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June 17, 2023 at 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
This year marks the 75th Annual Mackinac Island Lilac Festival! It is the largest and most historic festival on Mackinac Island. It’s 10 days celebrating the lilacs and their uniqueness and history to Mackinac Island. Join us for the Lilac Queen coronation, official poster reveal, 10K Run/Walk, lilac walking tours, lilac planting seminars, bounce houses, Michigan Cornhole tournament, live music, the Grand Parade, and more!
Daily Events
Times Vary: FREE Family Fun Playground at Windermere Point. Bounce houses on weekends. 15-foot customized coloring mural for the entire event.
Times Vary: Kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling excursions with Great Turtle Kayak Tours. Visit their website for pricing and schedule.
Times Vary: Morning, Historic, and Sunset cruises with Sip N’ Sail cruises. Visit their website for pricing and schedule.
9:00 am – 8:00 pm: Collection of all the Lilac Festival posters on display at the Center for the Arts at the Mission Point Theatre lobby. Free
9:00 am – 8:00 pm: The Top 20 posters from this year’s Lilac Festival Poster Contest on display at the Center for the Arts at the Mission Point Theatre lobby. Free
10:00 am – 8:00 pm: View local artists, Nicki Griffith and Pat Pulte, new works in the Murray Hotel Lower Gallery
Evenings: Downtown entertainment. Listen to live music and local musicians downtown Mackinac Island.
June 17th Events
9:00 am: Lilacs and Warblers Birding Adventure! A guided tour of Mackinac Island’s birds and flowers. Meet in Marquette Park. Free event.
9:00 am – 4:00 pm: Fire the cannon at Fort Mackinac at 6:30 pm. Sign up for the drawing before 4:00 pm at the Tourism Booth on Main Street for a chance to fire the cannon!
10:00 am: Michigan Cornhole Tournament at Windermere Point. Bags fly at 11:00 am
10:00 am – 11:30 am: Meet local artist and author Jennifer Wohletz for a book signing at Little Luxuries
10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Family Fun Bounce House Playground at Windermere Point. Free event
10:00 am – 5:30 pm: Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum.
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Smart Gardener program for everyone and planting activity for kids at Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Come and go, free event.
12:00 am – 4:00 pm: Great Lakes Pirate Festival. Star Line – now known as Mackinac Island Ferry Company Dock #1
12:30 pm: Lilac Walking Tour with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Meet at the west side of Marquette Park. Free event.
1:00 pm: Special Tour at Fort Mackinac following the cannon firing. Included with admission to Fort Mackinac.
1:00 pm: Hardwood Nature Hike with Mackinac State Historic Park naturalist, Kyle Bagnall. Explore Mackinac Island State Park’s newest interpretive pathway, the Hardwood Nature Trail. Meet at the Avenue of Flags, behind Fort Mackinac. ¾ mile loop. Free event, donations welcome.
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Live music at Cannonball Oasis featuring Myk Rise. Free event, food & drink available for purchase.
3:00 pm: Lilac Planting Seminar with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. Free event.
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Mandala Rock Painting at Watercolor Café. All supplies provided. Fee is $55. Space is limited, register on their website ahead of time.