Our guide to events, goings-on and things to do in Grand Rapids and all around West Michigan for the months of March and April.
3/1
Butterflies Are Blooming
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
1000 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
March 1-April 30
meijergardens.org
The annual Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies are Blooming exhibition at Meijer Gardens is the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the nation. More than 60 species from Africa, Asia, and Central and South America flit about the five-story Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory, giving visitors an up-close look at the stunning diversity and exquisite beauty of these winged wonders.
3/5
Cottage Chemistry: A Heated Rivalry Dance Party
The Pyramid Scheme
March 5, 8 p.m.
pyramidschemebar.com
From organizers What the Dance comes this party themed around everyone’s favorite gay hockey phenomenon. Dance to the Heated Rivalry soundtrack, the hottest queer pop anthems, and nostalgic alt hits all night long. Tickets are already selling fast!
3/7
Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift
St. Cecilia Music Center
24 Ransom Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
March 7 & 28, 8:45 p.m.
feverup.com
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Grand Rapids. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Taylor Swift at St. Cecilia Music Center under the gentle glow of candlelight.
3/8
Dancing With the Stars Live
DeVos Performance Hall
303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
March 8, 7 p.m.
devosperformancehall.com
Straight from Hollywood, See Dancing with the Stars, Live! With special guest Andy Richter. See the glitz, glam and breathtaking performances of America’s favorite dance show with this ALL-NEW SHOW starring your favorite pros like Alan Bersten, Britt Stewart, Daniella Karagach, Emma Slater, Jenna Johnson, Pasha Pashkov, Hailey Bills and special guests to be announced!
3/11
LaughFest 2026
Grand Rapids
March 11-15
laughfestgr.org
Gilda’s LaughFest, the nation’s first-ever community-wide festival of laughter, has quickly earned a reputation for being one of the nation’s marquee events. Across four days, there will be tons of events around West Michigan, including showcases like Clean Comedy, Cancer Survivors, and the Michigan Mashup Variety Show; improv from groups like Pop Scholars and Battle Bots; as well as big headliners like Adam Ray and Monet X Change.
3/13
Sugarbush Festival 2026
Blandford Nature Center
1715 Hillburn Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
March 14, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
blandfordnaturecenter.org
Discover the delights of the season as you explore Blandford’s Sugarbush Trail and watch live demonstrations. Be sure to visit the Sugarhouse where you’ll see the final steps of the sugaring process in action and get a taste test of pure maple syrup. The Festival includes many activities for the whole family, including wildlife encounters, food trucks, games, crafts, music, puppet shows, maple cotton candy, concessions, and more!
3/14
Irish Off Ionia
Calder Plaza
March 14, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
irishoffionia.com
Don’t miss out on Michigan’s largest St. Patrick’s Day festival! Irish Off Ionia features live music, Irish dancers, entertainment, and festive food. The organizers took note of some concerns last year, so this year, expect: Double the stages, double the drink tents, a new layout, and elevated food and beverage offerings, on top of all the usual fun.
3/21
Grand Rapids Whiskey Festival
DeVos Place Convention Center
303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
March 21, 6-10 p.m.
devosplace.org
Connecting Whiskey Lovers with great whiskey and building relationships with top whiskey brands while creating memories with friends sampling American whiskey, Kentucky bourbon, Scotch whiskey, Japanese whiskey, Rye whiskey and flavored whiskies—no matter its place of origin.
3/20
Monster Jam
Van Andel Arena
130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
March 20-22
vanandelarena.com
Get ready for the event that will change everything you thought you knew about freestyle monster trucks (if you knew anything about freestyle monster trucks). For the first time ever, Monster Jam trucks team up with Freestyle Motorcross bikes to deliver gravity-defying skills and thrills.
3/25
Riff Raff
The Stache
133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW,
Grand Rapids
March 25, 7 p.m.
sectionlive.com
Riff Raff is a neon-drenched, larger-than-life rapper known as much for his outlandish persona as his Southern hip-hop sound, carving out an independent lane in the rap world. With his braided hair, face tattoos, grills, and flamboyant fashion, Riff Raff leans fully into absurdity and spectacle—but beneath the cartoonish bravado is a surprisingly nimble flow and a knack for catchy hooks.
4/8
The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival
John Ball Zoo
1300 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
April 8-June 14
jbzoo.org
The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival is a truly breathtaking experience for all ages. John Ball Zoo is the first and only place you can see these incredible works of art in Michigan. The festival features handcrafted Asian lantern displays that will illuminate the Zoo and tell the intersecting story of wildlife and Asian culture.
4/11
Stavros Halkias: The Dreamboat Tour
GLC Live at 20 Monroe
11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
April 11, 7 p.m.
glcliveat20monroe.com
Stavros Halkias is a Baltimore-born stand-up comedian known for his booming laugh and razor-sharp crowd work. A former co-host of the cult-favorite podcast Cum Town, Halkias has since built a massive following on his own, thanks to viral stand-up clips that showcase his quick improvisation and gleefully unfiltered style. His comedy blends self-deprecation, cultural commentary, and unapologetic raunch with an affable charm that keeps audiences on his side.
4/19
STOMP
Forest Hills Fine Arts Center
600 Forest Hill Ave. SE, Grand Rapids
Apr. 19, 7 p.m.
fhfineartscenter.com
There is no dialogue or plot in STOMP. Instead, the eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments—matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters and hubcaps, just to name a few—to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. The show has an industrial, urban feel, meant to amaze you with the music they are able to create from everyday items.
