Discover the Best of Summer in Marquette County, Michigan
Endless Outdoor Adventures and Exciting New Events Await

MARQUETTE, Mich., April 14, 2025 – Marquette County, Michigan, invites visitors to experience the best of summer in the Upper Peninsula. Nestled on the shores of Lake Superior and known for its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural events and endless outdoor adventures, Marquette County offers an unbeatable getaway for nature lovers, thrill-seekers and families alike.

“Summer in Marquette County offers a truly unique experience,” shares Susan Estler, CEO of Travel Marquette. “Whether exploring our scenic trails, enjoying exciting festivals or simply soaking in the stunning views, there is something here for everyone. With the addition of two highly anticipated events – the Great Lakes HOG Rally and Wings Over Marquette –we are thrilled to welcome visitors to experience the very best of our community this season.”

Home to numerous waterfalls, 83 miles of pristine shoreline, 150 streams, over 300 lakes and nearly 350 miles of top-tier hiking and biking trails, Marquette County offers the perfect balance of serene retreats and exhilarating activities. In addition to its endless adventure opportunities and renowned culinary and brewery scene, Marquette's summer festivals and events provide fun-filled, family friendly activities for locals and visitors to enjoy all season long. From the dazzling Fourth of July Sensory Friendly Laser Show to the celebrated Art on the Rocks festival, there has never been a better time to visit Marquette.

New and Exciting Summer Events for 2025:

Great Lakes H.O.G. Rally (June 26-28, 2025): The Great Lakes Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) Rally will bring motorcyclists from all over the world to Marquette County for three days of scenic rides and camaraderie. Starting in Marquette, participants will enjoy breathtaking rides through the rugged Upper Peninsula, exploring Copper Harbor and the surrounding charming small towns.

Wings Over Marquette (August 2-3, 2025): In partnership with the Michigan Flight Museum and Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport, this thrilling inaugural air show will bring high-flying excitement to Marquette County. Attendees will be treated to aerobatic performances from award-winning pilots, including 13-time U.S. National Aerobatic Champion Rob Holland. Guests can enjoy rides in historic World War II-era planes, such as the B-25 bomber, C47 transport and Vietnam-era Huey Helicopter. Don't miss the high-speed Smoke-N-Thunder JetCar and Soviet-made MiG-17F for a truly unique experience.

Annual Summer Events:

Big Bay Relay (May 17, 2025): The Big Bay Relay is back! Celebrating its 47th year, the relay offers teams the opportunity to run together along the scenic path from Marquette to Big Bay. Co-ed five-person teams will embark on a memorable 26-mile journey to Draver Park, competing for first place in each category in this lighthearted relay race.

Great Lakes Rodeo (June 13-14, 2025): Every Father's Day weekend, the town of Gwinn comes alive with the exciting Great Lakes Rodeo at the Neil Sr. Armatti Memorial Raceway. This highly anticipated event features thrilling bull riding, fast-paced barrel racing, lively rodeo clowns, a variety of vendors and plenty of family-friendly activities.

Pride Fest (June 14, 2025): This vibrant celebration, set in Mattson Lower Harbor Park, brings together friends and family to honor the progress made in LGBTQ+ rights, while acknowledging that there is still work to be done. The day will be filled with exciting entertainment, including the much-loved annual drag show, plus an array of vendors offering delicious food, refreshing beer and seltzers and unique goods. Attendees can also explore a variety of LGBTQ+ resources available throughout the event.

Marquette Trails Fest (June 20-22, 2025): Marquette Trails Fest celebrates the community's trails with a weekend full of mountain bike races, trail running events and social gatherings. With events for all ages, this year's festival will feature downhill mountain bike races, enduro races, dual slalom, cross-country mountain bike races, criterium races, a Twin Peaks trail half marathon and a 5K trail run. The festival invites biking, running and hiking enthusiasts to join the celebration in support of the Noquemanon Trail Network (NTN).

Art Week (June 23-28, 2025): Visitors can step into Marquette's impressive art scene at this year's Art Week. The event celebrates artists, organizations and businesses in and around the area, and attendees can enjoy numerous exhibits, concerts, workshops, installations, demonstrations, live performances and more during the last full week of June.

