Your Guide to a Sweet & Festive February in Downtown Elk Rapids
FEBRUARY 2026
If you’re looking for cozy celebrations and festive fun without the crowds (and with free parking!), come in from the cold and let Downtown Elk Rapids warm your heart.
GATHER YOUR GALENTINES
✨ Find your sparkle at Northwind Blooms’ Galentine’s Party on Saturday, February 7th, from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, featuring accessories and beauty favorites for girls of all ages. Shine on with the DIY Lip Gloss Bar from Khali Made (make your reservation here), and a little shimmering magic with Michele, the Fairy Hair Extraordinaire.
🥂 Make a date with your best gals for a special “Besties & Bubbles” Girl Dinner at Cellar 152 on Thursday, February 12, starting at 5:00 pm.
👗 Think spring with Tiny Traveling Boutique as Tawny sets up shop inside Short’s Pull Barn on Saturday, February 28, with beautiful, brand-new styles. Swing through, snag some new favorites, and then kick back with a cold brew. Shopping + beer on a spring break Saturday? That’s the move.
SWEET TREATS TO SHARE
❄️ Make a Frostbite Trail stop at Ethanology Distillation on Saturday, February 7, between 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm, and sip White Russians paired with charcuterie spread snacks.
🎊 Celebrate the long-time tradition of Pączki Day at The Flour Pot! Find all your favorites, made by hand in the bakery. Pre-order by February 14 at 2:00 pm (pre-order minimum is 6) with their new ORDER AND PAY ONLINE option or by calling (231) 264-9732 during winter business hours: Thursday-Saturday, 7:00 am-2:00 pm. Pick up your Pączkis on Tuesday, February 17, during special extended pickup hours for both the before- and after-work crowds: 6:00 am-6:00 pm.
☕️ Come in from the cold and let Happy Camper warm you up with one of their delicious seasonally-inspired coffee creations—you might even discover a heart-shaped chocolate on top of your drink.
🍒 February is also National Cherry Month, and you’ll feel the love from the inside out at Traverse Bay Farms. Find all your favorites like Cherry Juice Concentrate, Cherry Salsa, Strawberry Poppyseed Salad Dressing, Maple Bacon Jam, and much more.
MAKE IT A MAGICAL MARDI GRAS
🎉 You don’t have to go far to celebrate Mardi Gras! Join Pearl’s New Orleans Kitchen for five nights of Mardi Gras magic from February 13-17! Face painting every day, live music, special menus, and lots of family-friendly fun. View the whole line-up on their website.
NAILED IT: VALENTINE’S GIFTS YOUR FAVORITES WILL LOVE
Discover Valentine gifts and gathering supplies, plus playful finds, creative favorites, and small surprises that add a little magic to seasonal celebrations, ordinary afternoons, and snow days for kids, grown-ups, and furry companions alike!
💐 Learn how to create a floral masterpiece from the masters themselves just in time for Valentine gifting! Join Amy Kate Designs and Golden Hill Farms for their 4th Annual Flower Power Hour @ Short’s Pull Barn on Thursday, February 12, at 6:00 pm. This Valentine-inspired floral design class is for the guys and anyone who needs help showing a little love this year. Includes a Short’s beverage, catered snacks, giveaways & more. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
Aurora’s Cottage — Cottage-inspired home & garden decor, books & toys, Michigan art & sweets, and apparel & accessories for the fun and free-spirited.
Bayfront Beach and Bike — By appointment only for the winter season. “Surf and turf” combination bike and surf shop featuring a wide variety of e-bikes, bikes, e-scooters, scooters, and accessories to help you create a “lifestyle of fun.”
Blue Heron Gallery — Please call (231) 264-9210 to check hours before visiting. Art gallery featuring a wide selection of wall art and more by local and Michigan artists.
Blue Owl Antiques — Lots of beautiful jewelry for your Valentine, vintage games and toys for family fun; mid-century modern furniture, lighting, and decor; fun and funky stuff from the 40's, 50's, 60's, and 70's.
Brocante Vintage Antiques — Vintage furniture, decor items, treasures, antiques, and one-of-a-kind finds.
Cellar 152— Gourmet wine + provisions, upscale snacks and treats, little treasures for all ages.
Corner Drugs — Traditional drugstore with some Elk Rapids apparel, plus family- and kid-friendly toys/games/puzzles.
