Canal Colors Festival

Celebrate Fall in the Keweenaw!

Houghton’s got a brand-new fall party, and you’re invited. Parked along the beautiful Portage Canal and the mighty lift bridge, this festival celebrates the exact spot where fall colors first start to turn between Houghton and Hancock, Michigan. With steep hills rising on both sides of the canal, the season shows off twice — once in the trees, and again in their reflections across the water. That’s what makes it Canal Colors.

Canal Colors Festival hits downtown Houghton October 1-3, and it’s all about that U.P. fall vibe — flannels, good beer, fresh air, and a reason to celebrate the season. This weekend mash-up pulls together Brew Street, Plaidurday, the Color Run, and Houghton’s Fall Fest into one big celebration along the waterfront. Canal Colors Festival is coordinated by Visit Keweenaw, City of Houghton and Circle Up (formerly Keweenaw Young Professionals).

FRIDAY, OCT 1

Digital Plaidurday Passport Opens! (Oct. 1-3)

• Explore the Keweenaw Plaid-Style. Download Visit Keweenaw’s Canal Colors Festival Pass so you won’t miss out on a single opportunity to go all out for Plaidurday. Finish the passport by checking in at the following locations over the weekend to enter for a chance to win sweet themed merch. Simply arrive, open your browser to your passport, and click "check in" or submit PIN. All who finish the pass can redeem at Visit Keweenaw in Houghton for a "I Survived Keweenaw Plaidurday" sticker and an entry into a plaid-themed prize.

• Check-ins can be found at each event location + more ways to enrich your fall adventure!

Setting the bar high and the plaid thread count higher! (Plaidurday 2024)

KEWEENAW PLAIDURDAY PHOTO (Houghton High School Football Field, 1603 Gundlach Rd., Houghton, MI) (1 p.m.-2 p.m.)

• The Canal Colors Committee wants to break our October 2023 WORLD RECORD of 1,745 people wearing plaid in Houghton. No other destination has since come close to our record in 2023.

• We love dogs too, but NO ANIMALS are permitted on the football field. (Per ADA guidelines, pets and emotional support animals are not allowed. Only task-trained service animals are welcome.)

• TIME: Football field gates open at 1 p.m. The photo will be taken at 1:30 p.m. sharp!

• PARKING: Park in the lot near the football field or across Gundlach Rd. in the overflow lot.

• CHECK IN to the Plaidurday Passport using the PIN code ONLY available in person!

• Thank you to Houghton High School for hosting the official Keweenaw Plaidurday Photo. Thank you to attendees for being respectful of the property and helping to keep this event family-friendly and inclusive of all.

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(Brew Street 2023) - Sips for a great cause!

BREW STREET (Behind Keweenaw Brewing Company on Lakeshore Dr.) (5-9 p.m.)

• Step back in time on historic Brew Street, where Houghton's breweries once lined the waterfront. Enjoy live music, food, yard games and local beverages from 5-9 p.m. along Lakeshore Drive behind Keweenaw Brewing Company. Lakeshore Drive becomes Houghton’s best block party for one night only. Lawn chairs are welcome and encouraged.

• Sip for a cause! Participating businesses are serving Social District beverages to-go as a fundraiser for the Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw. Just make sure your drink is served in an official Social District cup to support the museum.

  • Keweenaw Brewing Company (KBC): Brew Street's main gathering spot. KBC will donate $1 to the Carnegie Museum for every Social District pint sold.

  • Beviamo Vino: Grab a glass of wine in a Social District cup, with $1 per drink also helping support the Carnegie Museum.

  • The Den: Looking for something bigger? The Den will be serving Social District drinks to-go, making it easy to enjoy Brew Street with your favorite beverage in hand. Each drink to-go donates $1 to the Carnegie Museum.

  • The Ambassador: Houghton's famous tostada pizza and fishbowl drinks are ready to-go. Order pizza for Brew Street and get a tasty, colorful adult fishbowl beverage to brighten your night. Fishbowls and to-go drinks support the Carnegie Museum at $1 each.

  • Douglass House Saloon (non social district): The Douglass House is participating in the Brew Street fundraiser. Order drinks here to participate.

SECOND PHOTO OP (7 p.m.):

• ​There will be a brief break at 7 p.m. for another Keweenaw Plaidurday Photo at Brew Street!

