BENTON HARBOR — Tom Majerek is especially busy in the summer months, booking musical acts for the Niles Bluegrass Festival, the summer concert series and Riverfest.

But once the air turns cold, Majerek’s music festivals usually go into hibernation.

Not this year.

He has three planned for the next two months, the first taking place at the Majerek’s Readers World Benton Harbor location this weekend.

The festival takes place Friday through Sunday at the store, located in the Orchards Mall, 1800 Pipestone Rd., Benton Harbor.

Majerek, the owner of Majerek’s Gift Shop in Niles and three bookstores, has wanted to bring a winter music festival to the Benton Harbor store since it opened in the 1980s.

“In the winter, there’s nothing to do,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about doing it since I started working there.”

Majerek didn’t want it to be a concert, where people buy tickets and sit down for two hours to watch the performances.

“We have so many malls in this area. It’s a nice open space to open up to the community,” he said.

Seven bands and artists, ranging from rock to bluegrass and country, will perform acoustic sets throughout the festival.

Majerek is most excited about Hey Annie, a rock band that will play a stripped down acoustic show Friday night.

He also is looking forward to the Lost Road Ramblers, a bluegrass band that he has booked in Niles in the past.

“They have a really good sound, and their choice of songs is all over the place, which I appreciate,” Majerek said.

The next undertaking for Majerek will be the Marquette Mall Music Festival at the Majerek’s Readers World Michigan City location Dec. 3-5.

Then Dec. 11, Majerek has Downtown Sounds planned, where various downtown Niles businesses will host musical acts throughout the day.

Majerek hopes the event encourages people to patronize local businesses during the holiday shopping season.

“The idea is people can just sit in a store or restaurant and listen to music for 20 or 30 minutes between shopping spurts,” he said.

It’s an event that he started last year with little participation from downtown businesses, but he is hoping for more success this year.

“It’s a reason to get out of the house and celebrate life,” Majerek said. “People get caught up in watching TV and going to work. They don’t take a moment to go out and enjoy the day.”

All three festivals are free.