Summer is winding down, kids and adults alike are returning to school, and autumn will arrive this month. It’s time to focus on fall fun along the Lakeshore. From cultural festivals, bridge walks, and bike rides to help for veterans and concerts featuring blues and soul, September offers a wide variety of things to do in Allegan, Muskegon, and Ottawa counties. This list includes options for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or interest.
Week 1 (Sept. 1–10)
Blues show with O.B. Buchanan
Paradise Banquet and Event Center, 465 W. Broadway, Ave., Muskegon
Friday, Sept. 1, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Cost: $50
Enjoy a night of the blues with O.B. Buchanan and special guest the Mel V. Collective. Soul food will be available for purchase until it’s gone — small table $40, large table $80. Tickets are available at Urban Apparel and Italian Connection in Grand Rapids.
Details:
https://www.visitmuskegon.org/event/one-night-only-blues-show/5445/
Labor Day Blue Star Bridge Walk
Line up at the south side of the Blue Star Bridge, Douglas
Monday, Sept. 4, 9:15 a.m. lineup, 9:30 a.m. walk
Cost: Free
Bring your family, friends, pets, and dress to impress for this 25-year tradition. Crazy hats, costumes, instruments, flags, motivational signs, etc. are strongly encouraged.
Details:
https://www.saugatuck.com/labor-day-blue-star-bridge-walk/
Glancing at Glamorgan
Herrick District Library, 300 S. River Ave., Holland
Wednesday, Sept. 6, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free (sign-up required)
Get an eye-opening look at what our ancestors loved and where they lived, a story of emigration and immigration — two vastly different words. A Zoom link for this virtual event for adults will be sent out the day of the presentation.
Details:
https://herrickdl.bibliocommons.com/events/64d4f09870573a3000ae5abc
Art on the Island
Windmill Island Gardens, 1 Lincoln Ave., Holland
Thursday, Sept. 7, 6–8 p.m.
Cost: Free to attend
Come enjoy inspired artwork created by local artists in the categories of Photography, Plein Air, and Best of the Rest. All the artwork will be for sale. You are invited to vote for your favorite piece in a People’s Choice vote. Enjoy amazing artwork, beautiful scenery, a cash bar with locally made beer and wine, and appetizers from local caterers. Artists may find submission information at
https://shorturl.at/mnIU8.
Details:
https://www.holland.org/events/art-island-1
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Enjoy amazing artwork and beautiful scenery on Sept. 7 as Windmill Island Gardens hosts its Art on the Island event. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite piece.Two-sentence Scary Story Contest
Herrick District Library, 300 S. River Ave., Holland
Sunday, Sept. 10, through Saturday, Sept. 23
Cost: Free
See if you have what it takes to write your scariest story in just two sentences. Scary stories can be submitted by those ages 7–18. The community will vote on their favorites, and prizes will be awarded.
Details:
https://herrickdl.bibliocommons.com/events/64d501d853479b3700691d7f
Week 2 (Sept. 11–17)
Smartphone Photography Class
Herrick North Branch, 155 Riley St., Holland
Tuesday, Sept. 12, 6–7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
This class for adults and teens focuses on Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy Smartphones. Please bring your smartphone to class with a charging cable in case the battery is low on power.
Details:
https://herrickdl.bibliocommons.com/events/64d4f0a301da5e2900396ac0
Plant Swap and Share
Muskegon Area District Library, Holton Branch, 8776 Holton-Duck Lake Road, Holton
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 5–6 p.m.
Cost: Free, registration required
If you have plants you’d like to divide and share with others, or a plant that needs a second chance, this is the event for you. Speakers will offer advice on plant care, and there will be plants to share.
Details:
https://www.visitmuskegon.org/event/plant-swap-and-share/5455/
Oddities & Delights — Exhibit Opening
Muskegon Museum of Art, 296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon
Thursday, Sept. 14, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free with museum admission
Explore fun, whimsical, and strange artworks in the museum’s permanent collection. Other exhibit items include a chest freezer transformed into a cow, and a cheeseburger meal with fries and a drink rendered in glass. Don’t miss the opening.
Details:
https://muskegonartmuseum.org/exhibition-opening-oddities-delights/
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This cheeseburger meal, with fries and a drink, rendered in glass is part of the Muskegon Museum of Art’s “Oddities & Delights” exhibit, opening Sept. 14.
