Festival Information
ABOUT THE 2026 FESTIVAL
The 2026 Upper Peninsula Folklife Festival will be held October 2 – 4 in Marquette, Michigan. Current plans include an Upper Peninsula Food Crawl at a variety of local restaurants featuring special dishes and live music on Friday, October 2, followed by a full day of workshops, performances, demonstrations, and more at the Northern Center on the campus of Northern Michigan University and other local venues on Saturday, October 3. On Sunday, October 4, all are invited to explore the variety of studios, galleries, museums, and other cultural establishments around the Marquette community.
2026 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Can’t wait until the Festival? Join us for a few special, Pre-Festival events around Marquette!
Altan
Thursday, September 17 at 7:30pm
NMU Reynolds Recital Hall, Marquette, MI
Tickets available at tickets.nmu.edu
Adults – $25 adv. / $27 door
NMU Students and Under 18 – $13 adv. / $15 door
Altan is one of the most iconic bands in Irish music. The band delivers on their reputation as among Ireland’s most important cultural ambassadors with their new release DONEGAL. Irish-language songs and dynamic twin-fiddling, both hallmarks of Altan’s sound, framework the new album which tributes Altan’s native County Donegal and its rich musical heritage, breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture.
Indigenous Perspectives Symposium on Medicines and
Decolonizing Diet Dinner feat. Smoke Dance Show by Old Bridge Singers
Symposium: Friday, September 25, 12:00pm-5:00pm
Dinner: Friday, September 25, 6:00pm
Northern Center, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI
Tickets available HERE – Must Register by Tuesday 9/22
Symposium: Free and open to the public, registration highly encouraged
Dinner: $25 for General Public, $20 for NMU Faculty/Staff, $5 for NMU Students & 18-
Northern Michigan University (NMU) is proud to announce this year’s Indigenous Perspectives Symposium on Medicines, a one-day event dedicated to exploring the rich traditions, profound significance, and evolving future of Indigenous approaches to healing and wellbeing. This year’s symposium aims to bring together Indigenous leaders, elders, knowledge holders, practitioners, academics, and community members to share insights on topics ranging from traditional medicinal plants and healing practices to Indigenous health education and applied seventh-generation thinking. Through a series of presentations, workshops, and communal gatherings, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the vital connection between medicine, land, language, and spirit in Indigenous communities. More information is available here: NMU Indigenous Perspectives Symposium
Rhythm Bones Workshop **for NMU students**
with Randy “Da Bones Man” Seppala
Wednesday, September 30 at 7:00pm
The Woods at NMU, Marquette, MI
Randy Seppala, also known as “Da Bones Man,” has built a reputation throughout the Upper Peninsula for playing and teaching the rhythm bones. Trained by the legendary Johnny Perona, a 2009 Upper Peninsula Folklife Award recipient, Randy has taught workshops on the rhythm bones for more than two decades throughout the U.P. and beyond.
Wiisinda: Let’s Eat!
Cooking Class at MFC
Thursday, October 1, 5:00pm-8:00pm
Marquette Food Co-op, 502 W Washington St., Marquette, MI
Tickets available HERE
$35 for Co-op owners, $50 for all others
The U.P. is home to multiple tribal nations. In honor of the Upper Peninsula Folklife Festival, the Marquette Food Co-op is offering a cooking class that celebrates the ingredients of the original residents of the Upper Peninsula – the Anishinaabe. This class will utilize foods that were familiar to Indigenous cultures prior to European colonization such as manoomin, squash, berries, cedar, sumac, and more. All these ingredients will come together for a delicious meal and demonstrate that Native American foodways are not snapshots of the past, but a vibrant, ever evolving, and thoroughly modern cuisine. This class is free of dairy and refined sugar. The main course will include a choice of meat or beans.
