Each May, Mackinac Island springs back to life as restaurants, shops, and hotels reopen, celebrating the start of another incredible season at America’s Summer Place. 

 Popular Events: 

• May 8 – May 10 Celebrate Mother’s Day in unforgettable style at Grand Hotel, where elegance, fine dining, and timeless charm come together for a weekend to remember. Mother’s Day Weekend Package 

• May 9 Fort2Fort Race 

• May 29 – May 31 Step back in time to 1912 and embark on an unforgettable journey aboard the legendary Titanic, reimagined with all the elegance and grandeur that only Grand Hotel can provide. Titanic Weekend  

• History of Grand Hotel Lecture with Resident Historian Bob Tagatz 

• Learn about the rich history of the classic Old Fashioned cocktail and how to make three bespoke variations. Old Fashioned Cocktail Class 

• Indulge in refreshing and rejuvenating spa treatments, massages, facials, hairstyling and treatments, manicures, and more at Astor’s Salon & Spa 

Celebration fills Mackinac Island in July with Fourth of July festivities, Grand Hotel’s birthday, the Chicago Yacht Race, and the Vintage Baseball Game. It’s no surprise this is one of the most popular times to visit.  

Popular Events: 

• July 1 The Revolution and Michilimackinac at Colonial Michilimackinac 

• July 2 Built Because of the Revolution: Fort Mackinac at Fort Mackinac 

• July 2 – July 5 In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, we invite you to Grand Hotel for a Fourth of July celebration unlike any other! This year’s celebration promises endless fun for the entire family, from lively poolside parties and kid-friendly movies to festive cookouts and a spectacular fireworks display over the Straits of Mackinac. Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration 

• July 3 Fire at Night at Colonial Michilimackinac, a nighttime black-powder spectacular 

• July 4 A Star-Spangled Fourth of July at Fort Mackinac 

• Get creative with the whole family during a hands-on painting activity that includes a flowerpot, paints, and a take-home seed packet with a peat pellet. Floral Pot Painting 

• July 4  W.T. Rabe Stone Skipping Competition, Fireworks, & 4th of July Celebrations 

• Fireworks on Mackinac Island 

• July 10 – July 14 The Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust begins against Chicago’s iconic skyline and sends the fleet on a demanding 333-mile journey up Lake Michigan 2026 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac 

• July 10 Happy Birthday Grand Hotel celebrations at Grand Hotel 

• July 18 – July 21 The World’s Longest Continuously Run
  Long Distance Freshwater Yacht Race 102nd Bayview Mackinac Race 

• July 25 Vintage Baseball Game with Mackinac State Historic Parks 

September brings a slower pace to the island, making it the perfect time to savor the season. Enjoy cool breezes, live music, Labor Day Weekend festivities, and the intriguing Spirits of Mackinac without the summer crowds.  

Popular Events: 

• September 4 – September 7 Grand Hotel’s Labor Day Weekend Experience invites you to a dazzling celebration of summer’s final days filled with laughter and cherished family moments. Labor Day Weekend Experience 

• September 12 Mackinac Island Eight Mile Run 

• Spirits of Mackinac, a handcrafted cocktail and bartender celebration  

• Paint and take home an authentic horseshoe from Mackinac Island Horseshoe Painting at Woodlands Activity Center 

• Take an exclusive behind the scenes tour of Grand Hotel’s awe-inspiring kitchen with Grand Hotel’s Executive Chef Jason Siles at Grand Hotel Kitchen Tour & Wine Experience