The Music and Performers of Idlewild (Black Eden)
Holland Museum, 31 W. 10th St., Holland
Thursday, Sept. 14, 7–9:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join Lazaro Vega, of Blue Lake Radio, for a music-filled journey back in time as he discusses some of Idlewild’s great performers. Using music clips and conversation, visitors will learn about the talents of Lilian Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, and others who graced the stages of Idlewild’s clubs and juke joints.
Details:
https://hollandmuseum.org/the-music-and-performers-of-idlewild/
Michigan Irish Music Festival
Heritage Landing, off U.S. 31 near Muskegon Lake, Muskegon
Thursday–Sunday, Sept. 14–17,
Cost: $10–$50
You don’t have to be Irish to love this festival, which features live Irish entertainment daily under six large covered stages, traditional Irish beverages, and traditional Irish food. Activities include a dance stage, shopping, a Wee Ones Area, and much more.
Details:
https://michiganirish.org/
Lakeshore Harvest Ride
Schultz Park, 301 Riverview Drive Drive, Douglas
OR
North Shore Elementary School, 7320 North Shore Drive, South Haven
Saturday, Sept. 16, registration 8 a.m., ride 10 a.m.
Cost: $27.50–$55
Welcome to the one Michigan bike tour that lets you see, touch, smell, and taste the riches of this breathtaking region. The ride, which begins in either Douglas or South Haven, glides you through the rolling countryside of Southwest Michigan. Visit wineries, cider mills, family farms, orchards, and art studios along the way. Bike routes range from 15 to 62 miles in length.
Details:
https://www.lhride.com/
Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium, 1 N. Harbor Drive, Grand Haven
Saturday, Sept. 16, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Cost: Free to attend Fiesta; concert: $5–$30 (veterans with military ID admitted free)
The event will kick off with a parade of flags from Grand Haven Central Park to the stadium. Fiesta-goers will enjoy live music, food vendors, shopping, and dance performances. A children’s area, open from 1–6 p.m., will feature a bounce house, tie-dye shirts, yard games, and more. The event concludes with a concert featuring Billy Pulido, a DJ, and a Musical Fountain snow.
Details:
https://www.tcpuentes.org/fiesta/fiesta-2023
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Ballet Folklorico Sol Azteca performs at the 2022 Fiesta. This year’s event — featuring music, food, shopping, dance, and a children’s area — is set for Sept. 16.
Week 3 (Sept. 18-24)
A Day in Chicago — Friends of Art
Muskegon Museum of Art, 296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon
Monday, Sept. 18, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $195, reservations required
Jump on the bus and head to the Windy City for a day exploring the Art Institute of Chicago. There’s an optional walking excursion to nearby Chicago Tiffany sites. Find reservation information on the website below.
Details:
https://muskegonartmuseum.org/friends-of-art-chicago-bus-trip/
Teen Mario Kart Drop-in
Herrick District Library, 300 S. River Ave., Holland
Tuesday, Sept. 19, 6:30–8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Ages 11–18 are invited to play Mario Kart against friends, neighbors, and staff — even if you’ve never played. The library has the Switch and the screen, you bring your game face.
Details:
https://herrickdl.bibliocommons.com/events/64db72d4591918360007fa68
Wednesday Night Sailboat Races
Holland State Park, 2215 Ottawa Beach Road, Holland
Wednesday, Sept. 20, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free (state park recreation pass or day-use permit required)
Come see local sailboats battle it out on the water in the final Wednesday night race of the season hosted by Bayshore Yacht Club. Sailboats leave from the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club,
2157 South Shore Drive, to head out into the big lake for the race.
Details:
https://www.holland.org/events/wednesday-night-sailboat-races-0
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Come see local sailboats battle it out on the water in the final Wednesday night race of the season hosted by Bayshore Yacht Club.
Acoustic Songs & Stories — Marcia Ball and Tinsley Ellis
Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St., Saugatuck
Friday, Sept. 22, 7–9:30 p.m.
Cost: $25–$65
Ellis will open the program with many popular songs from his 20 albums, plus some delta blues. Ball, a five-time Grammy Award nominee, will play the piano and sing her raucous and touching original songs. Then, they will come together to perform and tell stories.
Details:
https://sc4a.org/event/marcia-ball-tinsley-ellis-songs-and-stories/
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Marcia Ball and Tinsley Ellis take the stage at Saugatuck Center for the Arts on Sept. 22 for a night of songs and stories.
