Festivals are back in full force in 2025, with dozens of fests appearing and returning in West Michigan. From art to food, music, beer, culture and so much more, here’s our Festival Guide for the year ahead.
ART
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair
Kalamazoo / June 6-7 / kiarts.org
This annual start to summer in Kalamazoo began more than 70 years ago and it’s back once again, featuring the work of more than 130 fine artists, music, food trucks and a beer garden filling Bronson Park.
West Michigan Chalk Art Festival
Grand Rapids / June 13-15 / grandrapids.tanger.com
Sand Sculpture Contest
Grand Haven / June 14 / visitgrandhaven.com
GR Lit Fest
Grand Rapids / June 16-22 / grlitfest.com
The 2025 Grand Rapids Literary Festival will feature Michigan-based authors, discussion panels, reader gatherings, book signings, and more, including an Adult Book Fair at Speciation on June 22.
Grand Haven Art Festival
Grand Haven / June 27-29 / grandhavenchamber.org
Japanese Animation Film & Art Expo
Grand Rapids / June 27-29 / jafax.org
Lakeshore Art Festival
Muskegon / June 28-29 / lakeshoreartfestival.org
The Lakeshore Art Festival features a unique blend of fine art, handcrafted goods, music, food, and fun in beautiful Downtown Muskegon. Experience nearly 250 juried fine art and specialty craft exhibitors, a Children’s Lane, artisan food market, street performers, interactive art stations, and so much more!
South Haven Art Fair
South Haven / July 5-6 / southhavenarts.org
West Shore Art Fair
Ludington / July 5-6 / visitludington.com
Pleasant Peninsula
Grand Rapids / July 26 / pleasantpeninsula.org
21 local and national artists are making the pilgrimage to Grand Rapids for a week-long mural mania. This is an opportunity for artists near & far to gather, flex their skills, & build lasting, nationwide community.
Michigan Fiber Festival
Allegan / Aug. 13-17 / michiganfiberfestival.info
Arts and Drafts Festival
Norton Shores / Aug. 16 / nortonshoresparksandrecreation.com
ArtPrize
Grand Rapids / Sept. 18-Oct. 4 / artprize.org
Grand Rapids Film Festival
Grand Rapids / Sept. TBD / grandrapidsfilmfestival.com
BEER + WINE
Suds on the Shore
Ludington / Aug. 16 / sudsontheshore.com
Burning Foot Beer Festival
Muskegon / Aug. 23 / burningfoot.beer
Burning Foot Beer Festival is a celebration of beer, beach, art, and music. The festival is held in August along Lake Michigan’s beautiful lakeshore. Beach camping and barefoot entry make it unique, the Brewers’ Ring makes it extraordinary.
Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival
Paw Paw / Sept. 5-7 / wineandharvestfestival.com
Oktoberfest GR
Grand Rapids / Sept. 26-27 / oktoberfestgr.com
Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer and Food Festival
Grand Rapids / Nov. 21-22 /
showspan.com/grw
Now in its 18th year, this Festival has established itself as Michigan’s annual tasting event, measured by more than 1,200 wines, beers, ciders and spirits from around the world, along with creations from area restaurants.
MUSIC
Buttermilk Jamboree
Delton / June 13-15 / circlepinescenter.org
A three-day showcase of regional musicians, Buttermilk benefits the Circle Pines Center, a nonprofit working toward peace, social justice and environmental cooperation.
Electric Forest
Rothbury / June 19-22 / electricforest.com
Smiling Acres Music Festival
Trufant / June 27-29 / smilingacres.org
Beaver Island Music Festival
Beaver Island / July 17-19 / bimf.net
Upheaval Festival
Grand Rapids / July 18-19 / upheavalfest.com
JazzFest Michigan
Lansing / July 30-Aug. 2 / micharts.com
Walk The Beat
Grand Haven / Aug. 9 / walkthebeat.org
Breakaway Music Festival
Grand Rapids / Aug. 15-16 / breakawayfestival.com
Where top-tier talent collides with the hometown—Breakaway Music Festival brings globally recognized hip-hop and electronic talent to local cities, creating accessible and unforgettable live entertainment experiences. This year’s event at Belknap Park features Zedd, Gryffin, Rezz, Isoxo and many more.
