Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce

Maple Sugaring Days
2025-03-22 10:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit) | Dune Climb, 6748 S. Dune Highway, Empire, MI, 49630, United States
The main event on Saturday March 22 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. allows attendees to experience the full maple sugaring process in the parking lot at the Dune Climb. Participants can engage in sampling warm syrup enjoy kid-friendly activities and witness sap boiling demonstrations as part of this delightful event. This event is in partnership with Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear.
The Twilight Hike portion of the event has been cancelled.
All programs are free with a valid park entrance pass. Passes may be purchased at the Phillip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire Michigan and cost $25 (per vehicle) for seven days $45 for an annual Sleeping Bear Dunes pass or $80 (or less) for the America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands pass series.

River Club, Glen Arbor - Live Music on the River
2025-06-13 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-13 18:00 - 21:00 | MI
Live Music on the Crystal River. Friday, June 13th Loose Change, Saturday, June 14th Clint Weaner, Thursday, June 19th Loose Change, Friday, June 20th Empire Highway, Saturday, June 21st Drew Hale, Sunday, June 22nd Clint Weaner. 6:00-9:00 PM
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2nd Annual Beryl Days in Empire MI
2025-06-20 - 2025-06-22 | MI
‘Beryl Days’ (Beryl – pronounced “barrel” – yes, like a barrelling wave!) is a weekend-long, freshwater festival rooted in joy, community, and caring for what you love.
This grassroots event merges surf, stewardship, music, and play to cultivate a culture of connection — to the Lakes, and to one another. From comps to cleanups, live music to laughter, Beryl Days is a solstice shindig not to miss ~ Join us!
Find out more about the lineup of individual events, times and locations happening June 20th, 21st and 22nd, plus live music on Saturday at sleepingbearsurf.com/event/beryl-days

River Club, Glen Arbor - Live Music on the River
2025-06-23 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-23 18:00 - 2025-06-30 21:00 | River Club Glen Arbor, 5963 S. Oak Street, Glen Arbor, 49636, United States
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Monday, June 23rd Ben Richey, Tuesday June 24 th Larz Cabot,
Wednesday, June 25th, Loose Change, Thursday, June @6th, Andre Villoch, Friday, June 27th Manitou Blues, Saturday, June 28th, Empire Highway, Sunday, June 29th Ben Richey, Monday, June 30th, Drew Hale. All performances 6:00-9:00 PM.

Bike Tour: DH Day's Kindgom and Beyond
2025-07-11 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-07-18 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-07-25 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-08-01 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-08-08 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-08-15 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-08-22 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-08-29 09:30 - 12:00 and 1 more date | MI
Fridays, 9:45 am – 11:45 am
Miles: 8
There’s more history than you can imagine tucked in and around the dunes and Glen Haven! Join us by bike to get the behind-the-scenes look at secrets and unfamiliar facts about the baron of Glen Haven – D.H. Day – and the surrounding dunes area: the railroad, the “ovens”, alligator hill, riparian rights, a sawmill, the historic Great Lakes Picnic area, dune formations, lumberjacks, and Pierce Stocking and D.H. Day’s grand vision for the area. From a spectacular bird’s eye view imagine the interpreted activities of the town and water that hummed with 1800s tourists, a fruit cannery, and maritime activities. Good balance of stops along the way with narration while riding. and fabulous photo opportunities.
PLEASE NOTE: Start and end in Glen Arbor (not downtown) at the Heritage Trail entrance on Forest Haven road just west of town shops. The Heritage Trailhead is just north of the Alligator Hill HIKING trailhead (on the same road), and south of the church parking lot. Look for our guides in reflective light green vests. Trailhead map
Bike Type: Best for road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid, e-bikes and fat tire. Not suitable for bikes with very skinny tires.
NOTE: E-bikes allowed in the national park must be Class Type 1 pedal-assist only, with no throttle.
Difficulty: This is all level with the exception of one hill that many of us will walk together while still interpreting. One 300 ft. section of dirt road.
Ages: Not suitable for children under 4. Ages 4-7 must be in a trailer/carrier. Ages 8 yrs. old can be on their own bike.
Note: Please make sure your bike is in working order for the ride. Bike helmets are required.If renting a bike from Crystal River Outfitters, please allow 15 minutes to bike from there to the start point.
To safeguard against invasive species, being brought into National Lakeshore’s trails the park recommends you spray, scrape, or brush soils, seeds, plant parts, and invertebrates from exterior surfaces to the extent practical.
Brought to you by Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear. Please book your tour directly with them,
Learn More / Book Tour / Contact

Port Oneida Horse and Wagon Tours
2025-07-15 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-15 15:44, 2025-07-22 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-29 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-05 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-12 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-19 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-26 10:00 - 11:00 and 1 more date | Port Oneida Heritage Center, 3164 W. Harbor Hwy., Maple City, Michigan, 49630
Tuesdays, 10:00 am and 11:15 am
1.25 hour tour
Clip clop back in time to experience the Port Oneida Rural Historic District the way they did in the late 1800s – early 1900s! Learn about the life of the early pioneers, and their landscape as we travel by horse and wagon through the fields and side roads of this significant agricultural community of over 100 years, with beautiful vistas and farmsteads.
Meet at Port Oneida Heritage Center/Olsen Farm.
Our Horses: The stars of the tours are our two Belgium horses. You will learn more about the horses on the tour!
Group Rental also available by appointment. Call 231-334-6103

Empire Anchor Days
2025-07-18 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-07-19 11:00 - 23:00 | Downtown Empire
Enjoy a variety of events during Empire Anchor Days, Friday and Saturday, July 18th and 19th, 2025. (In case of rain, dance will be in Empire Township Hall).

Events include:
Movie Night “The Search For Anna and Levi” on Friday July 18th, 2025 at 7pm at Empire Township Hall.

The Anchor Day Parade will be held a Noon on Saturday on Front St., Empire. Line Up: 11:30 at Johnson Park (Lions Park) 11570 Reynolds St.
A Pop Up Book Sale will be held from 11AM-3PM on Saturday at the Glen Lake Community Library, 10115 W. Front St, Empire. Event sponsored By: Friends of the Library.

Join the community for the Lions Club BBQ Chicken Dinner at Johnson Park (Lions Park) from 1-7pm on Saturday. Sponsored By: Empire Lions. Menu will include Grilled Chicken, BBs, Coleslaw, Potatoes and Shortcake.

Stop by for a treat and a bonfire at Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate. Enjoy Free Hot Dogs and S’mores from 6-8pm. Gelato and Chocolate shops open until 8pm.

On Saturday from 9-11pm enjoy Street Dancing with music by The Luke Woltanski Band in front of Glen Lake Community Library Front Plaza and Street. Bring: BYOB, Chair and Dancing Shoes. Sponsored By: Dave’s Garage Empire.

Empire Area Community Center (EACC) a Michigan Registered 501(C)3 Public Charity. Learn more about the host organization: empireareacommunitycenter.org

For questions contact March Dye, 231-633-9054, marchdye@gmail.com

Labor Day Bridge Walk
2025-09-01 12:00 - 12:30 | MI
The Empire Area Community Center will help celebrate Labor Day with the 30th Annual Glen Lake Narrows Bridge Walk.
It will start at 12 p.m. on the Glen Arbor side of the Carl Olson Bridge. Meet at the north side of the Narrows bridge, 8137 S. Glen Lake Road.
Participants will enjoy the 0.3 mile walk over the Narrows Bridge and will get certificates on the Empire side.

Ghoul-Friends + Guy-Goyles Day
2025-10-18 | MI
Saturday, October 18th – Grab your Ghoul-Friends and Guy-Goyles for a family friendly fall day throughout Glen Arbor!
Open to any local business to participate. Each may offer their own specials, activities or treats during a select timeframe.

Cottage Book Shop – Surprises at the counter; Scavenger hunt; “Pick Your Poison” blind date with a book, and more.
Boonedocks – “Sour Witches Brew” cocktail special for $9.
Coastal & M22 Glen Arbor – 3-5pm live music; wine specials; new fall home goods; s’mores and bonfires.
River Club – Two Buck Cluck Special: Purchase any two full priced drinks and get basket of wings for just $2.
Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast and Condos – 7-9pm dropin for a candelit read-aloud spooky story.
Cottonseed Apparel – Extra $10 off sale items!
Inn & Trail Gourmet – Pumpkin Spice scone special
Leelanau Coffee Roasters – Two drink specials: Vampire’s Kiss Latte and Frankenspice Matcha
Glen Arbor Arts Center – FREE make-and-take activity from 12-4pm. All ages welcome!
Cherry Public House – Festive food and drink specials — including a Spiced Mulled Wine.
Arts Tavern – Caramel Apple-tini for $10
La Becasse – Mystery Menu: 3 course prix-fixe for $55; Corpse Reviver Cocktail Special

Event on Facebook – Share and Invite your pals!

Youth Ice Fishing Program
2026-02-07 11:00 - 15:00, 2026-02-14 11:00 - 15:00 | Dune Climb, 6748 S. Dune Highway, Empire, MI, 49630, United States
Kids and their families are invited to join park rangers for youth ice fishing events. Young participants will learn essential ice fishing skills, safety measures, and fishing regulations, culminating in a “Junior Angler” certification and a fishing pole to take home (while supplies last). If ice conditions permit, attendees will have the opportunity to ice fish at Glen Lake. No registration is required. Organized groups may register at 231-326-4700, ext. 5005.
