@Saint Ignace VB

Arts, History & Culture

With scarcely 3 percent of Michigan’s residents living in its Upper Peninsula, one may not expect it to be a treasure trove of arts, history and cherished cultural traditions. Yet, within this vast wilderness, you are never far from some of the most inspiring experiences you, your family and friends will ever encounter

Arts, Music and Theater

With so much natural beauty, energy and untamed waters and land, it is no surprise that creativity flourishes in the U.P. Renowned writers and poets, artists of all mediums, actors, musicians, composers, dancers and performers have spent time here. Settled and honed their talents. Discover their diverse ideas and styles in hundreds of art galleries and centers, theaters, concert venues, festivals and fairs across our region. 

Check our Eastern, Central and Western U.P. events pages for upcoming homegrown, regional, national and international performances, exhibits and shows that will stir your soul. Some places that will especially inspire you are:

Live Music

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Week after week, musicians share their passions in our auditoriums, on community outdoor stages, pub floors, grandstands or intimate galleries. We applaud makers of several music genres: country, folk, R&B, jazz, hip hop, blues, pop, show tunes and classical symphonies. Join us all year-round at our concerts and jam sessions:
Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra, Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Houghton
Marquette Symphony Orchestra, Louis G. Kaufman Auditorium, Marquette
The Braumart, Iron Mountain
Historic Ironwood Theater, Ironwood
Hiawatha Music Festival, Marquette
Island Resort & Casino, headlining regional and national artists, Harris
Kewadin Casinos, entertainment for big-name bands to hilarious comedians, ​​Sault Ste. Marie, St. Ignace, Manistique, Christmas and Hessel
Porcupine Mountains Music Festival, Ontonagon
U.P. State Fair Grandstand Shows, Escanaba

Live Theater

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Watch plays, lectures, acrobatic acts, poetry readings and more on these stages:
William Bonifas Fine Arts Center, Escanaba
Calumet Historic Theatre, Calumet
Louis G. Kaufman Auditorium, Marquette
Ontonagon Theater of the Performing Arts, Ontonagon
Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Houghton
Soo Theatre, Sault Ste. Marie

Museums, Culture & Historic Sites

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More than a hundred museums, culture and historic sites tell centuries of our fascinating stories. Even if you never loved studying history or learning about other cultures in school, you will here. We will open your minds and hearts to the grit and determination of our ancestors, the ingenuity of our entrepreneurs and our Native American and Old World traditions, festivities and recipes. Come here not only for our incredible nature, but to immerse yourself in our lives. You will leave richer. 

See History Come to Life

Five historic sites capture what life was like centuries ago in the U.P. Restored buildings, artifacts and history interpreters whisk you back in time at:
Fort Mackinac State Park, Fort Mackinac, Fort Holmes & Other Historic Sites, Mackinac Island
Fayette Historic State Park and Townsite, Garden
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park, Copper Harbor
Iron County Historical Museum, Caspian
Old Victoria Restoration, Rockland

Honor Entrepreneurship, Bravery and Life-Changing Events

Delta County Historical Museum, Escanaba
Drummond Island Historical Museum, Drummond Island
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Whitefish Point
History of Hockey Museum, Houghton
Keweenaw National Historical Park, Calumet and the Keweenaw Peninsula
Webster Marble: Inventing the Outdoors Museum, Escanaba
Michigamme Museum, Michigamme
A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Houghton
Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum, Naubinway
U.P. Military Museum, Escanaba
World War II Glider & Military Museum, Iron Mountain
Museum & Historic Sites
Maritime History & Shipwrecks
Timber, Iron Ore & Copper Mines

Celebrate Our Rich and Diverse Cultures

Hanka Homestead Museum, Baraga
Finnish American Heritage Center, Finlandia University, Hancock
Marquette Arts & Culture Center, Marquette
Native American Culture & History
Pasties
Swedish Pantry, Escanaba

Whenever you visit, become part of our story. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula will enrich your future as few places in America can.

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