Harbor Beach’s biggest event returns July 9-13 with live music, beach games, lighthouse tours, and family activities across Lincoln Memorial Park.

Maritime Festival 2025 anchors Harbor Beach with full weekend of attractions

HARBOR BEACH, Mich. — The 2025 Harbor Beach Maritime Festival, held July 9–13 at Judge James H. Lincoln Memorial Park, promises five packed days of beachside entertainment, community traditions, and outdoor recreation in Michigan’s Upper Thumb region. From bocce ball tournaments to jet ski races, the event delivers a showcase of small-town summer life on the Lake Huron shoreline.

Organized by the Harbor Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, the festival continues its legacy of offering low-cost, family-focused entertainment. Admission is free, with rustic camping available at the beach throughout the weekend.

Family-friendly fun and community showcases fill the event schedule

The festival opens Wednesday, July 9, with the Harbor Beach Hospital 5K Walk/Run, a staple event held at Lincoln Memorial Park. On Thursday, July 10, community favorites return, including the Friends of the Library Book Sale at the Community House gym and a Bocce Tournament at the park. That evening, live music kicks off with a performance by Xoxo’s Band, sponsored by Frankenmuth Credit Union.

Friday brings a Farmers Market on the Murphy Museum lawn, plus evening beachside activities including a Corn Hole Tournament and a concert by Sinclair’s Band, which plays from 8 p.m. until midnight.

Saturday draws largest crowds with parade, vendors, contests, and beach sports

Saturday, July 12, marks the festival’s busiest day, with an extensive lineup beginning at 9 a.m. with Lighthouse Tours at the Marina. Highlights include the Battle on the Beach Strong Man Contest at 11 a.m., a Craft Show at the museum lawn, and multiple musical acts scheduled through the day, including Reagan Agney, Forged Reality, and Major Dudes.

Community involvement is front and center with a sand creations contest at South Beach, a kids’ parade at 11 a.m., and the full-scale Maritime Parade starting at 5:30 p.m. in downtown Harbor Beach. Local service groups like the Harbor Beach Lions Club and city fire department also host key events, including a fish fry and root beer float sales.

Jet ski races, volleyball, and corn hole run through the day, with the evening culminating in a fireworks show at dusk and performances by Encore Band and RampageFuze Band on the main stage.

Sunday closes with church services, classic cars, and raffles

The event wraps up Sunday, July 13, with worship services in the park, a Car & Truck Show, and the annual Zion Lutheran Fish Fry. The HBAA Community Cash Raffle ends the weekend at the tent grounds, signaling the close of one of Michigan’s longest-running summer events.

Free music and rustic camping help set this festival apart

The Harbor Beach Maritime Festival’s appeal lies in its accessible location, low entry cost, and mix of classic small-town attractions with outdoor recreation along the Lake Huron coast. Live music is offered every evening without charge, including high-energy regional bands and local favorites.

The event encourages visitors to stay onsite with rustic beach camping available all weekend. According to the organizers, the camping, combined with beach sports like bocce, volleyball, and corn hole, makes the festival “a full-immersion summer weekend experience.”

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