Fall Vintage and Artisan Market
Pine Street Mercantile, Brass Moon Vintage, 758 Pine St., Muskegon
Saturday, Sept. 23, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free to attend
The market, featuring various vintage and artisan items, takes place along Pine Street, between Muskegon and Western Avenues.
Details:
https://www.visitmuskegon.org/fall-vintage-artisan-market/
Week 4 (Sept. 25–Oct. 1)
Preschool Storytime
Herrick North Branch, 155 Riley St., Holland
Wednesday, Sept. 27, 9:30–10 a.m.
Children birth to age 5 (with a caregiver) are invited to explore early literacy skills with stories, singing, and other activities.
Details:
https://herrickdl.bibliocommons.com/events/64db855b11c6b62f00d0472f
Toddler Storytime
Herrick District Library, 300 S. River Ave., Holland
Wednesday, Sept. 27, 9:30–10 a.m.
Children 18 months to age 3 are invited to explore early literacy skills with finger plays, singing, and other activities.
Details:
https://herrickdl.bibliocommons.com/events/64db85d99830b62800787c2d
Veterans Resource Deployment Job Fair and Stand Down
Muskegon Community College Student Center, 1903 Marquette Ave., Muskegon
Wednesday, Sept. 27, noon to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Bring your resume and dress for possible interviews at this annual event. Get assistance in obtaining your DD214. Food, clothing, haircuts, and hygiene supplies will be available for free while supplies last. In attendance will be representatives of service groups, including DAV, VFW, equine therapy, service dogs, financial assistance, legal aid, health care, and more.
Details:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/323761792963327
94th Michigan Contemporary Art Exhibition Opening Reception
Muskegon Museum of Art, 296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon
Thursday, Sept. 28, 5–8 p.m.
Cost: Free with museum admission
The Michigan Contemporary showcases the talents of Michigan artists, from talented beginners to accomplished professionals. Media featured in this competitive show include painting, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, and installation.
Details:
https://muskegonartmuseum.org/94th-michigan-contemporary-reception/
‘Not Biologically Dutch’ — Comedian Tracy DeGraaf
Park Theatre, 248 S. River Ave., Holland
Thursday, Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $15 general admission, $25 VIP preferred seating
In this 18-and-older show, comedian and author Tracy DeGraaf, who is Irish and Spanish, describes how it came as a big surprise when she married her Dutch husband. “The differences in our cultures have been hilarious.” Her comedy has been a big hit with Reformed Churches across the country.
Details:
https://parktheatreholland.ludus.com/id=200439536
Aretha: A Tribute
Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon
Friday, Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $19–$68
Broadway diva Capathia Jenkins lights up the Frauenthal with all of your favorite Aretha Franklin hits, including “Respect,” “A Natural Woman,” “Chain of Fools,” and many more.
Details:
https://www.visitmuskegon.org/aretha-a-tribute/
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Broadway performer Capathia Jenkins brings her salute to the Queen of Soul for one night on Sept. 29.
Waypost Brewing Company Lager Fest
Waypost Brewing, 1630 Blue Star Highway, Fennville
Saturday, Sept. 30, noon to 9 p.m.
Cost: $25 in advance
This celebration is dedicated to lager. Festivities include a lineup of live music from 2–7 p.m., stein-holding contests, barrel roll races, and hot poked beers. Tastebudz food truck will be onsite all day.
Details:
https://www.waypostbeer.com/events/2023/lagerfest
International Festival of Holland
Holland Civic Center Place, 150 W. Eighth St., Holland.
Saturday, Sept. 30, 2–7 p.m.
Cost: Free to attend
Travel the world and celebrate the cultures living, working, and playing in West Michigan in a fun, free, family-oriented way. Festival activities include live music and dance performances, vendors selling everything from Ethiopian food to South American baskets, and children’s art stations.
Details:
https://www.internationalfestivalholland.com/
Holland Symphony Orchestra — ‘The Planets’
Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts at Hope College 221 Columbia Ave., Holland
Saturday, Sept. 30, 7:30–9:30 p.m.
Cost: $28
The concert will feature the magnificent and powerful works “The Planets,” by Holst, and Beethoven's "Emperor" Concerto. The HSO will be joined by pianist Alon Goldstein.
Details:
https://hollandsymphony.org/events/the-planets/
Need suggestions for specific destinations or activities, check out these tourism resources for details:
Holland Area Visitors Bureau
Grand Haven CVB
Ottawa County Parks & Recreation
Saugatuck CVB
Allegan County Parks & Recreation