Entertainment

National Cherry Festival

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The National Cherry Festival is a week-long summer extravaganza that puts Traverse City's cherry heritage front and center. Held each July, the festival features grand parades, thrilling air shows, cherry-pie-eating contests, and endless cherry-themed foods from fritters to sundaes. Live concerts and a midway with rides add to the festive atmosphere. It's a beloved tradition that attracts visitors from across the country, offering a uniquely sweet slice of Michigan culture.

Don't miss

  • Watch the Blue Angels or other military flight teams perform aerial stunts
  • Indulge in cherry pie, cherry brats, and cherry wine at food booths
  • Cheer on participants in the Cherry Pit Spit contest and pie-eating competition

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit National Cherry Festival

You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.

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