The world is filled with great experiences, offering a diverse range of communities with different cultures and traditions. When you plan to visit a place, part of your trip revolves around these. Get involved in the festivals of different places if you really want to understand other people and their culture. Festivals are not just about enjoyment and celebration; they bring people together and help form some of the great memories of your life. If you have similar tastes, then you must be a part of the next National Cherry Festival. To learn more about the National Cherry Festival, see the information below, which covers all the important aspects of this amazing festival.
About the National Cherry Festival
The National Cherry Festival is a food festival that includes a massive celebration held annually in Traverse City, Michigan. The festival brings people together not only from the United States but also attracts people from around the world. The National Cherry Festival runs for 8 days, offering you a wide range of experiences not just related to food but also including different shows, parades, concerts, and more. The first-ever National Cherry Festival was celebrated in 1925, and since then, the festival has been widely celebrated every year, providing endless joy and special memories.
Why is the 100th National Cherry Festival special?
Now, the National Cherry Festival 2026 will be a special, grand event as it marks the Festival's 100th Anniversary. There will be a bunch of activities, shows, concerts, parades, and more, some of which require tickets and some of which are free to join. Here is detailed information about some of the major events taking place from 4 to 11 July 2026, as mentioned below:
Free Family Fun
It includes activities a family can get involved in for an enjoyable time. Below is the list of events that come under it, listed as per their date and time:
- U.S Coast Guard Open Ramp (3 July): Takes place from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, which hosts the National Cherry Festival Air Show.
- Kids Club (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 July): It takes place at Clinch Park from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, where families can enjoy a range of fun activities specially organized for children of different ages.
- Opening Ceremonies (4 July): Take place from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Open Space Park, where you can find the message for the National Cherry Queen and the National Cherry Festival President, along with other prominent figures.
- Air Show (4,5 July): The Air Show takes place from 1:00 PM to 4:00 and offers an unforgettable experience.
- Adult Cherry Pit Spit Contest (4,6,8 July): Takes place from 6:00 PM to 7:00 at Open Space Park.
- 4th of July Fireworks: Takes place at 10:30 PM at Open Space Park.
- Classic Car Show (5 July): At 11:00 AM in Old Town, where you can look at the cars, trucks, and tractors from throughout the Midwest.
- A Cherry Royal Picnic (5 July): Takes place from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at F & M Park at Railroad & Washington Streets. Spend an afternoon filled with joyous festivities.
- Family Sand Sculpture Contest (5 July): Starts at 6:00 PM, Sunset Park Beach, where you can spend some time on the beach with a sand sculpture competition for families.
- Orchard Tours & More (6, 7, 8, 9, 10 July): Starts from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at MSU Northwest Horticultural Research Station.
- Kids Cherry Pie Eating Contest (6,7, 9, 10 July): Starts from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at F & M Park at Railroad & Washington Streets.
- Bubble Gum Blow (6,8, 10 July): Starts at 2:00 PM at Clinch Park.
- Kids Pet Show (7 July): Starts from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM at F & M Park at Railroad & Washington Streets.
- Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians POWWOW (7 July): Begins from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage, presented by Blue Shield of Michigan.
- A Very Fairy Cherry JamBerry (7 July): Begins from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park to be part of a free, fun-filled family day.
- Fun and Games for Special Cherry Kids (8 July): Starts at 9:00 AM at Open Space Park; enjoy various games, take part in art activities, face painting, etc.
- Kids Cherry Town Fun Night (8 July): Starts from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at F & M Park at Railroad & Washington Streets, and enjoy the fun-filled entertainment for all ages.
- Adult Cherry Pie Eating Contest (8, 10 July): Takes place from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Lay's Cherry Blast Stage, Open Space Park.
- Kids Sand Sculpture Contest (9 July): Begins at 9:00 AM, Sunset Park Beach, and spend a fun day on the beach with competitions for all ages as well as every group.
- Ultimate Air Dogs (9,11 July): Starts at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and more times, where you will see nearly a hundred dog athletes and their owners.
- Bed Race (9 July): Takes place at 4:45 PM in Front and Cass Streets.
- Consumers Energy Community Royal Parade (9 July): Start at 6:30 PM at Front to Union to 7th Streets.
- Concert On The Lawn (9 July): At 7:00 PM at Grand Traverse Pavilions' Grand Lawn.
- DTE Energy Day (9, 10 July): Starts from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at Open Space Park, where you will learn about saving energy and money.
- Kids Chalk Art (10 July): From 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Open Space Park for kids aged 5 to 12.
- Festivals, Fireworks, Finale (11 July): Starts at 10:30 PM at West Grand Traverse Bay.
Foodie Celebration
This is the major part for food lovers. Here are all the festivities and celebrations related to food that you must not forget to visit are as follows:
- Very Cherry Flying Pancake Breakfast (4 July): Takes place from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Open Space Park, where you can enjoy Chris Cake's pancakes.
