If you have been considering an incredible vacation getaway for the Fourth of July, consider coming to Traverse City. Our Michigan home offers a little bit of everything; this includes patriotic events that surround the Fourth of July. You will find plenty of ways to celebrate the nation’s founding with locals and visitors alike. Take a look below at the many ways to celebrate all the great Traverse City Fourth of July events and activities happening in 2024.
Fourth of July Fireworks
Whenever you think of the Fourth of July, you probably instantly think of a fireworks display that lights up the night sky. It is no secret that the Fourth of July is synonymous with fireworks, so you can be sure that you will get the chance to see some when visiting the area. You will find that Traverse City features the Fourth of July Fireworks as part of the National Cherry Festival which take place over the West Grand Traverse Bay. The fireworks reflect off the water, creating a magical effect that must be seen to be believed. Obviously, you cannot see fireworks during the daytime, so the fireworks demonstration will not start until 10:30 PM for a full hour-long display. This gives you plenty of time to find a spot by the Grand Traverse Bay and enjoy the incredible show. The event is absolutely free to attend and is perfect for all ages. Make sure to get by the water’s edge early on to find good viewing spots, as the Fourth of July Fireworks event is always popular. There is no better way to celebrate the Fourth of July this year!
National Cherry Festival
While the Fourth of July Fireworks event is a part of the National Cherry Festival, it is not the only part of the festival you will want to check out. Make sure to spend some time this Fourth of July at the National Cherry Festival. This is Traverse City’s largest event of the year by far and is a must see. As the name suggests, the National Cherry Festival is a celebration around the area’s biggest export: cherries! You will obviously find a variety of cherry-related products to purchase, including pies and much more, but the National Cherry Festival is a week-long celebration filled with all-ages events.
There will be all of the usual events that are available daily during the National Cherry Festival. This includes the American Farmland Trust’s Cherry Farm Market, where you can purchase a variety of cherry and festival related products. The main festival grounds will be open on Fourth of July from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM over at the West Grand Traverse Bay Open Space Park. If you have young children with you the family can head over to the Kids Club! at Clinch Park where you will find activities tailored for young children. There will be a Kids Cherry Pie Eating Competition that is a yummy event; there will also be a fun run to help them run off all the sugar too!
Head on over to the Michigan State University Horticultural Research Station to find their 137-acre research farm that is the heart of cherry country. You will find educational exhibits, tours of the farm, and delicious samples of cherry products. The Ultimate Air Dogs competition will be taking place again with nearly one hundred “dog athletes” participating in a lively competition. Head on over to Arnold’s Amusements Midway for a classic amusement park complete with a Ferris wheel and other midway style rides. Try your hand at the amusement park games to try and win a prize too! The adults will have plenty of fun too participating in the corn hole tournament, enjoying a beer in the beer garden, and the hole in one competition over at X-Golf Traverse City.
As you can see, the Fourth of July can be an exhilarating time when you spend the day over at the National Cherry Festival. The festival will take place from June 28th through July 6th so you can stop by the festival during any day of your stay within that time frame. The Fourth of July has never been so great as it is here in Traverse City!
Book Your Stay in Traverse City
The fun will start here in Traverse City when you book your vacation rental with us. You can stay close to these exciting Traverse City Fourth of July events, making it easy to get around the city during your stay.
