Art
Art on the Mall
Kalamazoo | June 1-2
kalamazooarts.org/page/artonthemall
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair
Kalamazoo | June 1-2
kiarts.org
This annual start to summer in Kalamazoo is back for its 67th year, feauturing the work of nearly 200 jury-selected artists, music and a Bell’s beer garden filling Bronson Park.
Festival of the Arts
Grand Rapids | June 1-3
festivalgr.org
Grand Rapids’ biggest celebration of local art, music and food is one of the longest-running festivals in the state. Completely free to the public, it features six music stages, plus theater, poetry, dance and much more.
West Michigan Chalk Art Festival
Byron Center | June 15-16
wmcaf.com
Reeds Lake Arts Fest
Grand Rapids | June 16
grandvalleyartists.com/reedslake
Grand Haven Art Festival
Grand Haven | June 23-24
grandhavenchamber.org/grand-haven-art-festival
Lakeshore Art Festival
Muskegon | July 6-7
lakeshoreartfestival.org
South Haven Art Fair
South Haven | June 30-July 1
southhavenarts.org
West Shore Art Fair
Ludington | July 7-8
ludingtonartscenter.org
Sand Sculpture Contest
Grand Haven | August 11
grandhavenchamber.org/sand-sculpture-contest
Art on the Riverfront
Grand Haven | August 18
galleryuptown.net
ArtPrize
Grand Rapids | Sept. 19-Oct. 7
artprize.org
One of the biggest art events in the world, with nearly half a million visitors and more than 1,500 entries every year, ArtPrize has revolutionized art in West Michigan and is now in its 10th year. The fall event awards more than $500,000 in grants and prizes, while welcoming artists and art lovers from around the globe to our community.
Beer & Wine
Brews, BBQ and Bourbon
Grand Rapids | June 29-July 1
brewsbbqbourbongr.com
There’s a new holy trinity in town. Beer, barbecue and bourbon? Honestly, what more could you ask for. How about bands, games (lawn Jenga, cornhole, arcade basketball, etc.) and moscow mules galore? It’s all taking over Ah-Nab-Awen Park.
Hatter Days Street Party
Holland | June 9
newhollandbrew.com
New Holland Brewing is celebrating with yet another street party in downtown Holland. Expect music, food, a daredevil circus, and of course kegs and kegs of beer, including some throwback brews from years past. Admission is free!
Founders Fest
Grand Rapids | June 16
foundersbrewing.com
Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival
Sawyer | June 16
lakemichiganwinefest.com
Suds on the Shore
Ludington | August 19
sudsontheshore.com
Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival
Paw Paw | Sept. 8-10
wineandharvestfestival.com
This three-day wine fest has something for everyone, from grape stomping to fireworks, classic cars to carnival rides, and so much more.
20th Lemon Creek Winery Harvest Fest
Berrien Springs | Sept. 9
lemoncreekwinery.com
Music
Buttermilk Jamboree
Delton | June 15-17
buttermilkjamboree.org
A three-day showcase of regional musicians, Buttermilk benefits the Circle Pines Center, a nonprofit working toward peace, social justice and environmental cooperation. This year’s lineup includes such local favorites as Megan Dooley, The Accidentals, Last Gasp Collective, Mustard Plug and more, all performing across four stages, with food and libations to boot.
B-93 Birthday Bash
Lowell | June 2
b93.com
Electric Forest
Rothbury | June 21-24 June 28-July 1
electricforestfestival.com
Heralded across the country as a festival experience unlike any other, this massively popular event sprawls across two weekends. The four-day (times two) mecca for electronic music fans features the likes of Bassnectar, Marshmello, Chromeo, Cut Copy and more.
Common Ground Music Festival
Lansing | July 5-8
commongroundfest.com
Striving for diversity, Lansing’s Common Ground brings several major-label acts to the stage over four days. This year’s lineup includes Hunter Hayes, Judah & The Lion, Halsey, Logic, Gucci Mane and more.
JuneGrass Festival
Comstock Park l | June 29-June 30
wmbma.org
Hoodilidoo
Bangor | June 15-16
hoodilidoo.com
Lansing Jazzfest
Lansing | August 4-5
jazzlansing.com
Michigan Bluesfest
Lansing | Sept. 15-16
michiganbluesfest.com
KalamazooBlues Fest
Kalamazoo | July 14-16
kalamazoobluesfestival.com
D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops
Belmont | July 12-August 3
grsymphony.org
Held at Cannonsburg Ski Area on Thursdays and Fridays, this concert series by the Grand Rapids Symphony features its popular classical fireworks show, as well as Ben Folds and Beethoven vs. Coldplay.
Mo Pop
Detroit | July 28-29
mopopfestival.com
Set in Detroit’s West Riverfront Park, directly across the river from Canada, this festival brings some of the biggest names in indie, alternative and hip-hop to Michigan. This year, Bon Iver, The National, St. Vincent, Portugal. The Man and Vince Staples are playing (among many others). There’s also plenty of food, drinks and free arcade games.
Unity Christian Music Festival
Muskegon | August 8-11
unitymusicfestival.com
Hoxeyville Music Festival
Wellston | August 17-19
hoxeyville.com
Sprawling across 150 acres of farmland surrounded by Manistee National Forest, this naturally tranquil fest in Northern Michigan boasts some of the best roots music around, including Dawes, Billy Strings, Luke Winslow-King, Leftover Salmon and more.
