Photo by Manistee National Forest Festival
The Manistee National Forest Festival began as a way to celebrate and honor the Manistee National Forest, which encompasses over 480,000 acres. This is truly a “don’t-miss” event for the entire family, and a great venue for making some wonderful summer memories.
The annual Manistee National Forest Festival promises fun for the entire family. It’s one of the largest 4th of July celebrations in the state, presented by the Manistee Chamber of Commerce since 1936.
Events take place at Douglas Park/First Street Beach- 100 S. Lakeshore Dr., Manistee, unless otherwise noted.
See “Events Held on Multiple Days” Below…
There’s so much to see and do in Manistee! Read the stories below or go to the Manistee destination page.
Along the Lake Michigan shoreline between Ludington and Manistee, you'll find natural splendor- the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness area.
Manistee National Forest together with the Huron National Forest occupies almost a million acres of land in Michigan's lower peninsula.
Take one of the most scenic drives in the nation as you travel across M-22 in West Michigan. A long winding road of adventure awaits!
The historical Vogue Theatre in Manistee, renovated as a modern-day movie theater, shows current movies, classic films, and family movies.
The Manistee River spans for miles and provides the perfect watershed for kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and exploring.
The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts is a cultural center in West Michigan and plays an integral part in Manistee’s history.
The township of Arcadia in Manistee County, home of Arcadia Daze every July, is less than 15 minutes north of Onekama.
Take a tour on the Historic S.S. City of Milwaukee car ferry and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Acacia docked in Manistee, Michigan.
The North Pierhead Lighthouse, located in the Victorian Port City of Manistee, stands watch over Lake Michigan.
Manistee has the unique combination of beauty, history and nature, which attracts visitors from all over and inspires many to call it home.
The Michigan Audubon Society Lake Bluff Center overlooks Lake Michigan near Manistee and features wildlife and a bird sanctuary.
Known as the "Two Lake Town", Onekema is just 20 minutes from Manistee and provides a cozy escape from the everyday.
There are great events and festivals throughout the year in Manistee, Michigan's Victorian Port City. Find fun for the whole family!
Beautiful color emerges come Fall. Take it all in with an afternoon drive, or stroll, through the many forests of West Michigan.
The Manistee Riverwalk follows the Manistee River from Jones Street, under the US-31 bridge, behind downtown, and ends at First Street beach.
Manistee County fishing reports for the Manistee River and Manistee Lake are provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
The Victorian port city of Manistee, MI features a River Walk, historic Ramsdell Theatre and the S.S. City of Milwaukee.
Manistee offers a variety of fishing opportunities! Cast your own line into one of the many lakes or streams — or hop aboard a charter boat!
Winter in Manistee County includes great outdoor activities like skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, ice skating, and more.
Onekama, in Manistee County, is the first community along the M-22 Scenic Heritage Route and is commonly known as the "Two Lake Town."
Take one of the most scenic drives in the nation as you travel across M-22 in West Michigan. A long winding road of adventure awaits!
Manistee Chamber of Commerce
11 Cypress St., Manistee, MI 49660
231-723-2575
Todd and Brad Reed offer Photography Workshops throughout the year. These classes are great for beginners as well as seasoned professionals.
West Michigan fishing tournaments give anglers a chance to add a little money to their pocket in addition to the fish in their bucket.
Summertime means outdoor arts and crafts fairs, and communities in Manistee County often include these fairs as part of their festivals.
This service is provided to area residents each August in cooperation with the Michigan Water Stewardship Clean Sweep Program.
August in Ludington means free movies, on three Thursday nights at dusk in Ludington’s Rotary Park (formerly City Park).
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!
The Caswell Horse Park at the Mason County Fairgrounds in Ludington is a busy place from May-October, with many horse shows.
West Michigan is a popular location for various races and runs… including the Lakestride Half Marathon and the Lighthouse Triathlon.
Pentwater Homecoming is a summer celebration with numerous activities for the entire family including fireworks, concerts and more!
Spend a Friday afternoon and evening strolling around the galleries in the quaint harbor village of Pentwater.
Agriculture plays a large role in the economics of Mason County. Take this self-guided tour to learn about agriculture in Mason County.
There’s so much to do in Silver Lake! From hitting the dunes to camping out at the state park — it’s an outdoor adventure for everyone.
Along the Lake Michigan shoreline between Ludington and Manistee, you’ll find natural splendor- the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness area.
A site to behold along Lake Michigan, these structures with a rich history give both a sense of safety and a beautiful site.
The park remains open year-round for hiking, snowshoeing, activities to give those who love winter something fun to look forward to!
The Hart-Montague Bike Trail consists of 22.5 miles of paved paths for biking, snowmobiling, skating and more!