Celebrate Fall 2026 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 (And Your Plate)
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 12, where everyone can enjoy food and desserts, ciders and wine, a pie-eating contest, live music, hayrides, and, of course, their fabulous corn maze.
Also on September 12, join us for Farm to Vine to Table, brought to you by the Saugatuck Center for the Arts and held at Modales Wines. The evening begins with drinks and appetizers overlooking the pollination gardens before guests gather among the vines for a family-style dinner celebrating the season’s freshest ingredients. Each course, thoughtfully prepared by Chef Mindy Trafman and paired with Modales wines, offers a delicious taste of the Art Coast’s thriving farm-to-table culture.
A few weeks later, on October 3, the Fall Harvest Dinner at Ox-Bow brings together the school’s 2026 Culinary Residents for a one-night-only feast inspired by the bounty of the season. Set amid the Ox-Bow School of Art’s beautiful campus, this collaborative dinner celebrates the intersection of food, art, and community.
Then, from November 5–7, the highly anticipated Art Coast® Food & Wine Festival debuts with three unforgettable days celebrating the region’s exceptional food and beverage scene. Celebrity chefs join acclaimed regional talent for exclusive dinners, curated tastings, live demonstrations, and immersive culinary experiences. Award-winning wineries and live entertainment round out a weekend made even more memorable by the brilliant colors of fall.
Take A Walk On The Art Side
On Saturday, September 12, 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 12, join us for Art in Douglas, a lively event featuring featuring Douglas galleries and other downtown businesses.
Visitors are invited to experience the creative process in action during the 37th Blue Coast Artists Annual Studio Tour. This free event takes place the weekend of October 3–4. See a piece of pottery form on the potter’s wheel, learn how a wood bowl is created on a lathe, wander sculpture gardens, and experience scenes 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 50th Annual Fall Gallery Stroll on October 10–11, 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
Join us October 9-11 for Fennville’s Annual Goose Festival. Featuring food, carnival rides, games, live music, a parade, a 5K run, a car show, and more, this event is sure to be fun for the entire family.
Stroll scenic Main Street in downtown Douglas and support local community groups at the annual Douglas Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 10. 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 31. 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!
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 19, October 3, and October 24 there will be Wine on the Water themed cruises.
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 12. 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 19, for the 15th Annual Lakeshore Harvest Ride. Enjoy a countryside bicycle tour, where participants can visit art studios, wineries, 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, Modales, Evergreen Lane Farm & Creamery, and Summerhouse Lavender Farm.
Join us for The Vine Wine’d at Fenn Valley Winery on Saturday, October 3, for a scenic 5K or 1-mile tour through their beautiful vineyards and surrounding farm. Celebrate the 14th 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 21. 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
Ease into the season with Jazz Brasileiro: A Tribute to A.C. Jobim on September 20 at the Saugatuck Woman’s Club. Featuring an accomplished ensemble performing bossa nova, samba, and Brazilian jazz favorites, this lively Sunday matinee provides the perfect soundtrack to an autumn afternoon.
Then, on October 16 and 17, country music fans won’t want to miss Honky Tonk Chicks at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. Featuring powerhouse vocals, dazzling choreography, and crowd favorites from Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and more, this high-energy performance transforms a tribute concert into an unforgettable boot scootin’ night of entertainment.
On November 6, experience Mandolin Brilliance with internationally acclaimed mandolinist Brian Oberlin at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. Performed in the SCA’s intimate 55-seat listening room, the program blends bluegrass, swing, classical works, and original compositions in a concert that highlights the remarkable versatility and range of the mandolin.
