Beaver Island Annual Events
Below you can find a list of summer and annual events on Beaver island. You can also find a list of daily events as well as the most up to date information about the events below on the Beaver Island Community Calendar on the home page of this site.
Note: 2023 dates have been updated but some of the information for events still reflect 2022 events to provide an idea what the events are about. Updated descriptions will be coming soon.
ST PATRICK’S DAY
Friday, March 17 – Saturday, March 18, 2023
Where better to celebrate St. Patrick’s day than on America’s Emerald Isle?
Come experience the classic cart race on Main Street, the fish toss, and the tug-o-war between the fish chokers and the hay seeders. See whether Paradise Bay turns green. Learn about Irish Blarney. In addition to games during the day, check out Brother Crowe playing in town, movies at the BIC center and island shopping. Come over early to be part of the BICS Alumni basketball and Volleyball tournaments and enjoy the school’s Chili Cookoff.
WARBLERS ON THE WATER
Friday, May 26 – Sunday, May 28, 2023
9th Annual Warblers on the Water (WoW) events over Memorial Weekend. We will be offering something for novice to expert birders and those looking to learn more about the Beaver Island Archipelago’s natural features. As in previous years, we will be bringing in expert birding field trip leaders, speakers, and visitors to enjoy spring’s natural bounty and yes, birds.Three WoW presentations are being scheduled at the Beaver Island Community Center. These are always free, appropriate for all age levels, and open to the general public. More information about the birding trail – http://www.beaverislandbirdingtrail.org/
BEAVER ISLAND BIKE FESTIVAL
Friday, June 17 – Saturday, June 18, 2023
The Beaver Island Bike Festival is your opportunity to experience the unique unspoiled beauty of Lake Michigan’s most remote island by bicycle in a festival atmosphere.
Check back on the Community Center Calendar for details and signup information.
Bikes and E-bikes are also available for rent on Beaver Island- check with the Chamber office for locations and information.
More info is on the Bike Festival Facebook page.
Bikers can enjoy a 20 or 42 miles at their own pace on a combination of pavement, gravel roads and two tracks with incredible scenery, island monuments and historic sites. Each route will include rest stops where food, drinks and bathrooms are available. The Bill Wagner Memorial Campground will host our private beach picnic lunch with amazing Lake Michigan views before riding the last leg back into town. After the ride plan to attend our downtown party that will provide dinner, music and entertainment well into the evening.
BEAVER ISLAND SUSTAINABILITY FAIR
Saturday, June 24, 2023
8th Annual Beaver Island Sustainability Fair–a free event celebrating resilient community, culture and environment! We honor what Islanders have been doing, and what plans are in the works, to create and support food, energy and environmental/cultural sustainability.
This year’s program is under development. Last year’s highlights included: Urban Garden Graze Walk Anishinaabe and Irish Opening Ceremonies Hoop Garden Demo Strawberry Moon Lunch of White Fish, Corn Soup and Fry Bread (donation requested) Local Foods, Sustainable Energy Project and Environmental/Cultural Updates. Looking into the future with the Beaver Island Sustainability Initiative! Music – Anishiinabe, Irish and Open Mic! Dark Sky Viewing
Vendor table space available. Donations and volunteers welcomed!
Keep up to date! Follow on FB: Beaver Island Sustainability Fair For information, to receive e-news, donate or volunteer contact: Seamute Norgaard at 231-347-7957 or bisustainfair@gmail.com
MAD CAMP
Monday, June 27 – Friday, July 01, 2022
After a hiatus, the much loved Music, Art & Drama Camp–MAD Camp–returns to Beaver Island this summer with events at the BIC Center and beyond. The program and times are being developed. Check back on the Community Calendar for details and information on how to sign up.
MAD Camp 2022 is a project of the Beaver Island Perfroming Arts Association and the BIC Center.
INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 1 PM
Celebrate Independence Day like no place else does with the Beaver Island Independence Day Parade. The Big Parade kicks off at 1:00 with an Island Airways Flyover, featuring the missing man formation with the parade lead by our AMVETs and island fire, paramedics, EMTs, sherrifs and safety personnel and their equipemnt. Then lots of floats and lots of candy. Want to be in the parade? Line up for the parade beginning at 12:30 starting at Holy Cross Church along Kings Highway.
INDEPENDENCE WEEKEND BOAT PARADE
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 9 PM
It’s a Beaver Island tradition.
Just ahead of the fireworks enjoy a Venetian boat parade from the shores of Paradise Bay.
INDEPENDENCE WEEKEND FIREWORKS
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 10 PM
The township sponsored fireworks display will be on July 4th this year, as spectacular as ever. Enjoy both the boat parade and the fireworks over Paradise Bay from Whiskey Point, the Public Beach, the porch of the Beachcomber, your boat (wait, you have a boat…why aren’t you in the boat parade?) or pretty much anywhere with a view of the sky over the bay. It’s the perfect way to end a 4th of July Weekend Beaver Island Style
GLEN MCDONOUGH MEMORIAL CONCERT
Saturday, July 08, 2023 7 PM
The annual Glen McDonough Memorial Concert will be held in the yard at ” Reddeer’s” front lawn, King’s Highway. The Eve Glen Music School will be held on July 8 and 9 also at “Reddeer” with morning and afternoon sessions. You can register on July 5th at “Reddeer”. All classes are free.
