Hot air balloons and scenic Lake Michigan views are what you can expect during this fall event in Bay Harbor’s village – Balloons Over Bay Harbor. Bay Harbor is home to a quaint main street with restaurants serving up culinary magic, a Mammoth Distillery tasting room location, small retail shops, a wine bar, a new dockside restaurant, and the Great Lakes Center for the Arts. This September 20th and 21st, Bay Harbor will have its annual Balloons Over Bay Harbor event to witness hot air balloons take to the skies, a beautiful night glow, and this year – tethered balloon rides.

About the Events:

There are so many great activities packed into this event you will want to check out each one of them if you can. For the most up-to-date schedule of events check out the Balloons Over Bay Harbor (BOBH) event page on the Bay Harbor website.

Balloon Flights – this high-flying event is for spectating on Friday, Saturday, and potentially Sunday. There are four scheduled flights subject to the weather. These make for great photo opportunities.

Illume Night Glows on the Marina Lawn – There will be two chances to catch the beautiful glow of the hot air balloons on Friday and Saturday night of the Balloons Over Bay Harbor event. Make a night of it and pick out your favorite restaurant from the village’s lineup of amazing eats. Don’t want to sit down or make a reservation? Grab something quick from Salvatore’s Kitchen in the downtown village.

Balloon’s Over Bay Harbor 2023 Night Illume. Photo credit: Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau

Autumn 3k Color Fun Run/Walk Fundraiser – Registration is required for this event on Bay Harbor’s website. You will receive a fun run t-shirt upon registration that will soon be covered in bright colors. The run begins on Main Street in downtown Bay Harbor and follows a route to the Observation Platform in the Lakeshore Village and back. Proceeds from the Color Run & Walk will benefit Kali’s Cure, whose mission is to assist in the financial support of spinal cord research and ultimately the cure for paralysis and those afflicted by the disability.

Tethered Balloon Rides – New this year!

More Saturday Events BOBH:

  • Artisan Market on Main Street from 10 am – 5 pm
  • Family Balloon Painting Activity with Daniel Duncan 11 am & 2 pm
  • Pilot and Crew meet and greet
  • Sip & Paint Hot Air Balloon Art with Daniel Duncan – Limited Availability. Registration is required.

Scenic Views in the Area:

When you’re not at the event looking at the beautiful balloons against Lake Michigan, late September is a great time to see how the leaves are starting to change colors. Most years the Petoskey area reaches ‘peak’ color in the second week of October which means many of the leaves have started to change colors by this time in September. I love the transitional period where you get to see the gradient of hues and it is often less traffic for a lot of the fall color routes and fall hiking trails.

Looking for the best places to see fall colors? Check out our Fall Color Guide for not just scenic routes but other great stops to see autumn’s beauty.

The lakeside resort of The Inn at Bay Harbor.

Places to Stay

Anywhere you stay in the Petoskey area: Petoskey, Bay View, Boyne Falls, Boyne City, Alanson, or Harbor Springs all are a drivable distance to the festival if you don’t want to be in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the event in the village. Check out a full list of accommodations: here.  However, here are some great options within the Bay Harbor Village that we would recommend you take a look at.

  • Village Suites Bay Harbor– Room types available to suit multiple needs whether you are looking for a 4-bedroom suite to host the crew or a cozier option with 2-bedrooms.
  • Bay Harbor Vacation Rentals – This is a unique collection of rental cottages and condos in the village just next to the Great Lakes Center for the Arts on Main Street in Bay Harbor. With a Bay Harbor Vacation Rental, you can enjoy Bay Harbor Swim & Fitness Club’s facilities: seasonal pool, jacuzzi, fitness facility, and locker rooms.
  • Inn at Bay Harbor, Autograph Collection – This lakefront inn is a “modern resort oasis” home to a spa, multiple dining options, and fitness classes. Don’t forget to check out their world-class golf courses available through the Bay Harbor Golf Club.
  • Cottages at Bay Harbor (Inn at Bay Harbor) – These lakeside cottages offered through the Inn at Bay Harbor have two- and three-bedroom options. These are equipped with full kitchens, living rooms, fireplaces, and private bedrooms. You can enjoy all of the amenities that the Inn at Bay Harbor has to offer when staying at the Cottages at Bay Harbor. Great option for couples, families, and groups.

