Welcome to the 4th Annual Michigan Aurora Workshop & Weekend! The MI Aurora Workshop will be held at Headlands International Dark Sky Park, beginning at noon on Saturday, March 21, 2026! The program may be subject to change.
Important Notes:
- This event will sell out. Registration opens at 10am ET, January 31st.
- Registration is free but it is required to attend.
- A dinner option following the workshop will be provided for a cost.
- No refunds. Please only register if you are sure you want to attend.
- We ask that you register individually, so every guest can sign the liability waiver. Please ensure each registration includes the ticket holder’s name.
- A hotel block is reserved at the Holiday Inn Express in Mackinaw City. Rooms will be available for a discount when you mention the “Michigan Aurora Workshop” until 2/28/26.
When you register, choose from the full line-up of events:
- FRI: Kick-Off Party
- FRI: MI Aurora Experience: Tip of the Mitt! (A guided chase)
- SAT: MAAC Watercolor Painting Class (Two class times)
- SAT: 4th Annual MI Aurora Workshop & Dinner Option
- SAT: Guided Chase, Weather Permitting with Hands-On Mentorship
- SUN: Fireside Chat: Project Launch & Book Signing with Melissa F. Kaelin
Is this your first time viewing the event details? Please scroll down to browse the full schedule of the weekend’s events!
Are you ready? Register at the link below!
Lodging
We have a block of rooms reserved at the Holiday Inn Express in Mackinaw City March 20-22, 2026. It’s $104 per night plus tax and includes breakfast. Mention you are with the Michigan Aurora Chasers Workshop to get the discount. Rooms will be available until 2/28/26.
When calling please ask for the FRONT DESK, and not for Reservations. For any issues, please contact Patrick Grubba. Hope to see you out under the stars and aurora!
4th Annual Michigan Aurora Workshop & Aurora Chasing Weekend
Weekend Agenda
Friday, March 20 — Sunday, March 22, 2026
Welcome to our 4th Annual Michigan Aurora Chasers Workshop & Weekend! To skip ahead to the workshop, please click here.
While you are in Mackinaw City, enjoy these features of the MI Aurora Workshop & Weekend:
• 6pm, Friday — Kick-Off Party at Headlands International Dark Sky Park
• Sunset, Friday — MI Aurora Experience: Tip of the Mitt!
• 8am-Noon, Saturday — MAAC Watercolor Aurora Painting Classes, Registration required
• Noon-5:30pm, Saturday — MI Aurora Workshop, Registration required**
• 6:30pm, Saturday Pizza Dinner — Prepaid option for Workshop Registration
• 7:45pm, Saturday — Guided chase weather permitting, meet at Headlands, free and open to all, no registration required
• 10am-Noon, Sunday — Fireside Chat: Shape of the Sky Project Launch & Book Signing with Melissa F. Kaelin
** Please note, free registration is required to attend the MI Aurora Workshop. Dinner will be provided at an added cost. Tickets go on sale at 10am ET on January 31st. This event will sell out!
Register for Weekend Events Below
Kick-Off Party
Friday, March 20, 2026, Headlands International Dark Sky Park
6:00-8:45pm
6:00-6:45pm — Meet and Mingle, Slide Show Entertainment, Traveling Exhibit, Featured Celebration Videos, Contest Information
6:20-7:00pm — Serving the Northern Lights Cake! Cut Cake and Serve
7:00 to 7:15pm — Welcome & Aurora Weekend Primer, with Melissa F. Kaelin
7:15-7:45pm — Headlands & Dark Skies, with Jamie Westfall
7:45-8:00pm — Presentation of Photo Contest Winners!
8:00-8:45pm — Q&A Panel of Admins, Jamie Westland and MAC Group Experts
8:45pm-10:45pm — MI Aurora Experience, meet at Headlands (Guests are welcome to stay later at chase location)
Providing tips, info on forecasting and hands on camera settings – open to all. (Please bring a chair, camera or cell phone and a tripod)
MI Aurora Experience: Tip of the Mitt!
8:45pm, Friday, March 20, 2026
Meet at Headlands International Dark Sky Park
Meet us no later than 8:00pm on the dot. All vehicles will have left Headlands by 8:00pm. To evaluate snow cover, we will meet at Headlands first to choose a location. Then everyone will drive to the guided chase location. Free and open to the public, no registration required.
Details: https://michiganaurorachasers.com/events/experience/
RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/842327528674501/
Mackinaw Area Arts Council (MAAC) Watercolor Painting Class
Saturday, March 21, 2026, 8:00am-Noon
Women’s Club, Mackinaw City, Michigan
The MAAC Craft Workshop will feature a hands-on Aurora Watercolor Painting project. Choose one of two options to take this 2-hour class, limited to 15 people each, $30 per person, offered off site at the Women’s Club in Mackinaw City, Michigan.
8:00-10:00am — First Option for Watercolor Painting Class
10:00am-Noon — Second Option for Watercolor Paining Class
To register, please click the link below.
