Local Events
The Tawas Bay area plays host to many community events and festivals throughout the year. From the Blues By the Bay and SummerFest to the Tawas Birding Festival, Perchville USA and the annual Tawas Bay Waterfront Fine Arts Festival, the calendar is brimming with activities and events for all ages.
Event Calendar
For a complete listing of events in the Tawas Bay area throughout the year please visit the Tawas Area Chamber of Commerce Event Calendar.
Festivals & Annual Events
January / February
Come, stay and play on frozen Tawas Bay. Michigan's oldest winter carnival offers a huge variety of activities for the whole family. Take a dip in icy Lake Huron, taste homemade chili, take the kids down to the Family Tent for games, food and a magic show. There is a parade down US-23, food vendors and a Hospitality Tent with great music. This is a one-of-a-kind Michigan experience you just can't miss!
2023 Dates: 73rd Annual Perchville USA Feb 2-4
Perchville Information / Forms / Full Activities List(Tawas Chamber of Commerce)
August (First Saturday)
Annual fundraiser for a new East Tawas Library brings Michigan wine, ales, food and mellow music to Harbor Park, corner of Newman Street and US-23 in East Tawas. The event features Michigan vintners, area restaurants, and Michigan breweries.
Wine, Food & Ale Festival - Saturday, August 6th, 2022
Noon - 6pm Music in beautiful Harbor Park, East Tawas. Contact (989) 249-3766 for more informationTawas Uncork'd
(Facebook Page)
Memorial Day Weekend Arts & Crafts Show
May - Memorial Day Weekend
2022 Dates: May 28 (10-5) - May 29 (10-4)Shoreline Park, on beautiful Tawas Bay. Over 100 crafters, food and fun for the whole family. Don’t miss this wonderful collection of handmade arts and crafts. With over 130 booths of items for you to browse, you’ll be sure to find something absolutely perfect for your home, yard, and more.
Northeast Michigan Regional Farm Market
May - OctoberTawas City - Gateway Park (Saturdays) 8am - 1pm
website
AuSable / Oscoda - AuSable Shoreline Park (Wednesdays) 8am - 1pm
Tuesday Night Live Street Dances
Tuesdays late June - mid AugustPerformances, kids activities, face painting, balloons, chalk art, surprises galore on Newman Street in East Tawas.
website
Independence Day Celebration
July 4th
2022 Info: Parade at 11am, Fireworks at Duskwebsite
Vintage Market
2nd Saturdays, May - OctoberMonthly Vintage Market with multiple vendors at Brugger Plaza, Tawas City
Community Band Concerts in the Park
Mondays All SummerEast Tawas City Park
Tuesdays at the Lighthouse
Tuesdays (June - August)Tawas Point State Park
Annual Labor Day Arts & Crafts Show
September
2022 Dates: Sept 3 (10-5) - Sept 4 (10-5)Shoreline Park, Tawas City
Annual Tawas Bay Waterfront Fine Art Festival
August2022 Dates: Aug 6-7
Tawas City Park. Sponsored by the Tawas Bay Art Council and the city of Tawas City. There will be painters, potters, sculptors, jewelry makers including seaglass jewelry on silver, photographers, authors, artists receive awards and community awards. Children's make and take tent, sandcastle building contest, demonstrations, food vendors and live music in the gazebo.
website
Tawas Birding Festival
May2022 Event: Tawas Point Migration 2022 (May 13-15)
Since the event began, birders from around the country and the world have made Tawas Point their destination for Spring birding. Festival participants enjoy some of the best birding in the Great Lakes region; Tawas Point is well known for high concentrations of migrating warblers during the month of May.
website
Tawas Bay Summerfest
July2022 Dates: July 8-10
Three days of family fun with music, a street dance, Kiwanis 5K Run/Walk, car show, Mayor's Fish Boil, Sand Castle Contest for kids, and more fun in the sun.
website
Blues By The Bay Festival
August2022 Dates: (20th Annual) August 26-28
Three days of non-stop blues music. Relax and get your groove on under the Big Tent with quality bands from throughout Michigan and the Midwest.
websiteSand Lake Festival
August
2022 Info: August 2022 Block Party Weekendwebsite
Back to the Bricks Discovery Promotional Tour
June
2022 Info: June 4
Art Stroll
June
2022 Info: June 11East Tawas
Sturgeon Point Lighthouse Restoration 40th Anniversary
August 6Sturgeon Point State Park - Harrisville. Hosted by the Alcona Historical Society. Event for families from 11-4pm with Petoskey stone hunting, an art contest, "Paleo Joe", a presentation on birds as well as a bake sale and cake to celebrate the occasion. The tower and Bailey school will also be open.
National Lighthouse Day
August 7
Tawas Point Lighthouse and State ParkJoin the fun to celebrate YOUR lighthouse, inside the Lighthouse and on the Lighthouse Lawn on Sunday, August 7 between 11:00 a.m. and 3 p.m. OUTSIDE - Find us outside the lighthouse under the tents to learn some history, lore, and area stories of interest from a variety of friendly Friends members. Children will have a good time during our Lighthouse Brick Pathway Scavenger Hunt, Find a Word puzzle, and Word Scramble. INSIDE - In Honor of National Lighthouse Day, the Michigan History Center is allowing your lighthouse to be open for FREE tours on this day from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. with the last tour beginning at 2:45 p.m.
Sidewalk Sales
August
2022 Info: August 11-13Newman Street, East Tawas
Women's Invitational Softball Tournament
September
2022 Info: 51st Annual Memorial Tournament - September 10-11Dewey Durant Park - Franklin Street, East Tawas. Annual Women's Softball Tournament in East Tawas, MI. Register early and pay a discounted rate.
website
Halloween Parade
October
2022 Info: October 31Newman Street, East Tawas. Halloween Parade 4:30pm & Trick or Treating 5pm. The East Tawas Business Association invites families to join them in the 2022 Halloween Parade. Costumed parade participants should meet at the post office at 4:15pm, parents, strollers & wagons are welcomed. Downtown trick or treating to follow at participating locations, while supplies last.
Empty Bowls
November / December
2022 Info: October 29Tawas Bay Art Gallery - Newman Street, East Tawas. Bowls and pieces of art are donated by their makers and sold to raise money for the hungry in the area.
Annual Parade, Tree Lighting & Sing-Along
November / December
2022 Date: December 3Newman Street, East Tawas
Iosco County Fair
July2022 Dates: July 25-30
Since 1944 the Iosco County Fair has been showcasing all that the area has to offer. Plenty of things to do and see for young and old such as children's activities, entertainment, food and merchandise vendors, livestock and agricultural competitions, grandstand events, and much more.
website
Haunted Lighthouse Weekend
October2022 Event: October 7-8
Festive fall fun at Tawas Point State Park including hay rides, lighthouse tours, kids games and activities, pumpkin painting, Trick-or-Treating (campers only), Monster Mash Dance. This event is open to the public with the exception of the Trick-or-Treating which will be available to registered campers and their visitors only. Be sure to make your reservations early.
website
Sunrise Side Triathlons
September2022 Date: September 10
An incredible venue and course along Tawas Bay make for an amazing triathlon in September. Watch the sun rise before the start of the race and enjoy the crisp, pine-scented air perfect for biking, swimming and running. Choose your own level of racing intensity. The event includes a beachside party with volleyball, bonfire, food, drinks, movies and fun.
website
Michigan Free Fishing Weekend
Feb / June2023 Dates: February 18-19 & June 10-11
Two days twice a year, families and friends can enjoy one of Michigan's premiere outdoor activities, Michigan Fishing, for FREE!
website