Special Exhibit: The U.P. Through 250 Artifacts
Marquette Regional History Center, 145 W Spring St., Marquette, MI
On display through January 2, 2027
This exhibit showcases two hundred and fifty artifacts, photographs, and documents from the MRHC’s permanent collections. These objects connect local history to the national story while commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has often seemed remote from the rest of the country. However, the themes and movements of U.S. history can be seen here as well, especially since the War of 1812. When the country braced for the Civil War, U.P. iron miners raced to uncover iron for the Union army’s railroads and ammunitions. When labor movements exploded following World War II, Ishpeming’s Gossard garment factory went on strike for better wages. Objects rarely on display include the medal awarded to a local Spanish American War nurse and a hand sewn battle flag brought home by a soldier from the War of 1812.
Museum Hours: Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Visit marquettehistory.org or call 906.226.3571 for more info.
On Friday, we’re partnering with a host of local restaurants for the Upper Peninsula Food Crawl. Enjoy regionally inspired dishes and live music as we fuel up for a full day of workshops, demonstrations, and performances on Saturday!
Trenary Toast Café | Website
153 West Washington St.
Marquette, MI
Special Dish: Usual menu, featuring Scandinavian-inspired breakfast and lunch
Live Music (2:30pm-4:00pm): Majority Finn | Traditional Family Band | Hancock, MI
DIGS GASTROPUB | Website
154 West Washington St.
Marquette, MI
Special Dish: TBA
Live Music (6:00pm-8:00pm): Ameriikan Poijat | Finnish Brass Band | Minnesota
THE DELFT BISTRO | Website
139 West Washington St.
Marquette, MI
Special Dish: Jägerschnitzel with cheesy spätzle and broccoli
Live Music (6:00pm-8:00pm): The Feltliner Duo | Acoustic String Duo | Marquette, MI
LAGNIAPPE | Website
145 Jackson Cut Alley
Marquette, MI
Special Dish: Cajun Cudighi Po-Boy
Live Music (6:00pm-8:00pm): Back Room Boys | Jazz & Polka | Calumet, MI
All Saturday events will take place in the Northern Center
on the campus of Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan.
All programs are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Traditional craft & art demonstrations
NMU NORTHERN CENTER – Ballroom III – 9am-5pm
Alice Magerum
Harp Making
Jon Marc Himes
Bowl Woodturning
Cheryl Gordon
Weaving
Ben Bohnsack
Woodblock Printing
Marquette Yarnwinders
Weaving & Yarn Winding
Ruth Abbott
Wool Processing & Spinning
April Lindala
Native American Beadwork
TRADITIONAL CRAFT WORKSHOPS
NMU NORTHERN CENTER – PENINSULA ROOMS
Lace Making with Amanda Winnicki
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Room: Peninsula I
Capacity: 12
Cost: $25 for Public / $12 for NMU Students
Tickets: Available through tickets.nmu.edu
Wooden Spoon Carving with Fred Livesay
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Room: Peninsula IV
Capacity: 8
Cost: $40 for Public / $20 for NMU Students
Tickets: Available through tickets.nmu.edu
Birchbark and Sweetgrass Ornament Workshop with Larry Godfrey
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
Room: Peninsula II
Capacity: 25
Cost: $25 for Public / $12 for NMU Students
Tickets: Available through tickets.nmu.edu
Rosemaling (Norwegian Ornament Painting) with Tara Austin
Time: 12:00pm-3:00pm
Room: Peninsula I
Capacity: 12
Cost: $25 for Public / $12 for NMU Students
Tickets: Available through tickets.nmu.edu
Swedish Star (Spiral Wooden Wreath) with Poppy Hatinger
Time: 1:00pm-5:00pm
Room: Peninsula II
Capacity: 10
Cost: $25 for Public / $12 for NMU Students
Tickets: Available through tickets.nmu.edu
DANCE WORKSHOPS & PERFORMANCES
NMU NORTHERN CENTER – BALLROOM IV
Kivajat Dreaming of Finland
Time: 10:00am-11:30am
Hiawatha House Band
Time: 2:00pm-3:30pm
Back Room Boys
Time: 3:30pm-5:00pm
MUSICAL PERFORMANCES
