Events

Experience one of Northern Michigan’s premier waterfront events at the Bay Harbor In-Water Boat Show — where luxury, lifestyle, and life on the water come together along the stunning shores of Lake Michigan. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Bay Harbor, this highly anticipated show features an impressive lineup of new boats, cutting-edge marine technology, premium vendors, live demonstrations, and unforgettable lakeside energy.

Register your watercraft to take part in the 14th annual Blessing of the Fleet boat parade on the harbor. Each vessel is blessed for a safe and fun boating season as they parade by the flagship, Harbor Princess, in front of the main city dock. Vessels of all shapes and sizes are welcome from canoes, kayaks and paddleboards to sailboats, motor boats and yachts. Register your vessel with the Harbor Springs Historical Society.

Irish Boat Shop will be at the Summer Adventure Show! Explore the latest in outdoor adventure and summer fun with new boats, RVs, golf carts, and food trucks. Stop by and see us during this free admission event!

The Boyne City 4th of July Parade is one of Northern Michigan’s most anticipated summer traditions — a high-energy celebration filled with hometown pride, patriotic spirit, and unforgettable waterfront charm. Every Independence Day, the streets of Boyne City come alive as families, visitors, and local businesses gather along the beautiful shores of Lake Charlevoix to celebrate together.

With colorful floats, festive music, classic vehicles, and crowds packed with waving flags and smiling faces, the parade captures everything people love about summer in Northern Michigan. At Irish Boat Shop, we’re proud to be part of this incredible community tradition each year — celebrating alongside our customers, neighbors, and fellow boating enthusiasts who make Boyne City such a special place both on and off the water.

Whether you’re enjoying the parade from downtown, spending the holiday weekend on the lake, or making family memories that will last a lifetime, the Boyne City 4th of July Parade delivers the perfect blend of community spirit, summer excitement, and classic small-town Americana.

Few traditions capture the spirit of summer in Northern Michigan quite like the Harbor Springs 4th of July Parade. Set in the heart of beautiful Harbor Springs along the sparkling shoreline of Little Traverse Bay, this beloved hometown celebration brings together families, friends, visitors, and local businesses for an unforgettable Independence Day experience.

From patriotic floats and classic Americana to music, laughter, and streets lined with cheering spectators, the parade is a true celebration of community and Northern Michigan tradition. At Irish Boat Shop, we’re proud to be part of the festivities each year — joining our neighbors and customers in celebrating the boating lifestyle, small-town charm, and the incredible community that makes Harbor Springs so special.

Whether you’re catching candy with the kids, waving flags from the sidewalk, or soaking in the festive waterfront atmosphere, the Harbor Springs 4th of July Parade is one of those timeless summer moments that reminds everyone why Northern Michigan is the perfect place to celebrate the holiday.

There’s nothing quite like the magic of the Petoskey 4th of July Parade — a cherished Northern Michigan tradition filled with patriotic pride, community spirit, and summertime excitement. Every year, downtown Petoskey comes alive with waving flags, cheering crowds, festive music, and an unforgettable celebration of Independence Day along the shores of Little Traverse Bay.

From classic cars and creative floats to local businesses and community organizations, the parade showcases the heart of the community and the people who make Northern Michigan such a special place to live and visit. At Irish Boat Shop, we’re proud to be part of this incredible tradition each year — celebrating alongside our neighbors, customers, and fellow boating enthusiasts as we honor the spirit of summer, freedom, and life on the water.

Whether you’re a lifelong local or visiting for the holiday weekend, the Petoskey 4th of July Parade delivers the perfect blend of small-town charm and unforgettable holiday energy that keeps families coming back year after year.

Irish Boat Shop wants to share your summer boating memories! The company is sponsoring a contest inviting Northern Michigan boaters to submit their favorite summer on-water and boating photos from July 4 to Labor Day. One employee from each of Irish Boat Shop’s locations in Harbor Springs, Traverse City and Charlevoix, Michigan, will serve on a judging panel, with the top five photos posted on Irish Boat Shop’s Facebook for public judging. The winner will receive a $100 prize and the runners-up and winning photos may be used in future Irish Boat Shop ads.

The contest supports the Little Traverse Sailors and the Lake Charlevoix Mariners and its Sail Charlevoix Programs, both nonprofits dedicated to supporting education and sailing for children and adults. For every photo submitted, Irish Boat Shop will donate $1 to each organization.

Every summer, Northern Michigan comes alive with the energy, excitement, and unmistakable sound of offshore powerboats during Boyne Thunder — one of the region’s most iconic boating events. At Irish Boat Shop, we’re proud to play a hands-on role in making the experience unforgettable for boaters, spectators, and our local community alike.

From helping set the course buoys that guide the thrilling run across Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan, to joining the excitement on Lake Street during the legendary parade, our team is right in the middle of the action. Boyne Thunder is more than a showcase of incredible performance boats — it’s a celebration of Northern Michigan’s boating culture, community spirit, and passion for life on the water.

Hosted by Irish Boat Shop Aquapalooza helps kick off the Charlevoix Venetian Festival. The day is filled with live music, boating, and summer fun at Ferry Beach on Lake Charlevoix. Air Margaritaville will be playing 2pm–5pm come on out and enjoy some music and good vibes.

Venetian Festival is an 8-day festival that showcases big name concerts, fireworks, a carnival, street and boat parades, athletic events, beachfront activities, street vendors, buskers and much more. The goal of the festival is to build community and connection, create lasting memories and bring people together. That’s why you won’t pay for a concert ticket or need a special pass. Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate, whether a guest, a volunteer or a sponsor!

Sailboats from across the U.S. head to Harbor Springs each summer for one of the nation’s best-known sailing traditions: the Little Traverse Yacht Club’s “Ugotta” Regatta. Hosted by the LTYC, the Ugotta brings some of the best sailboat racers in the country to sail in one of the world’s best sailing venues in Little Traverse Bay. LTYC Regatta is open to Offshore Racing and Cruising type yachts, with an ORC rating of APH ToT greater than 1.000 and invited one design classes: J70, J111, Melges 24 and Alerion 28’s.

Hosted by the Charlevoix Yacht Club for more than 50 years, the premier event of the local racing season takes place every Labor Day weekend. The Red Fox Regatta weekend spans three days, kicking off with the NuCore Triangle race on Friday evening and concluding with a two-day race from the top of Lake Charlevoix on Saturday, looping back on Sunday afternoon.

The 2026 Melges 24 World Championship is the premier global one-design keelboat regatta hosted, this year, by the Little Traverse Yacht Club (LTYC) in Harbor Springs, Michigan. The event will feature intense professional and Corinthian fleet racing in the pristine, steady breezes of Little Traverse Bay.

The Harbor Springs Festival of the Book is an annual celebration of authors, readers, and storytelling, bringing together nationally recognized writers and book lovers for conversations, readings, and community events in beautiful Northern Michigan. Festival sessions are held in venues throughout downtown Harbor Springs.

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is one of the largest and most prestigious boat shows in the world, featuring luxury yachts, new boat models, marine products, and waterfront exhibits that attract boating enthusiasts from around the globe. Contact a broker and make an appointment if you are visiting the boat show.

The Petoskey Holiday Parade is a festive community tradition filled with holiday spirit, decorated floats, music, lights, and family fun in downtown Petoskey. Come and check out our float in the parade.