Wheatland Music Festival
Remus / Sept. 5-7 / wheatlandmusic.org
Michigan Bluesfest
Lansing / Sept. 17-20 / micharts.com
CULTURAL
Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival
Grand Rapids / June 13-15 / grapf.org
The annual Asian-Pacific Festival celebrates as much Asian and Pacific-Islander culture as it possibly can in one weekend. You’ll find traditional attires, martial arts demonstrations, fashion shows, Luau and much more, including (of course) all kinds of Asian-Pacific food.
Black Arts Festival
Kalamazoo / July 11 / blackartskalamazoo.org
Support Black art, literature, businesses and people with this celebration full of music, dancing, food and much more.
Danish Festival
Greenville / August 15-17 / danishfestival.org
Yassou! Greek Cultural Festival
Grand Rapids / Aug. 15-16 / grgreekfest.com
Caribbean Festival
Battle Creek / Aug. 16 / jbswhiskey.com
Michigan Irish Music Festival
Muskegon / Sept. 11-14 / michiganirish.org
Everyone and everything is a little bit Irish at one of West Michigan's most beloved festivals. Indulge in Irish cuisine, shop Irish goods and learn about the culture, all while dancing and singing along to incredible music.
FOOD
National Asparagus Festival
Hart / June 13-15 / nationalasparagusfestival.org
Taste of Muskegon
Muskegon / June 13-14 / tasteofmuskegon.org
All the best food and family fun fills Muskegon’s Hackley Park, including beer, powerboats, music, bounce houses and more.
Cereal Festival
Battle Creek / June 14 / bcfestivals.com
Taco & Tequila Fest
Grand Rapids / June 28 / grtacoandtequilafest.com
National Cherry Festival
Traverse City / June 28-July 5 / cherryfestival.org
National Baby Food Festival
Fremont / July 16-19 / fremontcommerce.com
National Blueberry Festival
South Haven / August 7-10 / blueberryfestival.com
Restaurant Week GR
Grand Rapids / Nov. TBA / experiencegr.com
ECLECTIC
Festival Fridays
Kalamazoo / 2nd Fridays /
foodtruckrallykz.com
Start of Summer Celebration
Rockford / June 5-8 / rockfordmichamber.com
GRIDLIFE Music & Motorsport Festival
South Haven / June 6-8 / gridlifemidwest.com
Harborfest
South Haven / June 13-14 / southhavenharborfest.com
Rock the Block Street Festival
Grand Rapids / June 14, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. / linkup.org/rock-the-block
Solstice Festival
Grand Rapids / June 19-21 / speciationartisanales.com
Field of Flight Air Show
& Balloon Festival
Battle Creek / July 2-6 / fieldofflight.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 10-12 / riverwalkfestival.org
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival
Grand Haven / July 25-Aug. 3 / 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.
Confluence Festival
Grand Rapids / Sept. 19-20 / confluencefest.com
PRIDE
RIVERPRIDE 2025
Grand Rapids / June 8 / generalwoodshop.com
Get ready for RIVERPRIDE 2025, a fresh, relaxed Pride celebration in the heart of the Bridge Street Entertainment District. It’s a full-day experience that brings the community together to celebrate and connect, with DJs, drag performers, go-go dancers, local vendors, interactive photo booth, face painting, and much more throughout the area.
Kalamazoo Pride
Kalamazoo / June 6-7 / outfrontkzoo.org/pride2025
Muskegon Pride
Muskegon / June 7 / muskpride.org
Pride In The Park
Saugatuck/Douglas / June 7 / communitypridemi.org
Grand Haven Pride
Grand Haven / June 14 / ghpride.org
Greater Grand Rapids Pride Festival
Grand Rapids / June 21-22 / grpride.org
Celebrating the LGBTQ community, this year’s Pride Festival will have all the music, performers, vendors, rainbows and other fun of years prior, with Aly & AJ headlining at Calder Plaza.
Holland PRIDE
Holland / June 28 / holland.org/pride-festival
