Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash.com

National Cherry Festival in Traverse City

July 4th-11th, 2026

The Traverse City area bursts at the seams each summer when the National Cherry Festival occurs. The festival includes air shows, concerts, parades, kids activities, arts/crafts show, fireworks, and more.

The Grand Traverse region is well-known for its world-record tart cherry harvest and those visiting the festival can find cherries made into all kinds of food products.

Here's what happened in 2025:

Scroll down to see attractions that are held over multiple days.

Friday

5pm – Classic Car Cruise beginning at Turtle Creek Casino- 7741 M-72, Williamsburg. Participants will cruise through the scenic streets of Traverse City. Stay tuned for registration and route info.
5:30-8pm – US Coast Guard Open Ramp at USCG Air Station Traverse City- 1175 Airport Access Rd., Traverse City. Free event to view displays and meet aerial demonstration teams.

Saturday

8am – Norte Kids Balance Bike Race at Norte Clubhouse- 1213 W. Civic Center Dr. Registration is from 8-8:45am and the race is from 9-11am. Riders ages 2–5 are invited to Norte’s balance bike course at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center. Norte has helmets and bikes for racers, and families are encouraged to bring their own.
8-10am – Zumba by the Bay at Open Space Park next to Clinch Park Marina- 111 E. Grandview Pkwy. Led by certified instructors from the Northwest Michigan Area.
8-11am – Ginop Sales Inc. Very Cherry Flying Pancake Breakfast at Open Space Park. Proceeds benefit the festival foundation.
10-11am – Opening Ceremonies at Open Space Park with remarks by the National Cherry Queen, the National Cherry Festival President, and other prominent figures of the Grand Traverse Region.
6-10:30pm – Live music featuring Tyler Hubbard on the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage.

Sunday

9-10am – FREE Yoga by the Bay at the Lays Cherry Blast Stage in Open Space Park. Check in at 8:30am.
9am – Cherry Open Bowling Tournament at Incredible Mo’s- 1355 Silver Lake Crossings Blvd, Grawn.
10am-6pm – Arts & Crafts Fair on Union Street starting south of Front Street and ending at the South Union Street Bridge at the Boardman/Ottaway River.
11am – Old Town Classic Car Show at the Grand Traverse Commons. See hundreds of show-condition collector vehicles. Day-of registration is from 8am-10am. Awards at 1pm. Stay tuned for pre-registration info.
4:30-6pm – FREE Kids Cherry Royal Picnic (formerly Teddy Bear Tea) at F&M Park (Railroad & Washington Streets). Bring a picnic lunch, a blanket or chairs, family, and friends to relax and enjoy a lovely afternoon of music, book reading, and cherry trivia. There will even be an opportunity to meet some Cherry Royalty. Royal dress (crowns, tiaras, gowns, etc.) is highly encouraged, especially for the littles.
6pm – Family Sand Sculpture Contest at Sunset Park Beach- 417 Munson Ave. Free event.
6-10:30pm – Live music featuring Cheap Trick and Collective Soul on the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage.

Monday

9am – Cherry Pie Bike Ride at F&M Park. Explore Traverse City during this short, meandering ride that begins and ends at F&M Park. Every rider receives a voucher for a free slice of pie from the Grand Traverse Pie Company. Registration opens on May 16th, 2024.
9:30am-12pm – FREE Kids Pet Show at F&M Park. Entries are open to “Live” pets, and kids 3-12 yrs of age. Animals must be under control by the participant. Winners will be awarded in the following categories: Most Unusual Pet, Best Dressed Ensemble, Dressed for the Decades: 1930s, Most Creative Cherry-Theme, Most Patriotic Pet, and Most Royal Pet. Registration is on-site only, beginning at 8:45am.
10am – Princess Tea at Park Place Hotel- 300 E. State St. Kids can enjoy tea with the National Cherry Queen and her royal court.
12-4pm – Free Veterans Appreciation Luncheon at the Beer Tent. Complimentary lunch for all veterans.
6-10:30pm – Live music featuring Trace Adkins with special guest Home Free on the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage.

Tuesday

10am-3pm – Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Pow Wow on the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage.
1-10pm – Bowl for Cherries at Incredible Mo’s.
2-4pm – A Very Fairy Cherry JamBerry featuring tractor rides, lawn games, and light refreshments at The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park- 1490 Red Dr., Traverse City.
6-10:30pm – Live music featuring “Weird Al” Yankovic on the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage.

