West Michigan: It’s summer again which means there is all day fun in the water, sand in between your toes and seemingly everywhere you can think, ice cream cones that melt as quick as you can eat them, and dazzling lights in the sky and more for Fourth of July Weekend! It doesn’t matter if you live in a big city or in a small town, West Michigan has amazing events in celebration of this year’s Fourth of July!
Celebrations in South West Michigan
Berrien Springs invites you to join them for the 4th annual Berrien Springs Pickle Festival on the Fourth of July! Festivities start at 10 a.m. and run through 5 p.m., where you can join them for their popular vendor alley, pickle tasting room, dunk tank, the Pickle Fling, frozen tee-shirt contest, relish eating contests, and more!
Celebrate Independence Day in a memorable way! Enjoy South Haven’s incredible fireworks show Light Up the Lake on July 3rd with your friends and family from the deck of Michigan Maritime Museum’s tall ship, Friends Good Will out on Lake Michigan.
Mark your calendars for a star-spangled celebration as the community celebrates the Fourth of July in downtown Saugatuck. Join them along with the armed forces, bands, and floats on July 4th for a patriotic parade down Butler Street at 11 a.m., followed by a free Family Fun event in Coghlin Park from 12 p.m to 2 p.m. Enjoy yard games, face painting, and more, with prizes awarded for the most spirited outfit and a mini apple pie-eating contest for all ages.
The weekend of Independence Day is packed with things to do in South Haven! Kickstart the fun with the legendary Light Up the Lakes fireworks show, which illuminate the waters from North Beach to South Beach (sea to shining sea…) accompanied by a fantastic soundtrack and live broadcast by 103.7 COSY FM. A parade follows on the morning of July 4th. On the evening of July 5th, Lake Arvesta Recreation Park will host a second fireworks display, followed by the South Haven Center for the Arts annual Art Fair in Stanley Johnston Park July 6th-7th in shady Stanley Johnston Park.
Get ready for an unforgettable Fourth of July experience in Michigan’s Coldwater Country! Located halfway between Chicago and Detroit, this picturesque region offers a perfect blend of outdoor adventures, charming downtowns, and a plethora of family-friendly activities. Join them for a weekend filled with joy, community spirit, and patriotic celebrations. Coldwater Country welcomes you to create lasting memories with your loved ones this Fourth of July!
Celebrations in Central West Michigan
The Independence Day holiday kicks off at 2 p.m. July 4th with the Ludington Area Jaycees Freedom Festival Grand Parade proceeding down Ludington Avenue into the downtown district. Live music, floats, characters, animals and more will make their way through the streets as part of this annual holiday festival. The holiday will end with a bang with the July 4th fireworks over Lake Michigan at dusk. They are viewable from just about any beach in Ludington, but a popular place to land is Stearns Park Beach. In addition, the SS Badger carferry offers a shoreline cruise during the evening hours, but tickets sell out quickly. Reserve yours at ssbadger.com.
Petoskey Area is home to some of the best Fourth of July Celebrations in Michigan. Petoskey and Harbor Springs both have a Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks. While Harbor Springs holds their annual Paul Revere Run, Art Show in the Park, and more.
Boyne City’s Fourth of July celebrations have been voted some of the best by organizations like the Travel Channel and Reader’s Digest. What’s so great about Boyne City Fourth of July? Waterside Art & Craft Fair with Food Trucks, Independence Day Run, Fourth of July Parade, Raft Race in the Boyne River, Live Music, and Grand Fireworks.
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White Lake Area 4th of July Parade & Fireworks Beginning at 10 a.m., join them for the White Lake Area Fourth of July parade! The parade route travels from Whitehall City Hall to Montague City Hall, with over 80 festive entries, and lead by the honorable American Legion and VFW. Do not miss the family fun offered at their annual parade! After the parade, stick around town for some outdoor recreation, shopping, and dining–then join them at dusk for fireworks over White Lake! These fireworks are put on by the White Lake Fireworks Committee.
The Friends of the Coopersville & Marne Railway invite you to join them on June 28th as we celebrate our great country. Join them for a special evening aboard their Americana themed Rails, Ales & Wine Train (21+)! Enjoy your choice of wine, beer, or non-alcoholic beverage; complemented with a flavorful appetizer or snack; as we travel back to the vintage era of passenger trains. You will be entertained with Americana music while experiencing a leisurely 90-minute excursion through the Ottawa County countryside.
Enjoy a front-row viewing of the fireworks from the dining room, patio, or a spot on the lawn. The fireworks show will begin at dusk. Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant – Thursday, July 4th FireRock Grille – Wednesday, July 3rd Lake Bluff Grille – Friday, July 5th
Light Up Your Fourth July with a Fireworks Cruise! Experience the awe-inspiring fireworks display over Muskegon Lake from a whole new perspective – aboard the Aquastar! Enjoy a relaxing cruise with stunning lake views, festive music, and a front-row seat to the dazzling fireworks show. This special July 4th cruise is a guaranteed sell-out, so book your tickets with Aquastar Cruises today!