- Flight Deck (4,5 July): Takes place from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and you can enjoy a picnic-style lunch.
- Grand Traverse Pie Make & Bake (9 July): Starts from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Clinch Park.
Health & Wellness
You can also be a part of some of the activities related to health and wellness when attending the 100th National Cherry Festival, which you can find below:
- Zumba By The Bay (4 July): Runs between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM, and during this time, you can have a high-energy exercise class.
- Balance Bike Race (4 July): Runs between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM at Norte Clubhouse, where you can start an exciting morning of racing at the Grand Traverse Country Civic Center.
- Bayside Beach Volleyball Tournament 2 Person Men's & 2 Person Women's (4,5,6 July): Begins at 9:00 AM at the Traverse City West End Park Beach Volleyball Courts on Grandview Parkway.
- Yoga by the Bay (5 July): Runs between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM, where you can go with your family and have a yoga session.
- Cherry Open Bowling Tournament (5 July): Runs between 12:00 PM and 6:30 PM.
- Cherry Pie Bike Ride (6 July): Starts at 9:00 AM at F & M Park at Railroad & Washington Streets, and enjoy a scenic bike tour.
- Senior Table Tennis Tournament (6 July): Takes place from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Senior Center Network.
- Senior Shuffleboard (7 July): Runs between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM at the Senior Center Network.
- Spin For Cherries (7 July): Runs between 1:00 PM and 10:00 PM, and here you can have immense fun.
- Cherry Kids Fun Run (9 July): Begins at 6:00 PM to celebrate the youngest generation with an encouraging one-mile fun run race.
- Cherry Golf Scramble (10 July): Starts at 8:30 AM at Great Golf at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, one of the Midwest’s top resorts.
- Meijer Festival of Races Packet Pick-up (11 July): Takes place between 5:30 AM and 6:30 AM.
- Meijer Festival of Races (11 July): Starts at 7:00 AM; you need to line up with thousands of runners.
- Hole-In-One Final Shoot Out (11 July): Begins at 4:00 PM at Bay Meadows Golf Course.
Concerts
Are you always ready for concerts? The 100th National Cherry Festival is offering you some amazing concerts. Here are the concerts you can attend at the Cherry National Festival 2026 on the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
- David Lee Roth wsg Ayron Jones (4 July): It runs between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM.
- Bow Wow & Soulja Boy (5 July): Starts at 6:00 PM.
- Chase Matthew & Lauren Alaina (6 July): From 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
- KC and The Sunshine Band with The Spinners (7 July): From 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
- The Fray with special guest Augustana (8 July): Starts at 6:00 PM.
- Daughtry (9 July): From 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
- Justin Moore WSG Easton Corbin (10 July): From 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
- Ludacris (11 July): From 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM.
Parades
The National Cherry Festival is known for its popular, captivating parade that you must be part of or witness, which will be extra special on its 100th anniversary. You can be part of the exciting Consumers Energy Community Royale Parade, which will take place on July 9, 2026. Other than this, you can also be a part of the DTE Energy Foundation Cherry Royale Parade on July 11, 2026.
Other Festivities
In addition to all the mentioned festivities and activities, there are also some other celebrations you can be a part of, such as Sara Hardy's Farmers Market, Cherry Farm Market, Arnold's Amusements Midway, Beer Tent, Bingo, Arts and Crafts, and more. Roam around and be a part of the activity that matches your interests.
How to Get Tickets for the National Cherry Festival?
Not all activities and celebrations require money. There are many contests and activities that you can join for free. However, you may need to buy tickets for various concerts and other events. It is very easy to buy tickets on "www.cherryfestival.org," the official website of the National Cherry Festival. Also, if you have any doubts or queries, you can visit the website to find the answers you need.
How to Reach the 100th National Cherry Festival?
It is very easy to reach the 100th National Cherry Festival, which takes place in Traverse City, Michigan. Here are all the travel modes mentioned below that you can choose as per your suitability and head to unforgettable experiences:
By air: Reach the nearest airport to Traverse City, which is the Cherry Capital Airport (TVC). The airport is located a few miles away from the downtown festival ground, and you can easily find the daily connection flights to Cherry Capital Airport (TVC).
By shuttles & buses: Shuttles and buses are also available from Michigan cities such as Mt. Pleasant, Midland, Saginaw, and Bay City. By choosing this mode, you can avoid the traffic.
By driving: Traverse City is easily accessible via the US-31 and M-37. So, if you are staying near the city, you can drive to the National Cherry Festival. To avoid traffic, you must arrive early.
Conclusion
It is always helpful for you to know about the destination or any event before you visit. So, before you plan to be part of the iconic National Cherry Festival, prepare by learning about the festival, which will be even more fun and special as it marks its 100th celebration. Learn about all the festivities, events, and activities, and join in to gain the experience and memories you desire.
