Our guide to events, goings-on and things to do in Grand Rapids and all around West Michigan for the month of July.
7/6
A Night of R&B and Old School Hip Hop
The Pyramid Scheme
68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
July 6, 8:30 p.m.
pyramidschemebar.com
Miss the good ol’ school days of tennis skirts, track suits and jerseys? This is the party for you, hosted by DJ Composition and Troy Caesar at The Pyramid Scheme. Put on your best vintage athletic wear and get ready to dance.
Sunset Cinema: Top Gun: Maverick
Studio Park
123 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
July 6, 8 p.m.
studioparkgr.com
Sunset Cinema is back and better than ever—in that it’s free! Head to the lovely piazza outside Studio Park and bring a lawn chair or blanket. Seating is first-come, first-serve. This month, enjoy the hit action blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick, while enjoying theater concessions/drinks and the lively ambiance of downtown.
7/11
Sarah Jarosz: Polaroid Lovers Tour
Bell’s Eccentric Café
355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo
July 11, 8 p.m.
bellsbeer.com
The seventh album, Polaroid Lovers, from Sarah Jarosz finds the highly decorated songwriter at the apex of change. A Texas native, she’s spent most of her adult life living in New York City, but shortly before writing the album Jarosz left her adopted home to join her soon-to-be husband in Nashville, TN. The geographic shake-up led to a sonic one as well for the new album. See Jarosz perform your favorite songs off the album in Bell’s Beer Garden.
7/12
The Temptations
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
1000 E. Beltline Ave., Grand Rapids
July 12, 7 p.m.
meijergardens.org
Often referred to as American music royalty, The Temptations are world-renowned superstars of entertainment, revered for their phenomenal catalog of music and prolific career. They are one of the most iconic, bestselling brands in the entertainment world today, still headlining concerts around the country that include fan favorites such as “My Girl.”
7/13
Creston After Dark Creative Market
Kingma’s Market
627 Marywood Dr. NE, Grand Rapids
July 13, 5-11 p.m.
lionsandrabbits.com
Get ready for an unforgettable evening as The Seventh & VenusFlyytrap sets the stage for Creston After Dark markets this summer, hosted by Lions & Rabbits Center for the Arts! They’re kicking off the excitement in Cheshire Village. The DJs will spin while you explore a variety of strolling performance artists. From mesmerizing magicians to awe-inspiring acrobats, there’s entertainment for everyone to enjoy. Bring your shopping bags and get ready for a world of creativity with our curated selection of vendors offering unique and innovative goods.
7/19
Upheaval Festival
Belknap Park
30 Coldbrook St. NE, Grand Rapids
July 19-20
upheavalfest.com
This is THE rock and metal festival of West Michigan, held in Belknap Park and featuring huge names like Godsmack, Killswitch Engage, Bad Omens, Beartooth and more, not to mention the after shows by As I Lay Dying and P.O.D. at the Intersection. Get ready to mosh, headbang and crowd surf.
7/23
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox
GLC Live at 20 Monroe
11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
July 23, 7 p.m.
livenation.com
Celebrate the dual milestone of Postmodern Jukebox’s 10th anniversary of touring and their 1,000th show in 2024. As always, this show will blend modern-day earworms and iconic pop hits such as Bad Romance and Seven Nation Army with the original styles that put American popular music on the map: Ragtime, Swing, Big Band, Country / Western, Doo Wop and Soul.
7/25
Rock, Roar & Pour
John Ball Zoo
1300 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
July 25, 6-9 p.m.
jbzoo.org
Rock, Roar and Pour is back by popular demand! Spend your summer nights at John Ball Zoo’s 21 and up concert series, this month featuring Cabildo. Embrace those Latin vibes with themed entertainment, food trucks, and specialty drinks; all while strolling through animal habitats with no kids!
7/26
Coast Guard Festival
Downtown Grand Haven
July 26-Aug. 4
coastguardfest.org
The Coast Guard Festival unofficially began 100 years ago, in 1924, as a personnel-only picnic when the local Coast Guard station held rowing competitions for those service members stationed in Grand Haven. Today, the festival has become a premier event with attendance of more than 350,000 people coming to enjoy the city, the cardboard boat competition, the many tribute bands, fireworks and more.
7/27
Global Water Fest
Canal Park
941 Monroe Ave. NW, Gran Rapids
July 27-28
globalwaterfestgr.com
Prepare for the ultimate two-day water adventure and celebration at the third annual Global Water Fest! This July, Canal Park will host the highly anticipated return of the Dragon Boat Races on the Grand River, featuring FOUR beautiful Dragon Boats racing down the river all day. Satisfy your taste buds with global cuisine, discover the works of local artisans, and enjoy live entertainment at this free, family-friendly event presented by the Grand Rapids Asian Pacific Foundation. There will also be paddle boards and kayaks for attendees!
Grand Rapids Taco and Tequila Fest
Riverside Park
2001 Monroe Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
July 27, 4-8 p.m.
grtacoandtequilafest.com
This outdoor tequila festival is hosted at the northern end of Riverside Park, and features 100+ tequilas. Most of the list is tequila but there will be a few other options such as beer, sangria and margaritas. In addition to the great beverage selection, expect food trucks, live music, vendors and more!
Grand Rapids Oddities & Curiosities Expo
DeVos Place
303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
July 27-28
odditiesandcuriositiesexpo.com
The Oddities & Curiosities Expo showcases hand selected vendors, dealers, artists and small businesses with all things weird. You’ll find items such as: taxidermy, preserved specimens, original artwork, horror/halloween inspired pieces, antiques, handcrafted oddities, quack medical devices, creepy clothing, odd jewelry, skulls/bones, funeral collectibles & much more.
8/1
Bowling For Soup
The Intersection
133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Aug. 1, 6:30 p.m.
sectionlive.com
Bowling for Soup are ready to celebrate three decades of being a band and 20 years of their hit album A Hangover You Don’t Deserve, which features big singles like “1985.” On this throwback tour full of nostalgia, Bowling For Soup will be playing the album in full, plus a host of other hits from their 30-year career.
