MC Food & Music Festival

MC Food & Music Festival turns Michigan City’s Lake Michigan shoreline into an easy, all-day plan for Memorial Day weekend. Set at the Guy Foreman Amphitheater in Washington Park, the two-day event blends walk-up dining with a steady lineup of live music, all within steps of the beach. You can start with a morning on the sand, then move straight into the festival without changing your pace.

You will find a broad mix of food trucks and vendors serving everything from elevated comfort food to local favorites, plus a limited bar with craft beer, wine, and cocktails for guests 21 and over. The amphitheater lawn keeps sightlines open and the sound focused, making it simple to settle in for a full set or drift between stageside listening and vendor lines. We like this layout because you can dip out to the park paths or shoreline between performances.

Admission is free, with festival hours typically 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Plan on paying for parking inside Washington Park, and arrive early since holiday weekend lots fill fast. Bring a folding chair or blanket, pack high SPF sunscreen, and add a light layer for shifting lakefront temperatures. The event runs rain or shine, and outside food, alcohol, coolers, and pets are not permitted.

For a convenient base, book a lakefront rental or a hotel near Washington Park, the Washington Park Zoo area, or the Blue Chip Casino district. If Michigan City is booked, nearby South Shore communities offer a calmer stay with a short drive back for afternoon and evening sets.