As crisp autumn air sweeps across Lake Superior, September brings a magical shift to Cook County. The hillsides begin to flash with golden birch and brilliant red maples, setting the stage for a month rich in local art, history, and wilderness adventures. Whether you're listening to live music by the water, sampling homemade pie on a historic lawn, or cheering on trail runners beneath a canopy of fall color, September invites you to savor the season.
Rising Arrowhead Artist Exhibition: September Opening Reception
September 11 | Grand Marais
If you want to experience the creative heart of the North Shore, step inside the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery for the opening reception of the Rising Arrowhead Artist Exhibition. Running throughout September, this special showcase celebrates the vibrant talent of emerging artists across our region. The highlight of the exhibition is the September 11th opening reception, where you can meet featured artists Sue Rauschenfels and Emily Wick, sip on refreshments, and enjoy live music as you mingle with local art lovers.
Housed in a historic log building right in downtown Grand Marais, the gallery offers a warm, welcoming space to admire diverse works, from striking local landscapes to intricate mixed-media pieces. It’s an easygoing evening that highlights the incredible artistic spirit defining Cook County, making it the perfect fall gathering for locals and visitors alike.
Old-Fashioned Pie & Ice Cream Social
September 12 | Grand Marais
Nothing captures small-town autumn charm quite like a slice of homemade pie shared with neighbors on a September afternoon. Hosted by the Cook County Historical Society, the annual Old-Fashioned Pie & Ice Cream Social gathers the community on the lawn of the historic Chippewa City Church.
It’s a wonderfully nostalgic afternoon where you can tuck into generous slices of locally baked pie topped with a scoop of ice cream, all while enjoying live music floating through the fall air. Between bites, take time to tour the beautifully restored 1895 church and stroll the grounds. Simple, sweet, and steeped in local heritage, this cozy gathering is a classic North Shore tradition that feels like stepping back into a gentler time.
Plein Air Grand Marais: Competition Week
September 11–18 | Grand Marais & Cook County
Every September, the natural beauty of the North Shore becomes both canvas and studio during Plein Air Grand Marais. Organized by the Outdoor Painters of Minnesota and the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery, this week-long event brings dozens of artists outdoors to capture the shifting autumn light in real time.
Wandering through town or along the rocky shoreline, you'll spot painters with easels set up by harbor breakwalls and forest trails, offering a rare look at masterpieces taking shape in the open air. The energy reaches a peak during the fast-paced Quick Paint competition, where artists race the clock to complete a painting in just two hours right downtown. Enjoy admiring the creative spirit scattered across the landscape, as Plein Air brings an unforgettable magic to Grand Marais.
Plein Air Grand Marais: Gallery Exhibition & Opening Reception
September 18 – November 8 | Grand Marais
After a week of intense outdoor painting, the creative energy transitions indoors for the Plein Air Gallery Exhibition at the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery. The excitement kicks off on Friday evening, September 18th, with an opening reception where artists and art lovers gather to reveal the freshly completed, competition-ready masterpieces.
Browsing the gallery walls, you’ll see the North Shore’s harbors, forests, and Lake Superior shorelines preserved through dozens of distinct, artistic perspectives. It’s an evening filled with warm conversation and the thrilling opportunity to purchase a one-of-a-kind painting before the exhibition closes in November. If you followed the painters throughout the week or are just stopping in for a dose of autumn culture, the reception is a heartwarming celebration of the talent, landscape, and community spirit that make Grand Marais so special.
Superior Fall Trail Races
September 11–12 | Lutsen
For ultra-runners and wilderness lovers, the Superior Fall Trail Races are the ultimate test of grit and beauty along the North Shore. Set against the fiery backdrop of peak autumn color, this legendary event draws athletes from across the country to tackle rugged sections of the Superior Hiking Trail.
With 100-mile, 50-mile, and 26.2-mile marathon options, the point-to-point courses wind through deep boreal forests, over rocky ridges, and across wooden footbridges, offering breathtaking overlooks of Lake Superior and the Sawtooth Mountains. The atmosphere at the Caribou Highlands finish line in Lutsen is electric—a warm, high-energy homecoming where tired runners are greeted with roaring cheers, cowbells, and quintessential Northwoods camaraderie. Join us in lacing up your shoes to push your limits or standing along the trail to cheer on these tough-as-nails athletes. It’s an inspiring, unforgettable autumn weekend in the woods.
Art Along the Lake: Fall Studio Tour
September 25 – October 4 | Cook County
There’s no better way to take in the peak fall foliage than on a self-guided creative road trip along the North Shore. For ten days, the Art Along the Lake Fall Studio Tour invites visitors into the private working studios and home galleries of dozens of local artists scattered along the shore and tucked into the woods.
Following the map from Tofte to Grand Marais and up the Gunflint and Grand Portage trails, you’ll meet painters, potters, woodworkers, jewelers, and glassblowers right where the magic happens. It’s an intimate, relaxed way to chat with makers about their processes, watch live craft demonstrations, and purchase unique, handcrafted treasures. With fiery autumn leaves framing the drive and Lake Superior sparkling in the distance, this cozy tour is an autumn celebration of local art, scenic backroads, and small-town warmth.
Unplugged at North House Folk School
September 17–19 | Grand Marais
Gather along the harbor for Unplugged, the signature autumn celebration at North House Folk School. Designed to honor traditional craft, community, and great music, this cozy, multi-day gathering invites everyone to slow down and embrace the rhythm of a North Shore autumn.
The event features an incredible lineup of evening acoustic concerts, where renowned musicians take the stage under the harbor tent for intimate, story-rich performances. By day, the campus comes alive with craft demonstrations, hands-on folk school workshops, an artisan marketplace, and delicious local food. One of the highlights is the Points of Departure Folk Art Auction, offering unique handcrafted items made by talented instructors and alumni. Whether you come for the tunes, the woodworking, or simply a warm bite by the lake, Unplugged is a heartwarming, timeless tradition that celebrates the simple joy of gathering together.
From quiet moments in cozy harbor galleries to the high-energy spirit of fall trail races, September on the North Shore is all about connection, community, and creativity. As you pack up your favorite sweater and head home with memories of crisp lake breezes, remember that the quiet beauty of Cook County autumn is always waiting to welcome you back.
Browse the full events calendar and start planning: VisitCookCounty.com/Events