All donations from the Glen McDonough Memorial Concert will be given to the Glen McDonough Memorial Music Scholarship Fund for lessons and assistance to many Music Students. For more information call Eleanor Mc Donough at 1-231-547-6722. Bring your lawn chairs and join us for a wonderful evening.
MUSEUM WEEK
Sunday, July 16 – Saturday, July 22, 2023
Discover Beaver Island history with the annual Museum Week full of informative and entertaining events including: music; presentations on nature, history, and Native American culture; nature walks and cruises, and an art show. Plus, celebrate and see the freshly renovated Print Shop building and the new exhibits in the Print Shop Annex.
While 2021 presented its challenges, it was a very busy summer for your Island museums. We plan to make 2022 even better. saw the first ever cancellation of Museum Week, so you don’t want to miss Museum Week 2022. Check back on the Community Calendar or at https://www.beaverislandhistory.org for details.
BEAVER ISLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL
Thursday, July 20 – Saturday, July 22, 2023
The Beaver Island Music Festival brings you three days of music in the woods in the heartland of America’s Emerald Isle. Last year’s lineup included: J Michael & The Heavy Burden • Hutch Green • Christopher “Wink” Winkleman • Benzing Graves Collective • Brother Crowe • The Gasoline Gypsies • Roma Ransom • Snacks & Five • The Hacky • Turtles • Drew Hale Band • The Founding • Patty Pershayla & The Mayhaps • Samuel Acus • G-Snacks • Dave Boutette & Kristi Lynn Davis. We are working on another great linup for 2022. Check back here for updates on our plans or check for the lineup and schedule at the BIMF website
The Beaver Island Music Festival promotes the variety and tradition of all music and art. We want to create opportunities for all artists, be an educational resource, and strongly encourage community and family involvement in an outdoor environment combining nature, renewable energies, music, and artwork. Our main goal is to bring attention to the beautiful world that we live in (especially Beaver Island) by uniting all of these talents and people.
More Information on the Festival Website https://bimf.net/
BOCCE Roll
August 14, 2022
Bocce is Back (and the new courts are done!) 6th annual roll.
When: Sunday, August 14, 2022 | Where: Peaine Township Park | Time: 11 am- Until
Information/Tickets: 231-448-2603 – Tickets day of Event: $50.00 per person w/lunch
Register by August 1st, 2022 – Take $5.00 Off Ticket Price
Team Prizes for Win, Place, & Show
Fundraiser for Beaver Island Food Pantry
BAROQUE ON BEAVER
July 27 – August 5, 2023
Each summer from the last weekend of July through the first weekend of August, the Baroque on Beaver Festival presents world-class orchestral, chamber, and vocal. performances on the most remote inhabited island of the Great Lakes. In 2022 the Festival celebrates 21 years of bringing classical music to Beaver Island. Baroque on Beaver is the signature event of the Beaver Island Performing Arts Alliance (BIPAA). Visit https://www.baroqueonbeaver.org/ for schedule and ticket information.
BEAVER ISLAND 1/2 MARATHON / 10K / 5K
September 3, 2022
See summer off with a dash about the island. You can run a half-marathon, a 10K, or a 5K.
Start at Community Center
Half-marathon – 9am / 10K – 9:30am / 5K – 10am
Race Register by August 13
½ marathon- $65, 10K- $40, 5K- $30
Register after August 13
½ marathon- $75, 10K- $50, 5K- $40
Last day to register September 2.
Sign up on the BICC’s online store https://store.biccenter.org/product/beaver-island-half-marathon-10k-5k/ OR download and fill out the form, make checks payable to Beaver Island Community School and send to
Crystal Myers, PO BOX 636, Beaver Island, MI 49782
Send inquiries to Crystal Myers: 231-448-2744 / crystalm@beaverisland.k12.mi.us
Download Flyer & Application
BEAVER ISLAND IRISH FÉILE
September 9 – 9, 2023
The Beaver Island Irish Féile was started in 2019. This event is co-sponsored by the Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce and participating private businesses on Beaver Island. The event is a collaboration between the Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce, the Beaver Island Community Center, and the Beaver Island Historical Society. The Irish Féile is a showcase of the unique Irish heritage of Beaver Island, also known as America’s Emerald Isle. The First Annual Irish Festival featured Irish music, activities, and history related to the settlement of Beaver Island. The 2022 Féile is slated to bring even more fun for Islanders and vistors alike. We hope you can join us!
Visit Beaver Island Irish Féile Website
BEAVER ISLAND BOODLE
October 1, 2022 9:30 AM
Come take part in this 5K run/ walk the second week of fall, Saturday, October 1 Race begins at the Community Center. It is fun for every one no matter what ability or level of seriousness.