The Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival: July 25 – Aug 3, 2025
The Coast Guard Festival on Lake Michigan is one of Michigan’s biggest festivals.
Each year 350,000 people pour into Grand Haven in one week. That’s more people than in the entire city of Grand Rapids!
What is it about this festival that makes it so popular?
Everything. And it’s on majestic Lake Michigan, so it’s the epitome of a summertime festival.
Come see fireworks, ship tours, parades, a car show, craft show, a carnival and lots of musical entertainment
– including Grand Haven’s ever popular Musical Fountain.
All of this in celebration of our amazing United States Coast Guard servicemen and women!
Table of Contents
Best Stuff to do at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival
1 – Watch the Parade of Ships on Monday
Grand Haven Boardwalk & Lake Michigan Pier
Monday, July 28, 1 PM
People love cheering on these magnificent vessels as they come in to dock, horns blaring and sprayers spraying.
This year four big ships will float the channel in the Parade of Ships at approximately 1 PM on Monday afternoon.
Cheer on the Coast Guard crews and let them know we appreciate and support them and all of the work they do to keep our waters safe.
2 – Go to a Foot Parade or Two!
Downtown Grand Haven pulls out all of the stops for the two Coast Guard Festival Parades.
If you like candy, floats, music and fanfare, this big parade is where you want to be.
Kids Parade
Saturday, July 26, 10:30 AM
“Celebrating their Service, Honoring their Sacrifice” is the theme of this parade as we honor the Men and Women who served and continue to serve in the United States Coast Guard.
The Kids parade starts at 5th and Franklin and makes a loop, turning first onto 1st Street, then Washington.
Get to the route early for the best seats. Putting chairs out early in the morning is common.
Grand Parade
Saturday, August 2, 11:45 AM
Ready for 100+ parade entries full of pomp and pride for the U.S. Coast Guard?
Grab your spot in Downtown Grand Haven and have your candy collecting bag handy because they’ll be handing it out along the route.
Use this map of the parade route to find your spot. (See below for tips on getting a spot for a parade.)
3 – Stay Up Late for Live Music and Incredible Fireworks
Grand Haven Musical Fountain – Waterfront Stadium, 1 N Harbor Dr, Grand Haven, MI 49417
August 2, 7:30 PM
We might be biased, but we think the Coast Guard fireworks may be the best firework shows in the state.
Set in front of the Musical Fountain, expect lots of oohs and ahhs at this big, colorful show, along with musical accompaniment!
Like the parades, people set out blankets early for the fireworks show. (I also plan my getaway – where you park for the fireworks can mean waiting for a few hours to leave if you don’t think ahead.)
You can also buy a ticket to the mainstage show that night, which includes the absolute best spot to watch fireworks. This year you can see Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band and catch the fireworks basically front row, for $40.
4 – Get Tickets for a Concert
LMCU Waterfront Stage
1 N Harbor Dr, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Tribute bands and a cardboard boat competition are just a few of the things you’ll find at the mainstage this year.
Located right on the channel, the waterfront stage is a beautiful spot for live music and entertainment. Tickets.
| Fri July 25 | Mega 80s |
| Sat July 26 | Simply Queen Tribute Band |
| Mon July 28 | The Beach Party Boys & Elvis Lives |
| Tues July 29 | Chris Stapleton and Luke Combs |
| Wed July 30 | Forever Seger & Two Dudes in Flip Flops |
| Thurs July 31 | Grand Evolution & The Zep Show |
| Fri Aug 1 | Sounds of Sting & Crush |
| Sat Aug 2 | Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band & Firework Finale |
5 – Fill Up on Elephant Ears & Ride the Carnival Rides
Harbor Front and Covenant Life parking lot
This family friendly carnival has over two dozen rides, lots of great food, games and more. This carnival prides itself on having friendly, helpful staff for the best experience.
Tips for the Coast Guard Festival carnival:
– Buy all-day armbands instead of individual tickets (price varies by day).
– Bring cash for carnival games.
– Rides for younger kids are at one end with larger rides at the other.
| Date | Daily Special | Hours of Operation |
| Tuesday | $30 daily armband | 6 PM – 11 PM |
| Wednesday | 2 PM – 11 PM $30 armband | 2 PM – 11 PM |
| Thursday | 12 PM – 6 PM $30 armband // 6 PM – 11 PM $35 armband | 12 PM – 11 PM |
| Friday | 12 PM – 6 PM $30 armband // 6 PM – 11 PM $35 armband | 12 PM – 11 PM |
| Saturday | Valid from 12 PM – 4 PM: $25 armband; tickets only after 4 PM | 12 PM – 11 PM |
6 – Tour a Coast Guard Ship – for Free!
Escanaba Park – 673 S Harbor Dr, Grand Haven, MI 49417
When else can you tour these massive, decked out Coast Guard ships for FREE?
