2023 Michigan Mushroom Festivals (Top 4!) + Schedule of Events of National Morel Festival Michigan, Mesick Mushroom Festival and More This May!
2023 Best Michigan Mushroom Festivals (Top 4!) | Schedule of Events of National Morel Festival Michigan, Mesick Mushroom Festival and More This May!
By: Sherry Trautman | Travel-Mi.com | Last updated: May 1, 2023
Every spring, Michiganders excitedly begin searching for the much coveted (and super tasty) Michigan morel mushrooms! May is a mushroom lovers paradise as Michigan mushroom festivals pop up all over the state. Let the adventurous fun begin!
Come celebrate morel mushroom month at these 4 exciting Mushroom Festivals in Michigan! Lots of quality family-friendly activities and fun!
Map of Best Michigan Mushroom Festivals!
1. 63rd Annual National Morel Mushroom Festival- (Mushroom Festival Boyne City)
May 18 - 21, 2023
Boyne City, Michigan
Enjoy morel tastings, seminar, arts & crafts show, concert, carnival, and more at the 63rd Annual National Morel Mushroom Festival!
If you love mushrooms, check out the Boyne City Mushroom Festival festival schedule below!!
Future Festival Dates:
May 16- 19, 2024
May 15 - 18, 2025
May 14 - 17, 2026
Thursday, May 18, 2023: National Morel Mushroom Festival Schedule of Events
Events are subject to change.
3-10 pm: Schmidt Amusements Carnival at Veteran's Memorial Park. Bring the family for carnival rides and treats!
5 - 9 pm: Music, Libations & Nibbles hosted in the Heated Tent in Veterans Memorial Park.
Friday, May 19, 2023: National Morel Mushroom Festival Schedule of Events
12 - 6 pm: Arts & Crafts Show + Food Trucks at Veterans Memorial Park
3 - 10 pm: Schmidt Amusements Carnival at Veterans Memorial Park
3:30 - 4:30pm: Morel Seminar: Free morel hunting seminar presented by Tony Williams, five-time winner of the "National Competitive Hunt." Heated Festival Tent in Veterans Memorial Park.
5:30 - 9:30pm: Morelfest Wine & Dine. Beach House Restaurant on Deer Lake, 439 E Deer Lake Rd. Boyne Falls, MI 49713. Registration is necessary for either the 5:30 pm or 7:30 pm seating times.
Saturday, May 20, 2023: National Morel Mushroom Festival Schedule of Events
8 - 9 am: Registration for 63rd Annual National Competitive Morel Mushroom Hunt at the Boyne City High School, 1305 Boyne Ave. Boyne City, MI
8 - 10am: Community Breakfast, Boyne City Eagles Hall
8am - Noon: Farmers Market, Boyne City - Location, Veterans Memorial Park
9 - 11am: 63rd National Competitive Hunt. People of all ages will scour the great outdoors for these small (yet oh so tasty) wonders of nature: The morel mushroom! Location: Boyne City High School, 1305 Boyne Ave. Boyne City, MI
10am - 6pm: Arts & Crafts Show + Food Trucks at Veterans Memorial Park
10am - 6pm: Painting in the Park with Dan: Kids (and adults) can paint their own one-of-a-kind morel masterpiece alongside Daniel Duncan of Duncan Studios. Donations appreciated. Location: Veteran's Memorial Park behind Duncan Studios' booth in the Arts & Crafts Show.
11am - 10pm: Schmidt Amusements Carnival at Veterans Memorial Park
12 - 3pm: Taste of Morels: Largest concentration of morel mushroom cooking in the world! Visitor can watch local chefs prepare morel-infused recipes and delicacies while competing for the top three winning dishes. Cash bar available. $10 Admission with tasting tickets for purchase. Heated Festival Tent in Veterans Memorial Park. Registration necessary.
4 - 5pm: Great Morel Giveaway: Enter to win a pound of morels or a $50 gift certificate at multiple participating downtown businesses. Drawings begin at 4 pm at Freshwater Art Gallery (217 S Lake St.)
