Butterflies in Bloom at Dow Gardens (March 3 - April 16) Featuring thousands of brilliantly colored butterflies from all around the world, experience the winged beauties amidst a lush tropical environment of leafy plants and glorious florals in the newly reimagined Dow Gardens conservatory. Witness a butterfly in flight, and enjoy visits on your hands and shirts when the beautiful creatures land.

68th Annual Bay City St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March 19) Join thousands of spirited folks in the streets at this full-blown celebration of the Irish and the Irish-at-heart! Watch the all-things-Irish parade with pipe bands, marching bands, and floats — and have fun!

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour (April 14 - 15) Celebrate adventurous folk and the lure of the mountains while this traveling festival is in town! Witness coveted mountain films that showcase the spirit of people who live in, play in, and love mountainous areas. Experience high adventure and a passion for the outdoors through each inspiring film.

Saginaw on Stage Music Festival (April 15) Experience live music and top-notch local talent, with performers across three levels and nine separate stages throughout the historic Saginaw Club! With genres including bayou-folk-rock to electro-acoustic reggae-pop — and a cash bar available on all three floors — partake in a fabulous evening of entertainment!

Zehnder's Ragtime Festival (April 19 - 21) Celebrate the sounds of energetic and colorful Ragtime music! Enjoy the blending of African rhythms with European classical harmonies at multiple shows throughout this festival, from Lunch Concerts to Vaudeville Night, each with delicious menus served alongside your entertainment.

Shipshewana on the Road (April 29 - 30) Shop with thousands of enthusiasts at this traveling show, and discover some of the most unique trinkets and treasures under the sun! Find interesting and creative clothing, gifts, goods, and foods — it’s all at Harvey Kern Pavilion in Frankenmuth for two days, and then it’s gone!

Cinco De Mayo Annual Parade & Festival (May 6) Celebrate the largest Hispanic parade in Michigan, and enjoy family-friendly festivities at outdoor Jolt Credit Union Event Park! Taste authentic patitos, carnitas, tamales, and more, and experience live entertainment, Hispanic dancing, and bounce houses and activities for kids!

World Expo of Beer (May 19 - 20) With more than 350 beers from around the globe, the World Expo of Beer in Frankenmuth is Michigan's largest beer sampling event! Dance to live music and whet your whistle with selections from dozens of breweries, alongside local food vendors. Held rain or shine, shuttle buses are hopping all throughout this festival, and admission includes a free souvenir beer sampling mug!

The Great Lakes Market at From Buds to Blooms (May 20) Enjoy the “thrill of the hunt and discovery of new treasures” in “an organized maze of 12 x 12 experiences”! Tucked in a barn away from the elements, come rain or shine to enjoy local food trucks and live musicians as you shop jewelry, art, crafts, clothing, and flowers at this “part salvage hunt, part maker center, part culinary adventure”.

Drift back into the Woodstock era during The Magic Bus Live and In Concert, or don your best cowboy boots and swing into the Country Spring Fling, both inside the Art Deco gem State Theatre of Bay City.

Experience the lavish Temple Theatre while you sway to the sounds of the Saginaw Choral Society in their season-ender, Broadway!, or stir your senses during a Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra performance of Beethoven's Immortal 5th.

Step into Legally Blonde - The Musical to experience a "fabulously fun and internationally award-winning" performance, or uncover the forgotten story of Mozart's sister in The Other Mozart at Midland Center for the Arts.

Rev up for an unforgettable show when the Toughest Monster Truck Tour rolls into The Dow Event Center this spring, or belly laugh to Jim Gaffigan's unique brand of humor on the Dark Pale Tour.

April 7, 2023 is Opening Day to catch a Great Lakes Loons Minor League Baseball game, and their season lasts well into the summer! Look for Thirsty Thursdays (half-off draft beer), Feast Fridays for $2 hot dogs, Sunday games where kids eat free and can run the bases, Marvel character appearances, and Star Wars-themed nights. Watch the game from one of 5,200 stadium seats or bring a blanket and cheer from the lawn!

Speaking of “Opening Day”, when can you stroll through local farmers markets to purchase armloads of produce, fresh-cut flowers, and baked goods? When will the animals at Saginaw Children’s Zoo and Wilderness Trails Zoo make their seasonal debuts? And when (please, soon!) can we officially board boat tours for the season? Spring right over to our full list of upcoming events in the Great Lakes Bay and see!