FUTURE DATES:
June 7 - 16, 2024
June 6 - 15, 2025

2023 LILAC FESTIVAL

JUNE 9 - 18, 2023

THEME: MACKINAC IN BLOOM

This year marks the 75th Annual Mackinac Island Lilac Festival! It is the largest and most historic festival on Mackinac Island. Itโ€™s 10 days celebrating the lilacs and their uniqueness and history to Mackinac Island. Join us for the Lilac Queen coronation, official poster reveal, 10K Run/Walk, lilac walking tours, lilac planting seminars, bounce houses, Michigan Cornhole tournament, live music, the Grand Parade, and more!

Mackinac Island Lilac Festival

Times Vary: FREE Family Fun Playground at Windermere Point. Bounce houses on weekends. 15-foot customized coloring mural for the entire event.

Times Vary: Kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling excursions with Great Turtle Kayak Tours. Visit their website for pricing and schedule.

Times Vary: Morning, Historic, and Sunset cruises with Sip Nโ€™ Sail cruises. Visit their website for pricing and schedule.

9:00 am โ€“ 8:00 pm: Collection of all the Lilac Festival posters on display at the Center for the Arts at the Mission Point Theatre lobby. Free

9:00 am โ€“ 8:00 pm: The Top 20 posters from this yearโ€™s Lilac Festival Poster Contest on display at the Center for the Arts at the Mission Point Theatre lobby. Free

10:00 am – 8:00 pm: View local artists, Nicki Griffith and Pat Pulte, new works in the Murray Hotel Lower Gallery

Evenings: Downtown entertainment. Listen to live music and local musicians downtown Mackinac Island.

12:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Family Fun Bounce House Playground at Windermere Point. Free event.

3:00 pm โ€“ 4:30 pm: Lilac Festival Poster Contest artist reception at the Center for the Arts at the Mission Point Theatre lobby. Free event, open to the public

4:00 pm โ€“ 5:00 pm: Music & Meditation with Pianist John Kissane at Ste. Anne Catholic Church. Free, come and go event, donations accepted. No applause please.

5:00 pm:ย Coronation of the Lilac Festival Queen and unveiling of the 2023 Lilac Festival Poster. Free event at Marquette Park.

6:00 pm โ€“ 8:00 pm: Market Street Art Walk. Galleries and shops on Market Street open for viewing. Free event.

6:00 pm โ€“ 8:00 pm: Lilac Resin Jewelry Workshop at Watercolor Cafรฉ. All supplies provided. Fee is $54. Space is limited, register on their website ahead of time.

9:00 am โ€“ 4:00 pm:ย Fire the cannon at Fort Mackinac at 6:30 pm. Sign up for the drawing before 4:00 pm at the Tourism Booth on Main Street for a chance to fire the cannon!

9:30 am: Lilac Festival 10K Run & Walk. Starts in front of Windermere Point and finishes at the Mackinac Island School Yard.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Family Fun Bounce House Playground at Windermere Point. Free event.

10:00 am โ€“ 5:30 pm: Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum.

11:00 am: Vintage Bicycle Rally on the Rock. Meet & Greet, Best of Show, Ride around the Island, and more. Meet at Marquette Park. Sign up here! https://forms.gle/rCcbpSGXf1ctJiocA

11:00 am โ€“ 4:00 pm: Annual Used Book Sale at the Mackinac Island Public Library.

11:45 am: Lilโ€™ Lilac Kids Run. Begins and ends at Mackinac Island Public School

12:00 am โ€“ 3:00 pm: Smart Gardener program for everyone and planting activity for kids at Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Come and go, free event.

12:30 pm:ย Lilac Walking Tour with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Meet at the west side of Marquette Park. Free event.

1:00 pm: Special Tour at Fort Mackinac following the cannon firing. Included with admission to Fort Mackinac.

1:00 pm โ€“ 2:30 pm: Book signing at Little Luxuries with local author Sue Allen, author of Lilacs: A Fortnight of Fragrance on Mackinac Island

1:00 pm โ€“ 3:00 pm: Book signing at Island Bookstore. Katy Klimczuk will be available to sign her book M is for Mackinac: A Nature Alphabet Book. Free event.

3:00 pm:ย Lilac Planting Seminar with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Free event.

6:00 pm โ€“ 8:00 pm: Lilac Resin Jewelry Workshop at Watercolor Cafรฉ. All supplies provided. Fee is $54. Space is limited, register on their website ahead of time.

