Biddle House, featuring the Mackinac Island Native American Museum, Opening Day
2026-06-06 10:00 - 18:00 (America/Detroit) | 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

Complimentary Admission to the Mackinac Art Museum
2026-06-06 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-06-07 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-06-08 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-06-09 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-06-10 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-06-11 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-06-12 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-06-13 10:00 - 18:00 and 1 more date | 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

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, 2026-06-08 13:00 - 13:20, 2026-06-09 13:00 - 13:20, 2026-06-10 13:00 - 13:20, 2026-06-11 13:00 - 13:20, 2026-06-12 13:00 - 13:20, 2026-06-13 13:00 - 13:20, 2026-06-14 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

Creating the Village of Mackinac Island
2026-06-09 17:30 - 18:30 | Windermere Point, Windermere Point, Mackinac Island, MI, 49757, United States
Join us for a guided tour going through the creation of the village of Mackinac in the 1780s. This guided tour, led by Mackinac State Historic Parks’ Interpretation Coordinator Jack Swartzinski, will take guests through downtown Mackinac Island, laying out how the Village of Mackinac came to be, contrasting current locations with how they would have looked in the early 1800s. Tour will begin at Windermere Point. This is a free tour – donations welcome. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Tour should last about an hour. #thisismackinacmar

Mackinac in the 1830s Tour
2026-06-10 17:30 - 18:30 | The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, Mackinac Island
Guests will experience a short walking tour of downtown Mackinac Island discussing the community in the 1830s and highlighting the role of the Mackinac Indian Agency, Fort Mackinac, the American Fur Company, and more. The tour will begin in front of The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum and end at the Biddle House, where participants will have a chance to explore the exhibits before the event ends. This is a free event; donations welcome. #thisismackinac

Artist-in-Residence Program
2026-06-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Station 256 Conference Room, Above the MISP Visitor's Center, Mackinac Island
Join our resident artist for a free program detailing work done during the artist residency. This is a free program held at the Station 256 Conference Room, located above the Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center. Schedule or resident artists to be posted in late winter, 2026.
ABOUT THE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM:
The Mackinac State Historic Parks Artist-In-Residence Program is designed to promote and encourage the creation of artistic works inspired by the history, natural wonders, and beauty of Mackinac Island. The residencies are available to artists in all mediums, including writers, composers, sculptures, and visual artists including photographers, among others. #thisismackinac

Mackinaw Mission Walking Tour
2026-06-11 17:30 - 18:30 | The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, Mackinac Island
For nearly 15 years in the 1820s and 1830s, Protestant ministers and teachers operated the Mackinaw Mission, hoping to win converts among regional Anishnaabek people and counter the influence of the long-established Catholic congregation on Mackinac Island. This walking tour will discuss the rise, fall, and legacy of the Mackinaw Mission, and examine some of the physical reminders of the mission that remain today. The tour will begin in front of The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum and will end at Mission Point Resort. #thisismackinac

War of 1812 Weekend
2026-06-13 09:30 - 17:00, 2026-06-14 09:30 - 17:00 | Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island, MI
After losing Fort Mackinac and failing to take it back during the War of 1812, American soldiers returned to Fort Mackinac in 1815. These soldiers not only played an important role in post-war relations with the community of Mackinac Island and British Canada but also left their mark by constructing new buildings at Fort Mackinac and expanding Fort Holmes. Join us as War of 1812 reenactors assist our 1880s interpretative staff in telling one of the most important stories of Fort Mackinac and how it continues to impact the fort’s history today.
All special programs included with regular Fort Mackinac admission. More information to come soon! #thisismackinac

Lilac Festival Grand Parade
2026-06-14 16:00 - 17:30 | Mackinac Island
Finish off the week of festivities from the Lilac Festival with the Grand Parade which will go down M-185 into downtown. Parade starts with a special cannon salute from Fort Mackinac. Keep an eye out for the Fort Mackinac soldiers and Mackinac State Historic Parks float! #thisismackinac

"Echoes of the Island" Open House and Reception
2026-06-17 18:30 - 20:00 | The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, Mackinac Island
Grand opening and awards reception for the 2026 juried art exhibition at The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, Echoes of the Island: A Journey Through Time. Co-sponsored by Mackinac Associates, the Mackinac Arts Council, and Mackinac State Historic Parks. #thisismackinac
Mackinac State Historic Parks is looking for artists to explore the layers of Mackinac’s storied past. From the sacred lands of the Anishinaabe people to the Revolutionary War-era Fort Mackinac, from Victorian summer retreats to horse-drawn carriages, Mackinac Island is in many ways a living museum. We encourage artists working in all media to share with us their artistic visions of what Echoes of the Island: A Journey Through Timemeans to them.

G. Mennen Williams Mackinac Celebration
2026-06-20 17:30 - 20:30 | Mackinac Island
Mackinac Associates‘ annual G. Mennen Williams Celebration brings together lovers of Mackinac to recognize the outstanding support and efforts of Mackinac State Historic Parks’ friends group. The event will be held at a private residence to be announced soon.
This is a Members Only event. Head to the Mackinac Associates website for information on how to join.

Summer Solstice Stroll
2026-06-21 13:00 - 14:30 | Mackinac Island State Park, Mackinac Island
Join naturalist Kyle Bagnall to explore Mackinac Island’s trails on the longest day of the year! Meet behind Fort Mackinac (Huron Road) for a meandering stroll to search for wonders of all sizes, including plants, animals, and geological features. This walk covers about 1.5 miles, including paved roads and some trails with uneven terrain. #thisismackinac
