Bud Bash

The 41st Annual Bud Bash is scheduled for Saturday, August 1, 2026, on the south shore of Houghton Lake in Michigan. Hosted in front of The Limberlost, the long-running event brings thousands of boaters and summer visitors together for a full day of boats, music, swimming and one of Northern Michigan’s largest annual parties on the water.

Bud Bash takes place each year on the first Saturday in August and traces its history to 1985, when the former owner of The Limberlost created the event to bring additional activity to Houghton Lake. More than four decades later, boats continue to gather in the shallow water outside the waterfront restaurant for a large, informal lake party.

The 2026 gathering is listed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. near The Limberlost at 4168 West Houghton Lake Drive. Participants can arrive by boat and anchor near the gathering area, while visitors coming by land can access the waterfront venue from the south shore. Organizers and regional event coverage have estimated that approximately 5,000 to 10,000 people may attend during a typical Bud Bash weekend.

The event follows a large boat-party format rather than a poker run with card stations or a planned cruising route. Boaters gather offshore, anchor near other participating boats and spend the day swimming, floating, listening to music and socializing around the lake. A large double-decker tiki boat has traditionally been one of the most recognizable attractions within the gathering.

The Limberlost identifies Bud Bash as an adults-only event for guests ages 21 and older. No admission ticket is required for the lake party, although guests are responsible for their own food, beverages, boating expenses and transportation. Those planning to enter The Limberlost or attend any separately scheduled evening entertainment should confirm venue hours and admission details directly with the restaurant.

Boaters should arrive with dependable anchoring equipment, boat fenders, dock lines, properly fitted life jackets and everything needed for a crowded day on the water. Captains should remain alert for swimmers, paddlecraft, personal watercraft and closely anchored boats throughout the gathering area.

Bud Bash also receives an increased law-enforcement presence from local and state agencies. Participants should designate a sober operator and follow all Michigan boating, alcohol and public-safety laws. Previous enforcement efforts have focused on impaired operation, underage drinking, open alcohol violations and unsafe conduct on and around the lake.

Houghton Lake’s expansive shallow-water setting and established summer boating community have helped Bud Bash grow into one of Michigan’s longest-running lake parties. With its 41st edition scheduled for 2026, the event is expected to continue as a major first-weekend-of-August tradition for boaters throughout Northern Michigan.