Twilight Turtle Trek
2026-01-31 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-02-28 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Detroit) | Mackinac Island State Park, Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island Turtle Trek – A lantern-lit ski and snowshoeing trek through some of Mackinac Island’s natural winter wonderland. The trail begins at Greany Grove (corner of Arch Rock Road and Huron Road) with a bonfire and hot chocolate. The trail is groomed, track set, lit by lanterns and approximately two miles long. This is a free event sponsored by Mackinac State Historic Parks, Mackinac Island Community Foundation and the Mackinac Island Ski Club. #thisismackinac
**Transportation can be difficult to Mackinac Island in the winter months. Please check ferry and plane schedules.**

Mackinac Island State Park Commission Meeting
2026-02-06 13:30 - 15:00 | Wixom, MI
A regular meeting of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission held at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan Lyon Meadows Conference Center in New Hudson.

Fort Mackinac Opening Day
2026-05-01 09:00 - 17:00 | Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island, MI
Iconic Fort Mackinac opens for the 2026 season and the start of the America250 festivities! Enjoy lunch or a snack at the Tea Room, take in the incredible view, and experience the boom of the cannon.
The cannon blasts, the rifles fire, the soldiers march and history comes alive. The oldest building in Michigan and 13 other historical structures boast exhibits explaining everything from military training and battles to medical treatments to family life within the fort.
More than just a military outpost, Fort Mackinac served as a home for soldiers and their families and eventually the headquarters for Mackinac National Park, where tourists to the island visited the great fortress on the bluff, much like they do today. #thisismackinac

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse Opening Day
2026-05-05 09:00 - 16:30 | Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, Mackinaw City
Come see why some things were just meant to be seen. Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse opens for the 2026 season! Tour the tower, experience the Fog Signal Whistle, and explore the “Castle on the Straits.”
A point in the storm and a guiding beacon since 1889, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse helped passing ships navigate through the treacherous waters of the Straits of Mackinac. Authentically restored quarters and exhibits, including the original lens, a chance to explore the second floor of the house, tours of the lighthouse tower, a movie, Shipwrecks of the Straits, and the Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Museum make this “Castle of the Straits” a true gem of the Great Lakes. #thisismackinac

Colonial Michilimackinac Opening Day
2026-05-06 09:00 - 17:00 | Colonial Michilimackinac, Mackinaw City
Step into Michilimackinac 1776: First Strike, as Colonial Michilimackinac opens for the 2026 season and we continue our America250 celebration!

Treasures from the past come to life at this 18th-century fort and fur trading village, reconstructed based on historic maps and more than 60 years of archaeological excavations. As you walk through Colonial Michilimackinac, you are stepping back in time to 1776, as the American Revolution spread.

Historical interpreters representing voyageurs, British soldiers, and French-Canadian merchant families are stationed throughout the fort to answer your questions and perform demonstrations. The past and present blur into a fascinating and unmatched experience at Colonial Michilimackinac. Watch smoke billow from cannons, mortars and muskets and see residents prepare food and tend the gardens. At one of the longest ongoing archaeological excavations in North America, archaeologists are on site throughout the summer, pulling history from the soil, bit by bit.
Located on the shore of the Straits of Mackinac, visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Mackinac Bridge, the straits, and the Upper Peninsula. #thisismackinac

Dousman's Mill Opening Day
2026-05-07 09:00 - 17:00 | Dousman’s Mill, Mackinaw City
Discover the awesome power of the water as Dousman’s Mill opens for the 2026 season!
Witness the power of the creek harnessed to cut timber into lumber at one of the oldest industrial sites on the Upper Great Lakes. Smell the sawdust as sawyers demonstrate the pit saw method of cutting lumber, then feel the power of the creek used to cut timber inside the reconstructed sawmill. See what happened beyond the mill, and explore the Millwright’s House.
Take time to explore the more than three miles of hiking trails also available at Dousman’s Mill!
#thisismackinac

