Top Events this Year in Traverse City

Traverse City gets an average of 500,000 visitors each year. That's a lot of visitors for a small lakeside town, and as locals know, there's no shortage of things to do, especially this time of year. Here's our shortlist of exciting events going on in Traverse City in 2021.

Top 7 Traverse City Events

1. Food Is Art / Art Is Food Exhibition at Glen Arbor Arts Center

May 28 - Aug. 19

Hosted by the Glen Arbor Arts Center (GACC), this is a juried exhibition featuring the work of 23 participants who present the idea that food is a means by which we can develop the mind, body, and spirit. The exhibit will explore this theme in-depth as the artists use their culinary displays to create a commentary on life, politics, and more. The August exhibit will focus on Native American themes.

The GACC is closed on Sundays.

2. Guided Walking Tours of Historic Traverse City

May-August

Offered by the Village at Grand Traverse Commons and other tours groups, the Guided Walking Tours take participants through historic locations such as an 1800's asylum, the underground steam tunnel built-in 1883, and much more. Participants will learn about the people who inhabited the asylum and the function and history of the steam tunnel.

Another fascinating tour to be enjoyed this time of year is the Guided Twilight Tour, in which you will visit historical buildings after dusk. Listen to the creaking structures and hear spooky stories about the strange and supernatural experiences people have had. Participants must be age 16 or older, and persons under age 18 must have parental supervision.

3. Old Mission Peninsula Beer and Wine Tour

Ongoing

Take a four-hour tour of three locally famed wineries in the Old Mission Peninsula. Exploring the vineyards is a terrific date night activity, and wine tours can also be a wonderful romantic getaway. Tours an $82.50 per person.

4. Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm

Daily till December, 23 10 am to 5 pm

Visit the many award-winning alpacas of the Crystal Lakes Alpaca Farm. They also have miniature donkeys and Nigerian dwarf goats, and to help keep the kids entertained, they have adorable dogs and cats supervising the entire event.

5. A Celebration: The Paintings of Amy L. Clark-Carels

Recurring Monday – Saturday Until August, 31

Experience Amy Clark-Carel's longstanding love affair with Glen Arbor. Her collection of water printings portray the sights of the area going back to the late 1950s. Her dedication to this visual art has rendered portraits of all of the local landmarks.

6. Concerts on Lawn at the Grand Traverse Pavilions

Through August 26

This weekly event recurring each Thursday evening includes an open-air concert at 7:00 pm with food concessions provided by Center City Kitchen LLC. The musical lineup includes:

• Peter, Paul, and Mary Remembered
• The Bay Area Little Big Band
• K. Jones & The Benzie Playboys
• The Backroom Gang
• Miriam Pico & Friends

Donations and proceeds are accepted and will help support the Grand Traverse Pavilions' goal of enhancing the quality of life for aging adults in our community.

7. Traverse City Pit Spitters Home Games

The Pit Spitters are pleased to announce their 36-home game schedule included in a 72-game season. The team opened the season with a four-game series. Their exciting final game will be played on August 12th against the Kalamazoo Growlers and round out the season in their final away game against the Battle Creek Bombers.