Michigan Aurora Workshop
Saturday, March 21, 2026, Noon-5:30pm
Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Mackinaw City, Michigan
Join us for a day of sessions that will guide you to the Northern Lights! The sessions will be presented by Admins Patrick Grubba, Christina Cantu Sharp, Kris Knutson, and Melissa F. Kaelin. The program may be subject to change.
Workshop Session Topics:
• Aurora formations
• Using the Glendale App for Aurora forecasting
• Capturing the Aurora with your phone, camera or your own eyes
• Master your camera settings and intro to photo editing
Schedule:
Noon-12:30 pm — Check in at the registration table for registered guests only
12:30 to 12:45 pm — Welcome from Founder Melissa F. Kaelin
12:45 to 1:45 pm — Session I; 1:50 pm to 2:50 pm — Session II
2:55 pm- 3:25 pm — Break and Group Photo Outside
3:30 pm-4:30 pm — Session IV; 4:30-5:15 pm — Wrap up
5:30-6:45 pm — Dinner
Guided Chase, Weather Permitting
7:45pm, No later than 8:00pm
Meet at Headlands International Dark Sky Park
In the evening, join us for hands-on mentorship — Set your camera for night photos. If conditions align, chase the Aurora with us. If there is no chance of Aurora, we will do night photography at various locations. Free! Open to all!
Fireside Chat: Project Launch & Book Signing with Melissa F. Kaelin
Sunday, March 22, 2026, 10:00am-Noon
Headlands International Dark Sky Park
Fireside Chat — Shape of the Sky Project Launch & Book Signing with Melissa F. Kaelin
Get updates and links after the event! RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1396281275562502/
The weekend will close out with farewells, following by private activities for the Admin Team. The admins need to leave in time to meet at 12:30pm for the Admin Lunch (Private). Thank you for joining us for an incredible weekend!
2025 Recap
A popular event, the 2025 MI Aurora Workshop has once again sold out — inside of four hours or something similar! Anyone attending the weekend events is welcome to chase with us on Friday or Saturday night!
2025 Presentation Notes
Thank you for joining us at the 3rd Annual Michigan Aurora Chasers Workshop! Below are links to the presentation notes:
- Legends of the Aurora, Melissa F. Kaelin, Friday Night Kick-Off
- Photo Editing, Pandora Biskner
- Forecasting 101 & Space Weather Live App Intro, Melissa F. Kaelin
- Glendale App & Telegram App Alerts, Kris Knutson
- Photos and Videos and Time Lapses, Oh My!, Patrick Grubba
Photos from the Event
Part of our weekend was spent gathering for a Group Photo with everyone in attendance during the workshop day on May 31, 2025. Thanks to the generosity of our photographers, you have permission to download and print the photos provided at this link.
3rd Annual Michigan Aurora Chasers Workshop
The 3rd Annual Michigan Aurora Chasers Workshop will be held May 31, 2025 at Headlands International Dark Sky Park, with free registration required to attend. Details are coming soon! Subscribe for updates.
Join us for a weekend celebrating the Northern Lights! The weekend of May 30-June 1, 2025 will feature several opportunities related to Aurora, including the main event: The 3rd Annual Michigan Aurora Chasers Workshop at Headlands International Dark Sky Park on Saturday, May 31. Free registration is required to attend.
A Kick-Off will be held Friday evening at the Dark Sky Park before the event, with additional opportunities to take paid classes from Michigan presenters. The optional paid classes will be offered Saturday morning and Sunday morning. Our events on Friday and Saturday evening will be followed by a #LiveChase to catch Aurora, Space and Earth Weather permitting.
Space is limited!
Registration opens at noon on Saturday, March 15, 2025.
REGISTER: Visit the Eventzilla Registration Website
RSVP ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/events/590218147032615
Schedule of Weekend Events
FRIDAY:
Kick-Off Event
Michigan Aurora Chasers Admins and Various Speakers
Time: 6:00-9pm
(Dinner is not available on site)
Date: Friday, May 30, 2025
Location: Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Mackinaw City, Michigan
Admission: Free, No registration needed
Begins with check-in, introductions and visuals from 6:00-6:45pm
Friday #LiveChase to follow, Space and Earth Weather Permitting.
Friday Speakers:
7:00pm — Welcome from Melissa F. Kaelin, Founder
7:15pm — Headlands & Our Dark Skies, Park Manager Jamie Westfall
7:45pm — Aurora Legends From Around the World by Melissa Kaelin.
9:00pm — Mi Aurora Experience meeting at Headlands to go to Wilderness State Park and later the Bridge. Providing tips, info on forecasting and hands on camera settings – open to all. (Please bring a chair, camera or cell phone and a tripod)
SATURDAY:
MAAC Arts Council Craft Workshop: Paint the Aurora in Watercolor
MaryAnn Moore, Mackinaw Area Arts Council Board Member
Choose from two times, Limit 15 per class
Time: 8–10am (OR)
10am – Noon
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025
Location: 310 E Jamet St, Mackinaw City, MI 49701
Admission: $30 plus fees,
Includes your watercolor painting of 8×10 and a white mat for an 11” X 14” frame.
