Summer in Glen Arbor moves fast. The best things to do in Glen Arbor MI between June and August don’t spread out across the season. They stack. The Farmer’s Market every Tuesday. The Glen Lake Woman’s Club Art Fair in mid-July, 54 years running. The Running Bear 5K. The 4th of July parade. The Port Oneida Fair.
Summer festivals in Glen Arbor
The 4th of July is the centerpiece, and this year is the country’s 250th. The day starts at 10am with a flag-raising at Old Settlers Park. The Glen Arbor parade through downtown follows at noon, a tradition that goes back to the early 1960s, when local kids decorated their bicycles and rode through town. No registration. Just show up. The Glen Lake boat parade follows at 3pm, off the docks at the Glen Lake Yacht Club.
The Glen Lake Woman’s Club Art Fair lands on July 15, its 54th year. About 90 jury-invited artists set up behind the Town Hall from 10am to 4pm: pottery, painting, woodworking, jewelry. Admission is free. Proceeds go to scholarships at Glen Lake Community School.
The Running Bear 5K Run/Walk goes off at 9am at Cherry Republic on July 28, its 19th year. The half-mile Kids Run follows at 9:05. Online registration opens May 1 and closes at midnight on July 26.
The Port Oneida Fair runs August 7–8 across five historic sites. Hand crafts. Demonstrations. Late-1800s rural Leelanau, brought back for two days.
Beyond the festivals
The wine trail
Three tasting rooms sit within walking distance of each other in downtown Glen Arbor, Michigan’s smallest wine trail. Glen Arbor Wines has a wine garden out back with fire pits. Cherry Republic’s Winery pours cherry wines and ciders from local fruit; kids can pull a cherry soda at the counter.
The park around the village
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore wraps the village. If you only have a day, hit the 7-mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, the Dune Climb, and the Maritime Museum at Glen Haven. Glen Lake, which National Geographic once called one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, takes powerboats, sailboats, and swimmers without playing favorites. The Crystal River runs slow and clear through Leelanau Conservancy land; easy paddling, good for wildlife. The Platte River runs longer and more remote.
For more on the park itself, see our guide on getting the most out of your visit.
Planning your summer visit
Mid-May through September is the window. Peak runs June through August: warmer water, busier trails, higher rates. May, late September, and October are quieter, cooler, and cheaper.
Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast and Luxury Condos is a short walk from the Lake Michigan beaches. Five bed and breakfast rooms, each named for a local landmark, plus three luxury condos on the same grounds. B&B guests get scratch-made breakfast every morning; the innkeeper, Laura, is also the chef. Shoulder-season rates run lowest in May, late September, and October.
Public restrooms in the Glen Arbor Garden on Lake Street are open 9am to 8pm, May through November. The garden sits between Art’s Tavern and The Cottage Book Shop. The Glen Arbor Farmers Market sets up behind the Township Hall at 6394 W. Western Avenue, Tuesdays 9am to 1pm, June through mid-September. Free daytime parking behind the Township Hall, along Western Avenue side streets, at the Township Park, and at participating businesses. No overnight parking. Watch the marked zones.
What to do next
Book early. Shoulder-season rates run lowest in May and late September. For more, see the best spots in Glen Arbor to fish and our broader summer guide to things to do in Glen Arbor.
FAQs
Q1. What are the main summer festivals in Glen Arbor? Four anchor festivals run the summer calendar: Glen Arbor’s 4th of July celebration (parade at noon, boat parade at 3pm on Glen Lake), the Glen Lake Woman’s Club Art Fair in mid-July (90 jury-invited artists), the Running Bear 5K Run/Walk in late July, and the Port Oneida Fair in early August (two days of late-1800s rural Leelanau across five historic sites).
Q2. When is the best time to visit Glen Arbor during summer? Mid-May through September. Peak runs June through August: warmer water, busier trails, higher rates. May, late September, and October are quieter, cooler, and cheaper. Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast and Luxury Condos is open year-round and runs winter rates and group rentals off-season.
Q3. What activities can I enjoy in Glen Arbor besides festivals? Three tasting rooms on Glen Arbor’s downtown wine trail. The Glen Arbor Farmers Market every Tuesday, 9am to 1pm, June through mid-September. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, the Dune Climb, the Maritime Museum at Glen Haven. Glen Lake for swimming, sailing, and powerboats. The Crystal River and the Platte River for paddling.
Q4. Where can I find parking in Glen Arbor? Free daytime parking behind the Township Hall at 6394 W. Western Avenue, along Western Avenue side streets, at the Township Park, and at participating businesses. No overnight parking. Watch the marked zones.
Q5. Do I need to register in advance for Glen Arbor events? Depends on the event. The 4th of July parade and the Art Fair require no registration; just show up. The Running Bear 5K Run/Walk requires online registration. Sign-ups open May 1 and close at midnight on July 26.