Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash.com

National Cherry Festival in Traverse City

June 28th-July 5th, 2025

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.

Applications are now being accepted for potential National Cherry Festival Queen Candidates! Those interested can apply by visiting cherryfestival.org.

Applications will be accepted through April 14th, 2025 and selection weekend is May 16th-17th, 2025.

Here's the most updated schedule for the 2025 event:

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

Saturday, June 28th, 2025

  • 6-10:30pm – Live music featuring Tyler Hubbard on the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage. Purchase tickets by clicking here. 
  • 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. 
  • 10-11ama – 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.
  • TBA – 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.

Sunday, June 29th, 2025

  • 9-10am – FREE Yoga by the Bay at the Lays Cherry Blast Stage in Open Space Park. Check in at 8:30am. Register by clicking here.
  • 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. Click here to register.
  • 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 Teddy Bear Tea at F&M Park (Railroad & Washington Streets). Kids are invited to bring their favorite bear and blanket for a fun filled afternoon in the park. Enjoy story telling, making a teddy bear craft, and an afternoon tea party with other teddy bears and kids. Parents are welcome.

Monday, June 30th, 2025

  • 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.
  • TBA – Princess Tea at Park Place Hotel- 300 E. State St. Kids can enjoy tea with the National Cherry Queen and her royal court. Tickets available beginning April 25th, 2024.
  • TBA – Veterans Appreciation Luncheon at the Beer Tent. Complimentary lunch for all veterans.
  • TBA – Live music on the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage. Purchase tickets by clicking here. 

Tuesday, July 1st, 2025

  • 10am-3pm – Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Pow Wow on the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage. 
  • 6-10:30pm – Live music featuring “Weird Al” Yankovic on the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage. Purchase tickets by clicking here. 
  • TBA – A Very Fairy Cherry JamBerry at The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park- 1490 Red Dr., Traverse City.

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025

  • 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.
  • 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. Purchase tickets by clicking here. 
  • TBA – Royal Fashion Show and Cherry Luncheon at City Opera House- 106 E. Front St., Traverse City.
  • TBA – Bayside Concert on the Water on the Wind Dancer Schooner on the Bay. 

Thursday, July 3rd, 2025

  • TBA – Cherry Mile Fun Run at 13th & Oak Streets. Registration opens May 2nd, 2024.
  • 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. Purchase tickets by clicking here. 
  • 6:30pm – Consumers Energy Community Royale Parade in Downtown Traverse City- Front St. to Union St. to 7th St.
  • TBA – Fourth of July Fireworks Dockside Viewing on the Wind Dancer Schooner on the Bay. 
  • TBA – Fireworks over Open Space Park.

Friday, July 4th, 2025

  • 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. 
  • TBA – Live Entertainment at the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage.
  • TBA – Queen’s Coronation at the Hagerty Center- 715 E. Front St. Doors open at 5pm with heavy Heavy hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. Crowning of the National Cherry Queen at 7:30pm. Tickets available beginning April 25th, 2024. 

Saturday, July 5th, 2025

  • 7am – Meijer Festival of Races at Traverse City High School- 3962 3 Mile Rd. Click here to register.
  • 11:15am-1pm – DTE Energy Foundation Cherry Royale Parade from Front Street to Union Street to 13th Street. Click here to enter.
  • 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.
  • 10:30pm – Festival Finale Fireworks over Open Space Park.
  • TBA– Live music on the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage. Purchase tickets by clicking here. 
  • TBA – Fireworks Cruise on the Wind Dancer Schooner on the Bay.

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-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 but register by clicking here.
  • 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. Register by clicking here.
  • 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 with more info available by clicking here.
  • 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.
  • 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. View schedule or register by clicking here.
  • 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.
  • TBA – American Farmland Trust Cherry Farm Market at Open Space Park. Shop cherry products from local businesses.
  • TBA – Traveling Exhibit on Union Street.
  • TBA – 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. 
  • TBA – National Cherry Festival Air Show Cruise on the Wind Dancer Schooner on the Bay. 
  • TBA – Flight Deck at Open Space Park. Reserved seat with great views of the air show. Includes a picnic lunch. 
  • TBA – US Navy Blue Angels Air Show over Open Space Park.
  • TBA – Indigo View Air Show at Hotel Indigo- 263 W. Grandview Parkway. View the air show from Hotel Indigo’s swank rooftop. 
  • TBA – The Flight Path at Delamar- 615 E. Front St. Dine on edge of Grand Traverse Bay while enjoying the airshow. 
  • TBA – 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. 
  • TBA – 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 Saturday at 9am for a chance to win $50,000.
  • TBA – Smokey the Bear Balloon at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons.
  • TBA – Pickleball Tournament at YMCA South- 3000 Racquet Club Dr. Registration info TBA. Women’s and Men’s Doubles will be skill level 3.5 and below and 4.0 and above Mixed Doubles will be skill level 3.0 and below, 3.5, and 4.0 and above. Skill levels will be split by age after registration closes. Final brackets are limited to 7 teams. Friday is Women’s & Men’s Doubles and Saturday is Mixed Doubles.

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.

Traverse City Opera House

The Traverse City Opera House has a 700-seat theater which offers a place for quality arts and cultural entertainment.

Visit Traverse City in Grand Traverse County

Sugar sand beaches along Lake Michigan, outdoor activities, an energetic downtown and many wineries make Traverse City the place to be

Grand Traverse Lighthouse

The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is situated at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula within, about eight miles north of the town of Northport.

Top Events in Grand Traverse County

Festivals and events celebrating many aspects of life are scheduled throughout the year in the Grand Traverse County area.

West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay from high overlook of Old Mission Peninsula in the fall.

Old Mission Peninsula

Visit the Old Mission Peninsula, situated between the west arm and east arm of Grand Traverse Bay.

M-22 Scenic Drive

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!

Stay tuned for information on the 2025 National Cherry Festival!

For More Information on the Annual National Cherry Festival, please contact:

National Cherry Festival Committee

521 S. Union St., Traverse City, MI  49684

(231) 947-4230

cherryfestival.org

What's Happening in West Michigan?

View Current Events Calendar

Discover more to do in West Michigan!

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

West Michigan Activities & Attractions

Manistee’s Riverwalk

The Manistee Riverwalk follows the Manistee River from Jones Street, under the US-31 bridge, behind downtown, and ends at First Street beach.

The Pentwater River

The Pentwater River provides opportunities to experience a paddle sport for the first time or take on a challenge for those more experienced.

M-22 Manistee County

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!