Southern Gateway · Small town
Whitehall and Montague
Twin towns on White Lake for a mix of lighthouse, beach and bike trail, with Duck Lake State Park nearby and the start of the Hart-Montague Trail.
Holiday · Parade · Family · Whitehall and Montague
White Lake Fourth of July
Whitehall and Montague share the Fourth: a parade from one city hall to the other and fireworks over White Lake around the holiday.
The White Lake towns celebrate the Fourth together. The parade links them, starting at Whitehall City Hall and ending at Montague City Hall, and it is open to floats, horses, fire trucks, community groups and classic cars.
The fireworks over White Lake do not always fall on the Fourth itself: in 2026 they were the night before. Check the White Lake Area Chamber’s holiday newsletter for the year’s schedule before you plan your evening.
What to expect
The Independence Day parade runs from Whitehall City Hall to Montague City Hall in the morning. Fireworks go up over White Lake at dusk, organized by the White Lake Fireworks Committee; in 2026 they were on July 3, the night before the parade. Local veterans' posts have added meals, music and a pancake breakfast around the holiday.
Location
Where White Lake Fourth of July happens
4 places on an OpenStreetMap map
The pin marks the town; check the organizer for exact venues.
About Whitehall and Montague
Nearby attractions
Straight-line distances, not driving distances.
Historic site
The Playhouse at White Lake (Howmet Playhouse)
Whitehall's 1916 theater, renovated and renamed the Playhouse at White Lake, with summer theater, Michigan music, films and youth theater.
Under a mile away (straight line)
Lighthouse
White River Light Station
An 1875 brick lighthouse at the White Lake channel, now a maritime museum, with a 38-foot tower you can climb in season.
About 5 miles away (straight line)
Attraction
Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park
A year-round adventure park inside Muskegon State Park with a luge track, lighted cross-country ski trails and skating in winter, and a zip line in summer.
About 10 miles away (straight line)
Places to stay nearby
Resort · Upscale
Michillinda Lodge
On the Lake Michigan shore on Scenic Drive, Whitehall
A long-running cottage resort on Lake Michigan near Whitehall, with guest buildings spread over wooded acres above the beach.
Confirm details before booking
Hotel · Budget
The Weathervane Inn
On the White Lake shore in downtown Montague
A 23-room inn on the White Lake waterfront in Montague, a short walk from downtown and beside the Hart-Montague trail.
More events in and around Whitehall and Montague
- Walk the Beat White LakeA free July afternoon of live music spread across downtown Whitehall and Montague, with dozens of acts at venues you stroll between.
- White Lake Area Arts and Crafts FestivalA June weekend of artist and crafter booths at Goodrich Park in Whitehall, with live music, festival food and inflatables, now in its fifth decade.
- Grand Haven Coast Guard FestivalA summer festival in Grand Haven honoring the U.S. Coast Guard, with waterfront mainstage events at the Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium.