THE KEWEENAW, Michigan — Michigan’s Keweenaw
Peninsula will debut a brand-new fall celebration this October with the launch of the Canal Colors Festival,
set for Friday, Oct. 3 and Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in downtown Houghton.
Parked along the Portage Canal beneath the iconic lift bridge, the Canal Colors Festival celebrates the exact spot where Upper Peninsula fall colors first turn. With steep hills rising on both sides of the canal, the season shows off twice — once in the trees, and again in their reflections across the water.
The two-day event combines some of the Keweenaw’s favorite fall traditions — Brew Street, Plaidurday, the Keweenaw
Color Run, and Houghton’s Fall Fest — into one waterfront weekend.
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Friday, October 3 — Brew Street & Plaidurday
Brew Street kicks off at 6 p.m. on Lakeshore Drive behind the Keweenaw Brewing Company (KBC). Guests can enjoy cold pours from KBC, food trucks, and live music from Toni Saari, The Make Believe Spurs, and Bob Hiltunen. Social district cups will be available, with $1 from each sale donated to the Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw to preserve local history.
At 7 p.m., Brew Street also hosts this year’s official Plaidurday group photo, moving the tradition downtown for the first time. Visitors are encouraged to don their flannel and join the record-setting photo, a Keweenaw tradition since 2023. Visit Keweenaw knows it holds the world record from Plaidurday in 2023 for the most people together wearing plaid, even though the record book wouldn’t recognize it. Now, we’re focused on bringing the fun experience downtown and enhancing the evening lineup!
Lakeshore Drive will be closed between Suomi Restaurant and the KBC parking lot entrance to allow space for the event. Admission is free; beverages are available for purchase by those 21+ inside at the KBC bar.
The Carnegie Museum will have a Brew Street exhibit on display through the event for folks to learn more about Houghton’s historic roots in brewing beer!
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Saturday, October 4 — Color Run & Fall Festival
The Keweenaw Color Run returns at 9:30 a.m. with a family-friendly, untimed 5K through downtown Houghton. Participants are showered with colorful powders along the course and receive their own color packet at the start. The run is open to all ages — no times, no winners, just fun.
Right after the race, The City of Houghton’s Fall Fest takes over Houghton’s waterfront pier from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families can enjoy tractor rides, cider pressing (including bring-your-own apples), pumpkin sales, kids’ games like bowling on the pier, and cozy fall photo ops. Local vendors will offer autumn-themed items.
Brew Street fundraising for the Carnegie Museum continues through Saturday at Keweenaw Brewing Company, giving attendees another chance to raise a glass for local history.
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A Seasonal Showcase
“The Keweenaw is one of the sunniest destinations east of the Mississippi in summer, which makes our fall colors especially vibrant,” said Brad Barnett, Visit Keweenaw Executive Director. “By early October, downtown Houghton is the perfect place to celebrate that color — and now we have a signature festival to match.”
The Canal Colors Festival is presented by Visit Keweenaw, the City of Houghton, and the Keweenaw Young Professionals. For details and updates, visit www.canalcolorsfestival.com.
Visit Keweenaw
56638 Calumet Avenue Calumet, MI 49913
Phone: (906) 337-4579 Fax: (906) 337-4285
Website: www.visitkeweenaw.com
Email: info@visitkeweenaw.com
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