Summer Events for Your Travel Itinerary in Frankenmuth, Michigan
Did you know Frankenmuth is home to over 12 festivals throughout the year? 8 of them happen in the summer alone!
Get outside and enjoy the summer weather with these iconic events in Frankenmuth, Michigan!
Dog Bowl and Balloons Over Bavarian Inn | May
Don’t miss the unofficial kickoff to the summer at the Frankenmuth Dog Bowl and Balloons Over Bavarian Inn Memorial Day weekend. It’s a great weekend of free family fun! Dog Bowl is a high-energy event that showcases dogs running, jumping, diving, and retrieving! Located in Frankenmuth River Place Shops. Lots of great events: Best Costume Contest, 50-yard Doggie Fun Run, Disc Dog Competitions, Wiener Dog Races, Pet Retail Vendors, Dog Bowl King and Queen, Dog Breeds of the World Show, Annual Canine Cruise of the Bavarian Belle River Boat, & DockDogs Competition. Then check out the hot air balloon event. Balloonists compete in morning and evening flights as they float over Frankenmuth. Experience the Village of Balloons at night with the Balloon Glow! Watch 15+ tethered balloons inflate, then interact with the pilots & crew.
Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival | June
Time to grab your steins and lederhosen because The Bavarian Festival comes to Frankenmuth every summer! In early June, Downtown Frankenmuth is taken over by even more Bavarian culture than usual. Fun activities such as live music, a maypole rising ceremony, and Bavarian parade make this a weekend to remember. Of course, there is delicious food and beer, and other unique events such as the Fest Olympics. Age-old traditions and new activities take place each year, including the crowning of the Bavarian Princess!
Concerts in the Park | June – August
Music of the past and the present is performed outdoors for live free concerts in Frankenmuth. Enjoy hits from Elton John, the Bee Gees, or Toby Keith on any given weekend to add to your Frankenmuth experience. These concerts are held under the pavilion in Palmer Schau Platz in beautiful Memorial Park. Consider bringing your own chairs to this fun in the sun event, but rest assured, there is a full-service concessions stand at every performance!
Friday FUN Nights | Every Friday During Summer
Musicians, artists, entertainers, and magicians are just some of the delightful sights to be seen during Friday FUN Nights. Every Friday during the summer, Downtown Frankenmuth is taken over by fun activities for the entire family. Consider bringing some extra cash so you can tip performers and keep this tradition alive!
Volksläufe (The People’s Race) & Fireworks | July
Get ready to race on July 4! The Volksläufe, German for “The People’s Race”, is held annually in celebration of family, friendship, and fitness! The race’s certified 5k, 10k, and 20k courses begin and end in beautiful Heritage Park.
Antique Fire Muster | July
Gather the entire family for the Antique Firetruck Muster in Heritage Park. Complete with vintage and contemporary fire engines, this event is fun in the sun and full of educational opportunities for kids and adults. Don’t miss the parade through Downtown on the Saturday during the event!
Frankenmuth Summer Music Fest | August
This festive event dates back to 1977, and the tunes keep coming! Enjoy live music in Polish, German, and Slovenian styles. Enjoy delicious food and beer along with the exciting music to keep you dancing all through the night. Admission ranges between $ 25 and $ 30.
Frankenmuth Auto Fest | September
Celebrate the end of summer with one last major event. The Frankenmuth Auto Fest attracts over 2,500 classic cars, street rods, and muscle cars. This event always takes place the weekend after Labor Day and features a giant block party and live music. Enjoy the outdoors, and rev those engines while you can!
Explore More Events Below!
Join us for a smokin’ good time with rotating BBQ themed menus on select Fridays at The Fortress Golf Course Pavilion. Great food, good vibes, and summer nights done right! The all-you-care-to-eat buffet is $26.95 per person on Friday, July 10th, July 17th, July 24th and July 31st from 5-8 pm.
July 10th Menu Includes:
• BBQ Pork Spareribs with Sweet Baby Ray’s
• BBQ Grilled Chicken
• Lightly Fried Walleye
• Cowboy Style Baked Beans
• Corn on the Cob
• Redskin Potato Salad
• Zehnder’s Creamy Cabbage Salad
• Cornbread Muffins
• Apple Strudel with Whipped Cream
July 17th Menu Includes:
• BBQ Pork Spareribs with Sweet Baby Ray’s
• Southern Fried Chicken
• Great Lakes Yellow Perch
• Au Gratin Potatoes
• Sauteed Green Beans with Red Peppers
• Macaroni Salad
• Zehnder’s Creamy Cabbage Salad
• Cornbread Muffins
• Blueberry Strudel with Whipped Cream
July 24th Menu Includes:
• BBQ Pork Spareribs with Sweet Baby Ray’s
• BBQ Grilled Chicken
• Lightly Fried Walleye
• Cowboy Style Baked Beans
• Corn on the Cob
• Redskin Potato Salad
• Zehnder’s Creamy Cabbage Salad
• Cornbread Muffins
• Apple Strudel with Whipped Cream
July 31st Menu Includes:
• BBQ Pork Spareribs with Sweet Baby Ray’s
• Southern Fried Chicken
• Great Lakes Yellow Perch
• Au Gratin Potatoes
• Sauteed Green Beans with Red Peppers
• Macaroni Salad
• Zehnder’s Creamy Cabbage Salad
• Cornbread Muffins
• Blueberry Strudel with Whipped Cream
No reservations required. Call (989) 652-0450 for details
Learn directly from The Fortress’s Golf Pro Nick Sears and Andrew Hoesman in a safe, fun and competitive learning environment with The Fortress’s annual Junior Golf Camp on July 28-30, 2026 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am for ages 6-9 and from 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm for ages 10-14. This program is designed for all abilities. The golfing program will introduce fundamentals of golf to beginners and give more advanced players the proper techniques to improve their game.
Each day, players will learn the rules, etiquette and technique of golf. Golf Professional Nick Sears will lead the camp with an emphasis on tee shots, approach shots and short game.
About the Instructors
Nick Sears, formally of Flint Golf Club, comes aboard with plenty of playing and teaching experience. As a graduate of Flint Powers, Nick traveled to play on scholarship at Madonna University and was named Captain for both his junior and senior years, leading the team to play in two national championships. Following his senior year, he took on a coaching role for the Madonna Girls Golf Team, helping them earn top 25 rankings in the NAIA all four years. This is Nick’s fifth year at The Fortress. Nick brings plenty of experience both on the teaching and playing side, as well as the day-to-day operations of the course.
Andrew Hoesman is a product of Frankenmuth, Michigan, and a graduate of Frankenmuth High School. He then attended Delta College, where he played golf, earning Freshman of the Year honors and competing in the national championship. Following his time at Delta College, he attended Michigan State University, where he was a member of the club golf team.
After graduating from Frankenmuth High School, Andrew took on a role as a varsity golf coach for the Frankenmuth High School golf team, where he coached for three years. He is now on his second stint with The Fortress, having previously worked as a member of the Pro Shop staff for three years before completing an internship at Forest Akers Golf Courses at Michigan State University.
Andrew brings back extensive experience in playing, coaching, and golf operations.
The cost to participate is $75 per player for all three days. To register, please call the Golf Shop at (989) 652-0460. Must register by June 24, 2026.
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