NMU NORTHERN CENTER – BALLROOM IV & FOUNDERS ROOM
Ameriikan Poijat
Time: 11:30am-1:00pm
Room: Ballroom IV
Midsummer Strings
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm
Room: Ballroom IV
Majority Finn
Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm
Room: Founders Room
Cloverland
Time: 3:00pm-4:00pm
Room: Founders Room
The Feltliner Duo
Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm
Room: Founders Room
MUSIC WORKSHOPS
NMU NORTHERN CENTER – FOUNDERS ROOM & PENINSULA I
Rhythm Bones Workshop with Randy “Da Bones Man” Seppala
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
Room: Founders Room
Capacity: 25
Cost: $20 for Public / $10 for NMU Students
Tickets: Available through tickets.nmu.edu
Learning Irish Session Tunes and an Open Irish Session Jam with Allen Dupras
Time: 12:00pm-2:00pm
Room: Founders Room
Cost: FREE
This workshop is all about traditional Irish dance music. Allen will give a demonstration on how to learn Irish Session tunes on fiddle, flute, and accompaniment instruments like guitar and bodhran, then all are welcome to have a mini Irish Session jam and play some tunes.
5-String Kantele (Finnish lap harp) with Kay Seppala
Time: 3:00pm-5:00pm
Room: Peninsula I
Capacity: 20
Cost: $20 for Public / $10 for NMU Students
Tickets: Available through tickets.nmu.edu
Kanteles provided!
Coming to the Upper Peninsula Folklife Festival? Make a weekend of it!
The Upper Peninsula’s folklife isn’t found only over a few days. It’s in our food, art, music, mines, museums, shops, neighborhoods, landscapes and the stories of the people who call the U.P. home.
While you’re here, we invite you to explore Marquette and the surrounding communities — and consider making Sunday your day to experience even more of the U.P.
2026 Autumn comforts quilt show | Marquette county quilters association
Saturday, October 3, 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday, October 4, 11:00am-4:00pm
Ojibwa Casino, 240 Kawbawgam Road, Marquette, MI
$5 Admission
The Marquette County Quilters Association (MCQA) is proud to present the bi-annual 2026 Autumn Comforts Quilt Show at Ojibwa Casino. There will be over 200 quilts on display along with vendors, basket raffles, and demonstrations.
Quilters from across the Marquette County region, as well as those from other areas will be proudly displaying a variety of quilts and related items. A plethora of color and texture will adorn the event. MCQA has worked as a team to make a beautiful quilt “Northern Lights“ that measures (108 x108) and will be raffled with the winner being announced on Monday, October 5, 3:00pm at Peter White Library. The winner need not be present to win.
MCQA was formed in 1978. The purpose of the Marquette County Quilters association is to foster the appreciation of quilts and the art of quilting among quilters and the public; to increase knowledge of traditional and contemporary techniques of quilting and to provide an encouraging environment for quilters to practice and exchange skills; to serve the community through charitable activities involving quilting; and to educate the public about the significance and history of quilting as an art form and as an ongoing craft.
Several organizations in the Marquette County area have been recipients of quilts or other hand sewn items generous given by MCQA members. Centered in Marquette, their members hail from several counties in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Meetings are held at 6:30pm on the first Wednesday of each month (except July and August) at the Peter White Public Library Community Room.
Amerikkan Poijat at messiah Lutheran church, in memoriam of john and pauline kiltinen
Sunday, October 4, 8:30am
Messiah Lutheran Church, 305 W Magnetic, Marquette, MI
2026 UPFF featured musicians Amerikkan Poijat will perform as part of Messiah Lutheran Church’s 8:30am service in memoriam of John and Pauline Kiltinen.
