A full calendar of community events for 2026 has been approved by the Escanaba Downtown Development Authority Board. The schedule begins with Restaurant Week in February and concludes with the Escanaba Christmas Parade in December.
DDA Chair Sue Parker said events are a key strategy for bringing people downtown.
“The downtown is the heart of the city,” she said. “Yes, people’s shopping habits have changed. They think of the mall, they think of going to Green Bay for shopping. I think it’s important to bring people downtown so they see what’s available.”
Highlighting the schedule are the Ludington Street Cruise car show and the Escanaba LogJam Music Festival. The Ludington Street Cruise, set for May 29 and 30, continues the tradition of the Krusin’ Klassics Fun Run.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had a car show of this magnitude before that the DDA has been a part of in the downtown,” Parker said. “There is the Muscle on Main Wednesdays in front of Catmando’s once a month, so bringing car enthusiasts downtown is a welcome addition.”
The LogJam Music Festival is scheduled for June 27 on Ludington Street with 11 musical acts and the Great Lakes Timber Show.
Parker said LogJam and other music events help to brand Escanaba as a “music city.” Escanaba has been actively expanding its music scene with events like the LogJam Music Festival and Make Music Escanaba, held June 21 as part of a worldwide summer solstice celebration.
The Escanaba DDA is also collaborating with Escanaba Recreation and Marina Department to provide music for Marina Fest on July 25 and Labor Day Celebration on Sept. 7. Music will also continue at the Escanaba Marketplace, including the nine-week Lunch on Ludington series beginning June 10.
The DDA schedule includes five promotional events designed to support downtown businesses. Restaurant Week runs Feb. 22-28, followed by Spoil Mom Week from May 3-10. Sidewalk Sales, now renamed Sizzlin’ Summer Sales, will be held July 24 and 25. Downtown Day is Sept. 26 and Black Friday on Tuesday takes place Nov. 24.
“The promotional events give businesses an opportunity to highlight what they offer,” said Craig Woerpel, DDA executive director. “Any business in the downtown can promote itsself during these events on the downtown website.”
On Oct. 24, artists will partner with downtown businesses for Art Walk, where local artists can demonstrate and sell their work throughout the downtown.
The Escanaba Farmers Market, held Wednesdays and Saturdays from June through October for more than 100 years, returns for a new season on Wednesday, June 3, at the Escanaba Marketplace.
Also at the Marketplace, the Bonifas Arts Center will host nine weeks of free youth art programming and events during Art Week July 26 through Aug. 1. Artists and vendors can also participate in the Pop-UP Market on Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m., June through August.
Other events include the Patriotic Polka Party in the Park on July 3, Spooktacular Trunk-or-Treat on Oct. 18, the Christmas Tree Lighting on Nov. 24 and Escanaba Christmas Parade on Dec. 4. New this year is the Nibiikaa Pow Wow with Native dancing at the Municipal Dock on Aug. 29.
“Events help to build our community identity, with music and art as the major focus,” Woerpel said. “This lineup of events helps to attract visitors and creates a vibrant downtown atmosphere.”
Woerpel added that dedicated volunteers and sponsors help to make the events possible. Those interested in supporting the activities are encouraged to contact the DDA.
A complete list of events is available at escanabadowntown.com.
PHOTO: The Ludington Street Cruise car show is one of the events planned for this year by the Escanaba Downtown Development Authority. A full list of events have been approved by the DDA Board for 2026. A Ludington Street Cruise committee is working to continue the efforts of Krusin’ Klassics with the event on May 29-30.
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