Looking for things to do in the U.P.? Check out the full schedule of events in Houghton, MI. From music festivals to wild snow-statue competitions, there’s always something exciting going on.
Since Houghton is such a small town, we’re also including a few events in Hancock, Calumet, and a few small surrounding Michigan communities. Most of these events are within 15 minutes of Houghton.
January
Heikinpäivä
Heikinpäivä is a mid-winter festival that celebrates Finnish culture in the Keweenaw. Learn about the culture, try traditional Finnish dancing, and enjoy plenty of delicious treats at the tori (Finnish market). If you’re willing to brave the cold, dress warmly for the parade, dancing and outdoor games. The wife-carrying event is a local favorite.
Note: Heikinpäivä has always been sponsored by Finlandia University, which closed in early 2023. Follow the event’s Facebook page for updates.
February
Winter Carnival
The legendary Michigan Tech Winter Carnival happens in the depths of winter — the perfect time for a fun festival. Bundle up and walk around campus to see the giant snow statues, or visit during the all-nighter (the final night of statue-building) for music, games, and food. Winter carnival, which is open to the community, also features a queens competition, a hockey game, and other events.
Dates: February 7–10, 2024
March
CopperDog
Wear your warmest winter clothes to watch the CopperDog 150, a sled dog race that starts from downtown Calumet. If you only have time for one event, check out the start of the race — crowds line Fifth Street to watch teams leave on their 150-mile, three-day journey. There are plenty of other places to see the race over the weekend; you can even volunteer.
June
Bridgefest
Bridgefest is an annual celebration of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge and the first festival of the summer. The weekend kicks off with a 5K fun run and a parade through Hancock and Houghton. Events take place in both towns — they include helicopter rides, live music, a classic car show, and fireworks.
July
Copper Country Strawberry Festival
Dig into a plate of strawberry shortcake at the Strawberry Festival, which happens every July. Many of the events take place at or near Chassell Beach — stop by to watch the parade, see the queens competition, and enjoy live music. If you want to get involved, you can even volunteer for strawberry-cleaning duty.
Dates: July 12-13, 2023
Canal Run
Every July, hundreds of runners take the 10-mile Canal Run from McLain State Park to downtown Hancock. The event also includes a half marathon, a 5-mile run, and a 2-mile fun run, as well as a blade run and a wheelchair run. Walkers can compete, too. If you’re not a runner, come out to volunteer or cheer on the athletes and enjoy the community atmosphere.
Date: July 24, 2024
August
Farm Block
Get off the grid at Farm Block, a summer music festival near Allouez, Michigan (a few miles north of Calumet). With a full lineup of musicians and plenty of activities for the family, it’s the perfect way to celebrate summer in the U.P. Bring a tent or RV and stay for the whole weekend, or pop up for one day.
Pasty Fest
Cornish miners brought the pasty to the Copper Country in the 1800s — and now, it’s evolved into a favorite local dish. Celebrate this humble meat pie at Pasty Fest, which happens in downtown Calumet. Try pasties from a variety of vendors to find a favorite; we’re partial to Krupp’s. The event also features a parade, live music, and an array of vendors along Fifth Street.
Keweenaw BrewFest
If you’re a beer lover, don’t miss the August Keweenaw BrewFest. Held by the Rotary Club of Houghton, this one-day event features live music and, of course, all the beer you can imagine. Your ticket comes with 12 tokens, so you can try beers and ciders from a huge array of breweries.
Houghton County Fair
Held in late August every year, the Houghton County Fair attracts people from all over the Keweenaw. Check out the midway for games and carnival rides, watch live music in the arena, and walk through the exhibition buildings to see crafts and animals. The highlight of the fair is the outdoor arena, where you can watch the motocross competition, off-road derby, and monster trucks.
September
End of Summer Celebration
Bid farewell to the warmer months at the End of Summer Celebration in downtown Hancock. This family-friendly festival features music, kids’ games, and fun for the whole family.
Date: September 9, 2023
Parade of Nations
The Parade of Nations celebrates the many cultures that are represented in Houghton. See residents in traditional dress during the parade, which draws enormous crowds to the downtown area. Afterward, head straight to the Dee Stadium for the multicultural food festival — it’s a great opportunity to try foods from around the world.
Date: September 16, 2023
October
Keweenaw Color Run
Hosted by the Keweenaw Young Professionals, the Keweenaw Color Run is a family-friendly 5K. Dress in white or light colors — as you run or walk, you’ll be pelted with colorful powder. If you prefer to stay clean, watch the fun from the sidelines; the race kicks off the Downtown Houghton Fall Fest.
Date: October 7, 2023
Downtown Houghton Fall Fest
Head to the waterfront pier to kick off the best season of the year at the Downtown Houghton Fall Fest. Get in the fall spirit with live music, cider doughnuts, hay rides, and other family activities. Entrance is free, and everyone is welcome.
Date: October 7, 2023
Treat Street
Get an early start on Halloween fun at Houghton’s Treat Street event. This safe, kid-friendly trick-or-treating event happens in downtown Houghton — kids can walk down Shelden Avenue and get candy from participating businesses along the route.
Date: October 14, 2023
November
Home for the Holidays Gift Market
With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, it’s time to start thinking about the winter holidays. Start your shopping at the Home for the Holidays Gift Market, which takes place in the beautiful Rozsa Center lobby. It’s the perfect place to find art, crafts, and other handmade goods from local artisans. Follow the Rozsa Center on Facebook for dates and times.