Cherry Festival 2025 in Traverse City:
The Ultimate Summer Vibe
Traverse City, MI—aka the Cherry Capital of the World—is kicking off the 2025 National Cherry Festival from June 28 to July 5. This Gen Z-level energy fest draws over half a million people to bayfront gardens, orchards, concerts, and more—seriously lit stuff you don’t wanna miss.
What’s Lit This Week
Air Show (June 28–29, 1–4 PM, West Grand Traverse Bay): Expect high-octane flybys from F‑22 Raptors, F‑35Bs, A‑10s, Chinooks, Coast Guard rescues—and maybe a KC‑135 demo, too. All free to watch but bring ear protection.
Ultimate Air Dogs (July 3–5): Flip-happy dogs launching off docks, aiming for sky-high leaps—adorable, competitive, won’t calm your phone’s notifications.
Festival of Races & Tournaments: 5K, 10K, half-marathon, beach volleyball, pickleball, cornhole, golf scramble—for all you fitness flexers and casuals alike.
Concert Lineup (Ticketed)
| Date | Headliners |
|---|---|
| July 1 | “Weird Al” Yankovic (“Bigger & Weirder”) |
| July 2 | T.I. plus cherry-themed Royal Fashion Show & Luncheon |
| July 3 | Pop Evil, Buckcherry & Hinder |
| July 4 | Hoobastank, Bowling for Soup & Plain White T’s |
| July 5 | Grand Funk Railroad & 38 Special |
Free & Fab Favorites
Parades:
Community Royale Parade, July 3 at 6:30 PM
Cherry Royale Parade, July 5 at 11:15 AM—both route through Downtown Traverse City.
Cherry Farm Market & Open Space Park: Browse local cherry farmers, merch, kids’ activities, tasting booths and beer tents—all day, everyday.
Arts & Crafts Fair: Sunday, June 29—hundreds of artisans along Union Street, selling handcrafted goods and sweet memories.
Orchard Tours: June 30–July 4—ditch the city glam, hop on a tour of MSU orchards, learn cherry facts, maybe sample fresh picks.
Family Zone: Bubble gum blowing, kids’ fun runs, fairy jam sessions—tiny tots and big kids welcome.
Pro Tips for Savvy Festival-Goers
Plan ahead: Some events (like the parades and races) need an hour-head start for good spots
Transportation hack: BATA shuttles run every 12–15 minutes—skip the parking drama
Ear plug essential: The air show is rad, but get loud—bring hearing protection.
Cherry fever: Stay hydrated, wear comfy shoes, and tag pics with #CherryFest2025
Final Take
This isn’t just another festival—it’s the cherry-spritzed melting pot of nostalgia, adrenaline, community, and viral dog jumps. Whether you’re gorging on pie, cheering a pit spit champ, or vibing under summer sky to classic rock, the 2025 Cherry Festival is giving ultimate summer flex energy.