Mackinac Island State Park Visitor's Center Opening Day
2026-05-08 09:00 - 17:00 | Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center, 7165 Main Street, Mackinac Island, MI, 49757, United States
The best way to experience Mackinac Island is to know where to start. The Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center opens for the 2026 season on May 8.
The Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center is located on the shore at the foot of Fort Street across from Marquette Park. The Visitor’s Center is a great place to begin your tour of the island. Here you can talk to friendly staff who will answer your questions and provide you with helpful suggestions. The Visitor’s Center has well-maintained restrooms and a wide selection of Mackinac books and pamphlets. This is an ideal place to purchase tickets for Fort Mackinac, the Mackinac Art Museum, and the other state park historic buildings. Restrooms can also be found at the Visitor’s Center. #thisismackinac

Milliken Nature Center Opening Day
2026-05-08 09:00 - 17:00 | Milliken Nature Center, Arch Rock, Mackinac Island, MI, 49757, United States
The geological wonders of Mackinac, like Arch Rock, have awed visitors for hundreds of years. Learn about how they were formed as the Milliken Nature Center opens for the 2026 season!
The Milliken Nature Center accents the natural beauty of Arch Rock. The exhibit inside, Arch Rock: Unsurpassed in Nature’s Beauty, celebrates what was known as the “Jewel of the Mackinac National Park” and is still today known as a “Star Attraction of Mackinac Island State Park.” It features dozens of stunning historic images of Arch Rock as well as a timeline on how the arch was formed. In addition, the center highlights geology on Mackinac Island as a whole, from the formation of the island itself and how stunning features such as Sugarloaf Rock and Skull Cave came to be. A highlight of the center is an interactive 3D map of the island. #thisismackinac

The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum Opening Day
2026-05-08 10:00 - 16:30 | The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, Mackinac Island
Be Inspired as The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum opens for the 2026 season!
Nowhere else does such a rare and exceptional collection of Mackinac-related art and photography come together to tell Mackinac’s story.
In complement to the natural beauty of Mackinac Island, The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum allows visitors to experience fine and decorative arts inspired by Mackinac through the ages.
One of the most diverse art museums in the region, the museum’s collection offers no shortage of beauty and history – from hand-beaded Native American garments and 17th and 18th-century maps of the Great Lakes, to one-of-a-kind pieces from the height of Mackinac Island’s Victorian era.
Original photographs from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century present the beauty of Mackinac as captured by the camera’s eye. Featured are the works of William H. Gardiner, including dozens of his famed early-twentieth century hand-tinted views. #thisismackinac

Fort2Fort Five Mile Challenge
2026-05-09 09:00 - 12:00 | Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island, MI
TO REGISTER: runmackinac.com
The seventh annual Fort2Fort Five Mile Challenge will start at Fort Mackinac at 9:00 a.m. and passes all of the historic and natural wonders Mackinac Island State Park has to offer! This challenging but fun course starts runners inside iconic Fort Mackinac then passes by Arch Rock, the Mackinac Island Service Camp Scout Barracks, Sugarloaf Rock, Point Lookout, the Mackinac Island cemeteries including the historic Post Cemetery, Fort Holmes, and finally winds down by the Michigan Governor’s Summer Residence and finishes outside Fort Mackinac. #thisismackinac #runmackinac
TO REGISTER: runmackinac.com

Residents Appreciation Day
2026-05-09 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-10 08:00 - 17:00 | Mackinac State Historic Parks
For residents of Mackinac, Cheboygan, or Emmet counties, for one weekend, we discount the admission prices for all of our sites to what they were when we first began operating our modern museum programs for the public in 1958. (.50 cents adults, .25 cents children). Thank you for supporting Mackinac State Historic Parks!
This special offer includes residents of Mackinac, Cheboygan and Emmet counties. Proof of residency is required (e.g. driver’s license). Special rate only offered upon arrival. #thisismackinac

Mackinac Birds & Blossoms
2026-05-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Mackinac Island State Park, Mackinac Island
The wooded paths of Mackinac Island State Park abound in spring wildflowers and colorful songbirds. Meet naturalist Kyle Bagnall behind Fort Mackinac (Huron Road) for a meandering walk to enjoy blooming flowers, migrating birds, and other natural wonders. We’ll cover about 1.5 miles, including paved roads and some trails with uneven terrain. #thisismackinac

