NORTHERN MICHIGAN — Whether you want to see some spring birds or enjoy the arts, there’s plenty to do this weekend in Northern Michigan.
Here’s what we recommend:
Mushroom mania in Boyne City
It’s morel season in Northern Michigan, and you can get your fill at the 65th annual National Morel Mushroom Festival taking place May 15-18 in Boyne City.
Highlights of the weekend include the competitive morel hunt on Saturday morning, a carnival and arts and crafts show in Veterans Memorial Park, and live music each night.
To see a full schedule of events, visit bcmorelfestival.com.
Chamberfest Cheboygan continues
The second concert in the 2025 Chamberfest Cheboygan series will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 16 when pianist Avery Gagliano takes the stage at the Cheboygan Opera House.
Gagliano is the winner of the First Prize at the 2020 National Chopin Piano Competition and a finalist of the 2025 American Pianists Awards, and has performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Warsaw Philharmonic Hall and the Louis Vuitton Foundation.
Tickets are $30 for adults, veterans receive a $5 discount and students are free.
For more information, visit theoperahouse.org/chamberfest-2025.
Birding in Duncan Bay
You can join experienced birder Michael Turisk of the Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch for early morning birding at the Duncan Bay Nature Preserve in Cheboygan on Saturday, May 17.
The event, coordinated by the Little Traverse Conservancy, will begin at 7:30 a.m.
Participants can bring their own binoculars, and should also consider insect repellant. The trail is described as flat and easy, but also includes a sandy beach section.
For more information, visit landtrust.org.
First annual Dandelion Dash
The Petoskey Children’s Nature Preschool is hosting its first annual Dandelion Dash on Saturday, May 17.
The event will include a professionally timed 5K Trail Run and a short Family Fun Run at the Petoskey High School cross country grounds. Runners, from beginners to seasoned athletes, and walkers are welcome to participate.
The Dandelion Dash, which starts at 9 a.m., is a fundraiser for the preschool.
To sign up, visit runsignup.com/DandelionDashPetoskey.
New fiber exhibit in Sault
Enjoy an opening reception for the new exhibit “Narratives in Fiber” on Saturday, May 17 at the Sault Area Art Center.
The exhibit’s description includes: “A narrative thread braids a story together, creating cohesion and building tension. Events, characters and themes are woven together through a beginning, middle and end. What story will your artwork tell us? A fantasy, a tragedy, or perhaps … a romance?”
The opening reception will take place from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday. It is open to the public.
The exhibit will be on display from May 15 to June 20.
For more information, visit saultartcenter.com.
— Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Looking for fun things to do in Northern Michigan this weekend? Here are 5 possibilities
Reporting by Jillian Fellows, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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