Mt. Ashwabay is the summer home of Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua. Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua (sha-ta-qwa) is a year round non profit performing arts organization with a rich history. Big Top Chautauqua operates an intimate 900-seat, all-canvas, state-of-the-art tent theater, producing and presenting a fifty-plus night summer season of concerts, plays, lectures. Recent touring performers have included BB King, Greg Brown, Yonder Mountain String Band, Keb' Mo', Willie Nelson, and Garrison Keillor. Chautauqua is also the home of the Big Top Blue Canvas Orchestra, a highly acclaimed professional local troupe which performs original multi-media musicals in the tent and on tour. Tent Show Radio, a weekly one hour program which showcases live performances from the Big Top Stage, is aired on public radio stations throughout the country.

Mt Ashwabay provides food and beverage concessions for all shows.