Central UP Events

Tuesdays, July (7, 14, 21, 28) 2026. 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Fridays, July (3, 10, 17, 24, 31) 2026. Noon – 1:00 p.m. Peter White Public Library Heritage Room.  Mediate Marquette and PWPL have collaborated to offer two weekly, in-person mindfulness meditation programs. Sessions will include a combination of talks, seated meditation, and movement practices. All individuals, regardless of previous experience or spiritual affiliation, are welcome to attend.  For further information, please contact meditatemarquette@gmail.com or call 906-226-4303.  

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

Saturday, July 25 at 1:00 pm CDT Miners Memorial Heritage Park 771 E Ayer St. Ironwood, MI 49938   Free event   Jeff Walker learned the art of blacksmithing twenty years ago in his home state of South Dakota. As a member of the Dakota Artists-Blacksmiths’ Association, he is passionate about preserving blacksmithing in the modern world. Now transplanted to Northern Wisconsin, he travels with a trailer full of tools, portable forges, and homemade charcoal, and showcases his blacksmithing wherever there are people curious about this ancient craft.   https://emberlight.org/event/jeff-walker-blacksmith/  

Saturday, July 25, 2026 6:30pm Women’s Federated Clubhouse, 104 W. Ridge St. The League of Women Voters of Marquette County invites all citizens to a free event on July 25, 2026 at the Women’s Federated Clubhouse, 104 W. Ridge St. in Marquette at 6:30pm. Mark Brewer, a long-time election consultant and lawyer, will speak on Challenges in Michigan Elections 2026.  Mark has been the litigator for the League of Women Voters of Michigan in the past, and continues as a vigilant observer and commentator on the state of election law and security in Michigan. His presentation will be preceded by

Saturday, July 25 at 7:00 pm CDT Theatre North 825 N Lake St. Ironwood, MI 49938   $10 Regular seats; Free student tickets   This film takes a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of an opera house against the backdrop of the politicians, philanthropists, artists and institutions that collectively shaped the cultural life of New York City, including the people who were displaced from their homes to make room for the new center. Their intersection would lead to the transformation of a neighborhood and the building of one of the crown jewels of the city’s cultural institutions.    https://emberlight.org/event/the-opera-house/    

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

Tuesday, July (7,14,21,28), 2026 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  Local History Research Room, Peter White Public Library.  Need help with the settings on your phone or iPad? Want to download travel apps before you leave town? Need help utilizing the library’s Memory Lab or navigating Libby? Learn how to make your electronic devices work the way you want, with the help of Christine Ault, retired teacher and tech coach, Tuesday mornings from 10 AM – 3 PM during June, July and August in the Local History Research Room of the Peter White Public Library.  Call the Reference Desk at 906-226-4311