Wednesday

9am – Fun & Games for Special Kids at Open Space Park. Children of all ages with hearing, visual, physical, and developmental impairments are invited to participate. Activities may include pie making, obstacle courses, face painting, and a trip to the Midway hosted by the Arnold Family.
11:30am – Royal Fashion Show and Cherry Luncheon at City Opera House- 106 E. Front St., Traverse City.
4-7pm – FREE Kids Cherry Town Fun Night at F & M Park. Families are invited to a fun-filled evening of entertainment for all ages. Many performers, hands-on activities, food and all-around enjoyment.
6-10:30pm – Live music featuring T.I. on the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage.

Thursday

9am – Kids Sand Sculpture Contest at Sunset Park Beach- 417 Munson Ave. Free event. Age divisions are ages 3-5 from 9-9:45am, ages 6-8 from 9:15-10am, ages 9-12 from 10:15-11:15am, and Groups with ages 3-12 from 10:30am-12pm.
3:30pm – Rubber Duck Race at Union Street Bridge.
6pm – Cherry Kids 1-Mile Fun Run at 13th & Oak Streets. Each child participant receives a medal and a giveaway. This run is open to all ages with a fee of $10.
6-10:30pm – Live music featuring Hinder, Buck Cherry, & Pop Evil on the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage.
6:30pm – Consumers Energy Community Royale Parade in Downtown Traverse City- Front St. to Union St. to 7th St.

Friday

8:30am – Cherry Golf Scramble at Grand Traverse Resort. Two-person, 18-hole scramble on Spruce Run, the original Resort course. Shotgun start at 8:30am Special Cherry Festival rate available. Proper golf attire is required. Stay tuned for registration info.
10am – Diaper Derby & Toddler Trot at F&M Park. Fun filled competitions of baby crawling and toddler trotting. Registration gets under way at 9am and the first race will start at 10am. Open to children 3 and under.
10am-6pm – DTE Energy Day at Open Space Park. Learn ways to save energy and money. Play games and win prizes. All ages welcome.
1-3pm – FREE Chalk Art for kids ages 5-12 at Open Space Park. Chalk is provided.
2pm – Cherries Got Talent Finals at Lay’s Cherry Blast Stage. Watch finalists perform. Click here for rules or to register.
2-2:30pm – Cherry Industry Program & Awards at the Michigan State University Horticultural Research Station- 3291 College Rd., Holt.
5:30pm – Queen’s Coronation at City Opera House. Doors open at 5:30pm with heavy Heavy hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. Crowning of the National Cherry Queen at 7:30pm. Tickets available beginning April 25th, 2024.
10:30pm – Fourth of July Fireworks over Open Space Park.

Saturday

7am – Meijer Festival of Races at Traverse City High School- 3962 3 Mile Rd.
11:15am-1pm – DTE Energy Foundation Cherry Royale Parade from Front Street to Union Street to 13th Street.
3:45pm, 4:15pm, & 4:45pm – Semi Finals for Go for the Gold! Pin Program at Open Space Park. Ten semi-finalists will be drawn.
5pm – Go for the Gold! Pin Program Final Drawing at Lays Cherry Blast Stage. One lucky “Go For The Gold” Pin qualifier will win the Festival’s Grand Prize. Pin finalists need not be present to win.
6-10:30pm – Live music featuring Grand Funk Railroad and 38 Special on the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage.
10:30pm – Festival Finale Fireworks over Open Space Park.

Here's a list of attractions that span over multiple days:

