Central UP Events

ISHPEMING, Mich. – The St. Rocco-St. Anthony Society of Ishpeming will host its 126th annual Italian Fest on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the Al Quaal Recreation Area in Ishpeming. The event is free and open to the public.  Festivities begin at noon and will feature a full day of Italian heritage, family entertainment, food, music, and community activities. Guests can enjoy traditional Italian and American cuisine, games of chance, ring toss, balloon darts, bingo, a giant glide slide, and a bounce house for children. One of the festival’s longstanding traditions, the Greased Pole competition, will return with participants competing

Art on the Rocks Saturday – Sunday, July 25 – 26

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

The St. Rocco–St. Anthony Society of Ishpeming will host its 126th annual Italian Fest on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the Al Quaal Recreation Area in Ishpeming. The event is free and open to the public.   Festivities begin at noon and will feature a full day of Italian heritage, family entertainment, food, music, and community activities. Guests can enjoy traditional Italian and American cuisine, games of chance, ring toss, balloon darts, bingo, a giant glide slide, and a bounce house for children.   One of the festival’s longstanding traditions, the Greased Pole competition, will return with participants competing for

July 27-31 Northern Michigan University will host the 2026 BIPOC Outdoors Summit & Rest Retreat July 27-31. While the events are designed to center the experiences of Black, Indigenous and People of Color in outdoor spaces, everyone is welcome to participate. The emphasis is on creating an environment that fosters belonging, reflection and engagement with nature. Programming will include outdoor adventures, skills workshops and discussions focused on leadership, wellness and community-building. Attendees will also have access to restorative spaces intended for reflection, connection and self-care.  The summit July 27-28 will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions and local excursions. Block lodging

Enjoy a tour through town in an air-conditioned Checker bus. Sit back and relax, meet a few entertaining historic characters, and learn from the tour guide along the route. Each summer the tours include something new, and delight locals and tourists as well. 90-minute tour departs from and returns to the MRHC. Tickets are $25, and on sale now! Advanced purchase is recommended. These tours sell out fast. For more information and ticket purchase visit marquettehistory.org.   Eight total tours in July and August. July Bus Tours: 6:00 p.m Wednesdays: July 15, 22, 29   1:00 p.m Tuesdays: July 21 &

The Northern Michigan University Department of Music will present a second season of Its series, Summer Concerts at Reynolds (SCR). This year’s events will all take place at 5 p.m. in Reynolds Recital Hall on Tuesdays in July and August. Admission is free, though donations will be gratefully accepted, with all proceeds benefiting the department to enhance the experience for students. This summer, SCR is highlighting music department faculty members, who are highly trained professional musicians as well as full-time educators. They will present both solo and group performances. Further details will be shared at nmu.edu/music and the department’s social

Enjoy a tour through town in an air-conditioned Checker bus. Sit back and relax, meet a few entertaining historic characters, and learn from the tour guide along the route. Each summer the tours include something new, and delight locals and tourists as well. 90-minute tour departs from and returns to the MRHC. Tickets are $25, and on sale now! Advanced purchase is recommended. These tours sell out fast. For more information and ticket purchase visit marquettehistory.org.   Eight total tours in July and August. July Bus Tours: 6:00 p.m Wednesdays: July 15, 22, 29   1:00 p.m Tuesdays: July 21 &

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

Enjoy a tour through town in an air-conditioned Checker bus. Sit back and relax, meet a few entertaining historic characters, and learn from the tour guide along the route. Each summer the tours include something new, and delight locals and tourists as well. 90-minute tour departs from and returns to the MRHC. Tickets are $25, and on sale now! Advanced purchase is recommended. These tours sell out fast. For more information and ticket purchase visit marquettehistory.org.   Eight total tours in July and August. July Bus Tours: 6:00 p.m Wednesdays: July 15, 22, 29   1:00 p.m Tuesdays: July 21 &