Events in St. Joseph, MI

The Benton Harbor Farmers Market returns to downtown with fresh produce, handmade goods, and a welcoming community atmosphere. Taking place each Wednesday at Dwight P. Mitchell City Center Park, the market brings together local vendors and neighbors to shop, connect, and enjoy the season week after week. Residents and visitors are welcome to explore what the market offers throughout the season and support local vendors in the heart of the city.

Hosted at The Box Factory, this open mic welcomes musicians, poets, writers, comedians, and other performers. Stage time is offered in 10 minute slots with in person signups required, and there is no charge to perform. Fred Story and Larry Zenk host the evening, keeping the program flowing and occasionally joining in for a jam when time allows. Listeners can enjoy a casual showcase of local talent, with a $5 donation requested at the door.

A new trivia night brings Tivium to The Livery, a quiz played at bars, breweries, and venues across the United States and around the globe. Each game features four rounds with ten questions per round. Questions appear on a large screen and are read aloud by a host, with Livery staff rotating as hosts to keep the experience fresh. It is free to participate, and top teams earn Livery gift cards, with $15 for first place, $10 for second, and $5 for third. All experience levels are welcome, and you can play solo or with a group of any size. Enjoy craft brews and scratch-made food while you compete. This game has appeared at venues from Montana to locations worldwide, and now it comes to Benton Harbor.

Complimentary live music sets the tone at Red Top Winery & Cidery. Settle into a seat on the scenic back patio, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, and sip distinctive wines and crisp ciders. It is a laid back way to unwind with refreshing drinks, fresh air, and lively tunes.

Get ready to belt out favorite tunes at Karaoke Night. Each month a different SideYard team member or customer steps in as host and adds a unique twist to the fun. Friday drink specials feature $2 Local's Light, $4 PBR plus a bump, and $6 G + T's.

The weekly St. Joe Farmers Market features vendors with baked treats, locally grown fruits and vegetables, perennials and fresh-cut flowers, meats and cheeses, coffee, and other selections. Set in Lake Bluff Park with views of Lake Michigan, it offers a scenic spot to shop and stroll. During the Krasl Art Fair, the market will operate with special hours.

Experience a showcase of trucks, tractors, and other large equipment with treats to enjoy. There is no cost to attend. Food will be available from food trucks. For more information or to sign up a vehicle, email v.voyagers@yahoo.com. Vendors are not charged a fee.

Enjoy free live music at Red Top Winery & Cidery on the back patio. Settle in, take in the atmosphere, and sip a selection of daringly different wines and ciders. Fresh air and live tunes come together for a laid-back way to unwind.

Running from Mother’s Day to mid-October, this weekly open air market gathers local vendors in a lively setting rich with community spirit. Visitors can explore seasonal foods and handcrafted goods, meet the people who make them, and enjoy the neighborhood energy. It welcomes shoppers and browsers alike, and even those curious about becoming vendors. The focus is on shopping local, supporting local, and helping the community grow.

Explore vintage and antique discoveries as sellers set up throughout Lake Bluff Park, with views of Lake Michigan. This market features more than 50 vendors and takes place on the first Sunday of each month from May through October, happening in all weather. Prospective vendors can find details on the Vendor Information page.

Enjoy a free live music performance from Shane Lindeman at Red Top Winery & Cidery. Settle into a seat on the back patio, take in the easygoing atmosphere, and savor distinctive wines and ciders while the music plays. Fresh air and live tunes make for a relaxing break.

Animal Aid of Southwestern Michigan will be at FuzzyButz Pet Bakery with adoptable cats and kittens. Spend some time meeting and cuddling the felines, and see if one feels like the perfect match for your home. Adoption applications are available.

The Speak Of Love Tour comes to the Howard Performing Arts Center with David Phelps, a vocalist widely recognized for extraordinary power and a range that spans more than three octaves. Known for conveying songs with uncommon warmth and clarity, he has earned ovations on many of the world’s most respected stages. With multiple Dove and Grammy honors and several platinum-selling recordings, this performance showcases both dazzling technique and heartfelt storytelling.

Test your music memory at American Legion Post 105 in Benton Harbor with a fast-paced game that offers eight chances to win. Participants listen to brief song clips, identify each tune, mark it on their playing sheet, and try to be the first to complete the required sequence. The action unfolds across eight rounds, with up to 60 songs per round, filling the room with a wide range of music and lively, friendly competition.

