also includes silent/live auctions, raffle bags, and door prizes. All proceeds go to Lighthouse For Veterans and the fight against Veteran suicide. For more information or to register, visit lighthouseforveterans.org/car-show.
Forest Trail Summer Sunset Music Series
Live music at 352 W. Forest Trail, Free Soil. For more information, visit foresttrailmusic.com.
Ice Cream Eating Competition at Downtown Delights
Each participant will have seven minutes to eat as much ice cream as they can. There will be three age categories: 11 and under, 12-17, and 18 and up. The winner in each category will receive a trophy and gift card to Downtown Delights. The event is free but limited to 15 participants in each age category. Registration is from June 26th-July 2nd by stopping at Downtown Delights- 457 River St., Manistee.
Art in the Park Arts & Crafts Fair
Main Street, Downtown Frankfort.
PLA Concerts in the Park
Live music in Village Park- Portage Ave., Onekama.
S.S. Badger Carferry Shoreline Cruise
S.S. Badger Carferry- 701 Maritime Dr., Ludington. (800) 841-4243.
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
Live music at 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.
Onekama Block Party
Portage Ave., Onekama.
Music on the Commons
Live music at the Hart Commons- 49 S. State St., Hart.
Pentwater Civic Band Concert
Weekly Summer Civic Band Concerts on the Village Green- 327 S. Hancock St., Pentwater.
Party in the Park
Live music in Hackley Park- 350 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon.
Young Eagles Rally
The event offers free airplane rides for children ages 8 to 17. Pilots and ground support personnel participating in the event donate their time, their planes and fuel. The weather back-up day is Sunday, July 10, same times. For questions, contact Robert Taylor at (231) 690-0397. Register at youngeaglesday.org.
Village History Hunt
Enjoy a fun family scavenger hunt as you interact with Village docents to help you find the missing pieces to the puzzle. 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.
Meijer Grand Prix Horse Show
Flintfields Horse Park- 6535 Bates Rd., Williamsburg.
Music in the Park
FREE music event at Lindsey’s Park- 310 E. Wilson Dr., Idlewild. Field games for all ages, picnic tables provided or bring your own table/chairs. Some weekends will include pop-up shops and food vendors. BYOB.
Adult Pickleball Clinic
Pentwater Tennis & Pickleball Club- 8502 N. US-31, Pentwater. For more information or to register, visit pentwatertennisclub.com.
Muskegon Bike Time
Annual celebration of motorcycles which includes concerts, entertainment, and food. Thursday from 12-11pm, Friday/Saturday from 9am-11pm, and Sunday from 9am-4pm. For more information, visit muskegonbiketime.com.
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.
Kaleva Heritage Days
Annual festival with an arts & crafts show, fireworks, parade, car show, and more. Kaleva Roadside Park.
Lakeside Club Tour of Homes
At various locations in Manistee. For tickets, go to lakesideclubmanistee.org or visit one of the following Manistee businesses: T.J.’s Pub, Kellie’s Hallmark, Alex Doucette’s, Manistee Visitors Bureau, or Macbeth and Co.
Lakeshore Pyrate Heads Buccaneer Bash
Food trucks, silent & live raffle items, live music by Jimmy Dodson from 4-6pm and Two Dudes in Flip Flops from 6-9pm, and prizes for best Pirate Attire. $5 at the door, kids 12 and under are free. Proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. Ludington Boat Club- 502 Lake St., Ludington.
Smoke on the Water Rock & Blues Festival
A celebration of music and fun, all proceeds go to community projects with the current project being a beautiful, state-of-the-art amphitheater to be built on the shores of Lake Michigan. There will be a 6-foot fenced-in area with privacy screening for marijuana consumption. Tickets are $20 + a $1 processing fee. A limited number of tickets are available. Tickets will be $30 at the door. For more information, visit facebook.com.
National Baby Food Festival
Annual festival with fun for the whole family. Main St., Fremont. For more information, visit fremontcommerce.com.
Youth Pickleball Clinic
Pentwater Tennis & Pickleball Club- 8502 N. US-31, Pentwater. For more information, visit pentwatertennisclub.com.
AFFEW Beach Sweep
Beach clean-up at Stearns Park Beach, Ludington.
Ludington Coin Club Coin & Stamp Show
Free admission. Door prizes and raffle prizes. Hamlin Town Hall- 3775 N. Jebavy Dr., Ludington.
Muddy Fox Trot
Family-friendly 5k mud run with a boot camp style obstacle course. West Shore Community College- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.
Grand Prix Horse Show
Flintfields Horse Park- 6535 Bates Rd., Williamsburg.
Traverse City Film Festival
The festival brings films and filmmakers from around the world to Northern Michigan and presents classic movies free of charge. For more information, visit traversecityfilmfestival.org.
Flower Show
Divisions include Horticulture, Design, Education, Youth, and Botanical Arts (with sections on Artistic Crafts and Photography). Farr Center- 5283 Main St., Onekama. For more information, visit portagelakegardenclub.org.
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.
Pentwater Gallery Stroll
Visit Pentwater galleries to browse art and enter to win prizes. Downtown Pentwater.
Crooked Tree Art Fair
Crooked Tree Art Center- 322 Sixth St., Traverse City
International Hunter Derby Horse Show
Flintfields Horse Park- 6535 Bates Rd., Williamsburg.
The popular tourist town of Ludington, Michigan will celebrate its 150th birthday (sesquicentennial) in 2023. Many events will be included.
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!
Every year, the Mason-Lake Conservation District offers sales for tree seedlings and for native plants. Take advantage of this great service!
Much of West Michigan is bicycle-friendly, and you’ll find many nice paths on which to ride. It’s great exercise with great scenery to enjoy.
Manistee National Forest together with the Huron National Forest occupies almost a million acres of land in Michigan’s lower peninsula.
West Michigan is home to numerous artists with so many different talents. Groovy music, vivid paintings, gorgeous photography, and more!
A site to behold along Lake Michigan, these structures with a rich history give both a sense of safety and a beautiful site.
Agriculture plays a large role in the economics of Mason County. Take this self-guided tour to learn about agriculture in Mason County.
Winter in Manistee County includes great outdoor activities like skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, ice skating, and more.
The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is situated at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula within, about eight miles north of the town of Northport.
Michigan has a public ORV trail system for four different riding opportunities–motorcycles, ATVs, ORVs, and scramble areas.
Standing tall and proud along the shores of Lake Michigan, Point Betsie marks the southern entrance to the Manitou Passage.
The Traverse City Opera House has a 700-seat theater which offers a place for quality arts and cultural entertainment.
