Festivals
Muskegon Summer Celebration (http://www.summercelebrat...) late June/early July, is a ten-day festival, held during the July 4 holiday every year, that brings national music acts of all backgrounds to the shore of Muskegon Lake at Heritage Landing. Also included is the Muskegon Art Fair, street fair, Village Craft Market, and the carnival rides.
The Muskegon Film Festival is held in February.
Every June, since 1990, St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church hosts its annual Hispanic Fiesta. The fiesta is always held outside of the church at 1292 Jefferson Street, next to Muskegon High School. There are always live music performances, children's activities, ethnic foods, and more. It is a celebration of Hispanic heritage. They never charge admission, but there usually is a small charge for most food items and some activities. More information can usually be found at the following link: [2]
Each August, the Unity Christian Music Festival takes place at Heritage Landing. In May, Rock the Coast takes place at Michigan's Adventure. Both are organized by Alive on the Lakeshore.
In September, the Michigan Irish Music Festival brings renown Celtic musicians to Heritage Landing on the shore of Muskegon Lake. In addition to music, Irish food, beverages, merchandise and cultural exhibits contribute to the appeal of this event. The Michigan Feis Irish Dance competition is affiliated and is held at The LC Walker Arena nearby.
In early October, the International Buster Keaton Society visit Muskegon to host their annual convention. The event features public showings of Keaton films at the Frauenthal Theater.
Museums and theater
Broadway at the Frauenthal (http://www.frauenthal.info/) Fall through Spring, brings big-time Broadway musicals to Muskegon. Muskegon is also home to Muskegon Museum of Art and West Shore Symphony Orchestra. The Muskegon Community Concert Association provides concerts from September through May.
Muskegon County Museum and Hackley & Hume Historic Site: Mansions built by Muskegonâs lumber barons themselves are restored to their old glory and open to the public. The mansions are operated with the Muskegon County Museum, which details the grand, rich history of Muskegon County, from the Pottawatomi and Ottawa Native American tribes and lakeside fur traders to the Lumber Queen of the World to today. Also includes science and nature exhibits.
The Muskegon Museum of Art deservedly is touted as one of the finest art museums in the Midwest. Among the highlights of its permanent collection is "Tornado Over Kansas," by John Steuart Curry one of three leading painters, along with Grant Wood and Thomas Hart Benton, identified as Regionalists and known for their canvases celebrating the rural Midwest.
Muskegon is also the home of the Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum, which features the USS Silversides, a World War II submarine; the USS LST 393, a World War II amphibious landing ship; and the USCGC McLane, a Prohibition-era United States Coast Guard cutter.
In addition, Muskegon also berths the S.S. Milwaukee Clipper a former car ferry that traveled the same route as Lake Express does today. The boat is in the middle of a long process of being restored to its original form, but in the mean time is open for tours and hosts a museum aboard the vessel with information on both the Milwaukee Clipper, as well as the history of Maritime in Muskegon. Muskegonâs entire history surrounds around being a port for commerce or travel, and this is an image the city has embraced.
The Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame exhibits, detailing the area's rich athletic past, are on display at the L.C. Walker Arena.
Camerata Singers, a professional chamber choir, performs at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Muskegon and other locations in west Michigan.
Outdoor recreation
Muskegon State Park and Winter Sports Complex is a campground and State Park on the shores of Lake Michigan. Known for its miles of sandy beaches, lighted ski trails, and one of only three outdoor luge tracks in the United States
PJ Hoffmaster State Park
Pere Marquette Beach
Lakeshore Bike Trail-Bike along the shores of Muskegon Lake to Lake Michigan.
Michigan's Adventure, the largest amusement park in the state, is in Muskegon County, a few miles north of the city of Muskegon. Michigan's Adventure features a midway with roller coasters, general rides, amusements, and a full water park.
The Chronicle Seaway Run is run every year in late June. It features a 15k race, 5k race, 5k walk for fun, 15k wheelchair race.
