Bellaire's events are small-town classics: a festival with a rubber duck race, fireworks over two lakes, a harvest festival on Broad Street, and a holiday parade with a soup cook-off. Here's the calendar through the year.
Coming up: late 2026
| Event | Date | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday Gift Fair | Saturday, November 7, 2026 | Shanty Creek Resort, Grand Ballroom |
| Light Up the Night & Soup Cook-Off | Saturday, December 5, 2026 | Downtown Bellaire |
Light Up the Night is Bellaire's kickoff to the holidays, with a parade, a tree lighting, a soup competition, and visits with Santa. Pair it with an early-season ski weekend: Schuss Mountain's pass-holder opening is projected for late November.
Yearly events by season
| Season | Event | Usually |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Ski season at Schuss Mountain | Mid-December to March |
| Summer | Fourth of July fireworks on Lake Bellaire and Torch Lake | July 3 |
| Summer | Rubber Ducky Festival | Mid-August |
| Fall | Harvest Festival | Late September |
| Fall | Holiday Gift Fair | Early November |
| Winter | Light Up the Night & Soup Cook-Off | Early December |
Summer
Fourth of July. Fireworks have traditionally lit up both Lake Bellaire, from Shanty Creek, and the south end of Torch Lake, near the sandbar, on July 3. See our Fourth of July guide.
The Rubber Ducky Festival. Bellaire's signature summer event, now in its fourth decade, held in mid-August. Expect a parade, a rubber duck race on the river, live music, kids' activities and sidewalk sales. In 2026 the main festival day was Saturday, August 15. See our Rubber Ducky Festival guide.
Fall
The Harvest Festival takes over Broad Street in late September (Saturday, September 26 in 2026), with past years featuring a craft market, local food and drink, and a pet parade. It's a great excuse for a fall color weekend: see fall colors near Bellaire.
The Holiday Gift Fair at Shanty Creek is the start of the holiday shopping season, in early November.
For harvest festivals in nearby towns and orchard weekends, see fall festivals near Bellaire.
Winter
Light Up the Night & Soup Cook-Off in early December brings the parade, tree lighting and Santa. And from mid-December through March, the main event is ski season at Schuss Mountain.
How to stay updated
- Bellaire Chamber of Commerce: produces most of the town's events and posts current dates. Call (231) 533-6023 or visit bellairechamber.org.
- Shanty Creek Resorts: posts resort events, ski season dates and holiday activities.
- The Bellaire Letter: sign up below and we'll send upcoming events, ski conditions and last-minute openings at our homes.
Dates for future years are set by the organizers and can change, so confirm before you book.
Where to stay
Festival weekends and holidays book early. Our homes are a short drive from downtown Bellaire.
Overlook Bellaire
A 2021 modern home on 10 private acres above Bellaire, looking out over Intermediate Lake. Sauna, cold plunge, hot tub and a game room.
Check dates and book direct →
Alm Haus
A renovated Northwoods chalet 5 minutes from Schuss Mountain, with a hot tub under the pines, triple-queen bunk room, game room and stargazing dome.
Check dates and book direct →
Northwoods Treehaus
A 1960s A-frame in the pines at Schuss Mountain Resort, with three kings, a stone fireplace, a bunk room with arcade and a treetop hot tub.
Check dates and book direct →Frequently asked questions
What events are in Bellaire, Michigan?
The Rubber Ducky Festival in August, Fourth of July fireworks on July 3, the Harvest Festival in late September, the Holiday Gift Fair in November, and Light Up the Night in early December.
When is Light Up the Night in Bellaire?
Saturday, December 5, 2026, in downtown Bellaire.
Sources
2026 dates from Bellaire Chamber of Commerce event listings and regional event calendars. Checked October 2026. Confirm with the Chamber before you go.