Fall is festival season up north. Between late September and mid-October, almost every town around Bellaire throws a harvest party, and the orchards fill up with apple pickers. Here's the lineup.
Fall festivals at a glance
| Festival | Town | Usually | 2026 date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellaire Harvest Festival | Bellaire | Late September | September 26 |
| Boyne City Harvest Festival | Boyne City | Late September | September 26 |
| Elk Rapids Fall Festival | Elk Rapids | September | Check locally |
| Charlevoix Apple Fest | Charlevoix | Early to mid October | October 9–11 |
| Highlands Harvest Fest | Harbor Springs | Mid-October | October 17 |
| Friske Harvest Fest | Ellsworth | Saturdays in October | October 3–24 |
The 2026 festivals have wrapped up. Dates for 2027 are usually announced in the summer, so check with each town's chamber of commerce.
Bellaire Harvest Festival
Bellaire's own fall festival takes over Broad Street downtown in late September. Past years have featured a scarecrow contest, a craft and farm market, square dancing, kids' activities, a pet parade, and local food and craft beer. See the full Bellaire events calendar.
Boyne City Harvest Festival
Boyne City's festival closes out its summer farmers market season. The market moves downtown with more than 30 arts and crafts vendors, live music and kids' activities, and local growers sell apples, squash and apple butter. Look for free cider and donuts.
Elk Rapids Fall Festival
Elk Rapids fills River Street with a fall festival in September, with hayrides, games and activities for kids, local food, and scarecrows along the streets.
Charlevoix Apple Fest
Charlevoix's long-running Apple Fest is a three-day event in October that lines Bridge Street with local orchards and growers, food booths, and an arts and crafts show.
Orchards and harvest weekends
Friske Orchards, Ellsworth. All of October is apple harvest at Friske's, with cider and orchard activities. On Saturdays in October, the Harvest Fest adds farm animals, pony rides and pumpkin smashing. The farm market has an orchard café, a bakery and a general store.
Royal Farms, Ellsworth. A farm market and winery on US-31, with u-pick fruit in season, pumpkins, a corn maze in September and October, and wines and ciders to taste.
Both are near White Birch Cabin and Seven Pines Chalet in Ellsworth.
Pair it with the color
Festival season lines up with fall color, which usually peaks around Bellaire in early to mid October. See fall colors near Bellaire for the best drives and hikes.
Where to stay in fall
Festival weekends are busy but far easier to book than summer. Every home we host has a private hot tub or sauna for cool fall evenings.
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 →
White Birch Cabin
A newly built log cabin on 100 feet of private Lake Michigan shoreline, with a barrel sauna, kayaks and a paddleboard, and a big lakefront deck.
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 →Frequently asked questions
What fall festivals are near Bellaire, Michigan?
The Bellaire Harvest Festival and Boyne City Harvest Festival in late September, the Elk Rapids Fall Festival, Charlevoix Apple Fest in October, and Harvest Fest Saturdays at Friske Orchards in Ellsworth.
When is the Bellaire Harvest Festival?
Usually late September on Broad Street in downtown Bellaire. In 2026 it was Saturday, September 26.
Where can I go apple picking near Bellaire?
Friske Orchards and Royal Farms, both in Ellsworth, offer apples and fall activities. Check each farm for u-pick dates.
Sources
2026 dates from chamber of commerce and regional event listings. Orchard details from Friske Orchards and Royal Farms listings. Checked October 2026. Confirm future dates with each organizer.