Central UP Events

Wednesday, April 8, 2026,  6:30 at the Marquette Regional History Center Join us for an hour-long, whirlwind tour on the amazing life and revolutionary genius of Benjamin Franklin. Presented by historian and music professor at NMU, Dr James A. Strain (a first cousin 12 times removed) to Benjamin Franklin! Learn dozens of well-known and little-known facts about Dr Franklin’s contributions to the independence of the United States. Dr Strain will display his collection of early U..S. and colonial flags. He will include maps and music, scientific discoveries, and writings of wisdom by which to live. So, bring your bifocals, pull

This year’s Spring Lyceum will feature snowboarder, recent Olympian, and 2022 Olympics Gold Medalist, Nick Baumgartner.    There will be school performances on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 April, with a community performance in Kaufman Auditorium on the evening of Wednesday 8 April at 7 p.m.

Thursdays: March 19; and April 2, 9, 16 and 19. 1-2 p.m CNAS Fire Site Pavilion The NMU Center for Native American Studies (CNAS) is hosting its Fire Site Storytelling Series on select Thursdays in March and April. These events are free and open to the public. This series features Anishinaabe winter storytelling, oral traditions and community discussion, supported and facilitated by the CNAS director, faculty and staff.  Remaining Fire Site Storytelling events will take place from 1-2 p.m. on the following Thursdays: March 19; and April 2, 9, 16 and 19. They will be held at the CNAS Fire

Powerful Tools for Caregivers, a six-week online workshop, designed for the non-professional, informal family caregiver, will be held on Thursdays, March 19 through April 23, from 1:30 – 3:00 pm (Eastern) via Zoom. Research studies find high rates of depression and anxiety among caregivers and increased vulnerability to health problems. Caregivers frequently cite restriction of personal activities and social life as problems. In addition, caregivers often feel a lack of control over events and a sense of powerlessness which can have a significant negative impact on their physical and emotional health. The Powerful Tools for Caregivers program will provide caregivers

Thursday, April 9 3:30-5:30 p.m.  The Negaunee Public Library will hold a drop-in craft event for kids ages 5 and up from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9. Children can stop by to create something fun to take home. Youngsters ages 7 and under must be accompanied by a caring adult; older youth who are unaccompanied must be able to provide a caring adult’s phone number in case of emergency. This event is free. For more information, visit the library’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary/ or call 906-475-7700 ext.18.  

Thursday, April 9 5 p.m.  The Negaunee Public Library is offering a poetry and short story night at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 9. This is a recurring event that meets on the second Thursday each month, but all are welcome to attend. Bring your own work or share a poem or story from your favorite writer or collection. This is a creative space to share the love of writing with others. This program is free and all are welcome to attend. For more information, visit the library’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary/ or call 906-475-7700 ext.18.  

Thursday, April 9 5:30 p.m.  The Negaunee Public Library will hold an interest meeting for a language club at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9. All are welcome to attend and help to shape a new language learning group. This meeting is free. For more information, visit the library’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary/ or call 906-475-7700 ext.18. Negaunee Public Library will hold a graphic novel book club interest meeting at 3 p.m. Friday, April 10. Youth ages 10-18 are invited to attend and share ideas, decide meeting dates and times, and choose books for the group to read at this meeting.

The “big bear” of Upper Peninsula festivals returns for its twelfth year after an extended hibernation due to the Ore Dock Brewing Company’s expansion kicking off in 2025. Ore Dock Brewing Company’s Festival of the Angry Bear is a spirited street festival that has become an annual spring tradition in downtown Marquette. Since its founding in 2014, the annual festival has grown into a weekend long celebration as thousands of enthusiastic (and often fur-clad) celebrators gather to “wake the bear” and shed their winter fur in downtown Marquette.   “We’re so excited to be waking the Bear this year,” says

Festival of the Angry Bear Saturday, April 11, 3 pm

Marquette Symphony Orchestra   Kaufman Auditorium   BEETHOVEN’S 5TH SYMPHONY April 11, 2026, 7:30 PM   Revel in one of the greatest works ever composed: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 by Ludwig van Beethoven.