Link to register: https://www.eventzilla.net/e/maac-arts-council-paint-the-aurora-in-watercolor-2138664340
Michigan Aurora Workshop
Michigan Aurora Chasers Admins & Lead Team, Various Presenters
Tentative schedule of the main event will be posted below
Time: 12:30-6:30pm
(Lunch is not available on site)
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025
Location: Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Mackinaw City, Michigan
Admission: Free, Registration required
Paid Dinner Option $20 plus fees
Link to register: https://www.eventzilla.net/e/michigan-aurora-chasers-workshop-2025-2138640015
Saturday #LiveChase to follow, Space and Earth Weather Permitting.
Saturday Speakers:
12:35pm — Welcome from Founder Melissa F. Kaelin
1:00pm — Photos, Videos, and Time-lapses, Oh My! by Patrick Grubba and Christina Wiggins
2:15pm — Group Photo in Headlands Ampitheatre
2:40pm — Aurora Forecasting, SpaceWeatherLive & Glendale App, Admin Kris Knutson and Admin Melissa F. Kaelin
3:30pm — Overview of Photoshop/Lightroom: Basic Edits for Aurora Photos by Pandora Biskner
4:30pm — Panel Discussion with Admins & Group Experts
5:30pm — Pizza Buffet for paid admission guests
8:00pm — Hands-on night photography assistance & Group Aurora Chase, weather depending
SUNDAY:
Editing Your Night Sky Images
Christina Wiggins Photography
Limit 50 participants
Time: 9:30am-12:30pm (Class begins promptly at 10:00am)
Date: Sunday, June 1, 2025
Location: 310 E Jamet St, Mackinaw City, MI 49701
Admission: $99,
Save $20 if you are a guest of the MI Aurora Workshop with the code: MAC20ATTEND
Link to register: https://book.usesession.com/s/xx1kqul7Ov
Archives
Photo by Rod Pentoney.
2nd Annual Michigan Aurora Chasers Workshop
The 2nd Annual Michigan Aurora Chasers Workshop was held on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Headlands International Dark Sky Park. Registration required, with an invite to RSVP: https://fb.me/e/FjF0WcFK
2nd Annual Michigan Aurora Chasers Workshop
Featuring Founder Melissa F. Kaelin, Admin Patrick Grubba, Group Expert Justin Miller and the Michigan Aurora Lead Team
12:30pm-5:45pm, Saturday, March 16, 2024
Registration opens at noon, Dinner runs 5:45-6:45pm
Headlands International Dark Sky Park
Host Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, Mackinac City, Michigan
Agenda for the 2nd Annual Michigan Aurora Chasers Workshop
12:00 pm to 12:30 pm Registration
12:30 pm to 12:45 pm Welcome
12:45 pm to 1:00 pm Headland’s Dark Sky Mission
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Cell Phones and Aurora
2:00 pm to 2:15 pm Break
2:15 pm to 3:15 pm Forecasting 101
3:15 pm to 4:15 pm Camera Equipment and Lenses
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
5:45 pm Pizza Dinner for those registered. (Must have dinner ticket)
6:45 pm to 9:00 pm Hands On Camera Help/Sunset/Chase – Headland Grounds, and/or Mackinaw City area – MAC Team
Choose Free Admission or Full Admission with Dinner and Aurora Cookies Included, $20.
Registration Website: https://www.eventzilla.net/e/michigan-aurora-chasers-workshop-2138611316
1st Annual Michigan Aurora Chasers Workshop
The 1st Annual MI Aurora Chasers Workshop was held April 1, 2023, 1-6pm, at Headlands International Dark Sky Park.
Thanks to those who joined us for a free workshop from 1-6pm, Saturday, April 1 at Headlands International Dark Sky Park! The workshop will offer educational sessions on forecasting and photographing the Northern Lights from the Michigan Aurora Chasers group expert. The program is subject to change.
Our workshop will feature:
- “Capturing Northern Lights on Your Phone: Tips and Tricks,” with Patrick Grubba
- “How to Use Space Weather Live,” with Nate Stovall
- “Chasing the Aurora in Michigan: Where, When and How to Catch the Northern Lights,” with Melissa F. Kaelin
- “Demystifying the Data in Aurora Forecasting: What to Use, What Not to Use,” with Space Weather Trackers Founder Christian Harris
- “Advanced Aurora Photography: From Equipment to Camera Settings,” with Shelly Leigh of Michigan Milkyway
- Ask an Expert: Outdoor Photography and Hands-On Tips at Sunset on Lake Michigan
Choose Free admission to Michigan Aurora Chasers Workshop, or Social & Night Shoot: Pizza Night with the Michigan Aurora Chasers, Dinner will be provided at a cost $12.
Registration Website: https://www.eventzilla.net/e/michigan-aurora-chasers-workshop-2023-2138597447
Michigan Aurora Chasers 