string quartet playing music in an outside shelter

Live Music

Music has been part of the Bays de Noc area for as long as there have been songbirds in our forests. The live performances will lift your spirits in the winter … renew your hopes in the spring … bring you to your feet dancing in the summer … and warm your hearts in our crimson and gold fall. Please join us at our concert venues, vineyards and pubs. Or, come share your songs or talents with us. We will always make time for more good music in our lives.

outdoor concert with a crowd watching

Summer vibe

Find your groove every summer with us. We will bring in musicians who will perform a wide range of music from classic rock to country to easy-listening acoustic to get-up-and-dance cover tunes.

Concert Series

Mondays

Escanaba: Music Mondays Summer Concert Series, Ludington Park

Last Monday in June to first Monday in August | Karas Memorial Band Shell | 7-9 p.m. | Free
Picnics are welcome; popcorn and water are also available for purchase. Enjoy the bench seating or BYO chairs or blankets. Rain date: Tuesday evening.

Tuesdays

Escanaba, Strings by the Bay, First Presbyterian Church

One Tuesday per month in June, July & August | 819 1st Ave S. | 7:30-9:00 p.m. | $5 students & Bay College employees; $10 adults; $25 for three tickets

Share an enriching evening with families and friends as our gifted, local string musicians bring great composers’ work to life.

Wednesdays

Escanaba: City Band Concerts, Ludington Park

Mid-June through Mid-August | Karas Memorial Band Shell | 7:30 p.m, | Free

Picnics are welcome; BYO chairs or blankets or choose a bench seat

Thursdays

Gladstone: Summer Concert Series, Van Cleve Park

Mid-June to Mid-August | 7-9 p.m. | Free

Celebrate summer listening and dancing to a fun variety of music genres. Bring your family and friends, picnic, chairs or blankets. This is a great way to unwind before the weekend.

Sundays

jazz musicians playing outside under a pagoda

Winery Outdoor Concert Series

Bark River: Northern Sun Winery

Mid-June to Early-August | 983 10th Road | 3 p.m, vineyard/cellar tour/ 4 p.m. concert | $10 advance tickets/$15 at the door

With the Anthony Vineyards as your backdrop, relax to the feel-good sounds of talented songwriters and musicians. Ticket price includes both a vineyard/cellar tour and the concert, plus profits from your ticket purchase will help local charities. BYO blankets, chairs and a picnic (no carry-in alcoholic beverages allowed, you will find plenty of good choices here).

More Summer Music Events

Rock the Dock

Escanaba: Ludington Park

July 23, Aug. 7 & Sept. 4-6 | Municipal Dock | Free

See the list of special activities, bands and hours for each Rock the Dock event on our website events page. Bring a picnic or choose snacks or a meal from the vendors on site. Your entire family will have fun.

U.P. State Fair Grandstand Shows

Escanaba: U.P. State Fairgrounds

The third week of August | Music Shows Tuesday-Saturday | 2401 12th Ave. N. | 8 p.m. | General grandstand seating with fair admission/Gold Circle Tickets $10 + service fee

This is one of the best entertainment values in Michigan. All shows in this 5,500-seat grandstand are included with your fair admission. If you want to be up close to the artists, Gold Circle tickets are available for Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows. Fair food, amusement rides and popular performers are a great reason to visit Escanaba this week every summer!

concert at the up state fairgrounds with a huge crowd