2025 Tip Up Town Festival in Houghton Lake Michigan: Schedule of Events | See the Crazy Polar Bear Plunge, Daring Snowmobile Races and Ice Slide
Tip Up Town Festival, Houghton Lake, MI
By Sherry Trautman | Travel-Mi.com | Updated January 3, 2025
Houghton Lake's Tip Up Town is a famous Michigan festival known for its Polar Bear Plunge, Snowmobile Races and Ice Slide. It's so much fun for the whole family!
Who doesn't LOVE watching brave (crazy?) people jump into icy cold water?!
When is Tip Up Town 2025?
Tip Up Town is January 18, 19 and 25, 2025
Where is Tip Up Town Located in Roscommon County?
Tip Up Town festival is located at the southern DNR boat launch, off of M-55 near the Pines theater and Pineview Golf Course in Houghton Lake, Michigan. See our map above.
Tip Up Town is located in central Roscommon County along the southeast coastline of Houghton Lake, Michigan's largest inland lake.
If you need more information about the area, the Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce is a great resource! They are located at 1625 W. Houghton Lake Dr. Houghton Lake, MI
Where to Park at the Tip Up Town Festival in Houghton Lake, Michigan
When we go to the Tip Up Town in Houghton Lake, Michigan, we like to park at the High School located at 4433 W. Houghton Lake Drive, Houghton Lake, MI.
After you park, board the yellow school buses offer a free shuttle service to the festival. You will need to purchase your button (pass) for the festival upon boarding the bus. Attendants will greet you upon boarding and you can purchase the pass then.
Bring cash.
- There is also limited street parking near the festival but you will probably have to walk a considerable distance.
Parade Information
PARADE ROUTE & TIME:
The parade will take place on Saturday, January 18th at 11:00 am!
New Parade Route is Federal Ave East on M-55 to Townline.
See The Polar Bear Dip!
For me, the Polar Bear Plunge (or Dip) is the highlight of the Tip Up Town festival. I think it's the highlight for lots of people as hundreds gather to watch the spectacle.
Grab a pastie and get there early so you can have a great view of half naked people huddled shivering near the ice cold water preparing to jump!
WHY, OH WHY?!
For some contestants, you can just feel their dread as they slowly plod up to the jumping platform. One victim, I mean participant, told us his family got together and pooled a bunch of money for whoever was going to jump in...he said it was too much to pass up, so there he was, stripping down to his swim trunks in 30 degree weather!
Now OTHERS, like THESE GUYS pictured above, were just giddy to jump into the icy depths! Bragging rights or just crazy?
The contest was judged, so the crazier the outfit (I saw Santa, a warrior, bride, a bunch of guys in onesies) the more points you received. Heck, I was just impressed they jumped!!
Tip Up Town 2025 Schedule of Events
Tip Up Town offers so many things to do this winter! There are events for kids, vendors, beer tent, music, snowmobile races, food trucks, and my personal favorite...the Polar Bear Plunge (or Dip).
Friday, January 17, 2025
Noon: Lyman's on the Lake Ice Fishing Contest begins!
The Adult Beverage Tent opens 6 pm - 10 pm, 21 and older with live music.
Where: 2 blocks east of The Village
Saturday, January 18, 2025 - Tip Up Town Michigan Winter Festival
Saturday at the Village! 10:00 to 4:00 pm.
This is a great day to be at Tip Up Town! So many things to do. We highly recommend FREE parking at the High School with a bus that takes you to the event 11:30-4:30. That's what we like to do, anyway.
10:30 am - 5k run
11:00 am is the GRAND PARADE (Federal Ave East on M-55 to Townline)
11:30 - 4:30 pm Free parking and transportation at H.L High School
Beginning at 12:00 pm:
- Opening ceremony and The Village opens at 12:30
- Amusement rides and games
- Wood Carving Demo
- Family Fun Tent opens
- Merchants tent
- Fish Casting contest for children
- Pony Rides
- Petting Zoo
- Food trucks
Noon-3:00 is Lyman's Ice Fishing Contest
Noon - 4:00 pm Vintage Snowmobile Display!
Noon - 4:00 pm Music by "Limelight" in the beverage tent
Dusk Drone Show - View on East Bay out from Trestle Park.
Sunday, January 19, 2025 - Tip Up Town Winter Festival "Kid's Day!"
11:30 - 4:30 pm Free parking and transportation at H.L High School
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- Amusement rides and games
- Wood Carving Demo
- Family Fun Tent opens
- Merchants tent
- Fish Casting contest for children
- Pony Rides
- Petting Zoo
- Food trucks
1:00 pm Bull Riding Rodeo
Noon - 4:00 pm Vintage Snowmobile Display!
Friday, January 24, 2025
Noon is Lyman's Ice Fishing Contest (16 and under only)
The Adult Beverage Tent opens 6 pm - 10 pm, 21 and older with live music by AMF Band.
Saturday, January 25, 2025 - Tip Up Town Winter Festival
Saturday at the Village 12:00 to 4:00 pm. It's POLAR DIP DAY! GREAT DAY TO GO!
11am Registration begins for Spicer's Boat City Poker Run at the family fun tent.
1:00 Polar Bear Dip!!
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- Amusement rides and games
- Wood Carving Demo
- Family Fun Tent opens
- Merchants tent
- Fish Casting contest for children
- Pony Rides
- Petting Zoo
- Food trucks
Noon - 6pm live music by AMF Band in the Adult Beverage Tent
Noon - Dusk: Snowmobile Drag Races on East By
2:00 pm "Tip-Pup" Town Dog Show on the outdoor stage
Noon - 3:00 pm Lyman's on the Lake Ice Fishing Contest
What To Do At Tip Up Town in Houghton Lake, Michigan
Tip Up Town has lots of fun events for kids and adults!
- Carnival Rides and Games
- Fun for kids!
- Polar Bear Plunge
- Lots of Eating!
- Snowmobile Races
- Bon Fire to warm your hands
- Shop in the heated apparel tent and vendors at the festival
Snowmobile Races Across the Frozen Lake
You can watch the snowmobilers zipping along the frozen lake right at the festival and even venture out on the lake if you are brave!
But if you want to watch the racing up close, you will need to leave the festival site and drive east to the East Bay near the Dairy Queen in Prudenville.
What to Eat at Tip Up Town
Quite a few food trucks await you at the festival so you won't be hungry at this popular Michigan winter festival in northern Michigan! Plus, there's snacks like bags of popcorn that we love!
What to Wear to Tip Up Town
- Dress warmly, but if you wear a zip-up snowsuit it will be harder to maneuver in the port-a-john toilets located on the festival site.
- Kids might want to wear snow pants as the ice slide will soak fabric pants.
- I also recommend kids not wearing their best attire as the ice slide, pony rides and sitting on ice/snow may damage or soil new outer wear.
- Wear boots!! Festival site can be wet, snowy and muddy.
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