Elk Rapids Antiques — Traditional antique boutique with 3,000 square feet of inventory, full of charms of the old world; primitives, early American, and European antiques, decorator items, and architectural pieces.
Elk Rapids Beautique — Women’s clothing, hats, jewelry, and accessories in a sweet salon on the river.
Elk Rapids Harbor Wear — Open Saturdays from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, find Elk Rapids and Michigan t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, jewelry, and accessories.
Ethanology Distillation — Spirits handcrafted on-site with locally sourced ingredients; single bottles, cocktail kits, wood gift crates, gear + glassware.
Golden Hill Farms/Amy Kate Designs — Fresh and silk floral arrangements and bouquets, home and garden goods, spa and beauty products, baby and children’s clothing + toys, and seasonal treasures.
Harbor Antiques Mall — Over 4,000 square feet of quality and unique antiques, including furniture and chandeliers.
Haystacks — Women’s clothing designed and sewn in Northern Michigan; beautiful, comfort-centered, and cozy apparel and accessories.
Nifty Things — Filled with fun and funny (and nifty!) offerings, including iconic brands like Jellycat stuffies and Dune Jewelry.
Northwind Blooms Boutique — Floral bouquets and arrangements—PRE-ORDER YOUR FLOWERS HERE! Shop women’s clothing, accessories, and jewelry, Elk Rapids-inspired orange and black items, and more.
River Street Dog — Toys, gear, snacks, and treats for your furry family members and friends, complete with a cozy fireplace area for resting your paws.
Swim To You — By appointment only for the winter season. Get ready for spring break! Lakeside living-inspired swimsuits, beachwear, and accessories.
The DAM Shop — Cozy waterside-inspired apparel and logo wear.
The Robin Nest — Curated heirlooms and artisan home accessories, including kitchenware, serving pieces, linens, candles, decorative accents, pillows + throws, and more.
Tinker Tailor — Unique boutique in a sewing studio, with beautiful new styles and home of The Dress Vault: Curated Consignment Formal Wear (perfect for prom shopping!)
Waterside Wellness — Meditation and Revelation Breathwork sessions for couples in a cozy, relaxing studio overlooking the river.
Wildflower Soap Works— Locally crafted soaps and natural body care, bath bombs, sprays, balms, and everything you need for self-care and delighting your senses.
LOVE ALONG THE LAKESHORE: VALENTINE’S DAY IN DOWNTOWN ELK RAPIDS
☕️ Start your day with your special someone at Happy Camper Coffee Co. and receive a rose with your drink purchase.
🍩 The Flour Pot is serving up all your favorite treats to start this sweet holiday. It's also the last day to pre-order for Pączki Day!
☕️🍹 The Dam Shop's Valentine menu includes coffee and cocktail selections, complete with a carnation or rose from Northwind Blooms with your drink purchase.
☀️ Partake in perfect pairings of Indian + American flavors by Chef Anita at Masala Magic during their Valentine Indian-American Brunch from 11:30 am - 3:00 pm.
🍷 Cheers to community connection and delicious pairings: BOS Wine + Stella Trattoria partner up for biscotti and chocolates, delicious sips, guest pours, and behind-the-bar storytelling from 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm as part of their Village to Village series.
☕️ Warm up at the Family Valentine Cocoa Fest at Masala Magic by Anita from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm with Indian-spiced cocoas + toppings, plus snacks, activities, and fun for the whole family! $10/person.
🍕 Enjoy an adorable (and affordable!) date, day or night, by stopping at Chef Chuck’s for a $3 slice of pizza and catching a movie at the sweet Elk Rapids Cinema. Please note that Chef Chuck’s will be closed February 15-28 for maintenance.
🍫 Celebrate love + chocolate & cocktails at Ethanology Distillation! Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate will be on-site from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm, offering their handcrafted, ethically-sourced selection of truffles, caramels, and chocolate, just in time for that perfect Valentine’s Day gift. Pair Ethanology’s Valentine's Day feature cocktail with a smoked, kippered + peppered smoked salmon plate and stay for live music from The Fridays from 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm.
🍻 Kick back with a brew at Short’s Pull Barn starting at 4:00 pm as Gemini Moon treats you to the sweet sounds of 90s alternative, 60s/70s classic rock, blues, pop, and folk from all eras, blended together into a playful, loving, and inviting musical space with balanced tones and mindful volume.
