Scroll down to view our Events Calendar. Choose by Topics or Dates. There are many reasons to Visit Benzie and Stay In Benzie. Below you will find a list of events in the Benzie Area which are hosted or sponsored by local groups and organizations. Because we are a 'Four Season Playground' you will find activities and events throughout the year.
Highlights through the year include:
Fallfest: Celebrate the colors of Northern Michigan hardwoods and Fall Harvesting in the Benzie Area. We are home to 30+ miles of Scenic M-22 and famous Pumpkin Carvers like Ed Moody. Visit our Fallfest page to learn more.
Winterfest : One of our winter celebrations in February with fun activities for kids and adults like the frozen fish toss--how far can you throw a frozen fish? Bonfires on the beach of Crystal Lake and Fireworks top it off. Fireworks in the snow--something special to see!
Coho Festival : Come celebrate the salmon run up our rivers, Betsie River and Platte River, in late August. Honor is considered the "Birthplace of Salmon" in Michigan. Learn more about Cohos and Kings by visiting the State Fish Hatchery and join the Fishing Frenzy to catch the biggest.
Frankfort Film Festival: A new addition to fall activities and another good reason to make plans for your Fall Color Tour in Northwest Michigan.
Shiver By The River: Another new addition to winter fun in our area. This event is held in Frankfort and hosts a Sno Cross Snowmobile racing event. Ice carvings, great food and fun! There is beauty along the shore of Lake Michigan in winter created by wind, waves, and cold temperatures
More events, sponsored by the Benzie County Chamber of Commerce, Frankfort-Elberta Area Chamber of Commerce, and other local organizations, are listed on our Calendar below. to our list.
The ultimate weekend celebration of women, winter and chocolate returns to Crystal Mountain for a sixth year. Exhilarating outdoor activities, spa services, grand food, wine, and more. The Super Bowl of women’s winter events will once again be held on Super Bowl Sunday when the ladies of the Women's Winter Tour snowshoe & cross-country ski along Crystal's wooded trails. This year’s theme is Picnic in the Park, dress accordingly. 800-968-7686
Hosted by Villa Marine Bar & Grill, Frankfort.
Starts at 6pm.
$10 entrance fee covers admission to buffet and silent auction with numerous items donated by area businesses.
All profits from this event will fund Frankfort - Elberta Chamber of Commerce Winter activities, such as Shiver by the River, SnoCross event, and Winter Recreation Committee. To donate an item for the silent auction, please bring it to the Chamber office at 517 Main Street before February 7
Evening of fun, tasty treats and champagne, all for a good cause! 7pm at the Darcy Library, downtown Beulah. $20 tickets in advance, $25 at the door. Tickets available at The Darcy Library, Crystal Crate & Cargo, The Bookstore in Frankfort, & The Benzie Chamber of Commerce.
This is an awesome fun filled day of winter activities that begin with a pancake breakfast, snowmobile poker run, co-ed softball tournament (yes, we mean 'softball' in the snow!), horse drawn hay rides, frozen fish toss, frozen turkey bowl, rubber duck race, chili cook off, parade, bonfire on the beach and fireworks, plus lots more!
Cash & prizes for the 15 largest fish. Largest Lake Trout & Perch prizes, Kids Fishing Tournament also. Registraion 5:30am at Five Corners Store, Beulah. Fish from 6am - 2pm. 10% of total entry fees will be conributed to GTASFA for local fishery programs. Backupdate Saturday February 25.
Both residents and non-residents can fish without a license, though all other fishing regulations still apply. Michigan celebrates Free Fishing Weekends several times annually since 1994 as a way to promote awareness of the state's vast aquatic resources. Activities are scheduled in communities across the state.
A wintery event in downtown Frankfort & Elberta. SnoCrosRacing Cancelled for 2012, but Parade, Betsie Bay Bonanza Fishing Contest, Kids SnoWorld, Betsie Bay Frozen 5K, Games, Coloring Contest, Ice Carvings, Warming Stations & more will take place! If you are interested in volunteering or sponsoring this Event, contact Joanne Bartley at 231-352-7251 or fcofc@frankfort-elberta.com
Over 100 vendors from all over the country come to display their many crafts from braided rugs to carved walking canes. This is craft fair is one that you don't want to miss.
1 Mile fun run starts at 8AM. 5K Run and 5K Walk start at 8:30 AM.. Location: Goose Park, just east to Benzie Shores District Library. Course: Flat & fast along Betsie Bay on the Betsie Valley Trail. See what USA Today says about Benzie County! Refreshments: Fresh fruit and Gatorade to all participants.
Celebrate - The Survivors Lap, Remember - The Luminaria Ceremony, Fight Back - The Fight Back Ceremony.
The Bike Benzie Tour is sponsored by the Benzie Sunrise Rotary and hosted by the Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa in Thompsonville. Proceeds from the Tour benefit the Benzie Sunrise Rotary Foundation and the Rotary International Foundation. All routes feature great food stops and picturesque rides that challenge riders of all ages and abilities. Benzie County's forests, 57 lakes, rolling orchards, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the Betsie Valley Trail and our one traffic light welcome riders
This annual festival is a two-day event in Honor, that began in 1967, celebrating the 'salmon run' up the Benzie County rivers. Honor is considered the 'birthplace' of salmon in the state of Michigan, as the first salmon were planted in the Platte River. Activities include a parade, state fish hatchery tours, lawn tractor races, a 5K-walk/run, an arts & crafts fair combined with a flea market, games and fun for the entire family, softball & horseshow tournaments, smoked fish contest & more for the young, a beer tent with live entertainment and more.
Fantastic food, Music, Kids Crafts, Face Painting, Silent Auction
Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa and the Friends of the Betsie Valley District Library invite you to participate in the 7th Annual Betsie Valley Run. Whether a serious distance runner or looking for a scenic walk through the rolling hills of northern Michigan, you'll feel right at home. Professionally timed with ChronoTrack, race begins at Crystal Mountain and includes some of the beautiful trails in Benzie County. Proceeds benefit the Betsie Valley District Library.
Endoman Promotions and Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville, Michigan are pleased to present the 7th Annual Peak2Peak Mountain Bike Classic.
This epic event is held in and around the beautiful and gently rolling terrain which surrounds Crystal Mountain and will start and finish right at the resort!