Photo by Manistee National Forest Festival

Manistee National Forest Festival

July 1st-5th, 2026

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.

Here's the most updated event schedule:

Events take place at Douglas Park/First Street Beach- 100 S. Lakeshore Dr., Manistee, unless otherwise noted.

Wednesday, July 1st, 2026

  • 6-7pm – Beach Vibes Platter Bubble Painting Technique Class at The Purple Paintbrush- 338 River St. Cost is $35 and reservations are required by clicking here.

Thursday, July 2nd, 2026

  • 11am-12pm – Sandcastle Story Time with Miss Angie from the Manistee County Library at 5th Avenue Beach.
  • 11am-2pm – Kick Off to the 4th of July Party at the Wagoner Community Center- 260 St. Mary’s Parkway. The Manistee Senior Center hosts this festive event featuring live music by Virgil Baker & the Just 4 Fun Band, a catered lunch, and dancing. Cost is $15 per person and includes a full meal including chicken, brats, sides, & strawberry shortcake.
  • 2-4pm – America’s 250th Birthday Celebration outside the Manistee County Library- 95 Maple St. including free cake, crafts, and yard games.
  • 5-6pm – Sip & Paint Party with The Purple Paintbrush at First Street Beach. Cost is $20 and reservations are required by clicking here.
  • TBA – Manistee National Forest Open House at Chittenden Nursery- 1170 Nursery Rd., Wellston
  • TBA – Stories of Hope Open House at the Briny Building- 50 Filer St. Suite A
  • TBA – “Birds of America” Page Turning & Tea Party at the  Manistee County Library- 95 Maple St.
  • TBA – Free Board Game Play at Riverside Toys- 389 River St.
  • TBA – Campfire Stories at the Story Park- 95 Maple St. (Adults Only)

Friday, July 3rd, 2026

  • 10am-12pm – Manistee Stone Skipping Challenge at Penny Park- 230 Gillespie Rd., East Lake. Free competition for msot skips or longest distance.
  • 10am-3pm – Friends of the Library Book Sale at the Manistee Library lawn.
  • 6-9pm – American Sunset Sip & Paint Party at The Purple Paintbrush. Cost is $35 and reservations are required by clicking here.
  • 7-10:30pm – Beach Jam at First Street Beach featuring live music by The Downtowners. BYOB & chairs.
  • 8:30-11pm – Sunset & Fireworks Cruise with Manistee Harbor Tours– 428 River St., Manistee, tickets required
  • Dusk – Fireworks over Lake Michigan. Best seen at First Street Beach. 
  • TBA – Free 5-Minute Face Paint at The Piping Plover- 385 River St.
  • TBA – Roots on the River Concert Series Kickoff Bash at Veterans Memorial Park. Includes live music, food trucks, lawn games, and local brews.

Saturday, July 4th, 2026

  • 8-9:30am – Manistee Firecracker 5k Run/Walk at Manistee Middle/High School- 525 12th St. Register by clicking here.
  • 8-11am – Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser for Carr Fire Department at Whiskey Creek Campground- 5080 Sipper Rd., Custer. Cost is a $10 per person donation.
  • 9am-12pm – Manistee Farmer’s Market at Wagoner Community Center- 260 St. Mary’s Parkway.
  • 9am-12:30pm – Floats & Popcorn at The Vogue Theatre- 383 River St. by donation.
  • 9:45am – Independence Day Flag Raising Ceremony at Division & River Streets.
  • 10am – Independence Day Parade on River Street. Click here to register an entry.
  • 12-6pm – Manistee American Legion Post 10 Annual Barbeque– 10 Mason St. Free meal but donations appreciated. Featuring live music, a cornhole tournament, raffles, and activities for kids.
  • 1-6pm – Fourth of July Recovery BBQ and Online Silent Auction Fundraiser at Lyons Pavilion on First Street Beach. Free BBQ and silent auction hosted by Saged Recovery & Wellness Collaborative. 
  • 6-8pm – Outside The Outsider– 457 River St. featuring live music on the patio with The Erly.
  • 7-10pm – Live music in the backyard featuring Paddock at Manistee National Golf & Resort- 4797 Grand Highway. 
  • 9-11:30pm – 4th of July Cruise with Manistee Harbor Tours, tickets required.
  • 10pm – Fireworks at Whiskey Creek Campground.
  • TBA – Free Forest Festival Family Day at The Tabernacle Manistee Campus- 77 Hancock St. Event includes food, prizes, and fun.
  • TBA – Yard Sale Fundraiser for 2026 Costa Rica Youth Trip at Faith Covenant Church- 475 8th St.
  • TBA – Guardian Angels Church Historic Self-Guided Tour & Catholic Mass– 371 5th St. Mass held at 6pm.
  • TBA – Bluey Party at Hoot & Honey Bookstore- 358 River St.
  • TBA- Art Snake 2025 – Art Studio Tour around Portage Lake, Onekama
  • TBA – Annual 4th of July Cigar Event at Surroundings- 423 River St.
  • TBA – Little Big Shots Talent Show in the Lions Pavilion at First Street Beach. Children ages 4-16 will be on stage displaying their talents.

