Upcoming Events

Join in the fun playing Dartball at the Mackinac Island Community Hall. No experience necessary.

Join a few thousand folks as they make their way from Boyne Highlands to Cross Village then to Mackinac Island. No professional cycling experience needed, just the will to have a great time in Northern Michigan. $50 per cyclist starts at Boyne and ends on Mackinac Island with a break in Cross Village at the legendary Leggs Inn.

The Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce is the largest chamber in the United States. Each summer, the Mackinac Policy Conference historically begins the Wednesday following the Memorial Day holiday. Business leaders from around the globe come together at Grand Hotel to help shape the future of Detroit and to discuss topics ranging from job creation ...Read More

63rd Annual Mackinac Island Lilac Festival
June 8-17, 2012
The 10-day celebration is the first and largest summer event on the Island, attracting thousands of visitors. A celebration that blends the Island’s historic varieties of lilacs – many of which were brought here during the Colonial era; distinctive equestrian culture; fine food, drink and accommodations plus a range of other activities, the festival is one of the Island’s biggest attractions.

Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel will be hosting 19 Vintage Baseball Games this summer that will include 18 different teams from four states and two countries. Each of these games will be played by the gentleman rules of 1860 on the pitch at Woodfill Park.

Celebrate America’s Independence on Mackinac Island. Patriotic fun in oh so many ways … visit Fort Mackinac for the 38 Gun Salute, Soldier demonstrations, dancing, canon firing and more from one of the only two remaining all original Revolutionary War Forts in America.
The Fire Department puts on a load of fun and games at Windermere Point and there are great fireworks over the straits of Mackinac on the night of the 4th. Each Ferry Line offers special fireworks boats to get you and yours out and under the traditional display of what it means to live in a free country. Reservations suggested.

Grand Hotel will be hosting 19 Vintage Baseball Games this summer that will include 18 different teams from four states and two countries. Each of these games will be played by the gentleman rules of 1860 on the pitch at Woodfill Park at the foothills of Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island.

Bell’s Beer Bayview To Mackinac Race-July 14-17, 2012
Since the first Mackinac Race in 1925, Bayview Yacht Club has hosted this spectacular annual fresh water event which has attracted intrepid sailors from around the globe. The first fleet of only nine boats was battered by strong winds and only three finished. Today, Bayview hosts more than two hundred fifty racing yachts for the annual trek from Port Huron to Mackinac Island. Whether sailing the traditional shore course or the longer Cove Island or South Hampton course, it is an exciting and challenging adventure and sailors must face every conceivable type of challenge mother nature can present. From big waves and high wind to black flies and intolerable heat, the sailors press on to finish yet another Mackinac Race.

Before heading off to the next big race, sailors from Chicago and Port Huron races keep the spirit by sailing around Mackinac Island. Post party at Windermere Point. All sailors are invited to join in. Download the poster here.

Chicago Yacht Club Race To Mackinac
July 21-24, 2012

At 333 miles (289.4 nautical miles), the Race to Mackinac is the oldest annual freshwater distance race in the world. ‘The Mac’ starts at the Chicago Lighthouse, just off Navy Pier and continues to Mackinac Island. 201 marks the 103rd running of the Race to Mackinac in which over 350 boats compet. The Race has also amassed a strong following using technology and social networking; it can be followed virtually using Facebook, Twitter and its Race tracking

Grand Hotel will be hosting 19 Vintage Baseball Games this summer that will include 18 different teams from four states and two countries. Each of these games will be played by the gentleman rules of 1860 on the pitch at Woodfill Park at the foothills of Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island.

Events include stable tours of the historic Victorian era barns on the prestigious West Bluff, Mackinac Island Carriage Parade, the Breeds of Mackinac presentation, musical kurs featuring the beautiful Friesians, lectures on the role of the horse in Mackinac’s history and more….

What started as a one day event began has now expanded to a three-day festival and has become one of Mackinac Island’s most exciting festivals of the season. We hope you will join us on Mackinac Island this season as we celebrate the surroundings with many fine musicians who have dedicated their lives to the art of music.

Grand Hotel will be hosting 19 Vintage Baseball Games this summer that will include 18 different teams from four states and two countries. Each of these games will be played by the gentleman rules of 1860 on the pitch at Woodfill Park at the foothills of Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island.

While fudge was not invented on Mackinac Island, Mackinac Island’s fudge has become the most popular fudge in America. This festival celebrates Mackinac Island’s Sweetest Souvenir!

Another grand season ends with this special package, which includes a casual dinner on Monday evening and continental breakfast Tuesday morning. Enjoy yourself as we clean out our pantries and wine cellar. Feel free to roam the hotel and watch the staff prepare the hotel for winter. And attend a lecture on the process by Grand Hotel historian Bob Tagatz.

Jazz music and Grand Hotel, two American classics, join together every year for a very memorable and musical weekend. Each year Grand Hotel welcomes the artistic excellence of nationally known entertainers which makes this Labor Day Jazz Weekend one of the most popular with guests.
For tix or more information, call (800) 33 Grand.

Mackinac Island Yacht Club presents the Horn’s Bar Labor Day Regatta Around the Island Race.. Skipper’s meeting 1:30pm at the Mackinac Island Yacht Club and the race starts at 2:15pm. All sailboats invited, family fun event!

Awards ceremony to follow at the Mackinac Island Yacht Club.

All of Mackinac’s horse-folk dress for this great Island ride and take the horses on this traditional ride. 9am-11am … best spot for pictures is the overlook on the West Bluff facing Grand Hotel.