This event features live music.

Fish Fry Friday highlights generous portions of walleye, a crowd favorite. The menu features a fish dinner for $9 and a shrimp dinner for $15, with the option for double shrimp at $25. Walleye dinners are $15, and a double walleye dinner is $25.

Safely dispose of unwanted car and small truck tires at a scrap tire collection held at the Berrien County Road Department. Berrien County residents are eligible to participate, and businesses are not permitted. Fees are $1 per car or small truck tire, or $2 per tire if it is still on the rim, with payment by cash or check only. Collection will stop once trailers are filled, even if vehicles are already in line. No early drop offs are allowed. Have cash or check ready, transport no more than 10 tires per vehicle, and note that large or oversized tires are not accepted.

LECO’s annual Fit 4 Fall 5K Run/Walk brings a family friendly community race to St. Joseph, Michigan. A chip start is staged in front of Silver Beach County Park. The event raises funds that are shared among three nonprofits, Caring Circle, Convoy of Hope, and the LOGAN Autism Learning Center of Southwest Michigan. Attendees can explore a silent auction offering a variety of items donated by local businesses. After the finish, awards recognize the top three finishers in each age category and honor the overall fastest runner and walker. Last year the effort generated more than $30,000 for the chosen charities, drew over 450 registered racers and nearly 100 volunteers, and received support from businesses across Berrien County.

Open to anyone with a passion for cars, this meet welcomes vehicles of all kinds. Each month a particular manufacturer and model featured on the event cover photo is spotlighted, and owners with matching cars are especially encouraged to bring them and show their pride. Spectators who are not bringing a display vehicle should park in the Biggby and Zoup lot. Burnouts and engine revving in the parking area are not allowed and may lead to immediate removal from the group.

Celebrate National I Love Yarn Day with a gathering that features a prize drawing, boutique discounts on yarn and other items, and refreshments. Guests can bring a favorite art or craft project and spend time creating alongside others. The open creative space welcomes knitters, crocheters, spinners, scrapbookers, painters, quilters, woodworkers, felters, jewelry makers, and more. This creative group meets on the second Saturday of each month, providing a chance to share projects and ideas.

Drop off scrap car and small truck tires at the Berrien County Road Department during this collection. Participation is limited to Berrien County residents and is not available to businesses. The fee is $1 per tire, or $2 if the tire remains on its rim, with payment accepted by cash or check. Collection will conclude once the trailers are full, even for those waiting in line. Please note that early drop-offs are not allowed, have cash or check ready, no more than 10 tires may be transported per vehicle under legal limits, and large or oversized tires cannot be accepted.

Outta the Ashes presents a live and silent auction featuring rare antiques and vintage pieces, with bidding led by auctioneer Dan McCrery Jr. of Tosi’s Restaurant. The evening is centered on community, purpose, and discovery. Ten percent of proceeds will support Veteran Roasters, a company dedicated to helping homeless and at risk veterans rebuild their lives.

This even month session of the Monthly Bee Meeting follows the new schedule of third Thursdays. The gathering is held at the Andreason Wellness Center on the Andrews University campus in Berrien Springs, part of the series that meets there in April, June, August, October and December. Attendees are welcome to bring questions and invite a friend.

American Legion Post 331 hosts an open-to-the-public burger night featuring freshly grilled burgers with crispy fries or onion rings. Families and friends are welcome to enjoy dinner together while showing support for American Legion Auxiliary Unit 331.

Stover's U-Pick Farm hosts a Harvest Festival featuring 30 artisan vendors, an assortment of food trucks, a chili cook-off, and live music from Aaron Conley. This family friendly gathering offers farm fun for kids and plenty of opportunities to shop from local makers.

Explore the St. Joe Lighthouse during a free admission day filled with seasonal fun. Volunteers will share stories from the maritime history of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor as you browse the first-floor exhibits. Those who make the climb can take in a sweeping, spooky view from the top. The lighthouse will be decorated for the occasion, and volunteers will be in costume. Visitors are welcome to wear costumes too. This event is part of Downtown Spooktacular.

