Fill your winter calendar with fun, now. When it’s single-digit cold, the beer is flowin’ and the music has us jumpin’ at these Northern Michigan food and wine festivals.
Winter Warmup
Don’t wait until next summer to start your 2017 wine touring: On January 14, the wineries of Old Mission Peninsula will welcome visitors in from the cold for an afternoon of wine tasting and comfort food. And look for specials from several Old Mission businesses and restaurants who are also getting in on the fun.
For tickets and information click here.
Sips and Soups
On January 21, $20 will get you an afternoon of soup and wine pairings at several of Leelanau Peninsula’s top wineries, with a portion of the proceeds going to local food banks.
For tickets and information click here.
Romancing the Riesling
Showering love on the region’s most medaled and internationally renowned wines, The Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula devote February 18 to the Riesling, in all its incarnations, running from dry to sweet. $20 in advance; $25 day of.
For tickets and information click here.
Winter Microbrew and Music Festival
Geared toward the craft beer and indie folk music crowd, this winter version of Traverse City’s Summer Microbrew and Music Festival packs a ton into one frosty February Saturday. See how your latest garage ale stacks up in the homebrewer’s challenge, sample a range of rare, single-batch brews, and take in the “silent disco,” which uses wireless headsets to stream music direct to attendees. February 11.
Check out the crazy fun we had at last year’s festival in this MyNorth video.
Taste the Passion
Treat your sweetheart to a Valentine’s date on the Leelanau Peninsula with a self-charted wine tour that includes small plate pairings at each winery. Better yet, pair it with a lodging package from select B&Bs nearby and make a weekend out of it. February 11–12.
For information and tickets click here.
Chocolate-Covered Boyne
We have to hand it to the folks in Boyne City for celebrating the part of Valentine’s Day anyone can get behind—regardless of their relationship status. Grab some great discounts on chocolate-themed fare at more than 30 local restaurants and businesses, and treat the kids to a “Chocolate-Covered Story Hour” at the local library. February 10-11.
For information click here.
Traverse City Restaurant Week
At just $25 a ticket for a three-course meal, it’s one of the most affordable ways to check out that restaurant you’ve been meaning to try. The only challenge: Picking from among the dozens of great TC dining spots featured in this year’s lineup. But at these prices, why limit yourself to one? February 26–March 4.
For information click here.
Suds & Snow
We credit Timber Ridge Resort for getting a little more creative with the “beer and ski” concept. The 11th running of Suds & Snow will include local beer, wine and cider, fare from local food trucks, a snowshoeing course, and two hike-in live music stages in the middle of the woods. March 4.
For information and tickets click here.