June
Pride Fest
June 13, 2026
Come together to honor the progress made in LGBTQ+ rights, while acknowledging that there is still work to be done. Set along the shore of Lake Superior in Mattson Lower Harbor Park, the day will be filled with exciting entertainment, including the much-loved annual drag show, plus an array of vendors offering delicious food, refreshing beer and unique goods. Attendees can also explore a variety of LGBTQ+ resources available throughout the event.
Great Lakes Rodeo
June 19-20, 2026
Saddle up for two back-to-back days of fun this Father's Day Weekend. Whether you enjoy watching the cowboys attempt to ride a bull or get a good laugh from the rodeo clown, the Great Lakes Rodeo has something for the entire family in Gwinn.
Marquette Trails Fest
June 26-28, 2026
A fun-filled weekend in celebration of Marquette’s trails, this event features mountain bike races, trail running races and plenty of socializing. Marquette Trails Fest welcomes those who enjoy everything from biking, running and hiking to join the excitement in support of the community’s trails and the Noquemanon Trail Network (NTN).
Freedom Fest
JULY 2-4, 2026
Celebrate Independence Day weekend with Marquette’s beloved Freedom Fest, a three-day community food festival held at Mattson Lower Harbor Park along the shores of Lake Superior. Hosted by the Marquette County Exchange Club, the festival features a wide variety of local and ethnic food vendors, refreshing beverages, live entertainment, and family-friendly fun, creating a festive summer atmosphere where residents and visitors come together to enjoy great food, music, and community spirit.
July
Marquette Fireworks
July 3, 2026
Marquette’s Independence Day celebration features a dazzling fireworks display held at dusk on July 3 over Lake Superior, launched from the historic Lower Harbor Ore Dock in Mattson Lower Harbor Park. Thousands of residents and visitors gather along the Lake Superior shoreline to enjoy this beloved summer tradition as part of Marquette’s broader Fourth of July festivities.
Marquette Fourth of July Sensory-friendly Laser Show
July 4, 2026
Guests can sit back, relax and celebrate Independence Day the Marquette way with the Marquette Fourth of July Sensory Friendly Laser Show. As the largest architectural laser show in North America, it gives residents, visitors, children and those with sensory sensitivities a comfortable opportunity to participate in Fourth of July celebrations and witness the night sky light up above the picturesque Lake Superior.
Music on Third
July 16-September 17, 2026
On the third Thursday of each month from July through September, Third Street in downtown Marquette hosts a gathering with local musicians, promoting small businesses and providing free entertainment for all ages.
Hiawatha Music Festival
July 17-19, 2026
Held annually at Tourist Park, this community staple festival celebrates traditional music and dance with bluegrass, old-time, Cajun, Celtic, acoustic blues and folk. Enjoy workshops, open jams and lively dance sessions.
Your Da Yoop, Eh
July 24-August 2, 2026
This unique road cycling event takes riders on an unforgettable journey around Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Covering approximately 1,200 miles over 10 days, the ride showcases scenic backroads, lakeshores and forested landscapes, with flexible participation options ranging from single-day rides to multi-day or full-tour experiences. The route passes through communities including Marquette, Houghton, Grand Marais and Sault Ste. Marie, combining physical challenge with camaraderie while supporting Upper Peninsula Lions childhood cancer programs.
Art on the Rocks
July 25-26, 2026
This two-day juried exhibition between Marquette’s historic downtown and Mattson Lower Harbor Park on beautiful Lake Superior has rapidly become one of the area’s finest and most competitive art shows. With over 140 artists and roughly 10,000 people flocking to Marquette for the event each year, this art show is sure to be the can’t-miss art event of the summer.
Blueberry Fest
July 31, 2026
This long-standing event celebrates the start of blueberry season with vendors, live music and endless blueberry bliss at the all-day event in downtown Marquette. With blueberry pizza, beer and, of course, fresh-picked blueberries, this berry bash is a must for the summer agenda.
August
Ore to Shore
August 8, 2026
Attendees can venture to the Upper Peninsula region to witness Michigan’s largest, and the third largest in the country, point-to-point mountain bike event. The long-distance 48-mile course takes riders through some of the most beautiful sights in the area, giving them a final chance to drift through the crisp summer air of Michigan before the fall season.
Harbor Fest
August 27-19, 2026
This family-friendly event at Mattson Lower Harbor Park marks the end of summer with great food, music and kids’ activities. Proceeds support local nonprofits.