CANAL COLORS GIANT PUMPKIN CONTEST + WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT 

• Organized by Wolf’s Head Film, the Canal Colors Giant Pumpkin Contest will be on display on the Houghton Pier all day Friday and Saturday. Local growers have been tending their pumpkins since early summer, all hoping to take home pumpkin glory and a $300 Keweenaw Cash prize from the Canal Colors Committee. Pumpkins will be judged by weight, with the heaviest pumpkin named the winner. See the giant pumpkins throughout the weekend and catch the winner announcement during Brew Street at approximately 7:30 p.m. Friday.

• Have an impressive pumpkin, but were not one of the invited growers? Bring your pumpkin to compete in the "Bosch League" for recognition and small prize from Wolf's Head Film!

• Wolf’s Head Film is a Keweenaw nonprofit building community and creative culture through free and low-cost screenings and events. The organization also hosts the Wolf’s Head Film Festival, an October celebration of horror, obscure independent films, documentaries, shorts and all things weird.

LUMBERJACK LOVIN’ 

• Flannel up and strut your stuff in this playful Plaidurday fashion show, competition and singles mixer. Up to 10 single contestants, ages 21+, will compete in categories including Best Lumberjack Pickup Line, Best Beard, and Best Lumberjack Look + Runway Approach.

• PRIZE: All get a $10 gift card donated by Beviamo up the street. ONE WINNER WILL RECEIVE A $400 KEWEENAW CASH PRIZE.

• Like what you see? You’ll have a chance to go on a date with our Lumberjacks after the contest.

• Contestants will be judged by a small panel and the volume of the crowd’s cheers. Winners will be announced on the pier, then contestants will pose for an official photo. After, prize pickup and an optional singles mixer will take place at Beviamo. All competitors will receive a $10 gift card courtesy of Beviamo up the hill on Shelden Ave. A cash prize and other awards are up for grabs. All adults and identities 21+ are welcome.

• LOCAL JUDGES: Your judges will be local legends! Dress to impress

Saturday, OCT 2 (KEWEENAW COLOR RUN + FALL FEST)

KEWEENAW COLOR RUN (10-11:30 a.m.):

• Get colorful during this all-ages 5K fun run, walk, jog or frolic along the Portage Canal waterfront. Participants will start on the Houghton Pier with a group color toss before making their way through additional color stations along the route.

• The course travels from the pier to Prince’s Point, continues through Michigan Tech’s campus and returns downtown along College Avenue. The Keweenaw Color Run is a fundraiser organized by Circle UP as part of Canal Colors Festival. Advance registration is available through Eventbrite.

Color Run adds a whole new palette of color to the fall scene! 

FALL FEST (11 a.m.- 2 p.m)

• ALL DAY: Enjoy live music, giant pumpkins on display, plus kids' games and activities throughout the festival. Free cider and donuts will be available beginning at 11 a.m. while supplies last.

• PUMPKIN SALES: Take home the perfect Halloween pumpkin from Niemela Market Garden!

• FREE TRACTOR RIDES: Hop aboard with BigGoat Farm for complimentary tractor rides from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

• SLED DOG MEET & GREET: Meet the team from Otter River Sled Dog Training Center and Wilderness Adventure, learn how these incredible dogs prepare for the CopperDog in March 2027, and say hello to the future racers.

Pie Eating Contest (1 p.m.)

• Up to ten contestants may compete in the Keweenaw Pie Eating Contest!

• Pies will be whole pumpkin pies topped heavily with cream.

• Pies will be served as they are consumed and delivered to contestants by volunteers.

• Competitors will have five minutes to compete.

• The person to eat the most pies wins.

• If there is a tie, a 30-second lightning round will determine the true winner.

• Prizes: $400 Cash Prize for the Winner. The person who eats the most pies wins. Contestants must sign a liability waiver prior to competing.

Haybales, cider, and crisp fall air make for a picture-perfect day in Houghton!

SUNDAY, OCT 3

FINISH YOUR DIGITAL PLAIDURDAY PASSPORT!

Canal Colors Festival Sponsors

Canal Colors Festival wouldn’t be possible without the partners who’ve long been bringing these beloved events to life. Each has built traditions our community treasures and we’re grateful for their continued collaboration in making Canal Colors shine! THANK YOU TO LISTEN UP RADIO FOR BEING OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR.

Want to get involved? Contact Visit Keweenaw Managing Director Jesse Wiederhold at jesse@visitkeweenaw.com to discuss sponsorship opportunities.