6:30 pm โ€“ 8:30 pm: Line Dancing in the Street with West Michigan Bootscooters. Located on Market Street between Fort Street and Astor Street. Free event.

9:00 pm โ€“ 11:30 pm:ย  Movie in the Fort: The Wizard of Oz. Located in Fort Mackinac. Free admission, bring a chair or blanket and your favorite snack

10:00 pm โ€“ 12:00 pm: Book signing at Mission Point Resort lobby. Author Katy Klimczuk will be signing her book, M is for Mackinac: A Nature Alphabet Book. Free event.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Family Fun Bounce House Playground at Windermere Point. Free event.

10:00 am โ€“ 5:30 pm: Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum.

12:00 am โ€“ 3:00 pm: Smart Gardener program for everyone and planting activity for kids at Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Come and go, free event.

12:30 pm:ย  Lilac Walking Tour with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Meet at the west side of Marquette Park. Free event.

1:00 pm: Special Tour at Fort Mackinac following the cannon firing. Included with admission to Fort Mackinac.

1:00 pm โ€“ 3:00 pm: Book signing at Watercolor Cafรฉ. Author Katy Klimczuk and Illustrator Kate Dupre will be signing their book, M is for Mackinac: A Nature Alphabet Book. Free event.

3:00 pm:ย Lilac Planting Seminar with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Free event.

3:30 pm: Mackinac: Our Famous Island movie at Mission Point Theatre. Free event.

4:30 pm: This Time for Keeps movie at Mission Point Theatre. Free event.

6:00 pm โ€“ 8:00 pm: Lighthouse & Lilacs Painting at Watercolor Cafรฉ. All supplies provided. Fee is $48. Space is limited, register on their website ahead of time.

6:00 pm โ€“ 8:00 pm: Lilac Festival Puzzle Challenge! Fastest teams to complete the 500 piece Lilac Festival puzzle win prizes! Limited space, 6 people per team, sign up on the Tourism Bureau website. Free event at Community Hall. Sign up here to reserve your spot! https://forms.gle/3C2AB3UQXPvcSkK28

10:00 am:ย Lilac Walking Tour with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Meet outside of the Post Office. Free event.

10:00 am โ€“ 5:30 pm: Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum.

11:00 am โ€“ 1:00 pm: Meet local jewelry artist, Cayenne & Cake at Little Luxuries

1:00 pm:ย ย Lilac Walking Tour with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Meet outside of the Post Office. Free event.

1:00 pm: Special Tour at Fort Mackinac following the cannon firing. Included with admission to Fort Mackinac.

3:00 pm:ย ย Lilac Planting Seminar with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Free event.

5:00 pm โ€“ 6:45 pm: Intro to Polymer Clay Jewelry (Lilac Themed) at Watercolor Cafรฉ. All supplies provided. Fee is $48. Space is limited, register on their website ahead of time.

5:30 pm: Creating the Village of Mackinac Island. Walking Tour with Mackinac State Historic Parksโ€™ Interpretation Coordinator, Jack Swartzinski. Meet at Windermere Point. 1 hour walk. Free event, donations welcome

6:00 pm: Bynoe Street Hockey at Windermere Point. Free event

7:00 pm โ€“ 9:00 pm: Polymer Clay Jewelry (Lilacs) at Watercolor Cafรฉ. All supplies provided. Fee is $58. Space is limited, register on their website ahead of time.

10:00 am:ย Lilac Walking Tour with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Meet outside of the Post Office. Free event.

10:00 am: Grand Hotel History Lecture with Bob Tagatz at Grand Hotel. Free tour included in $10 admission fee.

10:00 am โ€“ 5:30 pm: Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum.

12:00 pm โ€“ 3:00 pm: Smart Gardener program for everyone and planting activity for kids at Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Come and go, free event.

12:30 pm โ€“ 2:30 pm: Nature Tour with Trish Martin, starts at Bogan Lane Inn. Free event.

1:00 pm: Special Tour at Fort Mackinac following the cannon firing. Included with admission to Fort Mackinac.

1:00 pm โ€“ 3:00 pm: Meet the Author! Cynthia Birk will sign her novel, Finding Lilacs. Free event at the Island Bookstore

3:00 pm:ย Lilac Planting Seminar with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Free event.

5:30 pm: Historic Downtown Walking Tour with Mackinac State Historic Parks. Meet in front of The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum. Free event.

6:00 pm: Lilac Walking Tour with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Meet outside of the Post Office. Free event.