Marquette Fourth of July Sensory Friendly Laser Show (July 4, 2025): Guests can sit back, relax and celebrate Independence Day with the Marquette Fourth of July Sensory Friendly Laser Show. As the largest architectural laser show in North America, it gives residents, visitors, children and those with sensory sensitivities a comfortable opportunity to participate in celebrations and witness the historic Ore Dock light up above the picturesque Lake Superior.  

Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival (July 17-20, 2025): The only event of its size and scope on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, this festival features traditional music with performances of bluegrass, old-time, Cajun, Celtic, acoustic blues and folk styles. Attendees can take a seat and listen or dance along to local, regional and national artists at this unique musical event. 

Music on Third (July 17-September 18, 2025): On the third Thursday of each month from July through September, Third Street in downtown Marquette hosts a gathering with local musicians, promoting small businesses and providing free entertainment for all ages.

Blueberry Festival (July 25, 2025): This long-standing event celebrates the start of blueberry season with vendors, live music and endless blueberry bliss in downtown Marquette. With blueberry pizza, beer and, of course, fresh-picked blueberries, this all-day berry bash is a must for the summer agenda.  

Art on the Rocks Festival (July 26-27, 2025): This two-day juried exhibition between Marquette's historic downtown and the Mattson Lower Harbor Park has understandably become one of the area's finest and most competitive art shows. With over 140 artists flocking to Marquette for the event each year, this art show is sure to be the can't-miss art event of the summer.   

ORE to Shore Bike Race (August 8-9, 2025): Attendees can venture to the Upper Peninsula to witness Michigan's largest – and the third largest in the Midwest – point-to-point mountain bike event. The long-distance 48-mile course takes riders through some of the most beautiful sights in the area, giving them a final chance to drift through the crisp summer air of Michigan before the fall season. Additional routes include the 28-mile Soft Rock, 10-mile Shore Rock, four-mile Junior Rock and one-mile Little Rock, inviting all skill levels to join in the fun.

HarborFest (August 21-23,2025): This family friendly event at Ellwood Mattson Lower Harbor Park marks the end of summer with great food, live music and kids' activities. Proceeds support local nonprofits.

Hiking, Biking, and Outdoor Family-Friendly Activities

Take On the Trails

Home to more than 150 miles of singletrack, Marquette County is nationally recognized as a premier biking destination. Those seeking a more leisurely ride can enjoy the area's scenic paved paths, perfect for cycling, walking or jogging.

Chase Waterfalls

Marquette County is home to many natural wonders, including an array of waterfalls. Be sure to check out Little Garlic Falls, a small, rocky slide near a large rock wall that flows into a deep pool along the scenic Little Garlic River Trail. Other area highlights include Warner Falls and Cataract Dam Falls.

Catch a Glimpse of Marquette's Feathered Friends

Marquette County is a birding paradise, home to over 400 native bird species and a prime stop for migratory birds. The county's diverse habitats, from Lake Superior's shores to lush forests and wetlands, offer incredible birdwatching opportunities. During peak migration, May is the perfect time to witness the vibrant sights and sounds of migrating species. Key birding spots include Dead River Marshes, the Yellow Dog River Community Forest and Chocolay Bayou Nature Preserve.

Paddle Pristine Waters

Rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore serene spots like Lake Independence in Big Bay, Teal Lake or Dead River Basin.

Relax on Lake Superior's Shores

Soak up the sun at Marquette County's many scenic beaches, from the tranquil shores of South Beach to the stunning views at Wetmore Landing.

For more information on Travel Marquette, please visit:  https://www.travelmarquette.com/.

About Travel Marquette

On the shores of Lake Superior, Marquette, Michigan is a community where nature's assets are on display through scenic vistas, rugged trails and rushing waterfalls. Marquette's historic downtown pays homage to the rich mineral deposits, dense forests, and maritime markers that have helped to shape its story. From unique dining experiences, award-winning craft breweries and a thriving art scene, Marquette embraces a culture anchored in artisanship and ingenuity. For more information, visit travelmarquette.com or call 1-906-228-7749.

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Contact:

LOU HAMMOND GROUP   

travelmarquette@louhammond.com                         

843.647.7358 / 843.647.7389