Are you hoping to catch the Northern Lights? Our events offer people a chance to gather, learn, and get hands-on experience chasing, forecasting or photographing the Aurora. In the Michigan Aurora Chasers, we’re thrilled to sustain a welcoming community of over 97,000 members, and you’re welcome to become a part of it!
You’re also welcome to join Michigan Aurora Chasers Founder Melissa F. Kaelin for one of her appearances, whether it’s an Aurora Chasing talk, book signing, workshop, conference or festival!
Upcoming Events
Browse the listing below to see what events are coming up and what popular events we hope to offer again. New opportunities are posted by our members and Group Experts every week on #WorkshopWednesday in the Michigan Aurora Chasers Group.
International Event Featuring Michigan Aurora Chasers
7th Annual Aurora Summit
The Annual Aurora Summit: Celebrating the Art, Culture, Science & Photography of the Northern Lights
Featuring Michigan Aurora Chasers Admins & Group Experts, A conference co-founded by Michigan Aurora Chasers Founder Melissa F. Kaelin | Registration Required
October 18-20, 2024
Red Cliff, Wisconsin
Details: TheAuroraSummit.com
Past Events
National Event Featuring Two Michigan Aurora Chasers Admins
Night Photo Summit, with National Parks at Night
February 2-4, 2024
Virtual event
Details and registration: https://night-photo-summit-2024.heysummit.com/?sc=aVgqd00b&ac=mJjfuWD0
Michigan Aurora Chasers Workshop: SOLD OUT!
Aurora Forecasting & Photography Workshop featuring Justin Miller, Patrick Grubba, Melissa Kaelin and Others
March 16, 2024, 12:30-5:45pm,
Registration opens at Noon, Dinner served for a cost at 5:45-6:45pm
Headlands International Dark Sky Park with off-site photography at night
Admission: Free Program, Registration Required. Open to the Public.
Register: https://events.eventzilla.net/e/michigan-aurora-chasers-workshop-2138611316
RSVP on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/FjF0WcFK (Be the first to be notified when registration opens!)
Dinner provided for a cost, yet to be determined. Following the program, join the Michigan Aurora Chasers for the Social and Night Shoot.
Cost: $20 plus fees
2nd Annual Michigan Aurora Chasers Workshop
Join us for a day of Aurora Chasing, with tutorials on Aurora Chasing, Aurora Forecasting and Aurora Photography. Dinner will be provided at an additional cost, and a social and night shoot will happen after the event at the dark sky park.
For more events, visit our link tree: https://linktr.ee/MiAuroraChasers
2nd Annual Michigan Aurora Chasers Workshop
Noon-5:30pm, March 16, 2024
Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Mackinaw City, Michigan
Michigan Aurora Chasers Workshop Schedule
12:00 pm to 12:30 pm — Registration
12:30 pm to 12:45 pm — Welcome by Melissa Kaelin
12:45 pm to 1:00 pm — Headland’s Dark Sky Mission – Headland’s staff
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm — Cell Phone Photography and Aurora by Patrick Grubba
2:00 pm to 2:15 pm — Break
2:15 pm to 3:15 pm — Aurora Forecasting 101 by Melissa
3:15 pm to 4:15 pm — Camera Equipment and Lenses for Aurora Photography by Justin Miller
4:15 pm to 4:30 pm — Break
4:30 pm to 5:15 pm — Panel Q&A – Presenters and MAC Admins
5:15 pm to 5:30 pm — Wrap up – Melissa
5:45 pm — Pizza Dinner for those registered. (Must have dinner ticket)
6:45 pm to 9:00 pm — Hands On Camera and Forecasting Advice with Sunset and a Live Aurora Chase, weather permitting – Headland Grounds, and/or Mackinaw City area – Michigan Aurora Team
A block of rooms has been reserved at a discounted rate at the host hotel, the Holiday Inn Express in Mackinac City. Contact the hotel and tell them you are with the Michigan Aurora Chasers to get a discounted rate. Please consider waiting until you reserve your ticket to make your reservation, to ensure you get a seat!
How to Join the Waitlist: 1. Open Facebook. 2. Pull up the 2nd Annual Michigan Aurora Chasers Workshop event page: https://fb.me/e/FjF0WcFK. 3. Find the post pinned to the top of the Discussion that says Waitlist. 4. Comment to add your name. Thank you!
Registration is required to attend. Registration opens on January 16. RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/981677442899569
Regional Event Featuring Two Michigan Aurora Chaser Admins
2nd Annual Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival
April 11-13, 2024: Confirmed Dates
Keweenaw International Dark Sky Park, Copper Harbor, Michigan
Registration coming soon!
For details or to register, visit: https://keweenawdarksky.com/events/upper-peninsula-dark-sky-festival/
Photo courtesy of Keweenaw Mountain Lodge.
Michigan Aurora Chasers Social: Mitten Edition
A Social Gathering for Members of the Michigan Aurora Chasers
Date: 7:30pm, Saturday, January 6, 2024
Location: The Limberlost, Houghton Lake, Michigan
Admission: Free
RSVP on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/32vOPPekm
#MIAuroraSocial
Michigan Aurora Chasers Social: Upper Peninsula Edition
A Social Gathering for Members of the Michigan Aurora Chasers
Date: Sunday, November 5, 2023
Location: Ore Dock Brewing Company, Marquette, Michigan
Admission: Free
RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/631820608837137
#MIAuroraSocial
Michigan Aurora Chasers Social
A Social Gathering for Members of the Michigan Aurora Chasers
Date: 7:30pm, Friday, December 30
Location: The Limberlost, Houghton Lake, Michigan
Admission: Free
RSVP on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/6lc1hMq5H
#MIAuroraSocial
Michigan Aurora Chasers Workshop
Aurora Forecasting & Photography Workshop featuring Nate Stovall, Shelly Leigh, Patrick Grubba, Melissa Kaelin and Others
April 1, 2023, 1-6pm
Headlands International Dark Sky Park with off-site photography at night
Admission: Free Program, Registration Required. Open to the Public.
Register: SOLD OUT
RSVP on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/4uh42witA
Following the program, join the Michigan Aurora Chasers for the Social and Night Shoot with dinner provided.
7pm-7am, April 1-2, 2023
Cost: $12
Live Chase: Michigan Aurora Chasers
Meet us at one of two events on Friday to chase the Northern Lights, in a #LiveChase led by Melissa F. Kaelin and Nate Stovall.
When: 8 p.m. Eastern, Friday, April 1, 2022
Where: Glen Haven, Michigan OR Port Austin, Michigan
Admission: Free
Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1342756526219074/
melissa f. kaelin 