Family events in Upper Peninsula, MI

A festive celebration of Summer Reading takes place on the Escanaba Public Library's north lawn. Bring your final reading log to receive a $10 Canterbury Bookstore certificate, provided by the Friends of the Escanaba Public Library. Enjoy food, music, and games. The Bookmobile will be on site so you can check out items with your library card. If it rains, the event will move indoors.

Celebrate Iron Mountain’s Italian heritage with an all-day, family-friendly festival featuring authentic Italian cuisine, live music, fun activities, and refreshing beverages.

This Lego Club session spotlights the theme Summer Reading Fun, inviting builders to bring their imagination and create original designs inspired by the idea. Participants can share what they make, and a prize drawing will be held at the end of the session with attendees eligible to be entered. Please bring one container of Legos for each child participating.

Spend a summer evening on the water with a relaxed cruise through the renowned Soo Locks as daylight fades over the St. Marys River. Hosted by Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours, this experience offers close-up views of towering freighters and the lock system at work, paired with a calm, easygoing vibe. Drinks are offered for guests of every age, and there are plenty of moments to capture stunning photos. It is a comfortable choice for families, date nights, groups of friends, and out-of-town guests looking for a peaceful way to enjoy the scenery.

Little Bellas offers a weekly mountain biking program in Marquette for girls ages 7 to 13. It begins with four sessions at the Forestville Trailhead, then shifts to Jackson Mine Park in Negaunee so riders can experience varied singletrack, playful features, and plenty of room for games and practice. Mentors ride with the group to support growth and confidence, using trail time, scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, and group rides to build skills progressively. The series runs for eight sessions, welcomes every ability level, and keeps the focus on fun, friendship, and learning through play. If a bike or financial assistance is needed, that can be indicated on the registration form.

Launching in partnership with the Braumart Theater, this new drama club welcomes students ages 12 to 18 who want to explore theater in a friendly, creative setting. Sessions feature improv games, collaborative activities, and foundational acting practice that nurture confidence, imagination, and teamwork. The aim is to spark a love of the stage while encouraging self-expression and new friendships. The first gathering does not require advance registration. Parents or guardians are asked to stop in briefly at the beginning to meet the team. Meetings are planned weekly, and the format may evolve based on the needs of the group. All experience levels are welcome, and participants should bring a willingness to try something new and have fun. Opportunities for younger children are expected to be introduced in the future.

Glow & Neon Art Camp delivers three vibrant sessions of creativity for kids ages 6 to 12, centered on neon color, paint that glows in the dark, and fluorescent flair. Participants try splatter techniques and fluid color pours, paint a canvas that looks different in daylight compared to the dark, and finish with glowing rock designs plus hand-built clay pieces that shine under black light. Projects from the first two sessions go home the same day, while clay creations are kiln fired and available for pickup after firing. All supplies are provided. Tuition is 165 dollars per camper with a 145 dollar rate for each additional sibling. Registration is required and capacity is limited. Hosted by HOTplate Pottery & Clayworks.

Peter White Public Library is partnering with Feeding America West Michigan through the Gather 2 Grow program, serving as a pickup site for summer meals. Free, shelf-stable, allergy-safe meals are available for all youth 18 and under and for disabled adults up to age 26. No registration is required and a library card is not needed to participate. Meal pickup takes place in the library’s Lower Level Lobby. For details about the meals, refer to Feeding America West Michigan. For questions about the pickup site, contact the Youth Services Department at 906-226-4323 or ysdesk@pwpl.info.

Settle in for a comfortable ride through Marquette aboard a Checker bus with air conditioning. A guide shares local stories along the route while lively figures from the past make appearances. Fresh elements are added each summer, so both residents and visitors discover something new. The experience lasts about 90 minutes and begins and ends at the MRHC. Tickets are $25 and go on sale May 1, with eight tours scheduled across July and August.

Color Explosion Art Camp brings a burst of creativity to kids ages 6 to 12 with three afternoons of vibrant, color-soaked art. Wear clothes that can get messy, because painting and splattering are at the heart of this hands-on experience. The first day blends splatter painting with acrylic pouring, sending bright colors across the canvas while each artist makes a one-of-a-kind piece to take home that day. The second day focuses on hand-built clay with marbled and layered color; these pieces are kiln fired and glazed, then ready for pickup in about 2 to 2.5 weeks. The final day explores color mixing, layering, and expressive mark-making as campers complete a large acrylic canvas plus a smaller color project to bring home the same day. All supplies are included. The fee is $165 per camper, with a $145 rate for each additional sibling. Sessions are held at HOTplate Pottery & Clayworks. Registration is required and space is limited.

An evening cruise through the Soo Locks on the St. Marys River showcases sunset views with Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours. Passengers can watch large freighters transit the locks, take in sweeping scenery, and relax in an easygoing setting, with beverage options for all ages. It suits families, couples, friends, and visitors, offers plenty of chances for photos, and works well for a date night, entertaining guests, or simply unwinding on the water.

Enjoy a no-cost summer lunch available to anyone 18 or younger and to disabled adults up to age 26. The meals are nonperishable and packaged for take-away, and they may not be eaten in the library. Vegetarian choices are offered. Service is provided on Wednesdays.

A single ticket covers you and one additional person who plans to cloth diaper with you. Attendees receive a free copy of the cloth diaper guide, plus a free 30 to 45 minute one-on-one virtual consultation.

At Ludington Park in Escanaba, the Karas Band Shell hosts a Wednesday concert series featuring the Escanaba City Band. This long-running tradition continues through the summer with weekly performances that keep the music going all season.