Since its founding in 2014, the festival has evolved into a weekend long celebration as thousands of enthusiastic (and often fur-clad) celebrators gather to “wake the bear” and shed their winter fur in downtown Marquette.

“After taking 2025 off so we could focus on our expansion and the opening of The Trestle, we are beyond excited to bring the bear out of hibernation,” says curated events manager, Amanda Courchaine. “We could not do this without the support of our staff, neighbors, volunteers and all the folks who travel down the street or miles and miles to be a part of this.”

The 100-block of Spring St. will close Friday, April 10, and begin its transformation, emerging a mere 24-hours later with a city block’s worth of live music, food trucks, games, costumes, and a plethora of kegs. The festival plays host to the annual unveiling of Ore Dock’s barrel-aged and limited release offerings with over 30 taps of Lake Superior sourced craft beer, cocktail-inspired hard seltzers, a variety of non-alcoholic craft beverages and new this year draft cocktails. Thirsty bears gotta eat too, and festival goers will have no trouble finding tasty eats from a bounty of local food vendors.

New for 2026, 3 music stages will be featured. Headlining the festival stage will be the Pajamas to cap off an eclectic Midwest lineup including The 4onthefloor (Minneapolis, MN), Wrestle with Jimmy (Grand Rapids), and The Bootstrap Boys (Grand Rapids). Steve Leaf (Grand Rapids) and Marquette’s favorite surf rock band, Ramble Tamble, will be rocking the Community Space stage. The Trestle Biergarten will be vibing throughout the festival featuring Synergy with local DJ’s Mayple & Conway.

John Mattis happily enjoys his beer at the Festival of The Angry Bear at the Ore Dock Brewing Company in Marquette. (Journal file photo)

There will also be a multitude of events and collaborations leading up to the festival including the inaugural Angry Bear Pre-Pawty (4/3/26) where you can get everything needed to hit the fast-pass line on festival day. Samara Floral Co.’s Flower Crown workshop (4/9/26), Rise of the Baby Bear with the U.P. Children’s Museum(4/10/26), and the third running of Queen City’s Run 4 Your Life 5k (4/11/26) with proceeds to support the Special Olympics of Michigan Area 36. Additional festival events include a costume contest and dance-off hosted by Marquette Fringe, a beer relay and growler holding competition with Queen City Running Co, and keg bowling with The Fire Station.

The festival is 21+ and festival goers will need to purchase an official Angry Bear wristband to enter. Angry Bear will happen rain, snow, or shine. More information can be found at: OREDOCKBREWING.COM/ANGRYBEAR.