ROAD TRIP-WORTHY HAPPENINGS ON THE SOUTH MICHIGAN SHORE
Our curated event guide features loads of music, food, drink, and outdoor fun. (And maybe an appearance by a pro wrestler or two.) The brilliant summer landscape signals this is a season to celebrate, and so with gatherings large and small, we invite you to explore our vibrant lakeshore community.
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 settling in for a multi-course, organic Granor-grown meal celebrating the expansive food culture of Southwest Michigan. 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. $180-$205
Jammin’ at the Vineyard
Saturdays & Sundays | Baroda, MI
The best party on the wine trail happens every weekend at Round Barn Winery, Distillery & Brewery. Enjoy 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.
Music in the Park
Saturdays | 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 is what summer on the lakeshore is all about.
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 Granor Farm’s fantastic onsite farm store featuring organic produce, pantry, and meals from the Granor kitchen, as well as Mick Klüg Farm’s adorable open-every-day farmstand in downtown New Buffalo.
New Buffalo Market | Three Oaks Market | Skip’s European Market
Rustic Wine Dinners at Hickory Creek
select Fridays | Buchanan, MI
Limited to just 15 guests, Hickory Creek Winery offers a behind-the-scenes culinary adventure with winemaker Adam McBride and chef David Hardy. Served at long picnic tables in the Chardonnay vineyard or barrel room (depending upon the weather), enjoy a four to five course meal paired with Hickory Creek wines. Transportation is provided, so no DD necessary. $130
Goat Hike at Verdant Hollow Farm
Saturdays | 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 interact with these social creatures in their favorite environment. $20
Corsets, Whips and Whiskey VIP Tours
June 23–25 | Three Oaks, MI
In celebration of back-to-back Best in Show wins at the 2022 and 2023 ASCOT Awards, Journeyman Distillery offers a special tour available for three days only. Distillers walk through the step-by-step from grain to bottling, followed by a nuanced tasting of the award-winning whiskey. Tasting will include the traditional cask-strength bottle, as well as special variations from over the years. $40
Kids Beach Camp by Third Coast Surf Shop
June 26–August 18 | 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, climb dunes, and even play soccer, making the most of summer days on the shore. Healthy snacks and water provided. Morning and afternoon sessions available. $215/week
Free Guided Kayak Tours
June 26, July 31, August 28, September 25 | New Buffalo, MI
A Chikaming Open Lands-sponsored and led kayak tour through the Galien River Marsh Trail. Intended for folks aged 18+ and comfortable in the water, tours last 90 minutes and finish with an invitation to gather at Ghost Isle Brewery for drinks, food, and a beautiful view of the preserve you just explored.
New Buffalo Independence Day Celebration
July 3 | New Buffalo, MI
Celebrate the 4th a day early with our annual fireworks extravaganza over Lake Michigan. Best viewed from the beach, plan to head down before dusk to find your spot in the sand.
Live Pro Wrestling at Watermark Brewing
July 8 | Stevensville, MI
Pro wrestling at a pretty lakeshore brewery? It’s absolutely no surprise from the bring-the-fun brewers at Watermark. Witness IPW talents Jimmy Shalwin, Mondo Real, Bendrick Bison, and many more at this family-friendly event. $10-25
Marina Mondays
July 10-September 4 | New Buffalo Marina, MI
New Buffalo’s version of Music in the Park, summer Mondays mean live music on the waterfront. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic, or grab a snack in town to enjoy while local musicians play the soundtrack to sunset over our Lake Michigan harbor.
The Storehouse presents Sir Richard Bishop
August 11 | Galien, MI
Producers of the best house concerts around, The Storehouse presents Sir Richard Bishop, ‘one of the most riveting and dynamic acoustic guitarists on the planet’ according to Pitchfork. BYO and picnic-style in the Galien countryside, we can’t recommend this intimate, front porch music experience enough. $20
Mt. Tabor Trail 5K Run/Walk
August 13 | Baroda, MI
Mt. Tabor Trail runs through the vineyards and forest between the Round Barn and Tabor Hill estates. Registration comes with wine-inspired swag and, of course, a glass of wine at the finish. Kid and dog-friendly, fresh breakfast burritos will be available for purchase before and after the race. $30
NBX Concerts presents Delicate Steve
August 24 | New Buffalo Marina
We’re thrilled to welcome Delicate Steve for a once-in-a-summer-evening on the New Buffalo harbor. Combining buoyant melodies with soulful grooves, guitarist Steve Marion and his band spin effortless tunes likened to ‘an epic sun-bleached back porch jam session (NPR).’ As an in-demand instrumentalist, he’s recorded with Paul Simon, been sampled by Kanye West, and toured as a member of The Black Keys, all the while spending the better part of a decade bending genres and entertaining audiences of his own throughout the US and beyond. A free outdoor show, be among the first 100 RSVPs to score Delicate Steve swag.
Robbie Fulks at Acorn Theater
August 24 | Three Oaks, MI
Acclaimed folk artist Robbie Fulks returns to the Acorn. His most recent release, 2017’s Upland Stories, earned year’s-best recognition from NPR and Rolling Stone among many others, as well as Grammy nominations for folk album and American roots song. Folk and bluegrass fans will not want to miss this story-rich show. $30-55
Outsiders Outside Art Fair
September 1–3 | 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 the 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
The Beer 30 Bike Tour
September 9 | 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
The Storehouse presents Bridget St John + Steve Gunn
September 23 | Galien, MI
This very special house concert features legendary guitarists and songwriters Bridget St John and Steve Gunn together to benefit The Storehouse’s soon-to-be announced 2024 venture. In addition to the fantastic late-summer front porch show, The Storehouse team will be shucking East Coast oysters and making jumbo Oishii shrimp cocktail as add-ons to your ticket. Now’s your chance to get to know this tiny but mighty master of food, art, and culture events. $25 + $18-36 seafood add-ons
Check back often—we add new events as they’re announced! And for a comprehensive event calendar, visit our friends at Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce.
