As summer quietly slips into fall, there’s no better place to welcome crisp air, falling leaves, and the joy of music, craft, and community than Grand Marais, Minnesota. Each year right as the area welcomes peak fall colors North House Folk School’s Unplugged, a much anticipated music festival, fills the Grand Marais Harbor with music, laughter, and community togetherness right in the Grand Marais Harbor.

A Weekend of Music and Events on the Harbor

Usually landing on the 4th weekend of September, North House Folk School’s Unplugged spans two days of events, free and ticketed, blending artistic traditions, family moments, and a signature fundraiser under open skies. Unplugged typically kicks off 5 PM on Friday night with local food vendors, craft demonstrations, and the Folk Artisan Marketplace. Check out this year’s lineup and schedule on the North House website. Then, bring your lawn chair or blanket to the Commons to enjoy the live music. Friday night tends to feature more relaxing, family-friendly music to kick off the weekend. It’s a laid‑back kickoff, perfect for connecting with neighbors or soaking in Lake Superior’s evening glow.

On Saturday morning, Unplugged offers family‑friendly fun: hands‑on crafts, storytelling, community speakers, and more. Recent years have even seen an early‐morning ice cream treat from Superior Creamery to sweeten the day. As the afternoon flows into the evening on Saturday, the real celebration begins. The main even open around 5 PM. The evening includes: folk artisan marketplace, wood‑fired eats and smoked fish, beverages from local breweries and wineries, live craft demonstrations (including blacksmithing), a live auction, delicious locally made desserts, and of course, plenty of live music.

New Ideas, Deep Roots

Photo Courtesy of North House Folk School

2025 brought some changes to the traditional festival that past attendees will notice right away. Gone is the large tent that was once erected in the middle of the school. This year is the way North House is leaning into its campus and its setting by Lake Superior. The school is using its harbor side location to bring people together in more open, accessible, and atmospheric ways. The festival will now kick off on Friday with a free community night. They are moving all paid events to Saturday in order to make the festival more accessible for families.

What is not changing is the feeling of community and a deep rooted connection to folk arts that North House Folk School is known for. There will be featured international craft instructors who bring them their cultural connections to natural materials and heritage techniques. Their presence brings global tradition into conversation with regional craft.

Why You Should Attend North House Folk School’s Unplugged

  • For the music: From folk and storytelling to shared songs by the fire, the lineup is intimate but powerful.

  • For the scenery: Grand Marais on Lake Superior is the scenery, and North House makes that scenery part of the experience, embracing harbor breezes, lapping waves, changing skies, and beautiful fall colors.

  • For the makers & learners: If you love handmade art, traditional craft, or just being around people who still make things with their hands, this is a gathering that will help you reconnect with neighbors and connect to new cultures and arts.

  • For community & giving back: The Birch Bark Bash on Saturday evening supports the mission of the Folk School. From education to craft to heritage to creating an accessible space for all. Every ticket, every bid in the auction, every meal eaten down on the harbor supports future programs, scholarships, and courses.

Experience it Yourself

Visit the North House Folk School website to find information on this year’s Unplugged. Some events are free, others will require a ticket to attend. Unplugged is North House Folk School’s largest fundraiser so also bring your wallet and an open mind to trying new things, learning about new performing artists, and maybe try your hand at a new craft. The festival is held in the commons of North House Folk School on the Grand Marais Harbor in downtown Grand Marais, Minnesota.

Want to stay close to the action? Cascade Vacation Rentals has a wide offering of homes in Grand Marais, with several located within easy walking distance to the North House Folk School, including the Harbor Hideaway, a cozy studio rental located across the street from the school.