Seasonal Events in St. Ignace
Passing through the Straits of Mackinac? Planning a ferry ride to Mackinac Island? Just looking for a place that feels a little more real? You’ve come to the right place!
St. Ignace hosts events in every season—big ones, local ones, and everything in between. Some weekends are packed and filled with high-energy fun. Others feel more like a hometown gathering, offering visitors a chance to pause, connect, and experience this historic lakeside town.
Whether you’re drawn by music and fireworks or by stories and slow walks by the lake, there’s always something happening here that invites you to stay a little longer.
Keep reading for a quick look at what each year brings to St. Ignace!
Spring Events: What to See, Do, and Experience This Season
Spring in St. Ignace feels like a fresh start. As snow recedes and trails reopen, the town wakes up with early-season festivals and outdoor adventure. It’s a great time to visit before the busy summer season begins.
Signature events include Jeep the Yoop and Bronco the Mac, two different crowd-pleasing weekends that feature off-road vehicles, local vendors, and group rides. The Native American Festival, held at the Museum of Ojibwa Culture, brings together traditional drumming, dancing, food, and storytelling in a family-friendly outdoor setting.
Local attractions begin to reopen in spring, and Ferries to Mackinac Island run regularly. Additionally, don’t miss the great local trails where you’ll see early wildflowers, spectacular lake views, and migrating birds. And when you’ve worked up an appetite, many restaurants open their doors for the season with a selection full of fresh flavors, cozy vibes, and often—a seat by the water.
Summer in Full Swing: Festivals and Fireworks in St. Ignace
Summer in St. Ignace is full of energy and tradition! From late June through Labor Day, the downtown and waterfront buzz with fireworks, concerts, festivals, and fabulous family events.
Things really heat up in June during the St. Ignace Car Show Weekend, a gathering of vintage and custom cars that transforms downtown into a rolling car celebration. July brings a Fourth of July fireworks show that lights up the bay in true St. Ignace style.
In August, look for MINI on the Mack (held every 2 years), the St. Ignace Heritage Festival, and the Rendezvous at the Straits Powwow and Indigenous Art Show. Arts Dockside closes out the season in early September, alongside the Annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk and the Mackinac Bridge Antique Tractor Crossing.
Each Friday night in summer, fireworks brighten the sky above Moran Bay—one of St. Ignace’s most beloved weekly traditions. Many visitors spend the day exploring Mackinac Island, then return to town in time for the show. And between events, there’s no shortage of daytime fun, from off-kilter physics at the Mystery Spot to wildlife encounters at GarLyn Zoo and the Deer Ranch.
Strolls along the Huron Boardwalk are particularly beautiful in summer, and St. Ignace’s walkable Social District allows for open beverages from participating establishments—just look for posted signs! Patios are lively all season long, and often have live music when the weather cooperates.
Autumn Weekends Up North: Events with a View in St. Ignace
Fall in St. Ignace is a favorite for road-trippers and leaf peepers. The weather cools, the crowds thin out, and the trees along the lake and trails turn vibrant shades of gold, red, and orange.
September begins with the Annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk, where thousands cross the Mighty Mac on foot. The Mackinac Bridge Antique Tractor Crossing offers a nostalgic crossing, followed by the Richard Crane Memorial Truck Show—known for its fleet of custom big rigs and a lighted parade. Fall events wrap with Trek the Mighty Mac, a bridge-and-trail adventure for ATVs and ORVs, just as the weather begins to shift.
Fall color drives along US-2 and the Cut River Bridge Trail are especially popular. Local shops and restaurants generally stay open into October, and warm days along the boardwalk make for memorable strolls beside Lake Huron.
Winter Events and Adventures in St. Ignace
In winter, the pace slows down, but the spirit doesn’t fade. Snowmobiles replace summer traffic, but the calendar still makes room for a few unforgettable weekends.
The Labatt Blue U.P. Pond Hockey Championship is one of the season’s biggest draws, bringing teams and fans together for a spirited multi-day tournament. Depending on conditions, the tournament may be played outdoors on natural ice, or inside the Little Bear Ice Arena—but either way, the energy is unmistakably St. Ignace!
Little Bear offers drop-in public skating throughout the season, giving visitors and locals a chance to lace up and hit the ice. Groomed trails draw snowmobiles, snowshoers, and winter hikers, with plenty of fresh air and open sky in every direction.
Outside of tournament weekend, visitors enjoy access to miles of groomed snowmobile trails and clear, star-filled skies with little light pollution. Snowshoeing, hiking, and winter photography are easy to enjoy on many of our area trails. Some restaurants remain open year-round, so you can be assured a warm meal, and a welcome escape from the cold!
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