7 - 11pm: 63rd Motherload Bash, presented by Boyne City Hardware & Boyne Mountain Resort: Rock out to The Family Tradition Band (classic country rock); 21+ older with cash bar. $10 Admission. Heated Festival Tent in Veterans Memorial Park.
Sunday, May 21, 2023: National Morel Mushroom Festival Schedule of Events
12 - 3pm: Paint & Sip with Duncan Studios: Create a Michigan Morel painting with detailed instruction by artist Dan Duncan, complimentary glass of wine or beer (cash bar afterwards), and hors d'oeuvres by the Boyne City High School Hospitality Class, $65 per person, Heated Festival Tent in Veterans Memorial Park. Registration required.
12 - 3pm: Arts & Crafts Show at Veterans Memorial Park
12 - 5pm: Schmidt Amusements Carnival at Veterans Memorial Park
So many things to do at Michigan Mushroom Festivals this month!
Where is the Best Morel Mushroom Hunting in Michigan?
Where is the best morel mushroom hunting in Michigan?
Did you know that large burn sites in forests are ideal for hunting Michigan morels? Michigan DNR has a MI Morels Map!
If you can find burned areas where jack, white or red pine once grew, you might hit the morel mushroom jackpot! Per the DNR, grassy and non forest areas are not as likely to produce morels.
Mesick Michigan is the mushroom capital of the United States! How cool is that?
2. 64th Annual Mesick Lions Mushroom Festival During May Morel Month!
The Mesick Lions 64th Annual Mushroom Festival is May 12-14, 2023!
This 64th Annual Mesick Lions Mushroom Festival offers fun for the whole family! Flea market, car show, mud bog, co-ed softball, parade, arts and crafts show. Come hunt for mushrooms, Blessing of the Jeeps, food of all kinds, concerts, many events for kids, baseball and volleyball.
Location: Mesick, MI
Events subject to change.
Friday, May 12, 2023 Schedule of Events
Flea market (Friday-Sunday): 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Sunday - 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Location: Mesick Market on M-115
Mesick Amvets Pizza Night - Friday, 4-8 pm
Location: Mesick Amvets Post #120
Masonic Lodge Pastie Sale - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Friday and Saturday.
Location: Masonic Lodge on M-115
Carnival - Friday (Friday-Sunday): Friday: 1 - 10 pm. Saturday: 11 am - 10 pm and Sunday: 11 am - 4 pm.
Location: Village Community Field
Pingpong Ball Drop: 6:00 pm
Location:
Floyd M Jewett Elementary
School
Co-Ed Softball Tournament - 6:00 pm
Location:
Reams Field
Friday Night Street Fair - 6:30 pm -8 pm
Location:
Mesick Amvets Post #120
Saturday, May 13, 2023 Schedule of Events
Co-Ed Softball Tournaments (Friday-Sunday) - 8:00 am
Location: Dana Ream Memorial Field and Mesick Recreation Park. Register early!
Flea market (Friday-Sunday): 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Sunday - 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Location: Mesick Market on M-115
Money Hunt: 10:00 am.
Location:
Village Hall
Mesick Museum Open House - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location:
Mesick Museum
Masonic Lodge Pastie Sale - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Friday and Saturday.
Location: Masonic Lodge on M-115
Carnival - Friday (Friday-Sunday): Friday: 1 - 10 pm. Saturday: 11 am - 10 pm and Sunday: 11 am - 4 pm.
Location: Village Community Field
64th Annual – Mesick Women's Club Hobby & Craft Show (Saturday), Saturday May 13, 2023 (Always Mother's Day Weekend), Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Mesick Middle School Corner of Clark St & M - 115.
Mushroom Contest Ends at Noon
Location:
Mesick Market
Mesick Mushroom Festival Grand Parade (Saturday) - Saturday May 13, 2023 at 12 pm. 2023 Theme: "Carpe Diem (Seize the Day)" The parade begins at Faith Lutheran Church.
Mud Bogg! Right after the parade! Saturday May 13, 2023 at 1:00 pm.
