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2024 Mackinac Island Lilac Festival: Event Schedule, Parade Route, Interactive Map, Lilac Walking Tours, Movies and FUN Things To Do!
Article: 2024 Mackinac Island Lilac Festival: Event Schedule, Parade Route, Interactive Map, Lilac Walking Tours, Movies and FUN Things To Do!
This spring, hop aboard either the Shepler's or Star Line ferry and motor across to Mackinaw Island to immerse yourself in the scenic and fragrant Mackinac Island Lilac Festival! Chris and I visit Mackinac Island every year, maybe even twice a year! We love it!
The Mackinac lilac festival is the largest and most historic festival (started in 1949!) on Mackinac Island.
It's a super popular Michigan festival with tourists and locals alike.
Events include the Lilac Queen coronation, 10K Run/Walk, lilac walking tours and planting seminars, kids activities, Michigan Cornhole tournament, music, and the super popular Grand Parade.
"They don't grow like this anywhere else in the world," per lilac specialist, Jeff Young
Mackinac Island was voted #1 Best Island in the Continental United States by Travel + Leisure?
When is Mackinac Island Lilac Festival?
June 7 - 16, 2024
2024 Theme: Petals and Pedals (Pretty fitting, don't you think?)
FAQ's people are asking!
Answer: Depending on the weather, lilacs can bloom from two weeks to four weeks.
Answer: Yes! You will need to take Shepler's or Star Line ferries over to the island this spring.
Answer: Riding bikes, hiking the perimeter of the island, climbing to Arch Rock, enjoying a picnic along the shoreline, embarking on a kayak adventure, photography.
Answer: Mackinac Island, located in northern Michigan.
When is the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Parade?
The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Parade is Sunday, June 16th. Lineup begins at 3:00 pm, parade starts at 4:00 pm.
Why Lilacs? Fascinating History of Lilacs on Mackinac Island
Are lilacs native to Mackinac Island? Nope.
Lilacs were first planted on the island by the Hubbard family from New Hampshire, per Mr. Jeff Young, the horticulturist for the island’s Lilac Festival.
Those who planted lilacs believed the fragrant blooms would bring them good luck. Many of the Mackinac Island lilacs near the Hubbard's old farm (that have since been developed into cottages) are approximately 100 years old! And these plants are offspring of plants that were also about 100 years old, which means lilacs have been on Mackinac Island for about 200 years!
Mr. Young believes the lilacs on Mackinac Island are the oldest in the United States or Canada. WOW!
Lilacs love lots of rainfall and the chance to harden over winter, which is in abundance at Mackinac Island.
Hence, Mackinac Island's lilacs are the largest in the country! Many stems are larger than two feet across at the base!
Stay at The Grand Hotel!
Consider staying at the famous Grand Hotel while attending the Lilac Festival Mackinac Island 2023.
The lovely Grand Hotel dates back to 1887 and earned the No. 6 spot on the list of the Best Hotels in the Midwest!
Map of Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Events
Grab your Google Map of the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival!
- Click on the plus and minus in the left corner to zoom in or out of the map.
- Click on the icons for more info, addresses and photos of the stops.
- Click on the map to drag and move it to view surrounding areas.
- In the Header, click on the rectangle in the upper left of the map to see a menu of all of our stops. Click on anything that looks interesting to see where it is on the map. To hide the menu, click the rectangle in the header.
- In the Header, click on the "square" icon in the upper right side to expand the map for better viewing.
Daily Schedule of the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival
Happening Daily During the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival (please note, events are subject to change):
- FREE Family Fun Playground at Windermere Point. Bounce houses on weekends.
- Kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling excursions with Great Turtle Kayak Tours. Times vary, see their website for costs and scheduling.
-
Morning, Historic, and Sunset cruises with Sip N’ Sail cruises. Times vary, see their website for pricing and scheduling.
- Questions? MackinacIsland.org has lots of answers!
10:00 am – 5:00 pm: See all Lilac Festival posters on display and also the top 20 Posters at Mission Point Theatre. Free.
10:00 am - 5:30 pm: Free admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum.
10:00 am - 8:00 pm: View local artists, Nicki Griffith and Pat Pulte, new works in the Murray Hotel Lower
Gallery.
1:00 pm: Enjoy a special tour at Fort Mackinac after the cannon firing. Included with admission to Fort Mackinac.
Evenings: Downtown entertainment. Enjoy live music in downtown Mackinac Island.
Friday, June 7, 2024 | Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Schedule of Events
12:00 - 5:00 pm: Family Fun Bounce House Playground at Windermere Point. Free!
