Blog Downtown Alpena

08/25/2025

Fall is on its way, and downtown has plenty of events to look forward to over the next few months!🍁🎃 From annual events like Witches Night Out and Hoptoberfest to new events like a crow party and a back porch concert, get ready to have a festive fall in Downtown Alpena.

Learn about all the 2025 fall events at our newest blog post here: https://blogdowntownalpena.com/2025/08/22/upcoming-fall-events-in-downtown-alpena/

07/17/2025

The 51st Michigan Brown Trout Festival kicks off TOMORROW! From daily weigh-ins to live music, from wine tasting to the annual Art on the Bay open-air art fair, there's something for everyone happening over the next ten days.

Get the full schedule here: https://blogdowntownalpena.com/2025/07/10/51st-annual-michigan-brown-trout-festival/

07/01/2025

Coming downtown this week for the 4th of July weekend? Check out events happening downtown at our newest blog post below!

If you find yourself in downtown Alpena around the 4th of July, you will find an array of fun events and things to do! Enjoy live music thorough downtown, the 4th of July parade, fireworks and more…

06/19/2025

The 21st Alpena Blues Festival is THIS SATURDAY, June 21st from 2-10 pm at the Alpena Band Shell with FREE admission! 🎵

Learn more about the festival and the lineup of bands at our newest blog post.

If you’re looking for something fun and free to do this weekend, you need to come downtown to check out the Alpena Blues Festival, in memory of Maggie Lamb Saturday June 21st! The event start…

05/01/2025

It's gearing up to be an exciting summer in Downtown Alpena! Learn about new businesses, business expansions, and projects that will be underway this summer:

Over the last few months there have been lots of businesses announcements in Downtown Alpena, with new businesses opening, expanding, or coming under new ownership. Learn more about the development…

02/13/2025

The Alpena Ice Festival is this Saturday! ❄️🔥

Activities start at Mich-e-kewis Park and move downtown. New this year is the Polar Plunge Fundraiser for the Special Olympics at 3 pm and then Fire & Ice on River St. from 5-8 pm.

View a full schedule of activities downtown at our latest blog post here: https://blogdowntownalpena.com/2025/02/12/alpena-ice-festival-this-saturday/

01/09/2025

Interested in exploring the world of the Oceans and Great Lakes? Then you are definitely going to want to attend the 13th Annual Thunder Bay International Film Festival hosted by Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary! They will be showcasing over 50 films throughout the weekend, along with social events and opportunities to meet the filmmakers.

Learn more below.

Are you interested in exploring the world of the Oceans and Great Lakes? Then you are definitely going to want to attend the 13th Annual Thunder Bay International Film Festival!

12/18/2024

Downtown is getting ready for our FIRST EVER New Year’s Eve Celebration! At midnight, a lit sphere will be raised as a sunrise to ring in the new year. Join us for DJs and dancing from 9 pm-1 am in the alleyway, s’mores bars, and food and drink specials throughout downtown.

Get all the details here: https://blogdowntownalpena.com/2024/12/17/alpena-plans-first-ever-downtown-new-years-eve-celebration/

12/13/2024

Looking for a unique gift idea that you can find downtown? 🎁

Check out our latest post highlighting some of the unique shops downtown where you can find anything from books about the Great Lakes to records to vintage video games!

Are you looking for a neat and different Christmas gift for your family member, friend, or significant other? Well, look no further than these shops right here in downtown Alpena! Find everything f…

12/06/2024

See what Downtown Alpena looked like throughout the years during the Christmas season at our latest blog post. 🎄

Thank you to the George R. and Edith Angell Cook Special Collections at Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library for the historic photos!

Throughout the years you always know it’s the holiday season in Downtown Alpena when you see the lit garland wrapped around the lampposts, decorated storefronts, and the giant Christmas tree …

11/25/2024

The holidays are right around the corner! 🎄 ❄️
Check out upcoming in downtown events at our 2024 Holiday Guide:

Christmas is arguably one of the best holidays of the year! So head to Downtown Alpena and check out the many different festive activities and places to shop to fill your stockings and Christmas Tr…

10/09/2024

Downtown Alpena is hosting its first-ever Dia de los Mu***os event on Saturday, November 2nd with Mangos Tequila Bar and Thunder Bay Arts Council & Gallery. Learn more about all the activities happening downtown, including kids' activities, a Catrina costume contest, and live mariachi music.

Alpena, MI – On Saturday, November 2nd, Downtown Alpena will host its first-ever Dia de los Mu***os (Day of the Dead) celebration. Mango’s Tequila Bar, Thunder Bay Arts, and the Alpena Downtown Dev…