Brandy’s Harbortown has a large Cabana Bar area. Photo credit: Brandy’s Harbortown

Where you can eat & drink

Bay Harbor is home to culinary delights for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and sweets. In between fun Balloons Over Bay harbor events you are bound to get hungry. Aside from the available vendors

Maple + Batter is a great place for breakfast and brunch! Their menu has things like a breakfast charcuterie board, truffle avocado toast, specialty pancakes – look out for fall-flavored pancakes like pumpkin pancakes, sandwiches & benedict options, and more. Check out their Maple + Batter signature cocktails too!

NOMAD. is an elevated food and drink experience that was artfully crafted through the sense of a nomad – “flavors and influences from across the world”. You will want to check out their sharable small plate options, wine list, and their amazing house cocktail menu. Don’t forget to check out happy hour specials.

Mammoth Distillery looking for a great-tasting craft cocktail? Look no further than Mammoth’s Bay Harbor location. Try specialty cocktails and Mammoth spirit-featured classics. Check out the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot made with Mammoth Rye Whiskey, a house-made pineapple jalapeño mixer, and Traverse City’s Northwoods Wild ginger beer. Their whole menu has something for everyone, even gin lovers like me: Blueberry Gin Fizz made with Mammoth Gin, house-made sour mixer, and Brownwood Acres blueberry juice.

Brandy’s Harbortown is the newest in the Bay Harbor Village that gives you a cabana bar and a collective of four unique food experiences in one. The collective features Heirloom, Wings + Beer, Brandy’s Kitchen, and Fresh Catch. A taste for everyone! Their fish and chips are amazing! Don’t think we forgot about the cabana bar that is dockside at the Bay Harbor Marina, this open-air and expansive area has multiple seating options: bar, table seating, and comfortable lounge-type seating.

Salvatore’s Market & Oven is good for a quick stop for hot lunches, pizza, burgers, and subs. Also, your Bay Harbor Village stop for beer, wine, or pop. Looking for a few groceries? They have that too. Fruit, premium steaks, seafood, and deli salads.

Candy Harbor is the perfect stop if you are looking for a sweet treat during the event. Ice cream, chocolates, candies, and more!

 

Try one of Mammoth Distilling’s cocktails for the perfect ending to the night. Photo credit: Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau

Nightlife in the Village

Besides the nighttime scheduled events during the Balloons Over Bay Harbor, there are a few venues you will want to check out for entertainment or a nightcap.

Mammoth Distilling, NOMAD, and Brandy’s Harbortown regularly host live music. Great Lakes Center for the Arts is a performing arts venue that will be hosting Clint Holmes on the Sunday following the balloon event. This GRAMMY nominee, legendary singer, songwriter, and entertainer will delight in this performance.

Want to venture outside of Bay Harbor after the Night Glow display of the balloons? Petoskey is very close and is home to many great spots downtown for a nightcap or late-night snack. One more must-see attraction that is just south of Bay Harbor is Gypsy Distillery – home to the production of Gypsy Vodka, Petoskey Stone Gin, Mackinac Island Rum, and Gypsy Gin. Enjoy a craft cocktail, play pool, darts, or a game of cornhole.

For more information about the Balloons Over Bay Harbor event, places to park, and view the balloons. Check out Bay Harbor’s website.

About the author
Ellen Auten is a native to the area and loves to promote the next fun thing to do in the Petoskey Area – but also loves giving out local favorites and learning opportunities for all. She hopes to help in your planning process for your next trip to the Petoskey Area of Northern Lower Michigan.