Grand Farewell Weekend: The Season's Final Celebration
October 23 - October 26, 2026
Description
As the 2026 season comes to a close, plan your getaway to Mackinac Island for Grand Farewell Weekend, October 23 – 26. Soak up the magic of Halloween weekend with the Great Turtle Trail Run, downtown trick-or-treating, fall crafts, live music, costume parties, and late-night entertainment. At Grand Hotel, follow the glow to the Haunted Trail and Haunted Maze Friday and Saturday evenings.
Then, stay a little longer. On Sunday and Monday, experience Close the Grand, one of Grand Hotel’s most cherished traditions and a rare opportunity to be part of the ceremonial closing of our beautiful hotel for the winter. On our final evening, Grand Hotel’s traditional dress code is relaxed, with casual attire welcomed and a special casual dinner menu served in the Main Dining Room.
Gather for the final history lecture, listen for the ringing of the closing bell, watch as the Front Porch rocking chairs are brought in, celebrate the Grand Legends who helped make the season special, and take home a geranium as a keepsake. A continental breakfast will be served Monday morning before departure.
It’s a meaningful way to linger for a few more island moments, share in traditions that have endured for generations, and bid farewell to A Season to Celebrate.
A Hauntingly Good Time at Grand Hotel
Friday, October 23 – Saturday, October 24
Celebrate Halloween a little early with a spirited fall getaway on Mackinac Island. As the season begins to wind down, the island comes alive with festive Halloween traditions, charming autumn scenery, and plenty of opportunities for family fun and grown-up revelry.
Make Grand Hotel your home base for the weekend with Friday and Saturday accommodations, breakfast and dinner on select days in the iconic Main Dining Room, and access to the resort’s many amenities. Spend your days enjoying afternoon tea in the Parlor, relaxing at Astor’s Spa, browsing the retail shops, or exploring the Secret Garden and historic grounds before the Halloween festivities begin after dark from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, follow the glow to Caskey’s Snack Shack and brave the Haunted Trail and Haunted Maze, filled with twists, turns, and spooky surprises. Admission is $10 per person, with every dollar benefiting Give Kids the World, a nonprofit creating magical experiences for critically ill children and their families.
Close the Grand
Sunday, October 25 – Monday, October 26
Stay through Monday for Close the Grand, a special, time-honored experience that offers guests a rare opportunity to be part of the ceremonial closing of Grand Hotel as we prepare our beautiful hotel for the winter.
For our final night of the season, Grand Hotel’s traditional evening dress code is relaxed. Guests are invited to enjoy casual attire throughout the evening, along with a special casual dinner menu in the Main Dining Room, a fitting and relaxed way to celebrate one last night together.
As the season draws to a close, Resident Historian Bob Tagatz will share the stories and traditions behind closing Grand Hotel, along with memorable moments from our 2026 season. On Monday morning, enjoy a continental breakfast before departure and experience the cherished traditions that officially bring the season to a close. Gather for the ringing of the closing bell at 9:30 AM, help bring in the iconic Front Porch rocking chairs, and join us for the Grand Legend Celebration honoring exemplary service.
Before departing, guests will also be invited to take home a geranium from the Front Porch as a special keepsake from the final day of our 140th season.
Package Includes:
- Grand Hotel accommodations
- Dinner on Friday
- Breakfast and dinner on Saturday
- Breakfast and casual dinner on Sunday with casual attire in all areas of the hotel at all times on Sunday
- Continental breakfast on Monday
- Final history lecture of the season with Resident Historian Bob Tagatz
- Monday morning Closing Ceremony with ringing of the bell at 9:30 AM
- Clearing of the Front Porch rocking chairs
- Geranium giveaway
- 10:00 AM check-out on Monday morning
Halloween Weekend Activities on Mackinac Island
October 23 – 25
Halloween comes early on Mackinac Island, and the island’s final big weekend of the season is packed with fall fun. Lace up for a scenic trail run, bring the kids downtown for trick-or-treating, get creative with fall crafts, and stick around after dark for haunted adventures, live music, costume parties, and more.
Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fun or a spirited night out, Halloween Weekend is the perfect way to celebrate the season before the island winds down for winter.
Great Turtle Trail Run
Saturday, October 24 | 10:30 AM
Take in Mackinac Island’s spectacular fall scenery during the 30th annual Great Turtle Trail Run. Runners and walkers can explore the island’s scenic interior trails during one of Michigan’s most memorable fall races.
Downtown Trick-or-Treating
Saturday, October 24 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Costumes and candy take over downtown Mackinac Island. Kids, and kids at heart, can dress up in their favorite Halloween looks and visit participating businesses throughout downtown for an afternoon of trick-or-treating.
Paint-a-Pumpkin & Fall Crafts
Saturday, October 24 | Noon – 3:00 PM
Add a little creativity to your Halloween weekend with drop-in pumpkin painting and fall crafts at Watercolor Café. This free family-friendly activity is a fun way to spend the afternoon before trick-or-treating begins.
Haunted Trail & Maze at Grand Hotel
Friday & Saturday, October 23 – 24 | 6:00 – 10:00 PM
Dare to make your way through Grand Hotel’s Haunted Trail & Maze. With spooky twists and turns, live actors, and surprises around every corner, this fright-filled adventure is a Halloween Weekend must-do. Admission is free for Grand Hotel guests and children under 12; non-guest adults are $10. Proceeds benefit Give Kids the World.
Live Music & Halloween Parties
Friday and Saturday, October 24 – 25
Once the sun sets, Halloween Weekend gets even more spirited. Downtown bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues will keep the celebration going with live music, DJs, karaoke, costume parties, and dancing into the night.
Friday night highlights include Wixie on the Rocks at Mary’s Bistro Draught House, Karaoke Night at Gate House, Tea Bag at Horn’s Gaslight Bar, and Myk Rise at Pink Pony.
On Saturday, the island comes alive with DJs and live entertainment at Gate House, Kingston Kitchen, Horn’s Gaslight Bar, Pink Pony, Mary’s Bistro Draught House, Mustang Lounge, and Patrick Doud’s Irish Pub.
More Halloween Weekend Fun
From the Pirate Ship Pop-Up Bar at Arnold Transit Company’s Main Dock to a free late-night screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Mission Point Theatre, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate. Come for the fall scenery, stay for the spooky season, and make Mackinac Island’s Halloween Weekend your final island adventure of the year.
*Subject to 6% Michigan sales tax, 4% Mackinac Island assessment, 19.5% resort fee, and a $16.00 per person, per stay, baggage-handling charge. Regular children’s rates apply. Extra charges apply for additional adults over double occupancy rates. Dates are subject to availability, 30-day cancellation policy applies.