7:30 pm: Somewhere in Time movie playing at Mission Point Theatre. Free event.

9:00 am: Free Lilac Festival flag giveaway at Flagship. While supplies last.

9:30 am โ€“ 11:30 am: Michigan Governorโ€™s Summer Residence Tour. Free, 15 minute guided tour.

10:00 am:ย Lilac Walking Tour with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Meet outside of the Post Office. Free event.

10:00 am โ€“ 5:30 pm: Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum.

12:00 pm โ€“ 2:30 pm: Smart Gardener program for everyone and planting activity for kids at Windermere Point. Come and go, free event.

1:00 pm: Special Tour at Fort Mackinac following the cannon firing. Included with admission to Fort Mackinac.

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Book signing of the lilac book, Lilacs: A Fortnight of Fragrance on Mackinac Island with author, Sue Allen. Island Bookstore.

3:00 pm:ย Lilac Planting Seminar with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Free event.

4:00 pm โ€“ 6:00 pm: Meet Michigan watercolor artist, 37 Prime at Little Luxuries

7:00 pm: Artist-in-Residence Program. Station 256 Conference Room above the State Park Visitor Center. Free event.

10:00 am:ย ย Lilac Walking Tour with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Meet outside of the Post Office. Free event.

10:00 am โ€“ 5:30 pm: Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum.

12:00 pm โ€“ 3:00 pm: Smart Gardener program for everyone and planting activity for kids at Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Come and go, free event.

1:00 pm: Special Tour at Fort Mackinac following the cannon firing. Included with admission to Fort Mackinac.

1:00 pm โ€“ 3:00 pm: Meet the Author! Nancy Coco will sign her newest Mackinac based, candy coated mystery, Give Fudge a Chance. Free event at the Island Bookstore.

2:00 pm: Captain Joel’s Magic Show. Mackinac Island Public Library. Free event!

3:00 pm:ย Lilac Planting Seminar with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Free event.

4:00 pm โ€“ 5:30 pm: Happy Hour Michigan beer sampling at Little Luxuries

5:00 pm:ย Lilac Walking Tour with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Meet outside of the Post Office. Free event.

6:30 pm โ€“ 8:00 pm: Live music in Marquette Park with Don Middlebrook โ€“ Jimmy Buffett Tribute Concert! Free event

9:00 am โ€“ 4:00 pm:ย Fire the cannon at Fort Mackinac at 6:30 pm. Sign up for the drawing before 4:00 pm at the Tourism Booth on Main Street for a chance to fire the cannon!

10:00 am:ย Lilac Walking Tour with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Meet outside of the Post Office. Free event.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Family Fun Bounce House Playground at Windermere Point. Free event.

10:00 am โ€“ 5:30 pm: Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum.

12:00 pm โ€“ 2:00 pm: Meet Michigan handbag designer Jenna Kator at Little Luxuries for a chance to win a Jenna Kator handbag!ย 

12:00 pm โ€“ 3:00 pm: Smart Gardener program for everyone and planting activity for kids at Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds Come and go, free event.

1:00 pm: Lilac Walking Tour with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Meet outside of the Post Office. Free event.

1:00 pm: Special Tour at Fort Mackinac following the cannon firing. Included with admission to Fort Mackinac.

1:00 pm โ€“ 3:00 pm: Meet the Author! Nancy Coco will sign her newest Mackinac based, candy coated mystery, Give Fudge a Chance. Free event at the Island Bookstore

3:00 pm:ย ย Lilac Planting Seminar with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Free event.

4:00 pm โ€“ 5:00 pm: Music & Meditation with Pianist John Kissane at Ste. Anne Catholic Church. Free, come and go event, donations accepted. No applause please.

6:00 pm โ€“ 8:00 pm: Market Street Art Walk. Galleries and shops on Market Street open for viewing. Free event.

6:00 pm โ€“ 8:00 pm: Mackinac Island Sky Watercolor Painting class at Watercolor Cafรฉ. All supplies provided. Space is limited, register on their website ahead of time.

6:30 pm โ€“ 8:00 pm: Live music with Empty Canvas in Marquette Park! Enjoy this one-of-a-kind combination of art and music. Free event

9:00 am: Lilacs and Warblers Birding Adventure! A guided tour of Mackinac Islandโ€™s birds and flowers. Meet in Marquette Park. Free event.

