Summer’s not over in Michigan’s Great Southwest! Keep reading to maximize your holiday weekend plans. This holiday weekend features everything from business anniversaries and sales to sun-filled beach days, a tri-state Regatta, a Farmers Market, Lighthouse Tours, and an Artisan Fair!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

The Friday Night Concert Series wraps up with the last concert of the 2026 season! This week catch a performance by SMSO Feature: The Iridescent Zeal String Quartet (Orchestral) at the John E.N. Howard Bandshell from 7p-8p. Take in beautiful sunsets during this free concert. Sponsored by The Boulevard Inn & Bistro, United Way of SWMI, The Batalis Agency and Jam Shack Productions.

Enjoy free trolley rides throughout downtown St. Joe and Benton Harbor all summer long, courtesy of our friends at Visit Southwest Michigan! The Shop & Shore Trolley runs Thursday–Monday from 9a-9p now through September 7. Visit swmichigan.com/trolley for more info! 

Sarett Nature Center hosts Our Wild Neighbor! from 11a-12p. Attendees will discover amazing wild animals that share our local habitats. This animal program will explore native species found right here in our region! 

Kick off the day with Morning Yoga at River St. Joe Brewery from 10:45a-12p! This is an all-level outdoor yoga class. Attendees will enjoy 10% off food and drink after class! 

Wanderlust Outfitters celebrates their 10th WANDER-versary this Labor Day Weekend! Enjoy summer clearance and discounts and giveaways all weekend long, September 4-6. Special family fun on Saturday, September 5, from 11a-2p - attendees will enjoy balloon twisting and critters from Sarett Nature Center! The Wanderlust crew is also celebrating the Grand Opening of their NEW store in Granger. Join them for a Ribbon Cutting at 3p and giveaways and discounts all weekend long!

Check out Filkins Vineyards for a jam-packed Friday! Enjoy delicious food from PAC Pizza Food Truck from 12p-6p, a Pop-Up with Lakuna Links Permanent Jewelry from 2p-6p and Live Music feat. Ron Short from 3p-6p.

Take a spin on the Silver Beach Carousel! Hours this week include Friday from 12p-7:30p, Saturday & Sunday from 12p-9p. Visit silverbeachcarousel.com for a complete schedule!

Join the St. Joe Library on the first Friday of each month for a Movie Matinee! This month, join them from 1p-3p for “This Beautiful Fantastic”.

Don’t miss the last weekend of the Twin City Players latest production, Much Ado About Nothing. Enter the smoky, jazz-fueled 1920s heartland, where the "Merry War" is fought with biting wit instead of swords. Catch this romantic comedy on Friday/Saturday at 7:30p and Sunday at 2p!

Lazy Ballerina Winery hosts two events on Friday! Check out a Permanent Jewelry Pop-Up from 12p-3p and enjoy a Drop-In DIY Fall Candles from 1p-4p.

Heading to the beautiful Southwest Michigan beaches? Take a look at the links below. There’s a real-time update of the water temperatures as well as the swimming conditions, and the Silver Beach County Park Beach Cam.

GREAT LAKES WATER TEMPERATURES & SWIMMING CONDITIONS

SILVER BEACH COUNTY PARK BEACH CAM

Catch additional live music throughout Southwest Michigan! See below for the Friday lineup:

Lemon Creek Winery - Free Friday Night Live Music, 5p-8p
Filkins Vineyards - Ron Short, 3p-6p

Plank’s Tavern - Dockside Music Fridays, 5:30p-8:30p
Coach’s Bar & Grill - Live Music on the Patio w/ The Weko Boys, 6p-9p
Watermark Brewing - Live with Resurrection Blues Band, 7p-10p
The Acorn - Steve Forbet, 8p-11p

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

Market-goers will enjoy fresh finds at the St. Joe Farmers Market, running from 9a-2p in Lake Bluff Park. Vendors will offer a variety of products including baked goods, locally grown produce, perennials and cut flowers, meats and cheeses, coffee and more! Sponsored by The Boulevard Inn & Bistro, Culver's of Stevensville, Renaissance Athletic Club, The Batalis Agency and Lest We Forget. 