3:00 pm–4:30 pm: Lilac Festival Poster Contest artist reception at the Mission Point Theatre lobby. Free! Open to the public
5:00 pm: Coronation of the Lilac Festival Queen and unveiling of the Lilac Festival Poster. Free event in
Marquette Park.
Saturday, June 8, 2024 | Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Schedule of Events
9:00 am – 4:00 pm: Fire the cannon at Fort Mackinac at 6:30 pm. Sign up before 4:00 pm at the Tourism
Booth on Main Street for a chance to fire the cannon!
9:30 am: Lilac Festival 10K Run & Walk. Begins at Windermere Point and finishes in the Mackinac
Island School Yard.
10:00 am: Enjoy a Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Begins behind the Art Museum, near the playground in Marquette Park. FREE!
10:00 am - 5:00 pm: Bounce House Playground at Windermere Point. Free! Fun kids activity at the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival!
10:00 am: Michigan Cornhole Tournament at Windermere Point. Bags fly at 11:00 am
10:00 am – 5:30 pm: Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art
Museum.
11:00 am – 2:30 pm: Vintage Bicycle Rally on the Rock at Marquette Park. Free springtime event!
11:45 am: Lil’ Lilac Kids Run. Begins and ends at Mackinac Island Public School
12:00 pm–3:00 pm: MSU Master Gardener. Meet near the Art Museum in Marquette Park.
12:30 pm: Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Meet behind the Art Museum, Marquette Park. FREE!
3:00 pm: Lilac Planting, Pruning & Propagation Seminar. Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds.
Free event.
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm: Line Dancing in the Street with West Michigan Bootscooters. Located on Market
Street between Fort Street and Astor Street. Free event.
Fire the cannon at Fort Mackinac at 6:30 pm. Sign up before 4:00 pm at the Tourism Booth on Main Street!
9:00 pm–11:30 pm: Movie in the Fort. Located in Fort Mackinac. Free admission, bring a chair or blanket and your
favorite snack
Sunday, June 9, 2024 | Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Schedule of Events
9:30 am: Lilacs and Warblers Birding Adventure! Enjoy a guided tour of Mackinac Island’s birds and flowers. Group will begin in Marquette Park. No fee.
10:00 am - 5:00 pm: Family Fun Bounce House Playground at Windermere Point. FREE!
10:00 am – 5:30 pm: Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art
Museum.
11:00 am: Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Meet behind the Art Museum, Marquette Park. FREE!
11:30 pm–12:00 pm: Garden Tour at Island House Hotel. Learn about the history and beauty of the Victorian-style gardens. FREE!
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm: MSU Master Gardener Activities. Smart Gardener program info near Art Museum in Marquette Park. Come and go, FREE! event.
12:30 pm: Lilac Walking Tour with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Meet on the west side of Marquette
Park. Free event.
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Kids planting activity.
3:00 pm: Lilac Planting, Pruning & Propagation Seminar held at Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds.
FREE! event.
6:00 pm–8:00 pm: Lilac Festival Puzzle Challenge! Fastest teams to complete the puzzle wins prizes! Sign up on the Tourism Bureau website. Free event going on at the Community Hall.
Monday, June 10, 2024 | Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Schedule of Events
11:00 am: Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Meet behind the Art Museum, Marquette Park. FREE!
11:30 pm–12:00 pm: Garden Tour at Island House Hotel. Learn about the history and beauty of the Victorian-style gardens. FREE!
1:00 pm: Lilac Walking Tour with Lilac Docent, Anne Borowicz. Meet by the Post Office. Free event.
3:00 pm: Lilac Planting, Pruning & Propagation Seminar held at Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. FREE! event.
5:00 pm–6:45 pm: Intro to Polymer Clay Jewelry (Lilac Themed) happening at the Watercolor Café. Fee is $48. Register early on their website.
Since You are Visiting Mackinac Island...
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 | Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Schedule of Events
11:00 am: Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Meet behind the Art Museum, Marquette Park. FREE!
11:30 pm–12:00 pm: Garden Tour at Island House Hotel. Learn about the history and beauty of the Victorian-style gardens. FREE!
12:00 pm–3:00 pm: MSU Master Gardener Activities and Smart Gardener program information. Near Art Museum in Marquette Park. Free event.
12:30 pm–2:30 pm: Enjoy a Nature Tour with Trish Martin, beginning at Bogan Lane Inn. FREE event.
3:00 pm: Lilac Planting, Pruning & Propagation Seminar held at Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. FREE! event.
5:30 pm: Learn about creating the Village of Mackinac Island with a Walking Tour! Join Mackinac State Historic Parks’ Interpretation Coordinator for a one hour walk that begins at Windermere Point. Free!