The Barnes-Hecker Mine Disaster: The Story of one family’s anguish
Sunday, October 4, 6:30pm
W. C. Peterson Auditorium, Ishpeming HS, 319 E Division, Ishpeming, MI
Free Admission
Annie Tippett, granddaughter of deceased miner Walter Tippett, will share her family’s extraordinary and heartbreaking connection to the disaster which took place on November 3, 1926. Six members of her family were working at the mine at the moment it caved in. Two were killed, and one – Annie’s great-uncle – was the sole survivor of the tragedy that killed 51 men. Her presentation will blend historical detail with personal testimony, offering attendees an emotional and historically grounded narrative of loss and resilience.
Presented by the Ishpeming Area Historical Society.
Taste the U.P.
Food tells an important part of the U.P. story. Our regional foodways reflect Indigenous traditions and generations of Swedish, Finnish, Cornish, Italian and other immigrants who made the Upper Peninsula home.
Trenary Toast Café – 153 W Washington St. in Marquette
Sun-Fri 7:30am-4:30pm, Sat 7:30am-5:00pm
Enjoy the café’s tastes of the Finnish and Scandinavian traditions that remain an important part of U.P. culture.
DIGS – 154 W Washington St. in Marquette
Wed-Fri 5:00pm-2:00am, Sat 12:00pm-2:00am, Sun 12:00pm-9:00pm, Closed Mon-Tue
A downtown Marquette gastropub and gathering place.
The Delft Bistro – 139 W Washington St. in Marquette
Mon-Tue 3:00pm-9:00pm, Wed-Thu 10:00am-9:00pm, Fri-Sat 10:00am-10:00pm, Sun 10:00am-9:00pm
Enjoy food and music inside Marquette’s historic former Delft Theatre.
Lagniappe Cajun Creole Eatery – 145 Jackson Cut Alley in Marquette
Wed-Sat 11:00am-9:00pm, Closed Sun-Tue
Featured festival dish: Cajun Cudighi Sandwich — a fun combination of Cajun cooking and one of the central U.P.’s distinctive food traditions.
Get a Pasty!
No exploration of U.P. food would be complete without a pasty. The portable meat-and-vegetable pie became closely associated with the region’s mining communities and remains a beloved U.P. tradition.
Lawry’s Pasty Shop – 2164 US-41 in Marquette
Mon-Fri 7:00am-8:00pm, Sat-Sun 7:00am-7:00pm
A longtime U.P. pasty shop offering traditional pasties and other varieties.
Cal’s Party Store – 123 Genesee St. in Marquette
Mon-Fri 7:00am-10:00pm, Sat 8:00am-10:00pm, Sun 8:00am-9:00pm
A neighborhood Marquette institution known for homemade foods, including pasties. Fresh pasties for sale around lunch time but run out fast! Frozen pasties are available around the clock.
Iron Town Pasties – 801 N Teal Lake Ave. in Negaunee
Daily 10:00am-9:00pm
A perfect stop while exploring the West End and Marquette County’s mining heritage.
Crossroads Restaurant – 900 C.R. 480 in Sands Township
Mon-Sat 11:00am-9:00pm, Sun 12:00pm-9:00pm
A cozy, laid-back eatery serving hearty home-style dishes with authentic Yooper flair.
And here’s a Festival challenge: ask a few Yoopers where to find the best pasty. You’re likely to get more than one answer!
Try More Local Flavors
Look for other foods that help tell the U.P. story:
- Lake Superior whitefish
- Cudighi
- Trenary Toast
- Finnish and Scandinavian foods
- Local maple products
- Fresh-baked breads and treats
- Locally roasted coffee
For Lake Superior whitefish, consider a waterfront meal or a stop at a casual local fish stop to make something back at home while you are embracing UP folklife.
Explore Our History & Heritage
Marquette Regional History Center – 145 W Spring St. in Marquette
Mon-Tue and Thu-Fri 10:00am-5:00pm, Wed 10:00am-8:00pm, Sat 10:00am-3:00pm, Closed Sun
Explore the people, places and events that shaped Marquette County and the Upper Peninsula, from Indigenous history and early settlement to immigration, mining, industry and community life.
