Central UP Events

February 23, 2026-January 2, 2027 This exhibit showcases two hundred and fifty artifacts, photographs, and documents from our permanent collections. These objects connect local history to the national story while commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has often seemed remote from the rest of the country. However, the themes and movements of U.S. history can be seen here as well, especially since the War of 1812. When the country braced for the Civil War, U.P. iron miners raced to uncover iron for the Union army’s railroads and ammunitions. When labor movements exploded following

May 1st through July 31st, 2026. Peter White Public Library Youth Services desk   Jurassic Art Reception on August 4th, 2026  3:00pm-6:00pm   Calling all young artists! Youth of all ages are encouraged to submit art to the Peter White Public Library Youth Services desk beginning May 1st through July 31st, 2026. Artists may find inspiration in the Summer Reading: Unearth a Story theme, but are not confined to the given theme for their art pieces. We ask that your submissions do not exceed 12 inches in any direction, and that only one art piece is submitted per child. Submissions

Step Right Up for the Greatest Show in Marquette County: U.P. Hospice Foundation Unveils ‘A Night Under the Big Top’ presented by Dancing with our Stars Marquette County Style! After ten unforgettable years of dancing, fundraising, and community spirit, the beloved event is evolving! This year’s production transforms the stage into a whimsical, high-energy circus-inspired celebration packed with excitement, creativity, and show-stopping performances- all in support of compassionate Hospice care throughout our community. Under the glow of the big top, local celebrity groups will team up with talented Marquette dance professionals to deliver unforgettable performances that go far beyond traditional

June 17 – August 19, 2026 Opening Reception: Wednesday, June 17, 7-8:30pm The Folk School at Midsummer exhibit in the Finlandia Gallery at Finlandia Foundation’s Finnish American Heritage Center opens on Wednesday, June 17. A reception will begin at 7 p.m. that evening and takes place in conjunction with the opening of an archival exhibit featuring the works of painter Akseli Gallen-Kallela that are part of the Heritage Center’s archive collection.  “It has become an annual tradition to celebrate midsummer with work from our Folk School, but what visitors see in the exhibit really changes in beautiful ways from year

June 19 through Sept. 4. DeVos Art Museum Northern Michigan University’s DeVos Art Museum will host “North of the 45th,” an annual juried exhibition featuring artists living in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota locations north of the 45th parallel, which is known as the halfway point between the equator and north pole. The show opens June 19 and will be on display through Sept. 4. The 2026 jurors are: Shane McAdams, an artist, writer, curator and educator from Cedarburg, Wis.; and Shane Walsh, a painter and teacher who splits his time between studios in Milwaukee and New York City. Both are

Coming up Saturday, September 12 in Marquette, Michigan   Tickets went on sale Thursday, June 25 at 10am (at MiBeer.com) for the 17th Annual U.P. Fall Beer Festival hosted by the Michigan Brewers Guild on Saturday, September 12 along the Lake Superior shoreline in Marquette’s Mattson Lower Harbor Park.    General Admission is 1-6pm, with the gates opening at Noon for Enthusiast Members. Tickets are $55 per person in advance ($65 the day of). Those wanting a VIP experience can purchase tickets which allow for an extra hour of beer sampling-those tickets are $75 in advance or $85 the day

Dates: June 26, 2026 – June 28, 2026 South Trailhead, 2375 M-553, Marquette Mountain Resort, 4501 M-553, Marquette, MI 49855 A fun weekend for all non-motorized trail users; featuring mountain bike races, trail running races, and socials. Whether you bike, run, or hike; come out, have a good time, and help raise funds for your community trails. All proceeds from this event go to the NTN Singletrack trail building. This year Marquette Trails Fest will feature events for all ages! There will be downhill mountain bike races, enduro races, dual slalom, cross country mountain bike races, criterium races, Twin Peaks

Presque Isle Park Pavilion, 3 Peter White Drive , Provisions, 401 South Lakeshore Blvd , Marquette, MI 49855 Dates: June 26, 2026 – June 28, 2026 The Fresh Coast Plein Air Festival brings artists out of the studio to paint along the shoreline, streets, and beautiful landscapes of Marquette. Members of the public have the opportunity to enter the competition or observe the paintings in progress and to speak with and interact with working artists. Fresh Coast Plein Air Schedule:  The Schedule is still in the works, but be sure to save the date for the weekend of June 26,

June 27 – August 22 Miners Memorial Heritage Park 771 E Ayer St. Ironwood, MI 49938   Free event   Sponsored by the Gogebic Community College Foundation, in memory of Alex Marciniak.   From June 27 through August 22, visitors are invited to wander the 1.2-mile Aurora Loop and discover large-scale installations nestled among towering pines, winding trails, and the rugged beauty of the Northwoods. Created by artists from across the region, this year’s exhibition reflects Emberlight’s 2026 theme, New Ways to Dream – exploring imagination, transformation, memory, identity, and the power of collective creativity.   Alongside this year’s juried

Saturday Morning Farmers Market Saturdays, May 16 – Nov., 9 am – 1 pm

Saturday, June 27 at 12:00 pm CDT Miners Memorial Heritage Park 771 E Ayer St. Ironwood, MI 49938   Free event   Sponsored by the Gogebic Community College Foundation, in memory of Alex Marciniak.   The opening ceremony will feature a special performance by Woodland Sky Native American Dance Company in celebration of the Art For All projects and the Indigenous traditions that helped inspire this year’s student collaboration. We offer complimentary golf cart tours as an accessible way to experience this exhibition.   https://emberlight.org/event/art-in-the-park-grand-opening-2026/