9:00 am โ€“ 4:00 pm:ย Fire the cannon at Fort Mackinac at 6:30 pm. Sign up for the drawing before 4:00 pm at the Tourism Booth on Main Street for a chance to fire the cannon!

10:00 am: Michigan Cornhole Tournament at Windermere Point. Bags fly at 11:00 am

10:00 am โ€“ 11:30 am: Meet local artist and author Jennifer Wohletz for a book signing at Little Luxuries

10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Family Fun Bounce House Playground at Windermere Point. Free event

10:00 am โ€“ 5:30 pm: Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum.

12:00 pm โ€“ 3:00 pm: Smart Gardener program for everyone and planting activity for kids at Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Come and go, free event.

12:00 am โ€“ 4:00 pm: Great Lakes Pirate Festival. Star Line โ€“ now known as Mackinac Island Ferry Company Dock #1

12:30ย pm:ย Lilac Walking Tour with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Meet at the west side of Marquette Park. Free event.

1:00 pm: Special Tour at Fort Mackinac following the cannon firing. Included with admission to Fort Mackinac.

1:00 pm: Hardwood Nature Hike with Mackinac State Historic Park naturalist, Kyle Bagnall. Explore Mackinac Island State Parkโ€™s newest interpretive pathway, the Hardwood Nature Trail. Meet at the Avenue of Flags, behind Fort Mackinac.ย  ยพ mile loop. Free event, donations welcome.

2:00 pm โ€“ 5:00 pm: Live music at Cannonball Oasis featuring Myk Rise. Free event, food & drink available for purchase.

3:00ย pm:ย ย Lilac Planting Seminar with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Free event.

5:30 pm โ€“ 7:30 pm: Mandala Rock Painting at Watercolor Cafรฉ. All supplies provided. Fee is $55. Space is limited, register on their website ahead of time.

9:00 pm โ€“ 11:30 pm: Movie in the Fort: The Wizard of Oz. Located in Fort Mackinac. Free admission, bring a chair or blanket and your favorite snack!

8:30 am:ย Lilac Walking Tour with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Meet at the west side of Marquette Park. Free event.

10:00 am โ€“ 5:30 pm: Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum.

10:45 am โ€“ 12:15 pm: Sip Nโ€™ Sail Cruise: Easy Like Sunday Morning Lilac Festival Special with DJ Mike Williford. $53, purchase tickets on their website

1:00 pm: Special Tour at Fort Mackinac following the cannon firing. Included with admission to Fort Mackinac

1:30 pm โ€“ 4:00 pm: Concerts in Marquette Park, face painting & temporary tattoos, Rosco the Clown with balloon animals, and more fun! Free event

3:30 pm: Mackinac: Our Famous Island movie at Mission Point Theatre. Free event.

4:00 pm: Special cannon firing from Fort Mackinac to kick-off the 2023 Lilac Festival Parade

4:00 pm: Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Parade. Begins at Mission Point Resort, through Main Street, and ends at Windermere Point. Grand Parade sponsored by Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling.

4:30 pm: This Time for Keeps movie at Mission Point Theatre. Free event.

5:30 pm: Raffle Ticket Party at Maryโ€™s Bistro. Tickets are $100. First place is $3,000 and 2nd-8th place is $1,000 each. Drawing is at 6:30 pm

Bistro on the Greens: Enjoy their signature drink โ€œFade to Lilacโ€

Chianti: New drinks on the menu โ€œLilac Sourโ€ & โ€œLilac Queenโ€

Gate House: Try the โ€œElectric Lilac Lemonadeโ€

Kingston Kitchen: Specialty drink โ€œJamaican Lilac Tiniโ€

Pink Pony: Serving a delicious โ€œLilac Lemonade!โ€

Round Island Kitchen: New drinks on the menu โ€œLilac Sourโ€ & โ€œLilac Queenโ€

Sadieโ€™s Ice Cream Parlor: Enjoy Lilac Flavored Ice Cream

Sanders: Lilac themed sweets – try the Limited Edition Lilac Sugar Cookies!

Seabiscuit Cafรฉ: Purple Happy Hour Daily 4:00 pm โ€“ 5:00 pm

Sip Nโ€™ Sail Cruises: Featuring their newest drink โ€œThe Lilac Queenโ€

Watercolor Cafรฉ: Enjoy Lilac Lattes and Lilac flavored Poppies โ€“ famous homemade Pop Tarts!

Winchesterโ€™s: Lilac inspired cocktails

Arch Rock Update                 Season Updates
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