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Summertime in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan is an event in and of itself. With the array of outdoor activities, historical sites, and learning opportunities, any summer weekend spent here is sure to be filled with things to do. These are a few of our favorite summer events in the Keweenaw that you may wish to incorporate into your trip UP north.
35TH ANNUAL BRIDGEFEST
June 16-19, 2022
Any visitor will tell you that crossing the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, which spans the Keweenaw Waterway between the cities of Houghton and Hancock, is THE sign that you’ve made it to the Keweenaw. For the past 61 years, the Keweenaw community has gathered to celebrate the engineering marvel (in addition to the kick-off of summer) through food, sporting events, live music, parades, and fireworks. Get the latest details on Bridgefest.
JULY 4TH CELEBRATIONS
July 3-4, 2022
If you’re taking advantage of the long weekend to make a trip to the Upper Peninsula, join one of the local Independence Day celebrations. South Range hosts a variety of activities to celebrate Independence Day including a parade, fun in the park for kids, a horseshoe tournament, KBC brewery tours, and sampling, as well as fireworks. Throughout the Keweenaw, other towns carry on their traditions this year, such as parades held in Lake Linden and Gay. In Copper Harbor, the town will gather for one of the best fireworks displays in the Keweenaw.
KEWEENAW MINERAL DAYS
July 11-18, 2022
Prospect for interesting minerals like miners during the Copper Boom. Keweenaw Mineral Days, hosted by the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum and Keweenaw Gem and Gift, allows participants to collect minerals at historic mine sites throughout the Keweenaw. This rare opportunity is only offered during Keweenaw Mineral Days as mineral collecting is prohibited otherwise. Participants will also have access to special sales at the A.E. Seaman Museum and Keweenaw Gem and Gift. For more information, please visit www.museum.mtu.edu/visit/museum-activities/keweenaw-mineral-days.
47TH ANNUAL CANAL RUN
July 16, 2022
Following along the Portage Lake Shipping Canal, the Canal Run offers four distances for runners and walkers of all levels, including a half marathon, 10-mile run or walk, five-mile run or walk, and two-mile fun run/walk. This high-energy community event began in 1975 and continues to grow each year.
Since 2011, the Canal Run has donated $10,000 to area non-profit organizations as part of its Canal Run Gives Back program. For more information or to register for the Canal Run, please visit www.canal.run.
For nearly 50 years, the Keweenaw’s Canal Run has attracted runners from across the Midwest.
61st ANNUAL EAGLE HARBOR ART FAIR
August 14-15, 2022
If you’re looking to bring home a truly unique souvenir, attend the Eagle Harbor Art Fair. For over 60 years, the art fair has showcased original works by artists from all over the Midwest and beyond. Artists will be offering jewelry, photography, paintings, fabric art, ceramics and pottery, stained glass, and more. Each year the fair is held at St. Peter’s by the Sea Church in Eagle Harbor where more than 60 vendors gather to sell their work. More information about the Copper Country Associated Artists can be found at www.ccaartists.org.
FARM BLOCK MUSIC FESTIVAL
August 5-7, 2022
Three days of live music to celebrate summer in the Keweenaw and raise funds for the Dan Schmitt Gift of Music. This burgeoning festival brings an eclectic group of musicians to the small town of Allouez on Farmers Block Road on the west side of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Weekend passes can be purchased as well as single day passes at https://farmblock.com/.
18TH ANNUAL PASTY FEST
August 20, 2022
That’s right, it’s a festival dedicated to the Upper Peninsula’s favorite cuisine: the pasty. Mark your calendars for this epic celebration of a savory blend of root vegetables and pastry crust. Each year, the festival is hosted in the historic downtown of Calumet, MI. Vendors from across the Keweenaw bring their “A” game in a bid to when the prestigious title of “best-in-show” with the headline event being a pasty eating competition! Visitors are encouraged to apply, but honestly, we don’t expect you to win.
Get more event details at https://www.mainstreetcalumet.com/pasty-fest.html
2nd ANNUAL LAKE FANNY HOOE-DOWN
August 26-27, 2022
It's the biggest live music festival to hit the Keweenaw! Join country music stars Joe Nichols and Ricky Skaggs as they entertain fans at the scenic shores of Lake Fanny Hooe! Tickers are limited and can be purchased at https://www.fannyhooe.com/.
KEWEENAW MOUNTAIN LODGE COPPER HARBOR TRAILS FEST
September 2-4 2022
If your trip to the Upper Peninsula involves two knobby tires and loads of stoke, then you won’t want to miss the annual Keweenaw Mountain Lodge Copper Harbor Trails Festival. This Labor Day weekend event features Enduro races, short (~15 miles) and long (~30 miles) XC courses, Downhill Race, a Junior MTB race (for kids 13 & under), and a 10K Trail Run. Throughout the weekend you can enjoy music, beer, and trails-inspired art at ArtBike. Learn more about the event at www.copperharbortrails.org/event/copper-harbor-trails-fest.
Crush the Midwest’s best singletrack during the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge Copper Harbor Trail Fest.
33rd ANNUAL PARADE OF NATIONS
September 17, 2022
The Parade of Nations and Multicultural Festival, held in September each year, celebrates diversity with a colorful parade of flag-bearing Michigan Tech students, staff, and community members. More than eighty nations are represented in this popular event. Typically, the Parade of Nations includes the Multicultural Festival at the Dee Stadium where the celebration continues with food, culture, music, and dance. More information for the event can be found at www.mtu.edu/international/events/parade-nations.
Michigan Tech’s Parade of Nations features representatives from more than 50 countries celebrating the spirit of understanding and unity. Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech.
For a full list of Keweenaw events, click here.