Submissions are now officially open for the 2026 Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Poster Contest, celebrating the theme Stop and Smell the Lilacs and the beauty of Mackinac Island in bloom.

Artists ages 18 and older are encouraged to submit one original piece of artwork for consideration. The winning design will become the official poster for the 2026 Lilac Festival and will be unveiled on Opening Day of the 2026 tourism season, May 1, 2026.

Artists may submit one piece for a $20 entry fee, which supports both the poster contest and the Lilac Festival. All artistic mediums are welcome, with the understanding that the winning piece must be photographed and printed as a 16 x 20 vertical poster.

Submissions will be juried by the Mackinac Arts Council, which will select the Top 20 finalists. From there, the Mackinac Island Poster Committee, made up of Island business and gallery owners, will choose first, second, and third place winners, along with two honorable mentions.

Judging criteria includes:

In addition to juried awards, the public will vote for a People’s Choice Award from the remaining 19 finalists. Voting will take place February 24 through March 9, 2026, with the winner announced on June 5, the first day of the Lilac Festival.

The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is a 10-day celebration held each June, honoring the Island’s historic lilac varieties. Events include lilac walking tours, planting seminars, the Lilac Queen coronation, a 10K Run/Walk, live music, family activities, the Grand Parade, and more. The festival’s tradition of commemorative posters dates back to 1994, and a complete historic collection is housed at the Mackinac Arts Council gallery at Mission Point Resort.

All participating artists will be celebrated at a reception and poster unveiling on June 5, 2026, the opening day of the Lilac Festival. Additional details will be announced closer to the event.

Artists can find complete contest details, deadlines, and submission instructions on the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau website.

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