Events in Ishpeming, MI

The inaugural Upper Peninsula Folklife Festival brings Marquette together to celebrate, share, and safeguard the region’s living traditions. Culture bearers from across the U.P. and the Upper Midwest will highlight practices rooted in Indigenous communities and in European immigrant heritage, including the area’s strong Scandinavian and Nordic influences. The festival pairs performances and demonstrations with opportunities to learn, encouraging deeper interest and helping pass skills to new generations. Traditional folk arts thrive when knowledge is shared informally from one person to another, whether at a quilting circle, a song gathering, or a parent teaching a child to carve. In the Upper Peninsula, this spirit can be seen in beadwork, canoe building, folk dance, chainsaw carving, felting, weaving and spinning, spoon carving, and many other time-honored crafts. Plans include a food crawl at local restaurants with special dishes and live music, a full slate of workshops, performances, and hands-on demonstrations at the Northern Center on the Northern Michigan University campus and other nearby venues, and community-wide visits to studios, galleries, museums, and cultural spaces throughout Marquette. The festival is presented by the NMU Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center with partners from the City of Marquette Office of Arts & Culture, Hiawatha Music Co-op, Superiorland Woodturners, and the U.P. Arts & Culture Alliance, with support from the American-Scandinavian Foundation, the Michigan Arts & Culture Council, and Travel Marquette.

Test your skills on a fully equipped ninja course with obstacle swings, friendly races, and plenty of gym exploration. Online registration is required and spots are limited to 25 participants, with registration closing once full. Open Gym welcomes all ages and skill levels, and both members and nonmembers may participate. Children 5 and under must have a parent or guardian on the course to supervise. The cost is $15 per child. All participants must have a signed waiver and wear clean, dry athletic shoes. Sandals, crocs, bare feet, boots, and socks-only are not permitted.

Enjoy a friendly group run paired with a Hoka shoe demo led by tech rep Kennedy. Try the latest Clifton 11 and Clifton Pro during the run to get a feel for their ride. It is a welcoming option for anyone curious about Hoka or returning to the brand.

A book discussion at Peace Pie Company brings readers together to talk about the book with pie on the menu. It is hosted by Peace Pie Company and Bromley Books. Attendees are encouraged to come hungry, bring a friend, and enjoy the conversation.

Everyone is welcome at this monthly community dinner. Share a meal and connect with others in a friendly setting. Donations are appreciated, though completely optional.

U.P. Hospice Foundation and Dancing with Our Stars Marquette County Style unveil a refreshed take on a cherished community tradition at Kaufman Auditorium. This big top themed production is a single-evening variety showcase where teams of local personalities pair with professional dancers to present imaginative numbers filled with storytelling, eye-catching costumes, and confident showmanship. Each routine is performed once, and a panel provides live scores for dance quality, creativity, musicality, and overall impact. Supporters can also participate in a Fan Favorite competition through fundraising and votes that help determine a title, creating an engaging experience from the opening number to the finale. After the curtain falls, the celebration continues at the Official Wrap Party at Ore Dock Brewing Company to recognize the performers, sponsors, and the community that brings this tradition to life. Tickets are $50 per person. All proceeds benefit the U.P. Hospice Foundation, with every dollar directed to hospice patients and their families to support comfort, care, and meaningful moments. The foundation’s Make-A-Memory program and related services have helped fulfill wishes and meet practical needs, from enabling a patient to see the President in person to helping another serve as Matron of Honor via tablet at a distant beach ceremony. Assistance has also included providing hearing aids and tablets for better connection with loved ones, supporting family reunions and fishing outings, and building a wheelchair ramp so a household could move more freely again.

City Manager Nate Heffron will be at Midtown Cafe to discuss city projects and other city activities, and to answer questions.

The Forsyth Township Public Library Board of Trustees holds its regular meeting on the second Wednesday of each month, unless a change is announced. The meeting takes place in the library's Community Room, and members of the public are welcome to attend.

This monthly gathering centers on Kirby Air Riders and Sonic Racing with a double elimination bracket. Matches are best of three until the finals, which are best of five. Entry is free and players of all skill levels are welcome. Controllers are available, and participants may bring their own. Pre-registration is offered for both games, or attendees can arrive early to be added to the bracket manually.

The Library Board holds regular monthly meetings in the Ray Leverton Community Room, except in July and December. Meetings are open to the public and include time for public comment.

At Pine Grove, the performer invites the crowd to heckle while they play, turning the set into an interactive experience.

A full day celebration at Bromley’s Books honors the release of A Court of Splintered Harmony, followed by a masquerade at Ore Dock Brewing. Tickets are available in tiered packages that let attendees tailor the experience, with options called Sneak into Calanmai, Visit the House of Wind, Visit Feyre’s Studio, and Court of Dreams. Entry to the masquerade at Ore Dock Brewing does not require a ticket, but tickets provide access to exclusive offers and special experiences throughout the day with Bromley’s Books, including an optional release party. Bromley’s Books will transform into the House of Wind for the occasion. A portion of all ticket sales supports the Women’s Center in Marquette. ACOTAR fans will have a chance to socialize during the masquerade.

