20 TRIP-WORTHY EXPERIENCES IN AND AROUND NEW BUFFALO
Fall 2023 is our most event-rich season in years! Explore our curated picks for music, film, fests, farms, and ALL the craft beverages. Plus, an incredible lineup of dining experiences entirely unique to the Lake Michigan shore. Winter is coming (and that’s okay!), but for the coming weeks, let’s revel in the vibrant landscape.
GRANOR FARM DINNERS
select Fridays, 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 enjoying a multi-course, organic, Granor-grown meal inspired by the expansive food culture of Southwest Michigan. Served at long community tables that encourage conversation, dinners here are uniquely engaging and wildly delicious. Tickets are limited, so early purchase is a must. $85-$190
JAMMIN’ AT THE VINEYARD
Saturdays & Sundays through October | Baroda, MI
The best party on the wine trail happens every weekend at Round Barn Winery, Distillery & Brewery. Live music, food trucks, and drinks (so many kinds!) on a vineyard estate with plenty of space to play, dance, and relax. The friendly folks here have absolutely mastered this scene.
FARMERS MARKETS
Thursday–Sunday through October 8 | 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 Granor Farm’s fantastic year-round farm store for organic produce, curated pantry goods, and comforting meals from the Granor kitchen. Or Mick Klüg Farm’s adorable weekend farmstand in downtown New Buffalo.
New Buffalo Market | Three Oaks Market | Skip’s European Market
GOAT HIKE AT VERDANT HOLLOW FARM
Saturdays through November | Buchanan, MI
If you’ve succumbed to the charm of adorable baby goat reels on social, this hike’s for you! Explore Verdant Hollow’s lovely pastures and woods ‘led’ by the farm’s natural ambassadors, a friendly herd of goats. It’s a super fun way to elevate your morning hike. $20
DINGES FALL HARVEST
through October 31 | Three Oaks, MI
Every autumn, the Dinges’ charming family farmstead transforms into a spooky, silly spot for pumpkin patch adventure. Go for the amazing selection of pumpkins and gourds (u-pick or pre-pick). Stay for the old-school family fun and Halloween attractions.
The Storehouse presents Bridget St John & Steve Gunn
September 23 | Buchanan, MI
An incredible singer/songwriter/guitarist twofer, The Storehouse celebrates the autumn equinox with a special house show at Inner Freedom Barn. Bring your own blankets and bevs, but leave the food to Storehouse—they’ll be shucking East Coast oysters with jumbo Oishii shrimp cocktails. $25-$43
Manhattan Short Film Festival at Vickers Theatre
September 28-October 1 | Three Oaks, MI
Join film fans across the globe as Manhattan Short screens its ten finalists simultaneously in over 500 theaters in a single week. With each film automatically Oscar-qualified by virtue of MS selection, it’s a fascinating, once-a-year movie night. Each guest is invited to cast a ballot for Best Film and Best Actor. $15, cash bar
Harvest Moon Concert with Annalee Hooson
September 29 | Buchanan, MI
Verdant Hollow Farm presents a dreamy autumn experience with singer/songwriter Annalee Hooson. Set in an open clearing, bring a picnic and blankets for this intimate under-the-stars evening. $25
Stop Making Sense at Vickers Theatre
October 6 & 8 | Three Oaks, MI
Newly restored to 4K in honor of its 40th anniversary, Stop Making Sense is widely regarded as the greatest concert film of all time. (Not that you need us to tell you that, right?) Relive the wonder of this 80’s Talking Heads masterpiece in the cozy confines of our main street cinema, complete with cash bar and all your favorite movie house treats. DJ sets by The Storehouse before and after the show. $12, cash bar
The Storehouse presents Bitchin Bajas & Timothy Breen
October 7 | Three Oaks, MI
Sure to be the most visually and aurally intriguing performance of the season, Vickers Theatre hosts Bitchin Bajas and Timothy Breen for a never-before collaboration—Bajas’ hypnotic, melodic, ambient explorations backed by Breen’s extraordinary visual projections. Contemporary stuff for a century-old main street cinema! $20, cash bar
Elijah McLaughlin Trio at Granor Farm
October 22 | Three Oaks, MI
Six and 12-string acoustic guitarist Elijah McLaughlin brings his luminous, improvisational ensemble to the glass greenhouse at Granor Farm—the first performance of its kind in this enchanting space. He’ll be joined by Jason Toth, upright bassist and longtime collaborator, and cellist Katinka Kleijn, a sought-after collaborator in experimental and performance art when not on stage with Chicago Symphony Orchestra. A peak-autumn NBX event with snacks and drinks crafted by the farm’s culinary and distilling teams. $25, cash bar
APPLE CIDER CENTURY
September 24 | Three Oaks, MI
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 to 100-mile routes through lovely Lake Michigan shore countryside, it’s a 50-year lakeshore tradition with nothing but positive vibes.
OKTOBERFEST AT SEEDZ BREWERY
October 7 | Union Pier, MI
With an impressive fan-following, Seedz Brewery’s Oktoberfest returns for a third year with four bands, two Oktoberfest-inspired competitions, German fare, and a fest lager created especially for the occasion. Led by hometown beer hero Ryan Ziarko, Seedz is a small-batch brewery dedicated to crafting delicate lagers, ales, and mixed fermentation beers from 100% locally grown ingredients. Tickets include a glass stein. $25
NEW BUFFALO HARVEST & WINE FESTIVAL
October 7 | New Buffalo, MI
This annual downtown celebration is a lot more than the name suggests. A great opportunity to explore Lake Michigan Shore wine, for sure. But also locally-crafted beer, cider, and spirits. Tasty food trucks. A craft, farmers and producers market. Kids activities! And, of course, loads of live music and dancing. Conceived to gather visitors and locals to revel in the bounty of the harvest, it’s a day-into-night event full of smiles and gratitude for all the lakeshore provides. $10 suggested donation
JOURNEYMAN BARREL-AGED BREWFEST
October 21 | Three Oaks, MI
Explore single-batch, barrel-aged beverages produced by 30 regional breweries, wineries, and mead/cideries as they compete for bragging rights and the coveted Golden Barrel Trophy. A benefit for Journeyman’s non-profit Islay’s Barrel, this event draws a committed group of craft brew fans every year. $55-$75
The Storehouse presents Mary Lattimore with Motorshucker
October 29 | Lakeside, MI
Pitchfork said it best: ‘what makes Mary Lattimore’s work so entrancing is its interiority. With just a harp and loop pedals (she) creates dreamscapes from the patterns behind her own eyelids and sweeps her audience up in them.’ Imagine that in a historic lakefront inn. Now take it to eleven with an optional pre-show BYOB pre-fixe dinner by Chicago’s Motorshucker. Pretty spectacular. (Just sayin’.) $25 show | $85 dinner
BEAN NOUVEAU AT GRANOR FARM
Nov 4 | Three Oaks, MI
Inspired by France’s Beaujolais Nouveau Fete, Bean Nouveau celebrates the first of Granor’s bean harvest with a multi-course meal and conversation with Joe Yonan, Washington Post food & dining editor and author of Cool Beans: The Ultimate Guide to Cooking with the World’s Most Versatile Plant-Based Protein. A Granor x NBX event, dinner is served in the farm’s gorgeous greenhouse led by Abra Beren’s talented culinary hand. Tickets include a copy of Cool Beans. $180
Contact us for access to a limited number of NBX-reserve tickets to this sold-out dinner.
JOURNEYMAN ARTISAN MARKET
November 18-19 | Three Oaks, MI
Each year, Journeyman Distillery welcomes 75 regional artisans to its rustic 19th-century factory space just in time for the holiday gift-giving season. Take the chill off with a handcrafted cocktail while browsing the wares and chatting up makers. It’s a delightfully low-key holiday shopping kickoff.
Learn More | Explore the Market
Dudeck’s Pine Country
November 25-December 23 | Rolling Prairie, IN
An 80-acre Christmas tree farm with a special gift for holiday cheer. Hunt evergreen-covered hills by foot or horse-drawn wagon, chat with Santa, and shop fresh handcrafted greenery and rustic decor. The place is as wonderful as the people.
Cheese Sex Death at Granor Farm
December 15 | Three Oaks, MI
Cheesemonger turned cheese evangelist and author of Cheese Sex Death: A Bible for the Cheese Obsessed, Erika Kubick joins the Granor Farm culinary team for its most decadent, little bit edgy book & supper club event to date. Sure to convert common cheese lovers into confident connoisseurs, conversation will be followed by a multi-course meal inspired by the book and expertly paired by P&E Bottle Shop. A Granor x NBX event, this one speaks directly to diet-busting holiday indulgence. Tickets include a copy of Cheese Sex Death. $190
Big Sadie Country Christmas
December 16 | Three Oaks, MI
Big Sadie’s dazzled Chicago audiences for over a decade with lush and exuberant acoustic Americana. Named Best Country Band by Chicago Reader, the well-oiled quartet rings in the holidays each year with their beloved Country Christmas when they expand to an eight-piece cohort complete with drums, electric guitar, and pedal steel anchored by the earthen vocals of Elise Bergman (upright bass) and Collin Moore (guitar). An NBX event hosted by Section House, an intriguingly reimagined coal and lumber yard storefront in tiny Sawyer, Michigan. $25, cash bar
