Northern Michigan Events Calendar 2026 | Harbor Springs & Petoskey

Nub’s Nob & The Highlands — Ski Season

All month · Best snow conditions, full terrain open. 7–8 min from The Bird House.

Harbor Springs Winter Farmers Market

Select Saturdays · Local produce, baked goods & crafts indoors at the Sportsplex.

Cross-Country Skiing — Wildwood & Muncie Lakes

All month · Groomed Nordic trails with warming huts. Rentals at The Outfitter.

Petoskey Snowflake Stroll

Mid-January · Downtown Petoskey shops, specials & winter activities.

Ski Season Continues

All month · Often the snowiest month. Presidents’ Week = great family ski trip timing.

Valentine’s Weekend Dining & Specials

Feb 13–15 · Local restaurants in Harbor Springs & Petoskey run seasonal menus.

The Highlands — Spring Break Preview

Late Feb · Terrain parks, race camps & kids’ ski school at peak operation.

Pond Hill Farm — Winter Activities

Weekends · Sleigh rides, sledding hill, farm animals & warm café.

Spring Break Ski Season

All month · Peak crowds at Nub’s Nob & The Highlands. Book The Bird House early.

Maple Syrup Season

Mid–late March · Sugar bushes begin tapping. Pond Hill Farm offers seasonal demos.

St. Patrick’s Day Festivities

March 17 · Downtown Harbor Springs & Petoskey bars and restaurants celebrate.

Last Chance Skiing

Late March · Slopes typically close by end of month — final ski weekends.

Spring Trout Fishing Opens

Late April · Inland trout season opens on the Sturgeon, Pigeon & Bear Rivers.

Birding Migration Season Begins

All month · Warblers & shorebirds arrive along the Sunset Coast Birding Trail.

Morel Mushroom Hunting

Late April / May · Northern Michigan’s beloved spring tradition in the forests.

Pond Hill Farm Spring Opening

April · Farm animals, café & early spring activities reopen for the season.

Harbor Springs Farmers Market Opens

May–October · Saturday mornings, downtown Harbor Springs. Produce, plants & crafts.

Boyne City Mushroom Festival

Mid-May · Annual morel festival with foraging walks, food vendors & contests. ~25 min away.

Memorial Day Weekend

May 23–25 · Unofficial summer kickoff — marinas open, beaches accessible, busy weekend.

Petoskey Farmers Market Opens

Late May · Saturdays at Pennsylvania Park through October. Great local food finds.

Lake Michigan Beaches Open

All month · Petoskey State Park, Zoll Street Beach & North Beach accessible and warm enough to swim.

Petoskey Art in the Park

Mid-June · Juried art fair at Pennsylvania Park with 100+ Michigan artists.

Harbor Springs Arts & Crafts Show

Late June · Annual downtown art show along the waterfront.

Bayview Yacht Club Race Week Prep

Late June · One of the oldest freshwater regattas in North America kicks off.

4th of July Celebrations

July 4 · Harbor Springs & Petoskey both host fireworks over the bay. Book well in advance.

Bayview Yacht Club Race Week

Early July · Sailboat racing on Little Traverse Bay — spectacular to watch from shore.

National Cherry Festival

Early July · Traverse City (1 hr away) — one of Michigan’s most famous summer festivals.

Harbor Springs Concerts in the Park

Thursday evenings, July–Aug · Free outdoor concerts at Zoll Street Park.

Bear River Valley Canoe Race

Mid-July · Annual fun canoe race through Petoskey’s Bear River.

Petoskey Summer Art Fair

Late July · Regional artists fill downtown Petoskey for the weekend.

Harbor Springs Art Fair

Early August · One of the best juried art fairs in Northern Michigan along the waterfront.

Concerts in the Park Continue

Thursday evenings · Free outdoor concerts at Zoll Street Park through August.

Petoskey Gem & Mineral Show

Mid-August · Hunt for Petoskey stones — Michigan’s state stone found on local beaches.

Labor Day Weekend Prep

Late Aug · Last major summer weekend — book early, beaches & restaurants at capacity.

Labor Day Weekend

Sept 5–7 · Final big summer weekend. Beach walks, boating & restaurant dining.

Tunnel of Trees — Early Color

Late Sept · M-119 starts showing first hints of color. Quiet and beautiful without peak crowds.

Harbor Springs Farmers Market

Saturdays · Apple season begins — cider, squash, late summer produce.

Fall Birding Migration

All month · Southbound migration through the Sunset Coast Birding Trail — hawks & warblers.

Tunnel of Trees Peak Color

Oct 5–20 (typical peak) · M-119 at full color — one of Michigan’s most iconic drives. Go on a weekday.

Pond Hill Farm — Pumpkin Season

All October · Pumpkin patches, hayrides, corn maze, cider donuts & fall café menu.

Charlevoix Apple Fest

Second weekend of October · Apple cider, local vendors & waterfront fall market in downtown Charlevoix. ~40 min away.

Fall Color at Petoskey State Park

All month · Lakeside trails ablaze with color. Petoskey stone hunting on the beach.

Elk Viewing Season

October · Gaylord/Pigeon River area elk (45 min) are most active during fall rut.

Ski Season Opens

Mid–late November · Nub’s Nob & The Highlands typically open by Thanksgiving weekend.

Veterans Day Breakfast

November 11 · Community breakfast honoring local veterans at the American Legion.

Harbor Springs Christmas Tree Lighting

Late November (day after Thanksgiving) · Annual tree lighting on Main Street with caroling & hot cocoa.

Small Business Saturday Shopping

Nov 28 · Downtown Harbor Springs boutiques & galleries offer specials. Great gifts & local goods.

Full Ski Season

All month · Nub’s Nob & The Highlands running full schedules. Christmas week is very popular.

Harbor Springs Victorian Homes Tour

Early December · Annual self-guided tour of decorated historic homes in the Wequetonsing & Harbor Point area.

Ladies’ Night Out — Holiday Shopping

Mid-December · Downtown shops stay open late with specials and seasonal treats.

New Year’s Eve

Dec 31 · Local restaurants & The Highlands host NYE events. Ring in 2027 in the snow.

Christmas Week Skiing

Dec 26–Jan 1 · Busiest ski week of the year. Book The Bird House months in advance.