Celebrate Fall 2025 Saugatuck/Douglas-Style
There’s no better place than Saugatuck/Douglas to enjoy the quintessential outdoor autumn activities like picking apples, navigating a corn maze, or hiking the dunes to see the fall colors in all their glory. But if you’re looking to add different kinds of adventures to your fall getaway, check out these special activities and events.
Fill Your Cup
If you’re in the mood for a locally crafted libation, look no further than the Saugatuck/Douglas area in the fall. Bring the whole family to the Annual Crane’s Cider Fest Celebration on Saturday, September 6, where everyone can enjoy food and desserts, ciders and wine, a pie-eating contest, live music, hayrides, and, of course, their fabulous corn maze.
On September 27-28, celebrate the harvest at Virtue Cider’s annual AppleFest. Enjoy a weekend full of live music, games, production tours, a pig roast, bonfires, and plenty of delicious food—all with free admission. It’s the perfect fall outing to toast the season and the fruit that makes Virtue’s proper farmhouse ciders so special.
Take A Walk On The Art Side
On Saturday, September 13, in Wicks Park, Saugatuck will be holding an Art in the Park event, where artwork and fine crafts from local and regional artists will be featured alongside live Americana-style music. Take a stroll through all the booths and pick up something inspiring to bring home. Also, on Saturday, September 13, join us for Art in Douglas, a lively event featuring Douglas galleries and other downtown businesses.
Visitors are invited to experience the creative process in action during the 36th Blue Coast Artists Annual Studio Tour. This free event takes place the weekend of October 4-5. See a piece of pottery form on the potter’s wheel, learn how a wood bowl is created on a lathe, watch a rock’s inner beauty appear through the lapidary craft, and experience trees coming alive through brushstrokes. These are just a few of the demonstrations that art lovers of all ages are sure to enjoy during this exciting event.
And not to be missed is the 49th Annual Fall Gallery Stroll on October 11-12, where you can wander through galleries and studios featuring local, regional, and national artists. This is your opportunity to chat with the artists, watch live demos, enjoy live music, and sample delicious bites and refreshments while expanding your artistic horizons. Explore work in various mediums, including contemporary painting, found material sculpture, hand-blown glass, and pottery. This tour is also a great time to watch the leaves change colors as you stroll the beautiful streets of Saugatuck and Douglas.
Join the Party
Stroll scenic Main Street in downtown Douglas and support local community groups at the annual Douglas Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 4. Explore vendors offering crafts, food, and unique displays that keep people returning year after year. You’ll enjoy entertainment from singers, bands, choral and dance groups, and variety shows throughout the day.
If you’ve got big ideas for this year’s Halloween costume, you won’t want to miss the annual Halloween Parade for Adults in Douglas on Saturday, October 25. Leave the kiddos with a sitter, dress up in your Halloween finery, and line up for one of the most unique parades you will ever experience. Thousands of spectators from across the country come to watch the giant parade mascot, the Pumpkin King, rise from the ashes at 10 pm to get the party started!
On Saturday, November 29, The Felt Estate will toast the 100th anniversary of The Great Gatsby—and the year the mansion’s own story began—with an unforgettable evening of Roaring Twenties glamour. Admire the estate’s holiday décor while enjoying live jazz, dancing, signature cocktails, elegant hors d’oeuvres, and a festive silent auction, all in support of historic preservation. Step back in time for a sparkling night of glitz, giving, and holiday cheer.
Don’t Miss the Boat
A boat ride is an unforgettable way to view the changing red and gold leaves dotting the shoreline. Take your fall color tour on the Star of Saugatuck paddlewheel boat, which offers cruises down the Kalamazoo River on weekends through October. Enjoy stunning views of the beautiful fall landscape on the open upper deck or the enclosed lower deck, along with an offering of fine wines, domestic beers, and signature cocktails. On Saturday, September 20, October 11, and October 25, there will be Wine on the Water themed cruises. Bourbon lovers will want to join on Saturday, October 18 for their Bourbon on the Boat themed cruise.
Get Your Heart Pumping
Join us for our annual Mt. Baldhead Challenge, the Midwest’s Ultimate Multi-Terrain Race™, which takes place this year on Saturday, September 6. Two exciting and demanding courses have been carefully designed to showcase the beautiful and diverse landscapes of the Art Coast™ of Michigan. Each course will take you through twisted tree-covered trails, forested dunes, beautiful waterfront vistas, the friendly streets of Saugatuck/Douglas, and the summit of Mt. Baldhead. The 10K+ challenge is a 7-mile course perfect for runners of all levels who want to push themselves, while the Half Marathon challenge provides 13.1 miles of adventure through the trails and dunes.
Bikers of all abilities are invited to join us on Saturday, September 13, for the 14th Annual Lakeshore Harvest Ride. Enjoy a countryside bicycle tour, where participants can visit art studios, wineries, cider mills, family farms, and fruit orchards along the way, including Khnemu Studio, Fernwood 1891, Dawn Stafford’s Peachbelt Studio, Brian J. Newton Fine Wood Turning, Fenn Valley Vineyards & Winery, Virtue Cider, and Summerhouse Lavender Farm.
Join us for The Vine Wine’d at Fenn Valley Winery on Saturday, October 4, for a scenic 5K or 1-mile tour through their beautiful vineyards and surrounding farm. Celebrate the 13th year of this annual event during the heart of the wine grape harvest, where the sights, smells, and tastes of the vineyards will envelop you. Enjoy live music, wine, cider, and food at the post-race party.
Bring your dog, kids, and friends for the Annual Turkey Trot 5K on Saturday, November 22. Dress in your tutus, turkey costumes, feathers, and onesies for a chance to win a prize for the funniest, most spirited attire!
Tap to the Beat
On September 18 and 19, tap your toes to the sounds of California Dreamin’ at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. Celebrating the Laurel Canyon music scene of the ’60s and ’70s, this concert features timeless hits from Joni Mitchell, Fleetwood Mac, The Mamas and the Papas, Carole King, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and more. SCA alumni James Scheider and Jen Brett will be taking you on a nostalgic journey through the music and stories that defined an era and still inspire today.
Then, on October 9 and 10, Motown magic returns once again to the Saugatuck Center for the Arts with The Motown Sound performed by Music That Raised Us. This performance celebrates the timeless hits and rich history of Hitsville USA and features some of Michigan’s greatest musical talents. Get ready for an unforgettable night of soulful rhythms, powerhouse vocals, and the legendary songs that defined a generation.
