Grand Traverse & Inland Lakes
Cadillac
For lake and trail people in every season: two lakes, a state park beach between them, the end of the White Pine Trail and a big winter trail network.
Arts · Festival · Music · Food and drink · Cadillac
Cadillac Festival of the Arts
Three days of art in downtown Cadillac each July: an art fair in the park, an artisan market, a food fair on Lake Street and free music.
The Festival of the Arts has filled downtown Cadillac for close to six decades (2026 was the 58th). It is a low-key, local festival: artists in the park, community performers and the symphony, and a chance to eat your way down Lake Street.
The Cadillac Arts Council runs it. Plans can change with weather (wildfire smoke reshuffled the 2026 opening day), so check for updates before you head over.
What to expect
The 2026 festival ran Thursday through Saturday in mid-July with a free Friday night concert, a mural event, a food fair on Lake Street, an artisan market by the pavilion and the Phyllis Olson Art Fair in the park. Past years have added a color run, a library book sale and a kids' art zone.
Location
Where Cadillac Festival of the Arts happens
4 places on an OpenStreetMap map
The pin marks the town; check the organizer for exact venues.
About Cadillac
Nearby attractions
Straight-line distances, not driving distances.
Trail
Fred Meijer White Pine Trail
A 92-mile paved rail trail whose northern end is in Cadillac, for long rides south through towns, farmland and woods toward Grand Rapids.
About 1 miles away (straight line)
State park
William Mitchell State Park
Cadillac's state park between Lake Mitchell and Lake Cadillac, with a campground, the Clam Lake Canal and the start of the White Pine Trail.
About 3 miles away (straight line)
Ski area
Caberfae Peaks
A ski resort west of Cadillac with 27 runs and 5 lifts across three peaks, plus about 10 miles of cross-country trails that are free to use.
About 15 miles away (straight line)
Places to stay nearby
Resort
Caberfae Peaks Ski and Golf Resort
West of Cadillac in Wexford County
A long-running ski and golf resort west of Cadillac, with three peaks for downhill skiing, a nine-hole golf course and a lodge at the base.
Hotel · Budget
Hampton Inn & Suites Cadillac
On Cecil Road off US-131 (exit 183), on the north side of Cadillac
A Hampton Inn & Suites built in 2026 off US-131 on the north side of Cadillac, with an indoor pool and breakfast included.
More events in and around Cadillac
- Cadillac Freedom FestivalCadillac's Fourth of July weekend: a downtown parade, a car show, a 5K by the lake, a fire-on-water military tribute and fireworks over Lake Cadillac.
- Elk Rapids Harbor DaysElk Rapids' summer festival since 1955: several days of parades, car shows, races and contests around the harbor, ending with fireworks on Saturday night.
- Interlochen Arts FestivalInterlochen's summer season of concerts and performances, from student orchestras to touring headliners at Kresge Auditorium on Green Lake.
- National Cherry FestivalA week-long July celebration of the region's cherry crop, with concerts, parades, an air show and free family events spread across Traverse City.