Over 50 local and regional artisans will display their handcrafted goods during the Lake Bluff Artisan Fair on Saturday, September 5 from 10a-5p in Lake Bluff Park! Shoppers will enjoy a variety of goods including candles, jewelry, clothing and more. Sponsored by Culver’s of Stevensville.

INSIDER TIP: Head to the Krasl Art Center for additional artisans during their
Summer Art Market from 10a-5p. This outdoor market on the KAC grounds
features 12 regional artists, including one Emerging Artist! KAC sculpture
and gallery exhibitions will be open to explore before or after you
shop the market.

It’s your last chance to visit the St. Joe Lighthouse as we close out the 2026 season! Join us from 10a-7p and explore the North Pier Inner Light first floor for free, or buy a ticket ($5/person) to climb to the top. Tickets are cash only at the lighthouse on Saturdays, or stop by the St. Joe Today Welcome Center in advance. ⁠Looking for more history? Join us for the last free, guided walking tour at 10a.

Visit Sarett Nature Center for Vulture Appreciation Day from 10a-5p! Learn about the importance of vultures, a major part of nature’s cleanup crew. 

Get creative with Filkins Vineyards during their Paint & Sip Saturday event from 11:30a-1:30p! No experience necessary, this class will be guided by The Mural Artist and attendees will get to take home their own masterpieces. Ages 13 and up.

Head over to Eden Springs Park for the last weekend of their Summer Miniature Train Rides! These original House of David engines and passenger cars have been lovingly restored by the Eden Springs team of volunteers and train experts. Train rides are available Saturday & Sunday from 1p-5p. Cost $3 per person, with kids 3 & under free.

Wrap up the evening with St. Joseph River Yacht Club’s annual Tri-State Regatta Party! Live music feat. Johnny Love at 5p and Libido Funk Circus at 8p. This event is open to the public - $10 cover charge after 5p for non-members. 

INSIDER TIP: The Tri-State Regatta sailboats arrive in
St. Joseph early Saturday morning and leave early
Sunday morning!

Catch additional live music throughout Southwest Michigan! See below for the Saturday lineup:

Watermark Brewing - Leo Fon, 11:30a-2:30p
Gravity Winery - Live Music, 12p-3p
Filkins Vineyards - Cowboy Co. The Country Music Show, 3p-6p
Watermark Brewing - The Reverend Jesse Ray, 3p-6p
Plank’s Tavern - Dockside Music Saturdays, 5:30p-8:30p
Coach’s Bar & Grill - Live Music on the Patio w/ Kody Bryant, 6p-9p
Watermark Brewing - Father Stone, 7p-10p
The Acorn - Rocks Off: A Tribute to The Rolling Stones, 8p-11p

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Start your Sunday off with Antiques on the Bluff. Take a small walk through history as you browse over 50 vendors. This event takes over Lake Bluff Park and is open from 10a-5p. This event is rain or shine! Sponsored by The Boulevard Inn & Bistro and the Wee Course at Harbor Shores.

INSIDER TIP: If you can’t catch it this weekend due to all the
festivities, no problem! Catch the last one, the first Sunday
of October.

Find your new favorite wine at the St. Joe Wine Shoppe! Join them as they taste fun and unique wines with a different theme every week during Wine Sample Sundays from 1p-5p! This week’s theme is Back to School.  

Wrap up the holiday weekend celebrations with the City of St. Joseph Municipal Band Concert at 7p! Hosted at the John E.N. Howard Bandshell, attendees will enjoy a beautiful view of the St. Joseph River.

Catch additional live music throughout Southwest Michigan! See below for the Sunday lineup:

River Saint Joe Brewery - Farm Pickin’s, 1p-3p
Filkins Vineyards - Plan B, 1p-4p
Coach’s Bar & Grill - Live Music on the Patio w/ Johnny Love, 2p-5p
Gravity Winery - Live Music, 2p-5p
Plank’s Tavern - Dockside Music Sundays, 4p-7p
Filkins Vineyards - The Fortunate Sons, 5:30p-7:30p
Silver Harbor Brewing - Aaron James Wright, 6:30p-9:30p
Watermark Brewing - The Detroit Doors, 6:30p-10p