10/31-11/2
Bassnectar: Day of the Dead Dark Party
Van Andel Arena
130 Fulton St W., Grand Rapids
Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 7 p.m.
vanandelarena.com
For some, the end of October is all about jack-o-lanterns, candy and dress-up. For others, it’s about the celebration of life, death and spiritual journeys. This year, you can celebrate the circle of life with Bassnectar’s Halloween & Day of the Dead Dark Party. Bassnectar is headlining all three nights, with features from varying electronic, house and dubstep artists. Attendees should prepare for a spooky night of visceral and auditory awesomeness, all in the dark.
11/8-10
Grand Rapids Comic-Con
DeVos Place
303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Nov. 8-10, $20+
grcomiccon.com
It’s time to lay out your favorite cosplay gear and rally the superheroes. Comic-Con is coming to Grand Rapids and it’s bound to be full of superheroes, wizards, and Jedi alike. Hosted at DeVos Place, the convention always hosts some amazing special guests, from Marvel Comics’ Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter to The Walking Dead’s Ross Marquand. A whole world of fandom awaits you.
11/10
Jimmy Eat World: Surviving Tour
The Intersection
133 Grandville Ave SW, Grand Rapids
Nov. 10, 8 p.m., $35+
sectionlive.com
Hey, don’t write off Jimmy Eat World yet! They’re in the middle of the ride. Less than a month after the release of their 10th studio album, Surviving, the band is coming to The Intersection. Grand Rapids is the band’s ninth stop on this special 17-show tour. They’ll be supported throughout the tour by singer-songwriter Pronoun.
11/10
Lewis Black: The Joke’s On Us
20 Monroe Live
Nov. 10, 6 p.m.
20monroelive.com
We could all use a little catharsis in our lives, and that’s where Lewis Black comes in. He’s a master of the “rant” — not so much a mean-spirited cynic as he is a passionate optimist, angry that the world isn’t better than it is. He’s able to perfectly capture the cultural moment, even while yelling and waving his arms around. His new show, The Joke’s On Us, centers on the ridiculous, hard-to-parody political times we find ourselves in.
11/13
Tastes of Holland
Holland Civic Center
150 W. 8th St., Holland
Nov. 13, 5-9 p.m., $35+
hollandsentinel.com/tastes
The season of tulips and sunshine may be over, but Holland still has much to offer. The Holland Civic Center is teaming up with the Holland Sentinel to host Tastes of Holland. This event highlights West Michigan’s top culinary talent as well as local wines and brews. A children’s activity area is also featured and 10% of ticket proceeds will go to Community Action House and Harvest Stand Ministries. The night will not only be tasty, but for a good cause — the best of both worlds.
11/15-17
Christmas Through Lowell
Downtown Lowell
Nov. 15-17
christmasthroughlowell.org
The 28th-annual Christmas Through Lowell is being held the third weekend of November. Surrounded by Lowell’s historic streets and more than 350 artists and crafters, you’ll feel like you’ve walked out of reality and into a Hallmark movie. This shopping extravaganza is the perfect place to find the special holiday gift for that extra-special someone.
11/15-18
Air Zoo’s 40th Birthday
6151 Portage Rd., Portage
Nov. 15-18
airzoo.org
The Air Zoo in Portage is turning 40 this month, offering the perfect opportunity to celebrate with the whole family. Head there on Saturday for special rides, attractions, flight simulators, and entertainment, all included with 40% off admission! Or head in Monday for Air Zoo Day — the City of Portage even declared it official — and you’ll get in completely for free.
11/17
Blake Elliot, Olivia Mainville & Delilah DeWylde
Salt of the Earth
114 E. Main St., Fennville
Nov. 17, 6 p.m., $20
saltoftheearthfennville.com
Every Sunday, Salt of the Earth hosts some of the best folk, Americana and roots music around. They tend to put together impressive lineups of West Michigan’s favorite artists, such as this show with three amazing women. If you somehow don’t know, Blake Elliot is a local folk-rock singer-songwriter; Olivia Mainville describes her music as inventive, genre-crossing, vintage folk; and Delilah DeWylde is a rockabilly star rocking a huge upright bass.
11/20
Nick Offerman: All Rise
Kalamazoo State Theatre
404 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo
Nov. 20, 6 and 9 p.m., $39.75+
kazoostate.com
We have an important announcement: Ron Swanson is back. Four years since the ending of the beloved NBC sitcom Parks and Recreations, comedian Nick Offerman has continued to be hilarious with his live shows. He’s insightful, clever, and incredibly funny, and he’s coming to Kalamazoo for a night of “deliberate talking and light dance.” The show, titled All Rise, is only here one night but there are two starting times. Don’t miss it.
11/21-23
Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival
DeVos Place Convention Center
303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Nov. 21-23
showspan.com/grw
The Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival is being held for its 12th year this November. Grand Rapids might be Beer City USA, but this festival includes more than 1,500 wines, ciders and spirits, along with a variety of beer from around the world. Recently listed in Forbes as a “best fall wine festival in North America,” this event will have a little something for every palate.
11/23
A Very Merry Market Day
Downtown Market
435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Nov. 23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
downtownmarketgr.com
With just a month until Christmas, it’s shopping crunch time. Luckily, Downtown Market has you covered. At A Very Merry Market Day, more than 45 artisan gift vendors and 20 indoor food vendors will set up shop for the most festive shopping experience of the holidays. Hungry after a day of browsing? Head downstairs to the Market Hall for food and festive fun.
The Diatribe: 2nd Annual Grand Showcase
Fountain Street Church
24 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids
Nov. 23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $15+
thediatribe.org
The Diatribe, a nonprofit organization using the arts to empower young people, is hosting its second-annual Grand Showcase. Last year, the showcase drew more than 700 attendees, making it the largest poetry showcase in West Michigan. This year, nationally renowned poet Rudy Francisco is headlining the show and the rest of the lineup includes tons of amazing local youth and poets from Grand Rapids.
11/28
Turkey Trot 5K Fun Run
Mulligan’s Hollow
600 Y Dr., Grand Haven
Nov. 28, 7:30 a.m., free
visitgrandhaven.com
Sometimes it’s hard to look past the turkey, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole to see that Thanksgiving is about more than just food. While Thanksgiving is full of deliciousness, it’s really about being thankful for what you have and giving back to the community. This Thanksgiving, Out Side In is hosting its seventh-annual Turkey Trot 5K fun run/walk to support those seeking psychotherapy services through the organization. This event gives you the chance to give back to the community and earn your turkey dinner, too.
11/29
Holiday in the Park
Dyckman Park
539 Dyckman Ave., South Haven
Nov. 29 4-7 p.m.
southhaven.org
After a successful holiday extravaganza last year, Visit South Haven is again hosting Holiday in the Park. Featuring a Christmas tree lighting, ice skating, holiday treats, and a visit from Santa himself, this family-friendly event is great for kids of all ages. With a Santa Paws Pet Parade downtown, your furry friends might enjoy it, too.
12/1
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Christmas Eve and Other Stories
Van Andel Arena
130 Fulton St W., Grand Rapids
Dec. 1, 3 p.m., 7:30 p.m., $47+
vanandelarena.com
Progressive rock group Trans-Siberian Orchestra is returning to Grand Rapids for its 2019 winter tour. This year, the group is performing a new take on its popular Christmas Eve and Other Stories show. The performance follows the story of a young girl reuniting with her father from the help of an angel, all on Christmas Eve. Including new sound effects and staging, the band’s classic-rock theater story will be told in an all new way. With Christmas right around the corner, this show is the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit.
