Save the Date for these Annual Festivals and Events in South Haven

Let's give a warm WELCOME BACK to the fantastic annual festivals and events hosted in South Haven, Michigan.

Our quaint beach town will be alive with fun happenings all year long. Here's a calendar that you can look forward to, so make sure to plan ahead for your summer vacation or fall getaway. It's going to be a fun-filled year!

May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
February 2023

For even more events, be sure to visit our event page and see what's happening during your visiting dates.

May

South Haven Steelheaders Pro Am | 13-15

This is the community event that signals the start of the boating season in South Haven! For almost 40 years, the weekend after Mother’s Day, the best salmon and trout fishermen on Lake Michigan converge in South Haven. If you're not participating in the fishing, make sure to stop by the Black River channel and watch the fisherman come to port while holding up their trophy fish!

Blessing of the Fleet & Summer Kick-Off | 27

Join the Michigan Maritime Museum for a celebration of the 2022 summer season. Festivities begin with their annual Blessing of the Fleet where tall ship Friends Good Will, Museum vessels, and other South Haven harbor boats are part of a ceremony for a safe and successful season. The Blessing is followed by the summer kick-off celebration with craft beer and a fish fry from the most picturesque location in the heart of South Haven's Maritime District.

June

South Haven Festival of Cars | 11

Come to downtown South Haven for this annual event of many, many vehicles to view and converse with their owners. This is a great community event that brings people of all ages together who share a common interest to bond and create friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

South Haven HarborFest | 17-18

Join us for the 29th annual festival filled with live music, dragon boat races, fair food, rides, games, shows, and crafts.

Antique & Classic Boat Show | 18

The Michigan Maritime Museum presents the 41st Antique & Classic Boat Show in South Haven. This event celebrates all kinds of antique and classic small craft from powerboats to paddle boats. Woodworkers and collectors alike will show their boats, demonstrations on boat building techniques will be featured, and toy boat building will be available for kids. Fun for the whole family!

MerFest International | 24-26

MerFest International is the new Mermaid MegaFest located at Lake Arvesta Farms in South Haven, MI. This event will encompass all the principles of MegaFest but expand into further entertainment with live Bands, mermaid tanks, water park fun, exciting nighttime aerial and water performances and so much more!

July

South Haven Art Fair | 2-3

Gather at Stanley Johnston Park to enjoy painting, drawing, sculpture, glass, ceramics, wood, jewelry, fiber art, and more!

Light Up the Lake Fireworks | 3

Yes, they're back!

Fourth of July Parade | 4

A South Haven tradition for almost two centuries! Gather on the downtown streets and watch all the fun.

Garden Walk | 9

The South Haven Garden Club is once again hosting its annual Garden Walk, beginning at the Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum where you will receive the map for the garden locations. You'll be able to tour unique gardens, browse handcrafted boutiques and treasure barn, and you'll have the opportunity to take home annual and perennial plants.

Fish Boil Fundraiser | 9

Enjoy a delicious Great Lake Fish Boil dinner at the Michigan Maritime Museum. This annual event is a fundraiser for the Museum where local organizations and businesses come together to donate everything from the food to tablecloths. 100% of the proceeds help the Museum! Don't miss out on this delicious summer meal with a great view of the harbor!

August

National Blueberry Festival | 11-14

The National Blueberry Festival has been held in South Haven, Michigan, since 1963! It is always held on the second weekend in August, and includes free concerts, a parade, kids activities, blueberry pancake breakfasts, pie-eating contests, and much more!

Salute to Veterans and First Responders | 19-20

Bring your flags, cameras, noisemakers, and a patriotic spirit for the annual boat parade on Saturday, and enjoy a free Veteran's Service on Friday at the historic Masonic Lodge.

September

All Crafts Fair | 3-4

The All Crafts Fair will be held in beautiful Stanley Johnston Park. Over 150 unique craft vendors will be selling their hand-made items! Come shop the beautiful art, crafts, jewelry and delicious food!

Antique Engine and Tractor Show | 8-11

One of the largest shows of its kind in the state, the Antique Engine and Tractor Show features hundreds of old farm machinery, demonstrations, parades, live entertainment, plenty of kids activities and more. All four days are filled with things to see and do for the entire family. You can munch on an ear of buttery sweet corn cooked in an old steam engine, watch tractor pulls, try your hand at the Flywheel Toss or sit down in the Stephenson Barn and listen to musicians play during the Moore’s Jam Session.

Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival | 9-11

The festival offers something for everyone including tastings and tours for wine enthusiasts; a 5k, grape stomping competition, kayak race, and other contests for the active members of your family; four stages of entertainment for music-lovers; and carnival rides, fireworks, and the parade for all ages, all in beautiful Paw Paw, Michigan.

South Haven Jazz Festival | 16-17

Gather in Dyckman Park for live music during this two-day festival full of cool beats and different types of jazz.

Lakeshore Harvest Ride | 17

Welcome to the one Michigan bike tour that lets you see, touch, smell and taste the riches of this breathtaking region. The Lakeshore Harvest Ride glides you through the rolling countryside of Southwest Michigan. You can visit wineries, cider mills, family farms, orchards and art studios along the way. And there are individual bike routes for every rider, ranging from 15 to 62 miles in length.

October

Blue Coast Artists Fall Tour | 1-2

An annual West Michigan event; take in the autumn color while touring 9 studios between South Haven and Saugatuck. Each site will feature original artwork, refreshments and most artists will offer demonstrations.

Cranberry Harvest Day | 8

Take a hay ride to our cranberry bogs where you can watch us harvest a sea of red, ripe cranberries. Fun for the whole family!

Shop our farm market for fresh cranberries and baked goods!

Halloween Festivities | 28-31

Fall festivals, carnivals, trick-or-treating, and even more fun is expected during Halloween weekend. Keep an eye out for the headless horseman while you're strolling around town, it's a sight to see!

November

Women's Shop 'Til You Drop Saturday | 12

Ladies, it's time to start planning your annual shopping trip! Join us on Saturday, November 12th from 10-6 for "Women's Shop 'Til You Drop Saturday." Over 25 stores and restaurants will be participating and many will have in-store specials, food, and of course fun activities for you and your gal pals to enjoy.

Holiday in the Park | 25

Kick off the holiday season with the community of South Haven at Holiday in the Park! Traditional activities include the Santa Paws Pet Parade, pictures with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves, ice skating, campfires and smores, hot chocolate and coffee, luminaries, plus holiday lighting throughout our downtown - all with holiday music playing in the background.

December

New Year's Eve Celebration | 31

Ring in the New Year in South Haven where we close our streets, drop 1,000 beach balls from the city center, and dazzle you with fireworks at midnight! We have lodging opportunities where you can stay, play, and be safe during a night of celebration for the whole family!

February 2023

Ice Breaker | 3-5

Winter fun for the whole family! Ice sculptures, chili cook-off, curling lessons, Break the Ice 5K, cardboard sled race, ice skating, frozen fish fling, pub slide, horse-drawn wagon rides, and more.

Only in South Haven

Amanda Owens

Author

Amanda Owens

Related Content: