24 ROAD TRIP-WORTHY HAPPENINGS ALONG THE LAKE MICHIGAN SHORE
Yes, the beach is the thing this time of year. But for all the spirited adventurers ready to top off a day of sun and sand, this curated, only-here list of events has you covered. From concerts to cooking classes to two signature bike tours, each celebrates the brilliant summer landscape and our vibrant lakeshore community.
Granor Farm Dinners
select Saturdays & Sundays | Three Oaks, MI
Set in a stunning dine-in greenhouse, Granor Farm’s popular weekly dinner series is helmed by James Beard-recognized chef and author, Abra Berens. Tour the farm before settling in for a multi-course, organic Granor-grown meal celebrating Southwest Michigan food culture. Served at long community tables that encourage conversation, dinners here are uniquely engaging—and super delicious. Tickets are limited, so early purchase is a must. $95-$300
Goat Hikes at Verdant Hollow Farm
Saturdays | Buchanan, MI
A guided, hour-long walk through gardens, pasture, hardwood forest—and yes, hollow—with the farm’s all-ages goat herd along as companions and ambassadors. Next level for any nature (and baby goat video) lover, it’s a delightfully simple way to welcome guests to the farm and this engaging animal’s bucolic world. $20
Farmers Markets
Thursday–Sunday | various locations
Farmers markets are a summer staple on the lakeshore, each with its own unique scene and offerings. Expect locally grown produce and flowers, bakery and pantry items, crafts, and music. In addition to the traditional markets linked below, consider a visit to New Buffalo’s adorable new Farmette, Mick Klüg Farm’s open-every-day downtown farmstand, and Granor Farm’s fantastic onsite farm store.
New Buffalo Farmed & Foraged | Three Oaks Market | Skip’s European Market
Music in the Park
Saturdays through August 31 | Three Oaks, MI
A perfect, small-town community concert series set in Three Oak’s Dewey Cannon Park. Pack a picnic or grab a phenomenally tasty slice at nearby Patellie’s pizza. The chill, neighborly vibe here is what summer on the lakeshore is all about.
Beach Camp by Third Coast Surf Shop
weekdays through August 16 | New Buffalo, MI
Three hours of quality beach play led by Third Coast’s masters of fun in the sun. Kids 12 and under surf, skimboard, paddleboard, build sand castles, and climb dunes, making the most of summer days on the shore. Healthy snacks and water provided. $215/week
Independance Day Fireworks
July 3 | New Buffalo, MI
Celebrate the 4th a day early with New Buffalo’s annual fireworks extravaganza over Lake Michigan. Best viewed from the beach, plan to head down before dusk to find your spot in the sand.
Yoga in the Yard
July 7 & 21, August 4 & 18 | Sawyer, MI
Beloved outdoor cocktail spot Sideyard hosts yoga classes on the lawn with live ambient music by David Black as the soundtrack. No experience necessary, just positive vibes. $25 includes an after-class mimosa
Minor Moon at New Buffalo Marina
July 11 | New Buffalo, MI
Adored for feel-good indie/country/alt-rock, Sam Cantor’s Minor Moon weaves equal parts warmth, grit, and psychedelia over which gentle lyricism rides. Fresh off a US tour promoting their new album, The Light Up Waltz, the band has been celebrated as ‘sharp, sublime, and irresistible’ (PopMatters) and for Cantor’s ‘soothing, sure-footed tenderness’ (Chicago Reader). NBX Concert’s first show of the year, join us for this once-in-a-summer concert on the waterfront.