Downtown St. Joe transforms into a Halloween playground with activities for all ages, from hayrides and a festive artisan market to a pumpkin patch, magic shows, a community costume parade, a live pumpkin carving showcase, lighthouse tours, a hay maze, a spooky trolley, and seasonal décor throughout the district. At the Spooktacular Market, browse outdoor booths filled with Halloween-themed artisan goods. Pick a pumpkin at the patch, then get creative at the decorating station, limited to one pumpkin per person while supplies last. Watch a professional carver turn pumpkins into seasonal works of art. Magician John Dudley presents free 30 minute shows that bring a little wonder to the day. The costume parade welcomes participants in family friendly attire to take a short stroll through downtown at no cost. The St. Joe Lighthouse opens for complimentary tours, where volunteers highlight the maritime heritage of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. Explore exhibits on the main level and, if you wish, climb to the top for a wide view. The lighthouse is decked out for the season and volunteers will be in costume, with guest costumes encouraged as well. Continue the fun with a hay maze, a spooky trolley ride, and short hayrides through the heart of town. The Where’s the Witch scavenger hunt hides a witch in 13 downtown locations, and the adventure begins by picking up a passport from the St. Joe Today Welcome Center. In the week leading up to the celebration, downtown trees glow with orange and purple lights that remain on through Halloween, supported by AEP/Cook Nuclear. Participating businesses in the downtown Social District serve Halloween-themed drink specials to add a festive touch to the outing.

Exchange greenery at a plant swap where participants bring potted plants or cuttings to share. The gathering features two sections. One table is set aside for negotiating trades, and another follows a take a plant, leave a plant format.

Celebrate the Halloween spirit with a short costume parade through Downtown St. Joe. Participants are encouraged to dress up and take part in the fun. There is no cost to participate, and all costumes must be family friendly. This parade is part of Downtown Spooktacular.

At Peat's Cider Social, J&J Acoustic features Jamie Warren and Jeff Spicher performing as a duo with twin acoustic guitars and layered vocal harmonies. Their song list stretches from the classic sounds of Seals & Crofts to current hits by Dua Lipa, offering a broad mix presented in an all-acoustic style. Both musicians bring more than twenty five years of experience performing locally and regionally, which shapes a set that spans many genres. Jamie Warren also runs Warren Guitar Lessons in Mishawaka, Indiana and studied at Musicians Institute in Los Angeles. Jeff Spicher has taught guitar at Hoosier-Dads Music and Home-Run Music in Mishawaka, recorded several albums, and contributed soundtrack music for independent film director Donald Corthier. Together, they draw on their backgrounds to keep the music varied and engaging for listeners.

Businesses and restaurants across Southwest Michigan will showcase decorated pumpkins throughout the event period. Visit participating locations to admire the displays and cast a vote for your favorite. Voting will be available online, and the top three winners will be announced at the conclusion. A full list of participating locations will be shared once confirmed.

An annual fall market at the Berrien Springs Fairgrounds brings together local vendors offering handmade creations, boutique fashion, home décor, gifts, food, and more. Admission is $5 per person, and children 11 and younger are admitted free. Activities take place both indoors and outdoors for easy browsing. Vendors interested in participating can still secure one of the final two spaces. For details or to apply, texting 213-218-5017 is preferred, or email vfapply@gmail.com.

Marking three decades of impact in the Berrien County arts community, CMW is hosting a first-ever celebration to support its productions and programs. As the county’s only musical theatre organization for young people ages 6 to 20, CMW will showcase the talents its participants develop through live performances. Guests can take part in silent and live auctions featuring items and experiences contributed by community partners. All proceeds advance CMW’s mission to help children build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and nurture a sense of self-worth through musical theatre.

Settle in for a relaxed hangout featuring country favorites from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. Enjoy a laid back vibe and a selection of hits that bring back plenty of nostalgia.

Trick-or-treaters are invited to explore the Benton Harbor Arts District and Downtown St. Joe as local merchants celebrate the season with treats and a festive atmosphere. A list of participating businesses in both areas will be announced. For more community participants, check with the BHDDA at the Benton Harbor Welcome Center.

Explore color and texture in a hands-on fiber art workshop with Anna of Banana Knots at JLN Studio. Work from a curated selection of yarns and materials to create a one-of-a-kind piece, whether that is a whimsical wall hanging, an abstract design, or something with a boho feel. Suitable for beginners and ages 12 and older. The cost is $37 to $40, and all supplies are provided. You are welcome to bring personal materials to incorporate. Bring your own canvas, used or new, or a picture frame no larger than 8x10 to receive $3 off. For inspiration, browse Pinterest or Instagram using terms like yarn painting, fiber canvas, fiber drawing, or fiber painting. Capacity is limited, and participants may bring food and beverages. Registration fees are nonrefundable unless JLN Studio or Banana Knots cancels, in which case a full refund or studio credit is available.