Mackinac Island State Park Commission Meeting
2026-05-19 13:30 - 15:00 | Petersen Center, Mackinaw City
A regular meeting of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission at the Commission Meeting Room, Petersen Center, Mackinaw City.
A livestream of the meeting will be available at: youtube.com/mackinacstatehistoricparks

Memorial Day Observance
2026-05-25 08:30 - 09:00 | Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island, MI
A brief and informal Memorial Day observance to pay tribute to the soldiers who served at Fort Mackinac. Soldiers will assemble at 8:30 a.m. at Fort Mackinac, march to the cemetery, perform a short ceremony and salute, and return to the fort. This is a free event. #thisismackinac

The King's Birth-day Celebration
2026-06-04 09:30 - 17:00 | Colonial Michilimackinac, Mackinaw City
An annual highlight for the British soldiers and civilians at Michilimackinac, King George III’s official birthday on June 4 was marked by toasts, dinners and salutes. Join the interpretive staff at Michilimackinac as they celebrate this most British of holidays with artillery fire, drinks and treats, and other special programs. All special programs included with regular Colonial Michilimackinac admission. #thisismackinac
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Check back soon!

Lilacs and Warblers Birding Adventure
2026-06-05 09:30 - 10:30 | Marquette Park
Birders of all ages will enjoy this unique guided stroll, searching for spring songbirds during the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival. Meet naturalist Kyle Bagnall in Marquette Park at the statue of Father Marquette. Amidst thousands of fragrant lilacs, we’ll stroll through the park then up Fort Hill, looking for migrating warblers, raptors overhead, and resident songbirds. We’ll cover about one mile, including grass, paved roads, and some trails with uneven terrain. (Bring binoculars if you have them!) #thisismackinac

Complimentary Admission to the Mackinac Art Museum
2026-06-05 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-06-06 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-06-07 10:00 - 18:00 | The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, Mackinac Island
Enjoy complimentary admission to The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum June 5 – June 14 as part of the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival!
ABOUT THE MACKINAC ART MUSEUM:
Nowhere else does such a rare and exceptional collection of Mackinac-related art and photography come together to tell Mackinac’s story.
In complement to the natural beauty of Mackinac Island, The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum allows visitors to experience fine and decorative arts inspired by Mackinac through the ages.
One of the most diverse art museums in the region, the museum’s collection offers no shortage of beauty and history – from hand-beaded Native American garments and 17th and 18th-century maps of the Great Lakes, to one-of-a-kind pieces from the height of Mackinac Island’s Victorian era.
Original photographs from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century present the beauty of Mackinac as captured by the camera’s eye. Featured are the works of William H. Gardiner, including dozens of his famed early-twentieth century hand-tinted views. #thisismackinac

Lilac Festival Queen Coronation
2026-06-05 16:30 - 18:30 | Marquette Park
Presented by the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau. Join us in beautiful Marquette Park at the Father Marquette statue for music from the Grand Hotel orchestra and for the crowning of the 2026 Lilac Festival queen. #thisismackinac #mymackinac

Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Run & Walk
2026-06-06 09:30 - 12:00 | Mackinac Island State Park, Mackinac Island
Help kick off the 75th Mackinac Island Lilac Festival with a great morning race to enjoy the early season beauty on the island. The course will provide you with the tree-covered paved roads through the center of the Island, and tremendous lake views with the Mackinac Bridge on the horizon. This is certainly a race you don’t want to miss!

