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July 2026 Events Calendar

Browse by Week

Featured July Events

(Scroll down to see more events in July.)

July 1-7, 2026

Saturday, July 4th, 2026
9-11pm

Lake Michigan Carferry Shoreline Cruise
Lake Michigan Carferry cruise along the Ludington shoreline. Tickets include food and live entertainment and a cash bar is available. Shoreline cruises will sail rain or shine. Children 4 & Under are free. No passes will be accepted for this event. Tickets are non-refundable. 701 Maritime Dr., Ludington.

Saturday, July 4th-Sunday, July 5th, 2026

West Shore Art Fair 
Sponsored by Ludington Area Center for the Arts. Saturday from 10am-5pm and Sunday from 10am-4pm. Rotary Park- Corner of Lewis St. and Ludington Ave., Ludington.

July 8-14, 2026

Thursday, July 9th, 2026
12-4:30pm

Bus Day to Big Point Sable Lighthouse
Free concert from 1-3pm. Bus transportation from 12pm-5pm. Big Sable Point Lighthouse in Ludington State Park- 8800 M-116, Ludington.

July 13th-19th, 2026

Ludington Offshore Classic Fishing Tournament
Waterfront Park- 391 S. William St., Ludington

July 15-21, 2026

July 13th-19th, 2026

Ludington Offshore Classic Fishing Tournament
Waterfront Park- 391 S. William St., Ludington

July 22-31, 2026

Saturday, July 25th, 2026
9-11pm

Lake Michigan Carferry Shoreline Cruise
Lake Michigan Carferry cruise along the Ludington shoreline. Tickets include food and live entertainment and a cash bar is available. Shoreline cruises will sail rain or shine. Children 4 & Under are free. No passes will be accepted for this event. Tickets are non-refundable. 701 Maritime Dr., Ludington.

Thursday, July 30th, 2026
8-10pm

Sunset Bonfire
Free bonfire with live music at Stearns Park Beach, Ludington.

The following events are from 2025. Stay tuned for information on dates for these events in 2026!

 

U Dig It! Youth Summer Program
The U Dig It Community Garden, AFFEW, and Lakeshore Food Club are hosting a highly interactive, hands-on program covering organic gardening, nature, and art experiences for kids ages 9-12. The event is free but pre-registration is required by contacting Julia Chambers at president@affew.org or (231) 690-9561.

Horse Shows
Caswell Horse Park at Mason County Fairgrounds- 5302 W. US 10, Ludington. 

Ludington Area Jaycees Freedom Festival
Event includes Children & Pet Parade, 1-Mile Fun Run, Parade, and Fireworks. Downtown Ludington.

Friends of the Ludington Library Used Book Sale
Frida from 4-8pm, Saturday from 10am-4pm, and Sunday from 12-2pm. Ludington Library- 217 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Car Show
Proceeds benefit HELP Ministries. Jiffy Lube- 4755 W. US-10, Ludington. $5 entry fee per person includes free hot dogs. 

AFFEW Beach Sweep
Beach clean-up at Stearns Park Beach, Ludington.

LACA Summer Concert Series
Free concert at Waterfront Park- 391 S. William St., Ludington.

Live in Legacy Plaza
Live music in Legacy Plaza- 112 N. James St., Ludington.

Lakeshore Pyrate Heads Buccaneer Bash
Food trucks, silent & live raffle items, live music, and prizes for best Pirate Attire. $5 at the door, kids 12 and under are free. Proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. Ludington Boat Club- 502 Lake St., Ludington.

US-10 Cigar Box Guitar Festival
This event is a celebration of homemade stringed instruments and their artists and supporters. It is also a fundraiser for Ludington-based group, the Lakeshore Animal Friends. It includes live music, food trucks, 50/50 raffle, and vendors. Custer VFW Gold Bar Post 5096- 2022 E. State St., Custer.

Friends of the Ludington State Park Summer Series
Live music at the Ludington State Park Amphitheater- 8800 M-116, Ludington.

Cars & Coffee
No registration fees or competition. Bring your prized vehicle. Coffee and food available for purchase. Napa Auto Parts- 3351 W. US-10, Ludington.

Artists Reception
A reception celebrating the opening of an exhibition for RAKKE, a collaborative group of artists. Members include Rachel Feinberg, Anne Kivela, Kat Charles, Kristine Campbell, and Ellen Niemann. Free & open to the public. Timeless Picture Framing- 103 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington. For more info, email Rob at rob@timelesspictureframing.com,

Ludington Coin Club Coin & Stamp Show
Free admission. Door prizes and raffle prizes. Hamlin Town Hall- 3775 N. Jebavy Dr., Ludington. For more info, call (231) 655-2451.

West Shore Bank’s Rhythm & Dunes Concert
Free outdoor concert. A portion of the proceeds from vendor sales donated to the music programs at three Mason County schools. Waterfront Park- 391 S. William St., downtown Ludington. 

Arts & Crafts Fair
The Barn at Shagway- 5949 Shagway Rd., Ludington. For more info, visit facebook.com.

Ludington Slow Roll Ride
Social bike ride with a relaxed pace, riding the alleys and back streets of town. Meet near the Skate Park at Stearns Park Beach-420 N. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington.

Young Eagles Rally
The event offers free airplane rides for children ages 8 to 17. Pilots and ground support personnel participating in the event donate their time, their planes and fuel. The weather back-up day is Sunday, July 13th, same times. For questions, contact John at (231) 757-2951. Mason County Airport- 5300 US-10, Ludington.

Check back often for updates to this calendar of events!

Current Events

Family Friendly Events

Ludington hosts many events and activities that are geared toward kids and families, that’s part of what makes the area so great!

Visit with Santa

Find all the places where the kids and pets can visit and have pictures taken with Santa (and sometimes Mrs. Claus) in Ludington.

Ludington Area Festival of Lights

The Ludington Area Festival of Lights is a dazzling drive-thru light display that runs from Thanksgiving until the last weekend of December.

Performances in West Michigan

Everyone enjoys a good play or concert, and Ludington blessed with talented actors and musicians that entertain us all year ’round.

Events Happening Soon

Ludington Area Festival of Lights

The Ludington Area Festival of Lights is a dazzling drive-thru light display that runs from Thanksgiving until the last weekend of December.

Scroll below for more articles about the Ludington area activities and attractions.
 

Experience the Activities and Attractions of Ludington!

Weather & Water Conditions

West Michigan weather – they say if you don’t like the weather in Ludington, wait a few minutes and it will change.

Cool Things to Do

Check out our picks for the top 50 coolest things to do in Ludington, Michigan, along the shores of Lake Michigan.

Downtown Ludington

Just blocks from the beach is the heart of downtown Ludington, where you can shop, dine, and enjoy summertime events.

Bicycle Trails

Both beginners and experienced cyclists will enjoy the variety of trails available to explore in Ludington!