Located west M-115 to 11 3/4 road. New entrance at Quonset Hut Building. Register early!
Mesick Amvets Chicken Dinner: 2:00pm - ?
Location:
Mesick Amvets Post #120
Cornhole Tournament - 4:00 pm. 3:00pm signup.
Location:
Ellen's Corners
Mesick Mushroom Festival Glow in the Dark 5K Run - 7:30 p.m. at Northern Exposures Campground, 285 Manistee River Dr. Mesick, MI. Run near the beautiful Manistee River and through scenic trails along the North Country Trail beginning at the Northern Exposure Campground. Register early!
Mesick Amvets Sandy and the Bandits - 8pm - Midnight
Location: Mesick Amvets Post #120
Sunday May 14, 2023 Schedule of Events
Co-Ed Softball Tournaments (Friday-Sunday) - 8:00 am
Location: Dana Ream Memorial Field and Mesick Recreation Park. Register early!
Flea market: 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Location: Mesick Market on M-115
Antique Car Show and Cruise (Sunday), Sunday May 14, 2023 · 9:00 till noon. Come join the fun! Embark on a 20 mile cruise, from Mesick down to the Wellston area and back to Ellen's Corners.
Location: Ellen's Corners
Carnival - Friday (Friday-Sunday): Friday: 1 - 10 pm. Saturday: 11 am - 10 pm and Sunday: 11 am - 4 pm.
Location: Village Community Field
- Get your Mushroom Pickers Kit $6 ea. Available at the Festival Office at the Village Community Field.
- It's best to leave your dogs at home as they are discouraged at the festival.
Speaking of Mushrooms, Check Out These Mushroom Houses in Charlevoix!
If you love mushrooms, check out these mushroom houses in Charlevoix! If you are attending the National Mushroom Festival in Boyne City, Charlevoix is close by! Read More: Mushroom Houses in Charlevoix.
3. 51st Annual Morel Mushroom Festival and Art in the Park in Lewiston Michigan! + Go Morel Mushroom Hunting!
51st Annual Morel Mushroom Festival and Art in the Park! Lots of small town fun!
Saturday, May 13, 2023
- Saturday: 9 am‑4 pm
- Location: 4360 Hansen Avenue, Lewiston, MI 49756
Come on out for morel mushroom hunts, mushroom identification activities, art in the park, farmers market, spring fling shopping event, morel mushroom tasting crawl at local restaurants, and more.
Guided Mushroom Hunt - Saturday, May 13, 2023. The first hunt leaves at 8 am and 2nd hunt at Noon. The cost is $20.00 per person for the guided hunt meeting at the Lewiston Chamber of Commerce located at 2946 Kneeland St., Lewiston, MI. Learn how to find these tasty wonders of nature! Both hunts include: Guided hunt, hunting bag, fact sheet on mushroom hunting, prize, cooking demonstrations, and informational mushroom seminars.
What Trees do Morels Grow Under?
What trees do morels grow under? Oak, elm, ash, and aspen trees.
4. 27th Annual Osseo Heritage Day & Great Mushroom Hunt in Southern Michigan
Osseo Heritage Day & Great Mushroom Hunt is held annually on the Saturday of Mother’s Day Weekend.
May 13, 2023!!
Location: 2837 Bird Lake Rd S, Osseo, MI.
- The mushroom champ is whoever checks in the single largest morel of the day! Take home $300 cash, a unique trophy and the bragging rights! Will you win the top prize?
Don’t have a place to hunt? The festival is close to the Lost Nations State Game Area and the Somerset State Game Area. They have detailed maps of both locations (and its on our map at the top of this page too).
- All mushrooms must be fresh picked on the day of the festival and must be clean.
- Registered contestants will hunt the day of the festival and return with their bounty to check-in between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.
For more rules, registration and info, check the Osseo Heritage Day and Great Mushroom Hunt's page!
Last Year:
Last year, 16 teams registered and competed in the 26th Annual and they checked-in a combined total of 51.82 lbs of morel mushrooms!
20 pounds of morels were sold at auction and were sold from $65 to $105 per pound!