🌹 Make it a magical dinner date at Masala Magic by Anita as Chef Anita prepares an extra special Valentine Weekend Menu of Lamb Masala or Baingan Bharta. Reservations are encouraged—please call (231) 498-2210 for dinner on February 14 from 3:00 pm-8:00 pm or February 15 from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm.
🍽️ Cozy up to your Valentine at Cellar 152 with a special “Made with Love” Feature Menu on Friday, February 13, and Saturday, February 14. Please call (231) 264-9000 for reservations and view the menu on their Facebook page.
🎉 Feast like royalty with the special 5-course King’s Feast Mardi Gras menu at Pearl’s New Orleans Kitchen. View the menu on their Facebook page and reserve your table online or by calling (231) 264-0530.
💕 The Amvets Auxiliary invites members and the community to their Valentine’s Dinner, starting at 6:00 pm. Tickets are $30/person and can be purchased at Amvets Post 114 in Elk Rapids.
🎭 Fall in love with fun facts, friendly competition, and connection during the next Community Trivia Night from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall (HERTH). Teams of up to 8. $5.00 per person. Cash prizes, Door Prizes, Cash Bar. Sponsored, written, and performed by ER Players. All funds go to HERTHA!
COME PLAY OUTSIDE
⛸️ Find our village’s Ice Skating Rink at the Memorial Park tennis courts on River St. If the gate is unlocked, the rink is open for fun and frivolity! Please put any skates and toys away after use. Follow the Village on Facebook for ice rink open/closure updates or call 231-599-2604, M-F between 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.
🛷 Enjoy sledding at Library Hill outside the Elk Rapids District Library—a locals’ favorite! BYO sleds or check out The Sled Borrow Bin. Sled donations to the Borrow Bin are most welcome.
💖 Stop by Amy Kate Designs / Golden Hill Farm’s beautifully built storefront arch, recently refreshed with love for Valentine’s Day photos.
☃️ Compete in the WintER Brrrlympics hosted by the Downtown Elk Rapids Association. Kicking off on February 13, this 9-day competition includes 11 fun winter activities, with some that can be completed right in downtown.
EAT YOUR HEART OUT
🍷🥃 Elk Rapids' own Ethanology Distillation and Bos Wine are teaming up with The Village at Grand Traverse Commons' Trattoria Stella and Left Foot Charley Winery for "Village to Village" — special events, tastings, and conversations to keep us warm all winter long! Through April 29, enjoy weekly food and beverage features that showcase each other’s wares. Head to BOS on Saturdays and Ethanology on Sundays (excluding the final Sunday of each month).
🌶️ Warm up with the Downtown Elk Rapids Association’s 8th Annual Chilly Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, February 21, from 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm. Taste your way through 11 delicious chilis throughout River Street, at Short’s, and at Pearl’s, and vote for your favorites. Tickets are $10/person and go on sale on February 14 at Short’s Pull Barn, Nifty Things, and River Street Dog.
🍽️ Enjoy a week of new flavors and special meal deals with the Elk Rapids Chamber of Commerce’s Chain-O-Lakes Culinary Experience, from February 22-28. Downtown Elk Rapids stops will include BOS Wine, Masala Magic by Anita’s Flavor Expedition, Pearl’s New Orleans Kitchen, and Town Club.
CONNECT IN THE COMMUNITY
📕 Ready for a commitment-free relationship? Stop by the Elk Rapids District Library and check out their Blind Date with a Book display. Stop in during the month of February to choose a wrapped book—no cover, no title, just the genre—and see where the story takes you. No strings attached.
📚 Looking for a fun little treat for your child’s next library visit? The Elk Rapids District Library’s Sweet Story Surprise is sure to delight! Throughout the month of February, children can choose a wrapped book with playful hints written on the outside, unwrap a surprise story, and enjoy a sweet treat—a sucker tied to each book. It’s a fun way to spark curiosity, try something new, and make reading feel like a celebration. Perfect for kids who love surprises and caregivers who love seeing reading turn into joy! Stop by and let your child unwrap their next favorite story.
🤝 Step out of the office and into one of Elk Rapids’ most historic spaces on Thursday, February 19, from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm as the Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce hosts Business After Hours at the Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall (HERTH). $5 for members, $10 for future members.
Have a fun, festive idea to add? Please email John at DDAExecutiveDirector@elkrapids.org. We’d love to hear from you!
