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!
2024 Dates: 74th Annual Perchville USA Feb 1-3
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 5th, 2023
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
2023 Dates: May 27 (10-5) - May 28 (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
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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.
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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
2023 Dates: Sept 2 (10-5) - Sept 3 (10-5)Shoreline Park, Tawas City
Independence Day Celebration
July 4th2023 Info: Parade at 11am, Light Up The Bay Fireworks at Dusk (Shoreline Park)website
Tawas Birding Festival
May2023 Event: Tawas Point Migration Days 2023 (May 12-13)
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.
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Tawas Bay Summerfest
July2023 Dates: July 14-16
Three days of family fun with music, a street dance, Kiwanis 5K Run/Walk, car show, and more fun in the sun.
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Blues By The Bay Festival
August2023 Dates: (21st Annual) August 25-27
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.
websiteSpring Into Art
May
2023 Info: May 20Tawas Bay Art Gallery
Sand Lake Festival
August
2023 Info: August 11-13
Art Stroll
June
2023 Info: June 10Newman Street, East Tawas
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
2023 Info: August 10-12Newman Street, East Tawas
Halloween Parade
October
2023 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
Oct / Nov / Dec
2023 Info: October 28Tawas 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
November / December
2023 Date: November 25Newman Street, East Tawas. "Miracle on Newman Street" - Christmas parade at 6pm, Tree Lighting at 7pm. Festivities incluce Visit with Santa, Cookies and Hot Cocoa, Tawas Presbyterian Choir, Window Display Contest, Live Broadcast from WKJC.
Iosco County Fair
July2023 Dates: July 24-29
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.
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Haunted Lighthouse Weekend
October2023 Event: TBD
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.
Sunrise Side Triathlons
September2023 Date: September 9
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.
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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!
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