In Downtown Alpena, we have a full calendar of events year round. From shopping events to our Chili Chowder Cook-off, from our Flower Festival to Visits with Santa, there are events each season to enjoy. Click the button below to view annual events in downtown.
Check out our calendar of all events happening downtown. Whether you're traveling from around the block or around the country, there's sure to be an event to check out during your visit!
Check out our calendar of all events happening downtown. Whether you're traveling from around the block or around the country, there's sure to be an event to check out during your visit!
Calendar of Downtown Events
Fall Events
Chili Chowder Cook-offCongratulations to our winners of our 8th Annual Chili Chowder Cook-off that happened on Saturday, October 7, 2023 from 12-2 pm!
Best Chili- Life 180 Community Wesleyan Church Sweet Heat Best in Show (People’s Choice)- Neighborhood Provisions Dr. Chili Pepper Most Spirited- Neighborhood Provisions Most Unique- Kipfmiller's Produce Breakfast Chili Best Chowder- The Old Polish Corner OPC Classic New England Chili |
Bard at the BarBard at the Bar is a Shakespearean-Themed Bar Crawl hosted by the Alpena DDA and Thunder Bay Theatre (TBT). Professional actors and actresses from TBT's core company perform various scenes from Shakespeare's works at downtown bars and restaurants.
Bard at the Bar is postponed as Thunder Bay Theatre seeks to renovate and repair their building following the 2020 fire at the neighboring John A. Lau. For more information about TBT, visit their website. |
Witches Night OutThe Alpena Downtown Development Authority is hosting Witches Night Out in Downtown Alpena on Friday, October 20, 2023 from 5 pm- 10 pm! Enjoy spooky shopping specials, live music bewitching beverages, and other festive fun throughout downtown.
|
Downtown Trick-or-TreatingTrick or Treat throughout downtown on Friday, October 27 from 5-7 pm! Downtown businesses will be passing out candy for all the little goblins and ghouls. This is the same evening as Trunk-or-Treat, which is taking place being Alpena City Hall.
|
Holiday Events
Holiday Open HouseKick off the holiday season in Downtown Alpena on Saturday, November 11th, 2023. Do some early holiday shopping, enjoy windows decorated for the season, and celebrate the beginning of the magical holiday months downtown. With over 30 shops downtown, you're sure to find something for everyone on your list.
|
Bolenz Jewelry Holiday Parade + Downtown Tree LightingJoin us to kick off the holiday season on Friday, November 24th, 2023 with the annual Bolenz Holiday Parade through Downtown Alpena! The parade begins at 5:30 pm and moves down Chisholm St. onto Second Ave.. The tree lighting ceremony and arrival of Santa in Culligan Plaza follows the parade.
|
Visit With Santa DowntownWe have confirmed the dates that Santa will be visiting us here downtown at his house in Culligan Plaza! Stop by to meet him, take your photo and tell him what you want for Christmas this year. Friday December 1 from 5-7 pm Friday December 8 from 5-7 pm Friday December 15 from 5-7 pm Friday December 22 from 5- 7 pm Saturday December 23 from 12-4 pm A special thank you to the team at Alpena Area Credit Union, the Alpena High School Key Club, and Mollie & Baillie from Cabin Creek/Sweet Baby James/Local Basket Case for being our elves this year! |
Small Business SaturdayOn the Saturday after Thanksgiving, shop small to help keep our business strong and downtown vibrant. From a bag of locally roasted coffee to a new piece of artwork, from a cozy sweater to a gift certificate for a night out, there's something for everyone on your holiday list in Downtown Alpena. This year, stop by two special holiday markets, enjoy live music in the evening, and make a full day of it!
See you on Saturday, November 25, 2023! |
Winter Events
Cocoa CrawlSave the date for January 27, 2024! From 11 am- 5 pm, participating locations will have cocoa treats including hot cocoa, chocolates, and "sweet" deals. After the holidays, cozy up and come downtown to enjoy chocolate treats, shopping specials, and more.
|
Alpena Ice FestivalAlpena Ice Fest is scheduled for Saturday, February 10, 2024! The event begins at Mich-e-ke-wis Park from 11 am - 3p m with ice sculptures on display by Ice Creations of Napolean, Ohio, a huge bonfire by Alpena Fire Department, demonstrations, food trucks, horse drawn wagon rides and more. Activities then move to downtown from 3-7 pm!
|
Spring Events
Downtown Clean Up & Flower Planting
Help us plant flowers throughout the downtown at our annual Flower Planting Day on Saturday, May 25, 2024 from 9 am- noon. Please meet in Culligan Plaza, where you can pick up a flat of flowers and instructions on where to plant. Please bring your own garden gloves and small shovels.
We are looking for sponsors to donate $50 that will be used to purchase a flat of flowers. This year, we will be adding in native perennials around the tree bases with the help of Huron Pines and Friends of Alpena Area Gardens. Each sponsor will get a sign posted in one of the tree bases to recognize their support. You can donate online at the link below!
We are looking for sponsors to donate $50 that will be used to purchase a flat of flowers. This year, we will be adding in native perennials around the tree bases with the help of Huron Pines and Friends of Alpena Area Gardens. Each sponsor will get a sign posted in one of the tree bases to recognize their support. You can donate online at the link below!
Summer Events
Alpena Flower FestivalThe second-annual Alpena Flower Festival is scheduled for Friday, June 7 through Sunday, June 9, 2024! We had so much fun last year, we're going to do it again. Join us for Michigan's most flower-filled festival featuring creative floral installations throughout the downtown, live music, themed cocktails, and more.
|
Downtown Sidewalk SalesAugust 2024 Dates Coming Soon
The annual downtown event with shopping sales and more! Peruse 30+ stores throughout Downtown Alpena that have merchandise marked down and placed in the sidewalks throughout downtown. |
Fresh Waves: The Downtown Mural Project
In 2019, the DDA launched a new arts initiative to bring vibrant murals and public art downtown. Over five years, the project has commissioned a diverse set of vibrant pieces of public art. Each year, our DDA Promotions & Marketing Committee reviews artist and location applications to determine the scope of the year's project. 2024 locations and artists will be announced in May.