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Alpena Ice Festival

Instead of spending another boring winter day cooped up inside the house, come to Mich-e-ke-wis Park and Downtown Alpena and enjoy the Annual 2026 Alpena Ice Festival on Saturday February 21st from 9am-8pm! Buy something from the Alpena Farmers Market, check out the unique ice sculptures, warm up by the big bonfire and so much more! For the full schedule of events keep reading! Continue reading Alpena Ice Festival

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Fresh Waves 2026 Artist Applications Now Open

The Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is looking for artists who are interested in painting vibrant murals in Downtown Alpena, Michigan this summer as part of the Fresh Waves project. Interested artists have until Sunday, March 15, 2026 at midnight to submit their application to be considered to participate in the project this summer. Downtown property owners are also able to apply to have a mural painted on their building. Those applications are due Sunday February 15, 2026 at midnight. Continue reading Fresh Waves 2026 Artist Applications Now Open

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2025 Recap in Downtown Alpena

2025 was yet another busy year for downtown Alpena! We’ve seen lots of new businesses open up, facade work to buildings downtown, park renovations, new and old events and so much more! It was definitely a busy year for downtown Alpena, and I can’t wait to see what comes in 2026! Continue reading 2025 Recap in Downtown Alpena

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New Years Eve 2026 in Downtown Alpena

Downtown Alpena is gearing up to ring in 2026 with its second-annual New Year’s Event, and this year’s celebration promises to be even bigger. After drawing a crowd of locals and visitors downtown last year, the event is returning with extended hours at bars and restaurants, cozy firepits to gather around, and the crowd-favorite midnight “sunrise” created by the City of Alpena’s Department of Public Works with help from the City Fire Department. Continue reading New Years Eve 2026 in Downtown Alpena

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Christmas at the Commons this Saturday

This Saturday, December 13 from 2-7 pm, the Water Street Commons and the Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) are hosting its first-ever Christmas at the Commons event. Bring your friends, family, and festive spirit for an evening filled with holiday cheer and cozy winter fun for all ages. Continue reading Christmas at the Commons this Saturday

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Water Street Commons in Downtown Alpena

If you haven’t heard of or visited the Water Street Commons before let me give you a quick explanation! The Water Street Commons is a small business collaborative of five tiny shops, one beverage shed, food truck area, and public seating area on the corner of the 2nd Ave bridge and Water Street. It’s led by the Alpena DDA as a way to provide low-cost, low-risk commercial space for small businesses looking to try out Downtown Alpena, diversify the downtown offerings, and bring more foot traffic to the downtown. Read on to learn about our holiday vendors! Continue reading Water Street Commons in Downtown Alpena

August Events in Downtown Alpena: Check them out before summer ends!

Even though the end of summer is near, it doesn’t mean there isn’t still plenty of events and things to do in downtown Alpena! Below you’ll find just some of the events happening throughout the downtown this August! Continue reading August Events in Downtown Alpena: Check them out before summer ends!

51st Annual Michigan Brown Trout Festival

The Michigan Brown Trout Festival is the best and longest running fishing tournament in the Great Lakes! Over the 10-day festival anglers can enjoy several different fishing tournaments and all have a chance to win one of the many prizes Brown Trout offers! If you’re not an angler but want to enjoy the festival, there are plenty of fun activities and things to do in their big and small tents! Continue reading 51st Annual Michigan Brown Trout Festival