Since you are headed to Mackinac Island, grab our Mackinac Island guide! Best hotels, ferry info, our favorite restaurants and things to do!
Wednesday, June 12, 2024 | Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Schedule of Events
11:30 pm–12:00 pm: Garden Tour at Island House Hotel. Learn about the history and beauty of the Victorian-style gardens. FREE!
11:30 am: Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Walk will begin behind the Art Museum, in Marquette Park.
12:00 pm–3:00 pm: MSU Master Gardener Activities and Smart Gardener program information. Near Art Museum in Marquette Park. Free event.
3:30 pm: Lilac Planting, Pruning & Propagation Seminar held at Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. FREE! event.
5:30 pm: Come and experience a Mackinac in the 1830’s walking tour with Mackinac State Historic Parks. Meet in front of The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum. FREE!
7:00 pm: Artist-in-Residence Program. Station 256 Conference Room above the State Park Visitor
Center. Free event.
Thursday, June 13, 2024 | Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Schedule of Events
10:00 am: Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Walk will begin behind the Art Museum, in Marquette Park.
11:30 pm–12:00 pm: Garden Tour at Island House Hotel. Learn about the exciting history and beauty of the Victorian-style gardens. FREE!
12:00 pm–3:00 pm: MSU Master Gardener Activities and Smart Gardener program information. Near Art Museum in Marquette Park. Free event.
3:00 pm: Lilac Planting, Pruning & Propagation Seminar held at Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. FREE! event.
3:00 pm: Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Walk will begin behind the Art Museum, in Marquette Park.
Friday, June 14, 2024 | Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Schedule of Events
9:00 am – 4:00 pm: Sign up before 4:00 pm at the Tourism
Booth on Main Street for a chance to fire the cannon at Fort Mackinac at 6:30 on!
10:00 am: Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Walk will begin behind the Art Museum, in Marquette Park.
10:00 am - 5:00 pm: Family Fun Bounce house Playground at Windermere Point. Free!
10:00 am – 5:30 pm: Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art
Museum.
11:30 pm–12:00 pm: Garden Tour at Island House Hotel. Learn about the exciting history and beauty of the Victorian-style gardens. FREE!
12:00 pm–3:00 pm: MSU Master Gardener Activities and Smart Gardener program information. Near Art Museum in Marquette Park. Free event.
3:00 pm: Lilac Planting, Pruning & Propagation Seminar held at Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. FREE! event.
6:00 pm: Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Walk will begin behind the Art Museum, in Marquette Park.
Saturday, June 15, 2024 | Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Schedule of Events
9:00 am – 4:00 pm: Sign up before 4:00 pm at the Tourism Booth on Main Street for a chance to fire the cannon at Fort Mackinac at 6:30 on!
10:00 am: Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Walk will begin behind the Art Museum, in Marquette Park.
10:00 am - 5:00 pm: Family Fun Bounce house Playground at Windermere Point. Free!
10:00 am – 5:30 pm: Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum.
11:30 pm–12:00 pm: Garden Tour at Island House Hotel. Learn about the exciting history and beauty of the Victorian-style gardens. FREE!
12:00 pm–3:00 pm: MSU Master Gardener Activities and Smart Gardener program information. Near Art Museum in Marquette Park. Free event.
3:00 pm: Lilac Planting, Pruning & Propagation Seminar held at Ste. Anne Catholic Church grounds. FREE! event.
6:00 pm: Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Walk will begin behind the Art Museum, in Marquette Park.
Sunday, June 16, 2024 | Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Schedule of Events
10:00 am – 5:30 pm: Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art
Museum.
1:30 pm–4:00 pm: Grand Parade Pre-Party in the Park! Bring you family to enjoy fun musical performances, face painting, henna art, fun glitter tattoos, clowns, balloon animals, stilt walker, and more! Free!
4:00 pm: Special cannon firing from Fort Mackinac to kick-off the 2024 Lilac Festival Parade!
4:00 pm: Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Parade. Begins at Mission Point Resort and ends at Windermere
Point.
5:30 pm: Raffle Ticket Party at Mary’s Bistro. Tickets are $100. First place is $3,000 and 2nd-8th place is
$1,000 each. Drawing is at 6:30 pm.
6:00 pm: Lilac Walking and Talking Tour. Meet behind the Art Museum in Marquette Park. Free event.
Author: Sherry Trautman
Author | Sherry Trautman is a seasoned business owner and a multifaceted content creator, deeply entrenched in the world of travel in Michigan. With her extensive background in writing, editing, photography, marketing, website design, web mastering, social media, and publishing, she is the driving force behind the acclaimed Michigan Travel site "Travel-mi.com." A lifelong Michigander...read more about Sherry Trautman
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