Festivals are back in full force in 2023, 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 2-3
kiarts.org
This annual start to summer in Kalamazoo began 72 years ago and it’s back once again, featuring the work of over 100 fine artists, music, food trucks and a beer garden filling Bronson Park.
Festival of the Arts
Grand Rapids | June 2-4
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.
Grand Haven Art Festival
Grand Haven | June 23-25
grandhavenchamber.org/grand-haven-art-festival
Lakeshore Art Festival
Muskegon | June 24-25
lakeshoreartfestival.org
South Haven Art Fair
South Haven | July 1-2
southhavenarts.org
West Shore Art Fair
Ludington | July 1-2
visitludington.com
Sand Sculpture Contest
Grand Haven | August 12
grandhavenchamber.org/sand-sculpture-contest
Art on the Riverfront
Grand Haven | August 19
galleryuptown.net
ArtPrize 2.0
Grand Rapids | Sept. 14-Oct. 1
artprize.org
BEER + WINE
Donut and Beer Fest
Grand Rapids | May 6
donutandbeerfest.com
Suds on the Shore
Ludington | Aug. 19
sudsontheshore.com
Burning Foot Beer Festival
Muskegon | Aug. 26
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 in Muskegon, offering the perfect way to end the summer. Beach camping and barefoot entry make it unique, the Brewers’ Ring makes it extraordinary.
Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival
Paw Paw | Sept. 8-10
wineandharvestfestival.com
Oktoberfest GR
Grand Rapids | Sept. 29-30
oktoberfestgr.com
MUSIC
Beaver Island Music Festival
Beaver Island | July 20-22
bimf.net
Head by plane or boat to Beaver Island for a music festival like none other. Family friendly activities, games, food, camping, and of course, lots of music! This year’s lineup includes Rags and Riches, The Rubies, Aqua Cherry and more.
Buttermilk Jamboree
Delton | June 16-18
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.
B-93 Birthday Bash 30
Lowell | June 17
b93.com
Electric Forest
Rothbury | June 22-25
electricforestfestival.com
Ludrock
Ludington | July 8-9
ludrock.com
JazzFest Michigan
Lansing | August 4-6
jazzlansing.com
Michigan Bluesfest
Lansing | Sept. 14-16
michiganbluesfest.com
Smiling Acres Music Festival
Trufant | June 30-July 2
smilingacres.org
Unity Christian Music Festival
Muskegon| August 9-12
unitymusicfestival.com
Hoxeyville Music Festival
Wellston | August 18-20d
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 Marcus King, The Wood Brothers, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, and more.
Shagbark Music & Arts Festival
Caledonia | August 3-5d
facebook.com/shagbarkfarmmi
Breakaway Music Festival
Grand Rapids | Aug. 18-19
breakawayfestival.com
This annual two-day festival brings a variety of hip-hop and electronic to in Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park.
Upheaval Festival
Grand Rapids | July 14-15
upheavalfest.com
Wheatland Music Festival
Remus | Sept. 8-10
wheatlandmusic.org
Wheatland is more than a music festival, it’s a nonprofit and a community organization. Every fall, the main event comes around, bringing folk artists from all over to West Michigan.
Walk The Beat
Grand Haven | Aug. 12
walkthebeat.org
CULTURAL
Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival
Grand Rapids | June 9-11
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.
Irish Festival
Kalamazoo | June 18
kalamazooirish.org
Danish Festival
Greenville | August 16-20
danishfestival.org
Black Arts Festival
Kalamazoo | July 8
blackartskalamazoo.org
Support black art, literature, businesses and people with this celebration full of music, dancing, food and much more.
Caribbean Festival
Battle Creek | July 15
battlecreeklive.com
Yassou! Greek Cultural Festival
Grand Rapids | August 18-20
grgreekfest.com
Michigan Irish Music Festival
Muskegon | Sept. 14-17
michiganirish.org
Everyone and everything is a little bit Irish here. Indulge in Irish cuisine, shop Irish goods and learn about the culture, all while dancing and singing along to incredible music.
Tulip Time Festival
Holland | May 6-14
tuliptime.com
FOOD
National Asparagus Festival
Hart | June 10
nationalasparagusfestival.org
Cereal Festival
Battle Creek | June 10
bcfestivals.com
Taste of Muskegon
Muskegon | June 9-10
tasteofmuskegon.org
All the best food and family fun fills Muskegon’s Hackley Park, including beer, powerboats, music, bounce houses and more.
Restaurant Week GR
Grand Rapids | November TBA
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 Baby Food Festival
Fremont | July 19-22
fremontcommerce.com
National Blueberry Festival
South Haven | August 10-13
blueberryfestival.com
Kalamazoo Ribfest
Kalamazoo | August 4-5
kalamazooribfest.com
FILM
Japanese Animation
Film and Art Expo
Grand Rapids | June 9-11
jafax.org
JAFAX is back this year with cosplaying, board games, guest artists from the fantastical worlds of anime and manga, and more.
Grand Rapids Film Festival
Grand Rapids | Sep. 22-24
grandrapidsfilmfestival.com
Traverse City Film Festival
Traverse City | July 29-August 3
traversecityfilmfdest.org
ECLECTIC
GRIDLIFE Midwest
South Haven | June 2-4
grid.life/midwest-tickets
Confluence Festival
Grand Rapids | Sept. 22-23
confluencefest.com
Kalamazoo Pride
Kalamazoo | June 2-3
pride.outfrontkzoo.org
Greater Grand Rapids Pride Festival
Grand Rapids | June 17
grpride.org
Celebrating the LGBTQ community, this year’s Pride Festival will have all the music, performers, rainbows and other fun of years prior, with local bands performing.
Harborfest
South Haven | June 16-17
southhavenharborfest.com
Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival
Battle Creek | June 29-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 6-8
riverwalkfestival.org
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival
Grand Haven| July 28-August 6
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.
Red Barns Spectacular
Hickory Corners | August 5
gilmorecarmuseum.org
Michigan Fiber Festival
Allegan | August 16-20
michiganfiberfestival.info
Arts and Drafts Festival
Norton Shores | August 19
shoresartsanddrafts.com
Hastings Summerfest
Hastings | August 25-27
hastingssummerfest.com
