2023 Tip Up Town Festival in Houghton Lake Michigan: Schedule of Events | See the Crazy Polar Bear Plunge, Daring Snowmobile Races and Ice Slide
Tip Up Town Festival, Houghton Lake, MI
By Sherry Trautman | Travel-Mi.com | Updated December 27, 2022
Houghton Lake's Tip Up Town is a famous Michigan festival known for its Polar Bear Plunge, Snowmobile Races and Ice Slide. It's so much fun for the whole family!
Who doesn't LOVE watching brave (crazy?) people jump into icy cold water?!
When is Tip Up Town 2023?
Tip Up Town is January 21, 22, 28, 2023
Where is Tip Up Town Located in Roscommon County?
Tip Up Town festival is located at the southern DNR boat launch, off of M-55 near the Pines theater and Pineview Golf Course in Houghton Lake, Michigan.
Tip Up Town is located in central Roscommon County along the southeast coastline of Houghton Lake, Michigan's largest inland lake. If you need more information about the area, the Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce is a great resource! They are located at 1625 W. Houghton Lake Dr. Houghton Lake, MI
Where to Park at the Tip Up Town Festival in Houghton Lake, Michigan
When we go to the Tip Up Town in Houghton Lake, Michigan, we like to park at the High School located at 4433 W. Houghton Lake Drive, Houghton Lake, MI.
After you park, board the yellow school buses offer a free shuttle service to the festival. You will need to purchase your button (pass) for the festival upon boarding the bus. Attendants will greet you upon boarding and you can purchase the pass then.
Bring cash.
- There is also limited street parking near the festival but you will probably have to walk a considerable distance.
See The Polar Bear Plunge!
For me, the Polar Bear Plunge is the highlight of the Tip Up Town festival. I think it's the highlight for lots of people as hundreds gather to watch the spectacle.
Grab a pastie and get there early so you can have a great view of half naked people huddled shivering near the ice cold water preparing to jump!
WHY, OH WHY?!
For some contestants, you can just feel their dread as they slowly plod up to the jumping platform. One victim, I mean participant, told us his family got together and pooled a bunch of money for whoever was going to jump in...he said it was too much to pass up, so there he was, stripping down to his swim trunks in 30 degree weather!
Now OTHERS, like THESE GUYS pictured above, were just giddy to jump into the icy depths! Bragging rights or just crazy?
The contest was judged, so the crazier the outfit (I saw Santa, a warrior, bride, a bunch of guys in onesies) the more points you received. Heck, I was just impressed they jumped!!
Tip Up Town 2023 Schedule of Events
Tip Up Town offers so many things to do this winter! There are events for kids, vendors, beer tent, music, snowmobile races, food trucks, and my personal favorite...the Polar Bear Plunge (or Dip).
January 20, 2023 - Tip Up Town Winter Festival
Friday Beverage Tent opens, 6 pm-10 pm, 21 and older. Live music by "All My Friends Band"
January 21, 2023 - Tip Up Town Michigan Winter Festival
Saturday at the Village! 12:00 to 4:00 pm.
This is a great day to be at Tip Up Town! So many things to do. We highly recommend FREE parking at the High School with a bus that takes you to the event 11:30-4:30. That's what we like to do, anyway.
10am is the GRAND PARADE (Parade Route: Houghton Lake Heights to Townline Rd. Via M-55)
Beginning at Noon:
- Opening ceremony with the Mayor, Marshal and Queen
- I'd Brap That SXS Ice Grudge Races
- Family Fun Tent opens with live music, magician, face painting, more
- Merchants tent, games, vendors
- Lyman's Fishing Contest - On the first Saturday of the festival, the ice fishing contest is open to everyone of all ages. You may start at any time on Saturday, but must be in line at the weigh-in by 3 p.m. The aim of the Tip-Up Town USA Fishing Contest is to promote ice fishing on Houghton Lake. Pre-registration is not required.
- Fishing Casting contest for children
- Pony Rides
- Petting Zoo
- Ice Slide
- Wood Carving Demo
- Guinness Book of World Records attempt (in the East Bay)
On Saturday Night, the Beverage Tent opens 12 pm - 6 pm, 21 and older with live music by "All My Friends Band"
January 22, 2023 - Tip Up Town Winter Festival
Sunday at the Village - KIDS DAY, 12:00 to 4:00 pm.
Free Parking and transportation at the High School 11:30-4:30.
Beginning at Noon:
- Family Fun Tent opens with live music, magician, face painting, more
- Merchants tent, games, vendors
- Fishing Casting contest for children
- Pony Rides
- Petting Zoo
- Ice Slide
- Wood Carving Demo
- Bull Riding Rodeo
Beginning at 2 pm:
- Fishing contest results/ Awards Ceremony
January 27, 2023 - Tip Up Town Winter Festival
Friday Beverage Tent opens, 6 pm-10 pm, 21 and older. Live entertainment and music by "Atomic Sound" band.
January 28, 2023 - Tip Up Town Winter Festival
Saturday at the Village 12:00 to 4:00 pm. It's POLAR DIP DAY! GREAT DAY TO GO!
Free Parking and transportation at the High School 11:30-4:30
Saturday on the East Bay - Fast Eddie's Snowmobile Drag Racing in the East Bay ALL DAY!
Beginning at Noon:
- Family Fun Tent opens with live music, magician, face painting, more
- Merchants tent, games, vendors
- Lyman's Fishing Contest -
Kids Only Fishing Contest! Must be 16 or younger. You may start at any time on Saturday, but must be in line,
accompanied by an adult, at the weigh-in by 3 p.m.
The aim of the Tip-Up Town USA Fishing Contest is to promote ice fishing on Houghton Lake. No need to register before the event.
- Fishing Casting contest for children
- Pony Rides
- Petting Zoo
- Ice Slide
- Wood Carving Demo
1:00 pm:
2:00 pm:
- Pet Parlor Tip Pup Town Doggy Show
What To Do At Tip Up Town in Houghton Lake, Michigan
Tip Up Town has lots of fun events for kids and adults!
- Hula Hoop Contest
- Cracker Whistling (ya gotta be there to understand!)
- Pie Eating Contest
- Small Horse Rides
- Ice Slide
- Carnival Rides
- Polar Bear Plunge
- Lots of Eating!
- Snowmobile Races
- Bon Fire to warm your hands
- Shop in the heated apparel tent and vendors at the festival
Snowmobile Races Across the Frozen Lake
You can watch the snowmobilers zipping along the frozen lake right at the festival and even venture out on the lake if you are brave!
But if you want to watch the racing up close, you will need to leave the festival site and drive east to the East Bay near the Dairy Queen in Prudenville.
What to Eat at Tip Up Town
Quite a few food trucks await you at the festival! Plus, there's snacks like bags of popcorn that we love!
What to Wear to Tip Up Town
- Dress warmly, but if you wear a zip-up snowsuit it will be harder to maneuver in the portal toilets located on the festival site.
- Kids might want to wear snow pants as the ice slide will soak fabric pants.
- I also recommend kids not wearing their best attire as the ice slide, pony rides and sitting on ice/snow may damage or soil new outer wear.
- Wear boots!! Festival site can be wet, snowy and muddy.
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