A restorative weekend centered on daily yoga classes and workshops, with all meals and snacks prepared for participants. Set amid 350 wooded acres in Michigan with private access to Lake Sherwood at Ronora Lodge and Retreat Center, the retreat emphasizes connecting with others and cultivating a deeper connection within. Accommodations are in the Cherrywood House, and classes are held in the Chadwick Hall event space. Time is set aside for bonding with fellow yoga practitioners, relaxing, and recharging.

This annual Holiday Arts & Crafts show brings together artists and vendors from across southwest Michigan and northwest Indiana, offering a wide selection of arts and crafts for holiday gifting. Additional details will be shared as the event approaches.

St. Joe Today is rolling out a daily giveaway called Countdown to New Year. For every $25 spent at a St. Joe Today member business, whether in a single transaction or combined across multiple purchases, one entry is earned. Purchases must be made at member locations within the official entry window. To receive an entry form, present receipt or receipts to SJT staff at the Welcome Center. A directory of SJT member businesses is available from St. Joe Today to help locate where purchases qualify.

Kick off the holiday season in downtown St. Joe with Luminary, a festive stroll illuminated by glowing luminarias that guide the way through local shops, eateries, and gathering spots. Participating businesses invite visitors to browse, sip, and savor while enjoying the charm of this lakeside community. This celebration is supported by The Boulevard Inn & Bistro. Alongside Luminary, Countdown to New Year encourages people across Southwest Michigan to enjoy local shopping, dining, lodging, and activities for a chance to win gift cards. Shoppers and diners can submit receipts from purchases at St. Joe Today member businesses to the St. Joe Today Welcome Center, earning one entry for every $25 spent, with winners selected by St. Joe Today. A full roster of Luminary participants will be announced.

Tabletop gamers are invited to drop in for open Warhammer play at the Bridgman Public Library. Designed for ages 10 and up, this casual session offers a space to set up a game and start playing right away. Participants should bring their own game pieces, dice, markers, rule books, and any terrain needed to take part.

Southwest Michigan lights up for a festive weekend featuring longer shopping hours, seasonal activities, and promotional offers across the region. Highlights include Light up the Bluff at Lake Bluff Park with a tree lighting ceremony, the Reindog Parade in downtown St. Joseph, special hours at Santa’s House, and a Holiday Artisan Market at Union+Social. Merry & Bright Weekend programming takes place throughout the weekend across Southwest Michigan, with participating businesses to be announced.

The annual Reindog Parade celebrates the season with pets and their owners showing off imaginative holiday costumes, from canine Santas to reindeer-themed looks. The parade also marks Santa’s arrival, and after the procession children can visit Santa’s House to share their wish lists. Those who want to participate must register in advance or on the day at the Welcome Center. The entry fee is $5 per pet, with additional pets $3 each, and judging for prizes will take place outside the Welcome Center.

Holiday cheer fills downtown St. Joseph as Santa’s House sets up for the season. Look for it by the St. Joe Today Welcome Center at the corner of State and Pleasant Streets. No photography services are provided, so bring a camera to capture your own pictures. The Herald-Palladium sponsors the event.

A festive tribute to the Rat Pack brings the swing, wit, and glamour of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. to life, with a special guest turn by Marilyn Monroe. The production highlights their easy rapport and sharp comedy while wrapping everything in holiday sparkle. The atmosphere evokes a classic 1960s Copa Room at Christmastime as signature tunes like Fly Me to the Moon, That’s Amore, Mr. Bojangles, and New York, New York flow alongside seasonal favorites including Let It Snow, Jingle Bells, and White Christmas. Three tribute artists, Brian Duprey as Frank Sinatra, Joe Scalissi as Dean Martin, and Kenny Jones as Sammy Davis Jr., lead the show with support from a six-piece live band. Vintage Las Vegas energy meets the merriment of the season.

Business After Hours comes to United Way of Southwest Michigan with a cheerful focus on community impact. Presented by the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber alongside United Way board members, committee representatives, and staff, this get together offers games, door prizes, stocking stuffers, Whirlpool Appliance Sale items, and plenty of tasty food and beverages as everyone celebrates the season.

Singer songwriter Aaron James Wright brings a live set of original Americana songs to Haymarket Taproom.