Annual Island Events
MAY
FORT 2 FORT 5-MILE CHALLENGE
The first race of the season! This 5-mile route takes you from Fort Mackinac up to Fort Holmes and back to the finish line at Fort Mackinac. This is a fun way to see the island in the spring. Register online...more details
ZOO-DE-MACK BIKE RIDE
When the Zoo-de-Mack organizers put the disclaimer that this bike ride was not a race; they meant it! Proudly going for over 20 years, the Zoo de Mack is a springtime rite of passage...more details
JUNE
MACKINAC ISLAND LILAC FESTIVAL
What began as a simple conversation in the 1940s is now a fantastic ten day event with lots of family friendly activities and fun things to do. Evangilene “Ling” Horn and Nurse Stella King spoke with veterinarian...more details
LILAC FESTIVAL 10K RUN & WALK
Join over 1,100 participants to kick of the Lilac Festival with a scenic 10K through downtown, the island's interior and around the shoreline. You can register online at...more details
JULY
4TH OF JULY
Come spend your Independence Day with us on Mackinac Island. Stop by Windermere Point were you'll find good old-fashioned fun and games provided by the Mackinac Island Recreation Department...more details
CHICAGO YACHT CLUB RACE TO MACKINAC
The annual Chicago to Mackinac yacht race is one of the most prestigious yachting traditions. For over one hundred years, this annual sailing extravaganza has entertained, uplifted, and educated...more details
VINTAGE BASE BALL
“Hip Hip Huzzah! Hip Hip Huzzah!” These are just the authentic sounds of the original all-American pastime of base ball. Every year on the parade ground behind Fort Mackinac...more details
BAYVIEW MACKINAC RACE
Bayview Mackinac Race, which is held mid-July, is recognized by sailors as one of the most challenging freshwater boat races in the world. Whether you’re watching from one of the...more details
AUGUST
MACKINAC ISLAND FUDGE FESTIVAL
Come celebrate Mackinac Island's famous sweet treat at the Mackinac Island Fudge Festival! This two day festival in late August features candy-making demonstrations, new flavor tastings, family games and more! ...more details
SEPTEMBER
JAZZ WEEKEND
Jazz fans the world over like to take in the smooth sounds of jazz on Mackinac Island. The Grand Hotel’s Labor Day Jazz Weekend is the perfect opportunity to come enjoy good music, good...more details
ANNUAL LABOR DAY MACKINAC BRIDGE WALK
The Annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk is sponsored by the Mackinac Bridge Authority, the St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Mackinaw Area Chamber of Commerce...more details
MACKINAC ISLAND EIGHT MILE RUN/WALK
Join us for the running of this exciting, end of summer event. You will experience Mackinac Island in one of the oldest and most scenic races in Michigan....more details
MACKINAC POLICY CONFERENCE
Celebrating 30 years of moving Michigan forward, the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce Mackinac Policy Conference comes to Grand Hotel. By bringing over 1,500 of Michigan’s business...more details
OCTOBER
GREAT TURTLE TRAIL RUN
Travel the trails in the largest and most scenic trail events in the state. We have a capacity of 3,500 participants running and walking the inside trails of Mackinac Island...more details
HALLOWEEN PARTIES
Halloween on Mackinac Island is definitely not your typical Halloween experience. For starters, the Halloween parties are the weekend before the actual Halloween as many stores and restaurants...more details
DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
The annual Mackinac Island Christmas Bazaar is always a wonderful way to start the holiday season with its early December tree lighting ceremony. What could be more magical than this snow-covered island...more details
NEW YEAR'S EVE TURTLE DROP
Ring in the New Year with the Turtle Drop. This fun event has a turtle in a top hat positioned high above Main Street ready to be lowered to street level at the midnight countdown...more details
FEBRUARY
WINTER FESTIVAL
Mackinac Island's Winter Festival is an annual event organized by Mackinac Island Recreational Development with the proceeds from the celebration used to improve recreational activities in the...more details