Special Exhibit: The U.P. Through 250 Artifacts – On display through January 2, 2027
Marquette Maritime Museum & Marquette Harbor Lighthouse – 300 Lakeshore Blvd. in Marquette
Tue-Sun 11:00am-4:00pm, Closed Mon
Discover the U.P.’s deep connection to Lake Superior through maritime history, shipping, shipwrecks and lighthouse history. The museum and lighthouse are scheduled to be open during festival weekend.
Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center – Northern Michigan University in Marquette
Mon-Fri 11:00am-4:00pm, Sat 12:00pm-4:00pm, Closed Sun
Explore the history and cultural diversity of the Upper Peninsula through exhibits and collections on the NMU campus.
Michigan Iron Industry Museum – 73 Forge Rd. in Negaunee
Tue-Sun 10:00am-4:00pm, Closed Mon
Head west to learn how iron ore transformed the Upper Peninsula and the nation and discover the stories of the people and communities of Michigan’s iron ranges.
Marquette Shoreline Cultural Trail
The City of Marquette’s Shoreline Cultural Trail is a public space design project that honors and preserves the community’s diverse cultural heritage, history, and environment. The Cultural Trail spans seven miles of Marquette’s shoreline, from the Carp River to Presque Isle. It follows the City’s multi-use trail and involves future plans that incorporate portions of current parks such as Mattson Park, Lighthouse Park, Presque Isle, and more. Take a stroll and check out the seven storymarkers currently installed at historically significant sites along our beloved Lake! More information available here.
Marquette Lions Club: A Tradition of Community Service
Folklife is also about the organizations, traditions and relationships that help build community. During the festival, the Marquette Lions Club will share a special presentation about its history and impact as Michigan’s oldest Lions Club and the generations of local people who have carried forward its tradition of service. Details TBA.
Discover U.P. Art & Culture
Zero Degrees Artist Gallery – 525 N Third St. in Marquette
Mon-Sat 10:00am-6:00pm, Sun 11:00am-3:00pm
Explore an artist-run cooperative featuring original work by Upper Peninsula artists in a wide range of media. It’s also a great place to find something locally made to take home.
The Hiawatha Fold (Hiawatha Music Co-op) – 1015 N Third St. #9 in Marquette
Mon-Thu 10:00am-4:00pm, Closed Fri-Sun*
The Hiawatha Music Co-op seeks to provide and promote traditional music and dance, to educate and inform society about traditional American music, and to encourage the appreciation of this music through our annual festival and various year-round events.
*Stop by the Hiawatha Fold for an Open Jam Session on Sunday, October 4 from 3:00pm-5:00pm!
The Gallery Marquette – 130 W Washington St. in Marquette
Daily 11:00am-5:00pm
Discover work by local and regional artists in the heart of Downtown Marquette.
DeVos Art Museum – Northern Michigan University
Mon-Wed and Fri-Sat 12:00pm-5:00pm, Thu 12:00pm-8:00pm, Closed Sun
Visit NMU’s art museum and explore its changing exhibitions while you’re on campus.
Wintergreen Hill Gallery – 810 N Third St. in Marquette
Mon-Sat 10:00am-6:00pm, Closed Sun
Art gallery filled with art from local artists across the Marquette area.
Evergreen Market – 135 W Washington St. in Marquette
Mon-Sat 7:00am-8:00pm, Sun 8:00am-4:00pm
A market inspired by the northern woods and water. Sustainability, utility, something for everyone.
Shop Local
Take a little piece of the U.P. home while supporting local businesses and artists.
Touch of Finland – 2853 US-41 in Marquette
Daily 10:00am-6:00pm
Explore Finnish and Nordic gifts, foods, home goods, sauna products and other items reflecting an important part of the U.P.’s cultural heritage.