American Fur Co. Store & Dr. Beaumont Museum Opening Day
2026-06-06 10:00 - 18:00 | American Fur Co. Store & Dr. Beaumont Museum, Market & Fort Streets, Mackinac Island, MI, 49757, United States
Learn all about Mackinac’s medical miracle as we celebrate opening day!
Home to the American Fur Company Store, which sold a variety of general merchandise. It was at this site, on June 6, 1822, that French Canadian voyageur Alexis St. Martin was accidentally shot in the stomach from a distance of three feet. Fort Mackinac surgeon Dr. William Beaumont managed to keep St. Martin alive, but the hole in his stomach never properly healed. Through this hole, Dr. Beaumont conducted experiments, observed the workings of the human stomach and discovered much about the digestive process. #thisismackinac

McGulpin House Opening Day
2026-06-06 10:00 - 18:00 | McGulpin House, Market and Fort Streets, Mackinac Island, MI, 49757, United States
Explore what is possibly Mackinac’s oldest residence as celebrate opening day!
One of the island’s oldest structures, McGulpin House dates to 1790. Originally located on the east end of town, the building was moved to this location during restoration in 1982. Once the home of William McGulpin, a baker for the American Fur Company, this structure is an excellent and rare example of early French Canadian domestic architecture.
Preserved as an architectural artifact, the interior is partially restored to reveal its layers of use. Exhibits tell the story of the house. There is also an interactive audiovisual program on the historic architecture of Mackinac Island. #thisismackinac

Benjamin Blacksmith Shop Opening Day
2026-06-06 10:00 - 18:00 | Benjamin Blacksmith Shop, 7406 Market Street, Mackinac Island, MI, 49757, United States
See Mackinac at Work as the Benjamin Blacksmith Shop opens for the 2026 season!
Originally built in the 1880s, Robert Benjamin and later his son, Herbert, ran a blacksmith shop into the 1960s. The contents of the shop were moved to the reconstructed building in 1970. The Benjamin’s fixed carriage wheels and shoed horses in the early days and repaired lawnmowers and maintained yacht motors in later years. #thisismackinac

Biddle House, featuring the Mackinac Island Native American Museum, Opening Day
2026-06-06 10:00 - 18:00 | Biddle House, Mackinac Island
Explore A Time of Change as the Biddle House, featuring the Mackinac Island Native American Museum, opens for the 2026 season!
Step into the home of Agatha and Edward Biddle, merchants who moved in around 1830. This was a time of change, and the 1830s were critical to the Biddles for another reason: as an Anishnaabek woman, Agatha and other indigenous people witnessed their culture subjected to immense changes. The decade transformed the Anishnaabek, linking old ways with Michigan’s modern indigenous culture.
The continuing story of the Anishnaabek of northern Michigan is not always a happy one. It is a story of battles won and lost, promises made and broken, and cultures repressed and resurgent. Most importantly, the story in which the Biddle family played a role is one that continues today. This exhibit, created in conjunction with tribal partners, explores that story and how it still resonates on Mackinac Island and throughout northern Michigan. #thisismackinac

British Landing Nature Center Opening Day
2026-06-06 11:00 - 16:00 | British Landing Nature Center, Mackinac Island
On your way around M-185 include the British Landing Nature Center to learn more about the plants and animals that call Mackinac Island home.
The British Landing Nature Center is located across from British Landing. The center includes information on the geology, plants, habitats and wildlife found on the island. Additionally, a large cedar tree trunk has been placed in the middle of the nature center and has various taxidermy animals on it with descriptions. Restrooms and a water fountain are also located at this facility. Additionally, a bike repair station is also located at the British Landing Nature Center, which includes a rack for your bike, repair tools, and an air pump. #thisismackinac

Movie in the Fort
2026-06-06 21:30 - 23:30 | Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island, MI
Settle in under the stars inside iconic Fort Mackinac and enjoy The Wizard of Oz on the big screen. Bring a blanket or chair and your favorite snack. Movie begins at dusk, closer to 10:00 p.m. This is a free event! #thisismackinac

Special Lilac Festival Program at Fort Mackinac
2026-06-07 13:00 - 13:20 | Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island, MI
Marquette Park today is home to dozens of gorgeous lilacs and is the home for the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival. But what is the history of that green space? What did the Army use that space for? Join us daily at 1:00 p.m. at Fort Mackinac during the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival for a special program showcasing the history of Marquette Park. Admission to Fort Mackinac required. This program only takes place during the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival! #thisismackinac