Celebrate Independence Day with a BOOM on the Historic S.S. Milwaukee Clipper. Unforgettable Fireworks & Unique History Await! Watch the fireworks display with front-row seats aboard the S.S. Milwaukee Clipper, a National Historic Landmark. Explore the ship’s stunning Art Deco interior while enjoying the festive atmosphere of this special event.
A vibrant and musical show for the whole family at Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium. The musical fountain adds another layer of celebration to Independence Day! The fireworks show begins at dusk on July 4th.
Bring your family and friends to downtown Holland and feast on the festivities. Early birds wearing red, white, or blue will score 20% off at participating shops and restaurants. By noon, Kollen Park vendors will be spinning cotton candy, keeping the good eats coming until just before the evening’s grand finale – fireworks at dusk over beautiful Lake Macatawa. As an Independence Day bonus, Thursday night street performers will take over 8th street from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., delighting children of all ages with their music and acrobatics.
Celebrations in North West Michigan & Upper Peninsula
Celebrate Independence Day in Mackinaw City! The annual Mackinaw Women’s Club Strawberry Social tradition features delicious strawberries served over vanilla ice cream – a refreshing and sweet treat. Enjoy one of their unique attractions, classic games on the marina lawn, explore the boutique shops, bounce houses, dine at one of their delectable eateries in charming downtown Mackinaw City, and listen to live music. Finally, prepare to be dazzled by the largest fireworks display in the Straits, lighting up the night sky at dusk, and providing a breathtaking finale to a day filled with celebration. Don’t miss out on making memories in Mackinaw this Fourth of July!
Visiting Mackinac Island on the Fourth of July is an experience that encapsulates the essence of American heritage and celebration like no other. Start the day by participating in the oldest stone skipping competition in the US and watch the pros throw their stones. Enjoy family games at Windermere Point. Have a Star Spangles Fourth of July at historic Fort Mackinac and finish the day with two simultaneous firework displays!
Cadillac Freedom Festival Presents: A Dazzling Drone Show by Starlight Aerial Productions, a new and spectacular addition to the 2024 festivities on July 5th as part of the “Fire on the Water” military tribute event. The sky above Lake Cadillac will be illuminated by a mesmerizing drone show. depicting symbols of freedom and bravery to pay tribute to our brave military personnel. A traditional fireworks display will also be held on July 6th!
Celebrate Independence Day all weekend long at Crystal Mountain. Family crafts, family golf scramble, sidewalk sales, bike and golf cart parade, Fourth of July 5k Fun run, biking, hiking, outdoor pool and water playground, and so much more.
Celebrate this Fourth of July in the great outdoors! Here at the Pine River Paddlesports Center, you will find a clean & quiet campground that serves as an excellent, centrally located base camp from which to explore the area, as well as a watercraft rental for the nationally designated ‘Wild & Scenic’ river – the Pine River. In addition to the many parades and festivals within driving distance of the Paddlesports Center, you can also immerse yourself in nature with a float down the Pine River. We offer a wide range of watercraft for all sizes, skill levels, and ages. Whether you want to celebrate the Fourth of July with a family-friendly rafting trip, or want to test your skill level with a kayaking trip through fun, splashy whitewater, the Pine has something for you! Let them help you & your family make some great memories this Fourth of July!
Guests can sit back, relax and celebrate Independence Day with the Marquette Fourth of July Sensory Friendly Laser Show. As the largest architectural laser show in North America, this unique experience gives residents, visitors, children and those with sensory sensitivities a comfortable opportunity to participate in Fourth of July celebrations and witness the night sky light up above the picturesque Lake Superior.
For a family fun getaway this Independence Day head to Northern Michigan’s Shanty Creek Resort. Located a mere 30 miles from Traverse City, in beautiful Bellaire, this picturesque destination promises relaxation, adventure, and holiday festivities all rolled into one. Spanning nearly 5,500 acres, Shanty Creek boasts four distinct villages, each with outdoor recreation, lodging and dining options, along with five championship golf courses, ideal for golf enthusiasts. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, July 3rd, as Shanty Creek lights up the sky with a spectacular fireworks display behind The Lakeview Hotel, where you will not only see a kaleidoscope of color in the sky but also breathtaking views of Lake Bellaire.
Looking for more? Find out what other events are happening around West Michigan by checking out our events calendar!
Since 1917, the West Michigan Tourist Association (WMTA) has worked to market the very best of West Michigan to travelers from around the world.
WMTA’s membership base consists of more than 800 attractions, lodging, events, and activities all across the west side of Michigan, from the Indiana border all the way into the Upper Peninsula. Over the past century, Michigan’s tourism industry has become second to only manufacturing in Michigan, making WMTA a vital resource for the area’s tourist destinations.
Today, WMTA continues its mission as a self-sustaining, membership-funded non-profit. For more information, please visit WMTA.org.