Build confidence on the pottery wheel in a supportive six week course that guides you from core techniques to creative projects. Instruction covers centering and throwing, trimming and attaching handles, reclaiming clay, and approaches to surface decoration and glazing. If you already have experience, an individualized plan can help you push into tall vases, lidded jars, altered forms, and more. By the finish, you will understand your own process and feel ready to continue independently during walk-in hours, as a Clayworks member in the studio, or at home with your own equipment. Registration is $350 and includes weekly teaching with demonstrations and feedback, access to the studio throughout the session so you can practice, plenty of clay, glazing and firing for up to six pieces, and use of studio tools and equipment. Additional finished work can be kept for $15 per piece. Wet work is completed during the session, and glazing is typically finished during included open studio hours. The atmosphere is relaxed and collaborative, with small classes capped at eight for plenty of guidance. Designed for adults, with accommodations available for motivated teens.

Attendees will have an opportunity to learn about city projects and other city activities with City Manager Nate Heffron at Midtown Cafe and to get their questions answered.

Each month, the Forsyth Township Public Library Board of Trustees holds its regular meeting on the second Wednesday, unless a change is announced. The public is welcome to attend. This meeting takes place in the library's Community Room.

Spend the day at the Northern Center at Northern Michigan University for the Marquette Holistic Health Fair, a celebration of health and wellness featuring a variety of vendors and presentations on a wide range of topics. Meet people with similar interests, learn something new, and explore products and services that support well-being. More details about vendors, presentation themes, and what to expect will be shared as the event approaches. Vendor inquiries are handled exclusively by Michelle Nichols of Soulfull Integration, LLC, and the official application is available through the event’s vendor information page.

This holiday market at Ely Township supports the Ely Township Scholarship Fund. Local artisans and home-based vendors showcase handmade gifts, confections and gourmet treats, boutique jewelry, distinctive clothing, woodcrafts, and one-of-a-kind home decor. It is suitable for individuals, friends, and families, offering a warm setting to browse unique finds while contributing to a community scholarship effort.

A craft sale by American Legion Aux Unit 114 featuring a wide variety of crafts at reasonable prices. Open to everyone.

The U.P.'s first Ishpeming Kriskindlmarkt opens with a festive ribbon cutting at The Mather. This celebration launches a new holiday tradition highlighted by a European-inspired Christmas atmosphere, handmade gifts, local food and drink, sparkling lights, and delightful surprises for all ages. The market brings the season's magic to life while fostering a welcoming sense of community.

This inaugural Christmas market in Michigan's Upper Peninsula transforms the area outside the Historic Mather in downtown Ishpeming into a cheerful, European inspired marketplace. Attendees will find handmade gifts, local food and beverages, performances beneath sparkling lights, and a dedicated area for children with surprises for all ages. Opening day includes a ceremonial ribbon cutting and grand opening, a golden keg tapping with the Snowshoe Pub opening, the Light-up Ishpeming Holiday Parade, and the official community Christmas tree lighting that follows the parade downtown. The event offers a warm setting to celebrate community, make holiday memories with family and friends, and discover unique finds. A detailed lineup of activities, entertainment, and special experiences will be shared.

The inaugural Christmas market in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula transforms the area outside the Historic Mather in downtown Ishpeming into a cheerful holiday scene. Inspired by European traditions, this open air marketplace features artisan made gifts, local food and beverages, sparkling lights, live entertainment, a children’s area, and delightful surprises for all ages. It is a celebration of community with opportunities to create seasonal memories and discover unique treasures. A detailed lineup of activities, entertainment, and special experiences will be announced soon.

Enjoy ninja action and adventure on a fully equipped course with opportunities to explore the gym, swing across obstacles, race friends, and have fun. Online registration is required, and registration will close once capacity is reached, with a maximum of 25 participants. Participants of any age and ability level are welcome. Children age 5 and younger must be accompanied on the course by a parent or guardian for supervision and safety. The fee is $15 for each child, and both members and nonmembers may attend. A signed waiver is required, and clean, dry athletic shoes are mandatory. Sandals, crocs, bare feet, boots, and socks alone are not allowed.

An inaugural Christmas market for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula brings a festive atmosphere to the outdoor space by the Historic Mather in downtown Ishpeming. Inspired by European holiday traditions, the market showcases handcrafted gifts, local food and drinks, sparkling lights, live entertainment, a dedicated children’s area, and delightful surprises for visitors of every age. It is an opportunity to celebrate community, create lasting holiday memories, and find unique treasures. A full schedule of activities, performances, and special experiences will be shared soon.

A conversation with City Manager Nate Heffron at Midtown Cafe covers city projects and other activities in the city, along with a chance to ask questions.

The Forsyth Township Public Library Board of Trustees holds its regular meeting in the library’s Community Room. Sessions are planned for the second Wednesday of each month unless a schedule change is announced. These meetings are open to the public, offering a chance to observe and stay informed about library business.