Ship tours are available Monday through Saturday. This is the ship tours schedule:
| Date | Time | Event Name/Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mon Jul 28 | 6 PM – 8 PM | Ship Tours: USCGC ships, FREE |
| Tue Jul 29 | 1 PM – 3 PM, 6 PM – 8 PM | Ship Tours: USCGC ships, FREE |
| Wed Jul 30 | 10 AM – 12 PM, 1 PM – 3 PM, 6 PM – 8 PM | Ship Tours: USCGC ships, FREE |
| Thu Jul 31 | 10 AM – 12 PM, 1 PM – 3 PM, 6 PM – 8 PM | Ship Tours: USCGC ships, FREE |
| Fri Aug 1 | 10 AM – 12 PM, 1 PM – 3 PM | Ship Tours: USCGC ships, FREE (Note: USCGC SPAR closed all day for special event) |
| Sat Aug 2 | 10 AM – 12 PM, 1 PM – 3 PM, 6 PM – 8 PM | Ship Tours: USCGC ships, FREE |
Coast Guard Festival Ship Tour NOTES:
– Strollers aren’t allowed on ships. Bring a baby carrier for small children.
– Ships are not air conditioned and can be stuffy and hot.
7 – Cheer at the Cardboard Boat Race
Saturday, July 26, 1:30 PM
Twenty Cardboard boats vie for bragging rights at this build-your-boat competition.
See who will go the fastest, has the best theme, and who sinks in the most dramatic fashion!
8 – Shop the Merchant and Makers Market
Merchant and Makers: this two-day marketplace will be set up at Central Park in downtown Grand Haven.
Friday, August 1, 9 AM – 6 PM
Saturday, August 2, 9 AM – 5 PM
This market is one of the best artisan’s markets in West Michigan so come ready to SHOP! Only original, handcrafted items are accepted for this show, making it a delight to explore the over 140 booths.
The Merchants and Makers marketplace is held in conjunction with the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival in Central Park, downtown Grand Haven for the two day show.
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival FAQs
What is the Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven?
This festival is a 10-day celebration honoring the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard who gave their lives in service to their country.
While its official purpose is to honor the fallen Coast Guard members, it’s really a celebration of all our Coast Guard, past and present.
Coast Guard dignitaries from around the country come to this festival, as well as impressive Coast Guard ships that you can tour.
When did the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival start?
Grand Haven has been nuts about our amazing Coast Guard for nearly a century!
1924 marks the first Coast Guard celebration in Grand Haven, but it was really just a cool picnic and rowing competition for service members stationed here.
It bloomed into a festival in 1937 and became an official event in 1971.
What is a Coast Guard City?
A Coast Guard city is a specially-designed town that supports the Coast Guard and its service members. It fosters understanding in the community of the Coast Guard and builds morale.
Grand Haven became the nations’ first Coast Guard city in 1998 when the United States Coast Guard bestowed this honor upon it.
And we are guessing a lot of this had to do with their massively popular festival.
Today there are 29 Coast Guard cities across America.
Tips for Visiting the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival
As a very busy festival, you’ll want to be ready for anything.
1 – Save Your Seat for the Parades
If you can put out a blanket or chairs to save your spot along the route.
Many people do this the night before, though the city’s official stance on parade seats is that items cannot be placed until after 12:01 AM the day of the parade.
Regardless of when you claim your spot, everyone seems to respect the call for dibs.
2 – Coast Guard Festival Parking & Getting Around
Plan to walk a lot for this festival. (So wear appropriate shoes!)
Because once you park, you’re on your own. You likely won’t find a single Uber or taxi that will come anywhere near downtown during this massive festival.
Harbor Transit offers shuttle service at the locations below during select festival times, too.
Parking Tips:
– Park at the first spot you find. Don’t wait to find a better spot – it probably doesn’t exist.
– Many neighbors will sell parking spots in their yards (going rate is $20).
– Tag Team It. Have one adult drop off the rest of the family close to the action and use cell phones to meet up.
– Use this map from the city of Grand Haven for public parking lots:
3 – Where to Find Restrooms
Public restrooms are found mostly along the waterfront and at Harbor Island.
4 – What to Bring to Coast Guard Festival
It’s the top of summer during the Coast Guard festival. Be prepared for sun and hot temps.
Travel light. Leave extra items in the car if you have an extra adult that can walk back to fetch things.
Recommended gear for visiting the Coast Guard festival with kids:
– Sunscreen
– Water bottles
– Baby carrier, instead of stroller (unless you’re cool with navigating a stroller through massive crowds)
– Snacks or buy good eats from the many vendors available
Did We Miss Something?
What’s your favorite part of the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival?
Amber Smith
Maria V. Zehner
Ron Coller
Jaime Klingler
RJ Reedy
Does anyone know how much the carnival all-day bands are?