Annual Labor Day Bridge Walk
Join thousands of folks who cross the world’s third largest suspension bridge. Five miles of fun!!! For more information, please visit www.mackinacbridge.org.
The Mackinac Bridge is currently the third longest suspension bridge in the world. In 1998, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan became the longest with a total suspension of 12,826 feet. The Great Belt Bridge in Halsskov-Sprogoe, Denmark, which also opened in 1998, is the second longest suspension bridge in the world with a total suspension of 8,921 feet. The Mackinac Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the western hemisphere. The total length of the Mackinac Bridge is 26,372 feet. The length of the suspension bridge (including anchorages) is 8,614 feet. The length from cable bent pier to cable bent pier is 7,400 feet. Length of main span (between towers) is 3,800 feet.

Mackinac Island Eight Mile Run/Walk
Over 2000 runners and walkers will gather at Mission Point Resort to run and walk the 8 mile perimeter of Mackinac Island. Participants will begin the race by traveling past Victorian homes, the boat harbor and a myriad of shops and hotels in downtown Mackinac Island. Once through town, the route follows the shoreline of the Straits of Mackinac featuring breathtaking views of the Mackinac Bridge, neighboring islands and historic rock formations, finishing at waters edge on the lawn of Mission Point. This course is fast and flat but the scenery is so beautiful, you may just decide to relax and enjoy!

Grand Hotel will be hosting 19 Vintage Baseball Games this summer that will include 18 different teams from four states and two countries. Each of these games will be played by the gentleman rules of 1860 on the pitch at Woodfill Park at the foothills of Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island.

Join us this fall when Mackinac Island’s finest restaurants offer inspiring, multi-course meals prepared especially to spotlight Mackinac Island as a premier dining destination. No passes, tickets or coupons are required. Instead, diners may simply visit their favorite participating restaurants throughout the week to enjoy the special prix fixe dinner menus.

Going shopping is a leisure activity here on Mackinac Island. It is a way of relaxing, a source of entertainment and a chance to meet up with friends and share experiences.

Every fall, as Mackinac Island’s shops get ready to close down for the winter, there are great sales and specials downtown from Main Street to Market Street, at the shops at Grand Hotel and Mission Point Resort.

Great Turtle Shopping Week is a wonderful time of year …and especially because everyone is invited to have a nice getaway while preparing for the holidays. Please click on the register link above to ensure your complimentary VIP Shopping Pass is waiting for you upon arrival to the Island.

Bob Tagatz, Grand Hotel’s historian and concierge, will take you through the history of Mackinac Island and Grand Hotel, complete with tidbits about the hotel’s celebrity guests, milestones and history. Includes accommodations, full breakfast and five-course dinner daily, Friday evening Welcome Reception, Saturday Grand Luncheon Buffet and more.

Grand Hotel Girlfriends Getaway Weekend, what a compliment to close out Great Turtle Shopping Week.

Fort Mackinac closes for the season.

Features dancing in two rooms to The Grand Hotel Orchestra and the Jan Garber Orchestra. Dance instructors will be on hand to help refine your moves. Includes a full breakfast, Grand Luncheon Buffet, and five-course dinner daily, two receptions and free golf (cart fee required) on The Jewel.

Consider yourself warned – not everything is how it seems at Grand Hotel. During the Murder Mystery Weekend, you’ll encounter twists and turns around every corner. And putting the clues together could mean the difference between life and death. Can you piece the clues together and help solve the mystery? Come ready to have fun and be sure to watch your back – you never know who can be trusted.
This season join us in 1937 as Grand Hotel is celebrating its 50th Anniversary! Paolo Bianchi, the world’s preeminent clothing designer, will unveil his redesign of Grand Hotel’s staff uniforms at a gala weekend. As important representatives of many of the leading haute couture houses of the world, you and your friends are invited to the unveiling!
Bianchi will also reveal his newest collection of spectacular designer gloves, which he predicts will “lead the way” in 1937! But, all is not as it appears at this fashion-filled, fun weekend, as murder raises its well-dressed head! Is it jealous rivals from other haute couture houses? Chicago mafia figures infiltrating the scene for gambling purposes? Sinister anti-wealth international forces? Help Lieutenant Michael Reilly solve it all in, The Gloved Hand of Murder.

Join us for three days of basic yoga postures, energetic flow, gentle yoga, meditation, and guided meditative walks. This retreat is appropriate for all levels of experience. Come to refresh, reflect, renew and relax with yoga in the beautiful setting of Mackinac Island. Conducted by Pattie McCann from the Strong Heart Yoga Studio

In the celtic world, Samhain marks the end of summer and the beginning of the new year or winter and a time to commemorate the souls of the blessed dead. With the rise of Christianity, it was changed to Halloween and remains a joyous time of family reunion. Here on Mackinac, we celebrate both traditions. Have fun with the kids Trick or Treating downtown, Haunts of Mackinac Tour and then gear up for some great grown up Halloween parties at the downtown pubs.

This year marks the 15th running of one of the most scenic trail events in the state. Join over 1300 participants to run and walk the inside trails of Mackinac Island during the last open weekend of the season.

The annual Christmas Bazaar features arts, crafts, meals and more to benefit the Mackinac Island Medical Center and Island Churches. All events take place at Mackinac Island Community Hall from morning till dinner time.

Imagine snow falling, peaceful walks in the woods, great meals and time spent with friends and family and rockin’ parties in the pubs downtown….that is a Mackinac Island New Year’s Eve.