Sunday, July 5th, 2026

  • 8am-1pm – MAPS Traditional Pancake Breakfast at MMHS Commons- 525 12th St. Proceeds benefit Manistee’s Paine Aquatic Center. Cost is $10 per person for all you can eat pancakes, sausage, with coffee/juice available.
  • 3-5pm – Scottville Clown Band Performance at the Lions Pavilion in Douglas Park.
  • TBA – Benzie Area RC Club Air Show at the Douglas Park Softball Field. A wide variety of Radio Control Model Aircraft will be displayed and flown. Free admission.
  • TBA – Manistee Saints v. Fulton: Baseball Home Games at Rietz Park- 100 Park Ave.

Events Happening Over Multiple Days

  • Daily from 11am-Dusk – Madkat Taggers GelBall in the Marketplace at Douglas Park
  • Daily – Timber Art Chainsaw Carvings at 12pm, 3pm, & 6pm
  • Daily – Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel on Wednesday & Thursday at 2pm, 4pm, & 6pm and Friday-Sunday at 12pm, 2pm, & 4pm
  • Daily – Anderson Midway Carnival at First Street Beach. Wednesday from 4-10pm, Thursday & Friday from 1pm-Dusk, Saturday from 12pm-Dusk, and Sunday from 12-5pm.
  • Thursday-Saturday at 1pm, 3pm, & 5pm and Sunday at 11am, 1pm, & 3pm – Astrov’s Acrobatic Extravaganza at Douglas Park Softball Field
  • Thursday-Sunday from 10am-Dusk – Whispering Pines Mobile Petting Zoo, sponsored by Dr. Shrink, Inc. & Manistee Tire Service.
  • Friday & Saturday from 10am-5pm – A Red, White & Boom Shop Scavenger Hunt at Pure Manistee Gifts- 333 River St. Free event where 10 tokens are hidden around the store each day. Each token wins a prize with one prize per family.
  • Friday & Saturday at 1:30pm, 3:30pm, & 5:30pm – Lumberjack Show at Douglas Park Softball Field
  • Friday from 6-7pm & Saturday from 1-2pm – Great Lakes Cloggers Dance performance at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts- 101 Maple St. Free event.
  • Saturday & Sunday from 10am-5pm – Artisan Fair at Red Szymarek Park- 106 Charter Ct., Manistee. For more info, click here.
  • TBA – Axe Throwing with Tapped Axes, Wednesday-Friday & Sunday from 12-5pm and Saturday from 3-8pm
  • TBA – Great Lakes Timber Show at Douglas Park Softball Field
  • TBA – Little River Band of Ottawa Indians (LRBOI) 29th Annual Jiingtamok (Powwow) at 2596 Loon Dr.
  • TBA – Free Slot Car Racing at Riverside Toys

Experience Manistee

There’s so much to see and do in Manistee! Read the stories below or go to the Manistee destination page.

Stay tuned for info on the 2026 Manistee National Forest Festival!

For more information on the Manistee Forest Festival, please contact the event organizer:

Manistee Chamber of Commerce

11 Cypress St., Manistee, MI 49660

231-723-2575

manisteeforestfestival.com

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.