Thousands of people will travel to the Copper Country this summer. Some may start in Houghton before taking a day trip to Copper Harbor. Or before driving the final stretch of highway to Ontonagon and the Porkies. Visit Keweenaw Brad Barnett says that recreation might attract many visitors. Some of the region’s festivals and events keep people coming back year after year.
The remote beauty, it’s the escapism, the opportunity to go out and enjoy trails but not be surrounded by a hundred of your closest friends. That’s the experience they’re looking for. And again, it’s public events, festivals. The opportunity to connect with family members too. We have so many people who come to the Key Wenog because they have roots here, whether it’s because they had a father or an uncle who worked in the mine or because grandma is still here. Or it’s the opportunity to connect with the young families and stuff here. They’re bringing their kiddos up here for the first time. They’re showing them where their old stomping grounds are. So that’s what brings people up. Brad Barnett, Executive Director, Visit Keweenaw
Barnett adds that 2025 will be a busy summer for residents and visitors alike. And there are plenty of old and new to enjoy as well. Later in the summer, Calumet will celebrate the sesquintenial anniversary.
Whether you’re going out to the trails, you’ll see remnants of the copper mining era, whether it’s smokestacks or walls that were built back in the 1800s. So it’s there. But we always recommend that folks get an idea and a sense of appreciation for the history of the area. You go to the National Historical Parks Visitor Center, you start your experience there, you get the lay of the land on what happened and why in terms of what brought people up here from a European perspective, get a sense of the history, and then go out and explore. And the 22 plus heritage sites that we have throughout the Q and A, whether it’s the Quincy Mine, which is a world-class interpretive experience, or Honka Homestead to get a better understanding of what life was really like as a settler when they came up to the area. And then go out and experience it your way. Brad Barnett, Executive Director, Visit Keweenaw
This year’s summer fun in the sun will also include the inaugural Juhanas with Long Drink in Hancock. The midsummer celebration was previously organized by Finlandia University. Visit Keweenaw and the Copper Country Fins and Friends group will bring the event back to the community with a little more activity around town.
Outside is where things get exciting for folks maybe coming into the area to experience this. We’ll have lawn games all day and bands playing music for the beer garden. We will have food trucks, Cornhole tournaments. We’ll have Mokki, which is a Finnish traditional game involving some soccer bowling-esque activities. And again, that Saturday night music, the longest day of the year, staying out and seeing that. Sunday morning, we’ll have a pancake breakfast on Quincy Street. Jesse Wiederhold, Public engagement and events Coordinator, Visit Keweenaw
Summer in the Copper Country could not start without a little celebrating of the region’s own communities and the bridge that connects Houghton and Hancock.
Yeah, for some of these events that are coming in as far as the chicken bingo the hot dog eating contest, or even the ski show. I mean, it just brings so many people down and they’re happy, excited. They’re getting ready to get their suntan on and be at the beach and just be outside enjoying the Keweenaw Katie Schlief, Chamber Manager, Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce
There are a lot of events returning for the community, and friends to make the most out of summer 2025. In between large events check out plenty of other fun around the Copper Country by exploring museums, trails, beaches, and small businesses. Learn more about recreation and things to do in the copper country below.
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