Featured Events in Traverse City

From Traverse Ticker’s Event Calendar:

"Meet the Artist" Lecture Series: Local Landscapes — Monday, September 15, 6:00 pm–7:30 pm Join a local landscape painter at the Traverse City Art Center for an insightful talk about their creative process, inspiration drawn from the Grand Traverse region, and a Q&A session.

Brewery Tour & Tasting at The Filling Station — Tuesday, September 16, 5:00 pm–6:30 pm Take a guided tour of The Filling Station Microbrewery, housed in a historic railroad depot. Learn about their brewing process, enjoy samples of their craft beers, and stay for their famous flatbread pizzas.

Wine & Canvas Night: "Autumn Lake Sunset" — Wednesday, September 17, 6:30 pm–8:30 pm Unleash your inner artist at this popular event held at various local venues (check specific location when booking). All skill levels are welcome to paint a seasonal landscape while enjoying local wines. Supplies and instruction included.

Dennos Museum Center - Free Admission Evening — Thursday, September 18, 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Explore the impressive art collections, including the renowned Inuit art gallery, at the Dennos Museum Center with free admission during these evening hours. A great opportunity to experience culture without cost.

Live Music: Local Folk Duo 'The Lake Effect' — Friday, September 19, 7:00 pm–9:00 pm Enjoy an evening of charming acoustic folk music at Workshop Brewing Company. Pair their excellent craft beers with farm-to-table food in a lively, community-focused atmosphere.

Harvest Fest at Rennie Orchards — Saturday, September 20 & Sunday, September 21, 9:00 am–5:00 pm Just a short drive from Traverse City, this family-friendly event offers U-pick apples and pumpkins, fresh-pressed cider, homemade donuts, wagon rides, and a corn maze.

Downtown Traverse City Art Walk — Saturday, September 20, 11:00 am–4:00 pm Stroll through downtown Traverse City and visit participating galleries and businesses showcasing local and regional artists. Many locations will have artists on hand, demonstrations, and special offers.

Traverse City Autumn Classic Car Show — Sunday, September 21, 10:00 am–3:00 pm Head to the Open Space for a display of classic cars, hot rods, and custom vehicles. Enjoy live music, food vendors, and vote for your favorite in various categories.

Ongoing Events

"Great Lakes, Great Artists: A Regional Showcase" — Running through October 19 This art exhibition at the Dennos Museum Center continues to feature a diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media works from artists across the Great Lakes region. The exhibit explores themes of water, industry, and natural beauty.

Traverse City Ghost Lantern Tours — Friday & Saturday evenings, 8:00 pm (check for availability) Embark on a guided walking tour through historic downtown Traverse City, learning about its haunted past, local legends, and spooky stories. Tours typically start near the Old Town Playhouse.

Quick Glance Summary

Traverse City experienced an extraordinary tourism surge in summer 2025, setting new records despite ongoing challenges.

Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) posted its busiest days ever, reaching 532,266 passengers by July—up 22.4% over 2024.

Airlines responded by extending seasonal flights into the fall, boosting access for visitors.

Local businesses thrived, highlighted by the launch of Discovery Traverse City Tours on Grand Traverse Bay, which welcomed guests aboard its 135-passenger vessel starting May 15.

The debut Traverse City Food & Wine festival drew crowds from across the country in August, creating a lively replacement for the canceled film festival and filling the city with culinary excitement.

The National Cherry Festival once again celebrated local heritage with parades and concerts, packing the waterfront.

Hotel occupancy climbed, proving demand exceeds the new supply and underlining Traverse City’s status as a top travel destination.

Quote Of The Day

"Life is better with cherry pie and a view of the bay."

As fall colors brighten Traverse City, locals are embracing the September Reset, a seasonal shift focused on wellness and routine refresh.

This year, the city launches its first Wellness Week Traverse City from September 19 to 26, 2025, spotlighting a community-wide commitment to health and balance.

Festivities begin at the historic City Opera House with movement classes, a healthy dinner, and a panel led by local wellness leaders.

Throughout the week, residents are invited to events like a New Moon Yoga open house with meditation and sound baths, plus vinyasa yoga at Dharamsala TC overlooking West Bay.

Downtown shops are featuring journals, planners, and chic athleisure to inspire mindful living this season.

From morning paddleboard yoga on Grand Traverse Bay to home offices redesigned for autumn views, Travers City residents are redefining daily wellness as nature transforms around them.

This collective renewal highlights a deep local dedication to health, mindfulness, and embracing the rhythms of the season.

Interesting Facts

The rising wave of fibermaxxing is weaving seamlessly into Traverse City’s celebrated agricultural roots.

At the bustling Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market, demand is soaring for fiber-rich produce like beans, apples, and heirloom grains.

Locals transform these ingredients into vibrant salads, soups, and bowls, deepening community ties to the region’s harvest.

Front Street cafés are responding with new favorites: overnight oats crowned with tart cherries and flaxseed, and bakeries debuting whole-grain creations featuring zucchini and nuts.

Across the Old Mission Peninsula, winery tasting rooms offer hummus and whole-wheat crackers alongside pours of local wine, merging wellness with indulgence.

Restaurants citywide are crafting menus with fiber-rich lentil stews and kale salads, proudly sharing their culinary innovations with hashtags nodding to the movement.

With Traverse City’s agricultural abundance, fibermaxxing feels less like a diet trend and more like a flavorful tribute to the land and its enduring traditions.

Secret Little Hack

Create attention-grabbing subject lines that include numbers or emojis to stand out in crowded inboxes.

Traverse City has a vibrant new fitness hub with the launch of Significant Strikes Boxing, Jiu-Jitsu & MMA at 2780 Cass Road.

This modern gym welcomes everyone, from beginners to experienced athletes, offering a friendly, supportive atmosphere for all.

First-time visitors receive a free introductory class, allowing locals to try boxing, jiu-jitsu, or MMA risk-free.

Programs are tailored for youth, students, adults, and women-only groups, ensuring accessible options for every community member.

Private training and soothing sauna recovery sessions provide personalized support for fitness and wellness.

The facility features over 2,000 square feet of mat space, a full boxing ring, MMA cage, and a 90-foot turf strip for varied workouts.

Complete locker rooms with showers make it convenient for members to train anytime.

Through a unique partnership, Significant Strikes also delivers free monthly boxing classes for local teens, fostering community health and empowerment.

The gym is quickly becoming a local favorite and a symbol of growth and resilience.

Tip of The Day

Get to know your community members by asking for their input or featuring them in the newsletter.

This makes them feel included and engaged in local happenings.

The quirky ‘Nano Banana’ AI trend is taking Traverse City by storm, turning everyday photos into playful 3D collectible-style figurines.

Teens especially love sharing miniature versions of themselves, complete with cherry-red accents that nod to the city's famous fruit.

Families delight as grandparents admire cheerful “mini-me” avatars lined up on their screens.

Even downtown businesses are joining in, spotlighting figurine staff and products in creative posts.

Locals say the trend captures the city’s artistic energy, mixing humor and community pride.

Traverse City’s celebrated arts scene is the perfect backdrop, especially with vibrant events ahead.

The upcoming Mural Festival (September 12–17, 2025) and Downtown Art Fair (September 13–14) promise live art and crafts downtown, filling Rotary Square and the North Boardman district with local talent and festive vibes.

Here, creativity and heritage blend, making the ‘Nano Banana’ craze a surprisingly perfect fit.