Pizza Class at Granor Farm
July 17 | Three Oaks, MI
Learn how to make everyone’s favorite food with Granor Farm’s celebrated culinary team. Mix, shape, and stretch dough, discover the secret to a perfect sauce, and cook with a variety of methods from oven to wood to stove top. Students share pizzas and a classic Granor salad for dinner, and leave with a ball of dough and pizza sauce for home. $125
Bad Momz of Comedy at Vickers Theatre
August 3 | Three Oaks, MI
A talented roster of professional comedians take on motherhood, marriage, life, and everything that comes with it. Nationally acclaimed as fun and super relatable for parents of all genders, this could be exactly the mid-summer-vacation outlet you need. $25
Great Lakes Swimmers at Acorn Theater
Aug 8 | Three Oaks, MI
Great Lakes Swimmers critically-acclaimed brand of folk rock artfully blends guitar, harmonica, banjo, upright bass, harmonium, electric guitar, and keyboards into lush rural soundscapes accentuated by the wistful vocals of songwriter Tony Dekker. $25-30
State of the Unity at Vickers Theatre
August 9 | Three Oaks, MI
A hopeful, award-winning documentary exploring the simple question, ‘Is unity possible?’ via a musician couple’s mission to road-trip and perform in all 50 states. Filmed in 2016 but apparently more relevant than ever in 2024, it’s an especially lovely story to experience in a gathered setting. Directors Jillian Speece and Nathaniel Paul Hoff will be present for Q+A and a short acoustic set after the film. $25
Summer Harvest & Cook Class at Granor Farm
August 13 | Three Oaks, MI
Harvest six summer vegetables from Granor’s dream organic cooking fields then, with the guidance of their culinary team, transform them into a complete dinner party menu: appetizers, family-style entrees and sides, and dessert. Following, students share the meal they’ve prepared while discussing general menu theory and strategies for hosting dinner parties with ease. $185
Finom at Vickers Theatre
August 19 | Three Oaks, MI
Finom—songwriting duo Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart— exists at the vanguard of Chicago art rock. Each wielding a guitar and vocal mic and backed by the savvy drumming of Spencer Tweedy, the pair have churned out a singular strain of unflinchingly direct yet enchantingly playful indie pop for nearly a decade. ‘Virtuosic and wildly inventive’ (Pitchfork), NBX is thrilled to bring them to Three Oaks as they tour their brand new, Jeff Tweedy-produced album Not God.
Silent Film & Live Music Series: Zare
August 23 | Three Oaks, MI
Vickers Theatre welcomes vocalist Livia Gazzolo accompanied by piano, bass, oud, flute, and percussion for a screening and live score of Armenian-Kurdish film Zare. Delightfully theatrical on screen and off, we’re fascinated by this immersive exploration of traditional Kurdish culture and music through the lens of contemporary jazz. $20
Lydia Loveless at Acorn Theater
August 23 | Three Oaks, MI
Firebrand alt-country artist Lydia Loveless blurs the lines between outlaw, pop, honky tonk, and punk sensibilities in their latest work. Fearless, forceful, and brutally personal, vulnerability and resilience share equal space within the confines of immensely catchy pop songs. $30-55
Outsiders Outside Art Fair
August 30–September 1 | Harbert, MI
Celebrating its 27th year, Judith Racht hosts a weekend celebration of visionary, folk, and outsider art on the grounds of her historic schoolhouse turned gallery. Come opening night for a first look at the art and cocktails with folks who consistently represent for the lakeshore art scene. Without a doubt, the most colorful art event of the season. $10-25
Learn More | Explore Outsiders
Paella Class at Granor Farm
August 31 | Three Oaks, MI
Early September is an ideal time to enjoy paella: tomatoes, peppers, onions, and garlic are all in full force. Learn how to prepare this yummy and comforting Spanish one-pot dinner while enjoying plenty of tastes along the way.
Beer 30 Bike Tour
September 7 | throughout the lakeshore
This 30-mile bicycle tour through Southwest Michigan’s scenic ‘craft beer country’ begins and ends at Watermark Brewing with stops at some of the area’s best breweries. Registration includes pre-ride donuts and coffee, a Beer 30 water bottle and tasting mug, beer samples at participating brewers, and a post-ride party with live music. $35-55
Tomato Fest at Granor Farm
September 13 | Three Oaks, MI
Mid-September is peak harvest, a perfect time to share the secrets behind Granor’s bodacious hoop houses full of organic tomatoes. Explore techniques for growing, trellising, pruning and harvesting followed by an overview of preservation methods including red sauce, roasted tomatoes, green tomato chutney, and pickled tomatoes. $185
Rosali at Out There
September 15 | Sawyer, MI
North Carolina indie rocker Rosali will perform an intimate, stripped down solo set of her recent Merge Records release Bite Down. Sure to sell out fast, don’t sleep on this opportunity to experience Out There’s first live show following the wine bar’s August opening.
Silent Film & Live Music Series: Blood of a Poet
September 27 | Three Oaks, MI
Back by popular demand, Jean Cocteau’s Blood of A Poet returns with live accompaniment by vocalist Livia Gazzolo and guitarist Reynaldo Certain. The 1933 film feels as avant garde as ever paired with haunting Brazilian Tropicalia. $15
Apple Cider Century Bike Tour
September 29 | throughout the lakeshore
From hard-core, kit-wearing packs to families with little ones fresh off training wheels, ACC is the midwest’s most popular century bike tour. Offering six fully-supported 15-100-mile routes through lovely Lake Michigan shore countryside, it’s a friendly, 50-year tradition for visitors and locals alike.
Updated Sept 6, 2024. Check back often—we add new events as they’re announced!