Zero Degrees Artist Gallery – 525 N Third St. in Marquette
Mon-Sat 10:00am-6:00pm, Sun 11:00am-3:00pm
Shop original art, jewelry, pottery, fiber arts, woodworking and other locally created pieces.
Michigan Made – 2220 US-41 in Marquette
Mon-Sat 10:00am-6:00pm, Sun 10:00am-4:00pm
Michigan Made products for all your special moments.
Downtown Marquette
Spend some time exploring locally owned shops, galleries, bookstores and businesses along Washington, Front and Third streets.
Head West: Discover Mining Country
Take a short drive from Marquette to Negaunee and Ishpeming, communities whose histories are deeply connected to iron mining and immigration.
Make a day of it:
Michigan Iron Industry Museum
Learn about Michigan’s iron-mining history and the people who worked in the industry.
Iron Ore Heritage Trail
Walk or bike a section of the trail that connects historic sites and communities along the Marquette Iron Range.
Historic Negaunee & Ishpeming
Explore the downtowns, architecture and landscapes of two communities at the heart of U.P. mining history.
Mine Experience
If mine tours or special mine-related experiences are available during festival weekend, consider adding one to your West End trip. Check operating schedules and availability before visiting.
And while you’re there, stop for a pasty!
Experience the Landscape
The U.P.’s natural environment has shaped its culture as much as its industries and people.
Presque Isle Park – Marquette
Explore wooded trails, rocky Lake Superior shoreline and scenic overlooks.
Sugarloaf Mountain
Take the short climb for sweeping views of Lake Superior and what may be some spectacular early October color.
Iron Ore Heritage Trail
Explore by foot or bike while learning more about the region’s industrial history.
Marquette Waterfront & Lower Harbor
Walk the shoreline, see the historic Lower Harbor Ore Dock and enjoy Lake Superior right from downtown.
Make Sunday Your U.P. Exploration Day
The festival may be centered on performances, demonstrations and workshops Friday and Saturday, but Sunday, October 4, is a great day to continue your Folklife experience throughout the community.
Art, Shopping & Local Culture
Visit Zero Degrees Artist Gallery, browse Touch of Finland, explore downtown Marquette and stop for coffee or a local meal.
Zero Degrees is currently scheduled to be open Sundays from 11am–3pm, making it an especially good Sunday stop.
Lake Superior & Maritime History
Visit the Marquette Maritime Museum and Harbor Lighthouse, take a walk along the waterfront and continue to Presque Isle Park.
The Maritime Museum currently lists Sunday hours of 11am-4pm through October 7. Lighthouse tours are also offered, with advance reservations recommended.
Mining Heritage Road Trip
Head west to Negaunee and Ishpeming for the Michigan Iron Industry Museum, mining history, the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, historic communities and a U.P. pasty.
Create Your Own Folklife Tour
Pick a few things that interest you and create your own Sunday adventure:
Eat something U.P. → Meet a local artist → Learn some history → Shop local → Get outside → Talk to someone you meet along the way.
That’s folklife.
Have Another Day? Explore More of the U.P.
If you’re making a longer trip of it, use Marquette as your starting point for exploring more of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Munising & Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Lake Superior cliffs, waterfalls, beaches and spectacular scenery.
Keweenaw Peninsula
Explore copper-mining history, Finnish heritage, historic communities and Lake Superior.
Porcupine Mountains & Lake of the Clouds
Head west for one of the U.P.’s iconic landscapes and fall-color destinations.
Kitch-iti-kipi
Visit Michigan’s largest natural freshwater spring near Manistique.
Tahquamenon Falls
Travel east to experience one of the Upper Peninsula’s most recognizable natural landmarks.
Experience the Living Traditions of the U.P.
Wherever your travels take you, we encourage you to eat local, shop local, explore our history, enjoy the landscape and — most importantly — talk with the people you meet.
The U.P.’s traditions aren’t simply part of our past. They’re part of how we live today.
Enjoy your stay, and welcome to the Upper Peninsula!