Daily from 7:30am-12pm – Sarah Hardy’s Farmer’s Market at the Old Town Parking Deck- 125 E. 8th St.
Daily from 10am-5pm – Kids Club at Clinch Park- 111 E. Grandview Pkwy. Free activities for kids ages 2-12.
Daily from 10am-10pm – Go for the Gold! Pin Program at Open Space Park – Commemorative pins will be sold for $5, with the possibility of winning a grand prize. Pins are also needed for entry into the beer tent. Gold pin entry forms may be turned in at the pin tent. Winners do not need to be present to win and will be chosen on July 5th.
Daily from 10am-10pm – Official Cherry Festival Souvenir Tent at Open Space Park.
Daily from 11am-10pm – Arnold’s Amusements Midway at the corner of Grandview Parkway and Union Street.
Daily from 12-10:30pm – Beer Tent at Open Space Park. Libations include beer, wine, and specialty cocktails. Festival goers must be 21 to enter the tent and have a commemorative pin.
June 28th-29th, 2025 at 8am – Pickleball Tournament at YMCA South- 3000 Racquet Club Dr.
June 28th-29th, 2025 from 12-4pm – Flight Deck at Open Space Park. Reserved seat with great views of the air show. Includes a picnic lunch.
June 28th-29th, 2025 at 12:30pm – Picnic at the Park at Park Place- 300 E. State St. Watch the airshow from the 10th floor of the Tower while you enjoy an array of appetizers, salads, entrees, and desserts served along side two adult beverages in a fully enclosed, air-conditioned venue.
June 28th-29th, 2025 at 1-4pm – F-22 Raptor Demo Team and the F35B Lightening II Air Show over West Grand Traverse Bay.
June 28th-29th, 2025 at 1-4pm – Great American Picnic at the Hagerty Center. Enjoy the Blue Angels Show, cherry inspired picnic food, and outdoor games. Food is served from 1-3pm.
June 28th-29th, 2025 at 1-4pm – Indigo View Air Show at Hotel Indigo- 263 W. Grandview Parkway. View the air show from Hotel Indigo’s swank rooftop.
June 28th-30th, 2025 beginning at 8:15am – Bayside Beach Volleyball Tournaments at the Beach Volleyball Courts on Grandview Parkway- 314 US-316 events. The 2-person Men’s and Women’s events are on Saturday, the Co-ed tournament is on Sunday, the 4-person Co-ed Recreation and 4-person Co-ed open divisions are on Sunday, and the Youth 2-person division is on Monday. Team sign-in on each day will be from 8:15-8:30am, with play beginning promptly at 9am.
June 28th-July 4th, 2025 from 6-7pm – Adult Cherry Pie Pit Spit Contest at Open Space Park. 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place prizes, women’s & men’s. Register on-site, just prior to 6pm contest. No fee required.
June 28th-July 4th, 2025 – Cherry Farm Market at Open Space Park. Shop cherry products from local businesses. June 28th-July 1st AND July 3rd-5th from 10am-10pm & July 2nd from 12-10pm.
June 30th-July 4th, 2025 from 10am-1pm – Orchard Tour & More at the Michigan State University Horticultural Research Station, a 137-acre research farm in the heart of “Cherry Country.” There will be educational exhibits, samples of cherry products, and tours of the farm. Cherry fun for the kids includes a 4-H petting zoo and a 4H kids activity (No petting zoo on July 4th). Shuttles available.
June 30th-July 4th, 2025 from 1-3pm – Kids Cherry Pie Eating Contest at F&M Park. Age groups from pre-school to 12 years old. Youngest contestants compete first. Arrive 15 minutes early to register.
June 30th-July 4th, 2025 at 2pm – Bubble Gum Blow at Kids Club. Three age divisions: 5-7, 8-10 and 11-13. Registration will open at 1:45pm and close at 2:15pm each day. Parents must be present to sign a waiver for children to participate.
June 30th-July 4th, 2025 from 5-6pm – Adult Pie Eating Contest at Lay’s Cherry Blast Stage in Open Space Park. Prizes awarded. Free registration will open 30 minutes prior to event at stage, no fee required.
June 30th-July 5th, 2025 from 12-5pm – Hole-in-One Tournament at X-Golf- 3480 W. South Airport Rd. #B. $5 for 3 shots with a daily prize for the closest to the pin Tuesday-Friday. Qualifiers will return July 5th at 9am for a chance to win $50,000.
July 2nd-July 3rd 2025 from 12-6pm – Cornhole Tournaments at the Beer Tent. Stay tuned for registration details.
July 3rd-5th, 2025 – Ultimate Air Dogs at Open Space Park. Nearly one hundred “dog athletes” and their proud owner/trainers compete for advancement in the regional competition. Free to view but pre-registration is required to participate.
July 4th-5th, 2025 – Meijer Festival of Races Packet Pick-Up at Traverse City High School- 3962 3 Mile Rd. July 4th from 4-6pm and July 5th from 5:30-6:30am.

Experience Traverse City

Traverse City is perhaps the most beautiful region of Michigan, where thousands from around the country come to vacation. Read the stories below or go to the Grand Traverse County destination page.