Things to Do in Mackinac and the Straits This Fall: 2026 Guide

MACKINAW CITY, Mich. — Late October is the Straits region’s last big hurrah before winter. Mackinac Island throws its Halloween weekend before most island businesses close, Mackinaw City lines its streets with scarecrows, and the shoreline drive north of Harbor Springs puts on one of the state’s best color shows. By November, the area quiets down and the ferries thin out.

This guide covers the Straits from Petoskey and Harbor Springs to Mackinaw City, St. Ignace and Mackinac Island, for mid-October through November 2026. Dates and hours were checked against organizers’ own pages on Oct. 13, 2026. Check each listing again before you go.

Fall color drives

The Tunnel of Trees (M-119). The narrow, winding road from Harbor Springs north toward Cross Village runs along a bluff above Lake Michigan under a canopy of hardwoods. It has tight curves and no center line in places, so drive slowly and pull off only where there is room. The Legs Inn in Cross Village is the traditional stop at the north end.

Around Little Traverse Bay. US-31 between Petoskey and Charlevoix and the roads around Walloon Lake make an easy afternoon loop.

Across the bridge. The Mackinac Bridge itself is a fall-color viewpoint on a clear day. On the north side, US-2 west of St. Ignace follows the Lake Michigan shore toward the Cut River Bridge.

Mackinac Island in late fall

The Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau says its Halloween weekend, Oct. 23–25 this year, typically marks the last big weekend before most island businesses close for the season. Ferry schedules shrink after that, so check Star Line and Shepler’s websites for current departures before you plan a day trip. Bikes are still the best way around the island, and fall’s cooler days make the 8-mile shoreline loop on M-185 an easy ride.

Harvest, cider and local food

Fudge and whitefish. The two Straits staples. Fudge shops in Mackinaw City and on the island start cutting hours after Halloween weekend.
Petoskey and Harbor Springs have the area’s widest choice of year-round restaurants, coffee shops and bakeries.
Cider and apples. Farm markets around Emmet and Charlevoix counties sell apples, cider and pumpkins through October. Call ahead, since many close after Halloween.

Halloween and fall events with dates (2026)

Through Sat., Oct. 31. Mackinaw City Scarecrow Stroll: walk the shopping district and vote for your favorite scarecrow, according to the Mackinaw Area Visitors Bureau.
Fri.–Sun., Oct. 23–25. Mackinac Island Halloween Weekend, with costume parties and live music downtown in the evenings and a Haunted Trail and Maze at Grand Hotel, according to the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau.
Sat., Oct. 24. The Great Turtle Trail Run on the island’s interior trails, which the tourism bureau says generally starts around 10:30 a.m. that Saturday; and downtown trick-or-treating at participating island businesses, 3–4:30 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 30, evening. Gypsy Distillery’s Halloween party in Petoskey, 21 and older, $10 cover. The distillery’s post says 8 p.m. to midnight; the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau listing shows a 7 p.m. start.
Sat., Oct. 31, 10 a.m.–noon. Downtown Petoskey Trick-or-Treat. Kids meet at Central Elementary at 9:45 a.m. for a 10 a.m. costume parade down Howard Street to Pennsylvania Park, and downtown streets close to cars, according to the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau.
Sat., Oct. 31, 5–7 p.m. Trunk or Treat at Old School Park in Mackinaw City, sponsored by the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce, according to Northern Michigan Guides’ Halloween listings.

Our Oct. 13 story has more on the island’s Halloween weekend and Petoskey’s jack-o’-lantern walk.

Plan a late-fall day at the Straits

Morning. Start in Mackinaw City with the Scarecrow Stroll downtown, then take an early ferry to Mackinac Island. Rent a bike near the docks and ride the shoreline road before the afternoon wind picks up.

Afternoon. Back on the mainland, drive south to Harbor Springs, about 40 minutes, and take M-119 north through the Tunnel of Trees. Stop in Cross Village, then loop back along the inland roads.

Evening. End in Petoskey for dinner downtown and a sunset over Little Traverse Bay from Bayfront Park.

Family picks

Vote in the Mackinaw City Scarecrow Stroll, then walk the shoreline park under the bridge.
Island trick-or-treating on Oct. 24, with a bike ride before or after.
Petoskey’s downtown costume parade on Halloween morning.
Hunt for Petoskey stones on the Little Traverse Bay beaches. They are easiest to spot when wet.

Where to stay

Mackinaw City and St. Ignace have the most motels and stay open longer than the island. Many offer lower rates after color season.
Mackinac Island lodging mostly closes after late October; book early if you want Halloween weekend.
Petoskey and Harbor Springs have inns and hotels open year-round and are closest to the Tunnel of Trees.

Tips

Check ferry schedules the day before. Late-fall departures are fewer, and wind can cancel crossings.
High winds can bring restrictions or escorts for some vehicles on the Mackinac Bridge. Check the Mackinac Bridge Authority before towing.
Many shops, museums and Mackinac State Historic Parks sites change to winter hours in late fall. Check before you go.
Pack layers. The Straits are often windier and colder than inland towns.

Official sites and maps

Mackinac Island Halloween Weekend (Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau).
Mackinaw Area Visitors Bureau and Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau.
Mackinac State Historic Parks.
Mackinac Bridge Authority.
Map: M-119 Tunnel of Trees.

More from the Straits

This is a seasonal guide. We publish a new one for each area every season (winter, spring, summer and fall); last updated Oct. 13, 2026.

Sources:
Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau, Halloween Weekend 2026, mackinacisland.org
Mackinaw Area Visitors Bureau, Mackinaw City Scarecrow Stroll, mackinawcity.com
Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau, Downtown Petoskey Trick-or-Treat 2026, petoskeyarea.com; Gypsy Distillery’s Halloween Bash 2026, petoskeyarea.com
Northern Michigan Guides, Halloween and trick-or-treat listings, northernmichiganguides.com
Photo: WMrapids, “Fort Michilimackinac 2022.jpg”, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), cropped and color-corrected; derivative under the same ShareAlike license, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fort_Michilimackinac_2022.jpg

All Mitten Daily guides

Things to Do in the Straits of Mackinac This Fall (2026 Guide)