Grand Traverse & Inland Lakes · Small town
Northport
The last village on the Leelanau Peninsula, a harbor town on Grand Traverse Bay close to a state park, the Grand Traverse Lighthouse and beach trails.
Festival · Music · Arts · Family · Northport
Leelanau UnCaged
A free, car-free day of music, dance and art on open-air stages across downtown Northport in late September, billed as the end of Leelanau summer.
Leelanau UnCaged takes over Northport for one Saturday in late September. The streets close to cars, bands and dancers play on stages around downtown, and more than 9,000 people came in 2026. The festival takes its spirit from the composer John Cage.
It is free, paid for by local sponsors and donors, and it gives you a good reason to come back up the peninsula after Labor Day. The festival is car-free, and a BATA shuttle runs from Traverse City.
What to expect
The 2026 festival had 39 music and dance acts on seven stages, opening with a shoreline water blessing with the Grand Traverse Band and a samba drumming procession. There are art vendors, food and a hands-on art area for kids, and a BATA shuttle runs from Traverse City. Admission is free.
Location
Where Leelanau UnCaged happens
4 places on an OpenStreetMap map
The pin marks the town; check the organizer for exact venues.
About Northport
Nearby attractions
Straight-line distances, not driving distances.
Beach
South Beach (Northport)
Northport's village beach on Grand Traverse Bay, just south of the marina on Bay Street, with a sandy swim area, restrooms, picnic tables and a playground.
Under a mile away (straight line)
State park
Leelanau State Park
The state park at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, with the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, a rustic campground and the Cathead Bay trails to a sandy beach.
About 4 miles away (straight line)
Beach
Van's Beach
Leland's public Lake Michigan beach, a short walk from downtown at the end of Cedar Street, joined to Hall Beach and Fishtown by the shore. A local sunset spot.
About 10 miles away (straight line)
More events in and around Northport
- Northport Dog ParadeAn August Saturday when Northport dogs and their people parade through the village in costume, with a new theme every year and prizes at the end.