Cowpie Music Fest
Caledonia | August 9-11
cowpiemusicfestival.com
GRand Jazz Fest
Grand Rapids | August 18-19
grandjazzfest.org
The only free weekend-long jazz fest in West Michigan. GRand fills downtown Grand Rapids with big band, Latin, and contemporary jazz from its centralized location at Rosa Parks Circle.
Audiotree Music Festival
Kalamazoo | Sept. 22-23
audiotreemusicfestival.com
This fast-growing alternative music festival is returning for its fifth year. Look out for its lineup announcement coming this summer. Past artists have included Lizzo, Twin Peaks, BADBADNOTGOOD, Ra Ra Riot and more.
Breakaway Music Festival
Grand Rapids | Aug. 24-25
breakawayfestival.com
Odesza, Khalid, Flosstradamus and Jaden Smith are headlining this two-day festival in Grand Rapids' Belknap Park.
Shoreline Jazz Festival
Muskegon | August 25-26
shorelinejazzfestival.com
WheatlandMusic Festival
Remus | Sept. 7-9
wheatlandmusic.org
Walk The Beat
Grand Haven | TBD
walkthebeat.org
GRAM on the Green
Grand Rapids | TBD
artmuseumgr.org
Cultural
Asian-Pacific Festival
Grand Rapids | June 9
grasianfestival.com
The Asian-Pacific Festival celebrates as much Asian and Pacific-Islander culture as it possibly can in one day. You’ll find traditional attires, martial arts demonstrations, fashion shows, sumo champions, Luau and much more, including (of course) all kinds of Asian-Pacific food.
Irish Festival
Kalamazoo | June 22-23
kalamazooirish.org
Danish Festival
Greenville | August 16-19
danishfestival.org
Black Arts Festival
Kalamazoo | July 13-14
blackartskalamazoo.org
Support black art, literature, businesses and people with this celebration full of music, dancing, food and much more.
Yassou! Greek Cultural Festival
Grand Rapids | August 17-19
grgreekfest.com
Michigan Irish Music Festival
Muskegon | Sept. 13-16
michiganirish.org
Everyone and everything is a little bit Irish here. Indulge in Irish cuisine, shop Irish goods and learn about the culture. Performers this year include: Scythian, Moya Brennan, Aofie Scott and more.
Food
National Asparagus Festival
Hart | June 8-10
nationalasparagusfestival.org
Cereal Festival
Battle Creek | June 9
bcfestivals.com
Taste of Muskegon
Muskegon | June 15-16
tasteofmuskegon.org
All the best food and family fun will fill Muskegon’s Hackley Park, including a petting zoo, beer, yoga, luge and more.
Restaurant Week GR
Grand Rapids | August 8-19
experiencegr.com
Try a new taste with special deals at area restaurants during this week-long celebration of the art of fine dining.
National Cherry Festival
Traverse City | July 1-8
cherryfestival.org
National BabyFood Festival
Fremont | July 19-22
babyfoodfestival.com
National Blueberry Festival
South Haven | August 10-13
blueberryfestival.com
Kalamazoo Ribfest
Kalamazoo | August 2-4
kalamazooribfest.com
Grand HavenSalmon Festival
Grand Haven | September 14-16
ghsalmonfest.com
Film
Movies on Monroe
Grand Rapids | June 8-August 17
downtowngr.org
Japanese Animation Film and Art Expo
Grand Rapids | June 29-July 1
jafax.org
JAFAX is back this year with cosplaying, board games, guest artists from the fantastical worlds of anime and manga, and more.
Traverse City Film Festival
Traverse City | July 31-August 5
traversecityfilmfest.org
Eclectic
GRIDLIFE Midwest
South Haven June 8-10
grid.life/midwest-tickets
A hybrid evolution of electronic music fest, car show and full-blown motorsports competition, this three-day event takes it all to the limit. Watch drift track and other racers duel by day, and rage all night with high-profile DJs and rappers like Waka Flocka Flame and The Cool Kids.
Kalamazoo Pride
Kalamazoo | June 8-9
pride.outfrontkzoo.org
Greater Grand Rapids Pride Festival
Grand Rapids | June 16
grpride.org
Celebrating the LGBTQ community, this year’s 30th Pride Festival will have all the music, performers, rainbows and other fun of years prior, with bands like EnVogue performing.
Harborfest
South Haven | June 15-16
southhavenharborfest.com
Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival
Battle Creek | June 28-July 4
bcballoons.com
Dozens of hot air balloons from around the world join forces with hypersonic jets, food, fair rides, and other family fun.
Riverwalk Fest
Lowell | July 12-14
riverwalkfestival.org
Grand HavenCoast Guard Festival
Grand Haven | July 27-August 5
coastguardfest.org
Honoring the men and women of the United States Coast Guard, this festival celebrates with ship tours, live music, food, a carnival and street dancing throughout Grand Haven.
Michigan Pirate Festival
Grand Haven | August 6-9
facebook.com/michiganpiratefestival
The largest event of its kind in the state, this all-ages swashbuckling soiree puts visitors face-to-face with buccaneers, mermaids, minstrels, merchants, and even hidden treasure.
Red Barns Spectacular
Hickory Corners | August 4
gilmorecarmuseum.org
Michigan Fiber Festival
Allegan | August 17-19
michiganfiberfestival.info
Arts and Drafts Festival
Norton Shores | August 17-18
shoresartsanddrafts.com
Hastings Summerfest
Hastings | August 24-26
hastingssummerfest.com
