Our guide to events, goings-on and things to do in Grand Rapids and all around West Michigan for the month of October.
10/4
SkeleTour Spooktacular
Downtown Kalamazoo
Oct. 4-31
@downtownkalamazooshops
This October, Downtown Kalamazoo transforms into a haunted haven with the All-New SkeleTour Spooktacular! Starting October 5th, over 50 eerie skeletons will take over downtown, each one sponsored by local businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations. Brought to you by Metro Toyota and Downtown Kalamazoo Shops, this month-long celebration invites you to explore the spooky displays, bring the kids for Boos In The Zoo, enjoy the Bones & Boogie Bash-an adults only costume contest/dance party, join the Creep & Crawl Bar Crawl, and win devilishly delightful prizes.
Downtown Holland Fall Fest
Oct. 4-5
hollandfallfest.com
Don’t miss the nation’s best professional pumpkin carvers live in action as they carve the biggest pumpkins you’ve ever seen! This two-day fall-themed fest also has street performers, pumpkin painting and activities for children, along with community tulip planting at Window on the Waterfront, plus a massive artisan vendor market and hayrides at Windmill Island Gardens! Plus, for the first time ever, Fall Fest will feature popular Michigan folk band Michigan-IO live in concert.
Pulaski Days
Grand Rapids
Oct. 4-6
pulaskidays.org
Pulaski Days are the distinctly West Michigan holiday celebrating all things Polish, from kielbasa to polka, beer and music. Founded in 1973 as a way to let the public connect with the otherwise exclusive Polish halls, this annual event has grown into a week-long celebration for friends, family and strangers alike. Na zdrowie!
10/6
Fall Bazaar
Broad Leaf Brewery & Spirits - Kentwood
2885 Lake Eastrbook Blvd, Kentwood
Oct. 6, 12-7 p.m.
broadleafbeer.com
Fall in love with local arts at our annual Bazaar Bash! Join for a day of shopping, sipping, and savoring as we showcase a popup market filled with talented artists. Round up your crew, grab a drink, and indulge in delicious bites from the scratch kitchen. Whether you’re on the hunt for gifts or a one-of-a-kind treasure for yourself, the Fall Bazaar is the place to be.
2024 Halloween Bash at the Market
Fulton Street Market
1145 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
Oct. 6, 3-7 p.m.
fultonstreetmarket.org
Returning for its fourth year, Betka-Pope Production’s Halloween Bash at the Market will feature more than 100 vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, and more. This free, all-ages event will also have the Goblin Lane with 12 half-booths dedicated to young artists. Expect art, crafts, perfume, clothes, jewelry, candles, food and much more. It’s the perfect place to get a jumpstart on your holiday gift shopping!
10/8
Tuesday Night Movie: Practical Magic
Wealthy Theatre
1130 Wealthy St., Grand Rapids
Oct. 8, 8 p.m.
grcmc.org
Every Tuesday Night, Wealthy Theatre hosts a classic film like The Big Lebowski, Pulp Fiction, and more. Throughout October, the movies are relatively spooky, such as Young Frankenstein and A Nightmare on Elm Street. On the 8th, come through for Practical Magic, a fantasy rom-com with a cult following starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as sisters and practical witches.
10/11
Zoo Goes Boo
John Ball Zoo
1300 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
Oct. 11-27
jbzoo.org
Your family friendly trick-or-treat destination is back! Enjoy bewitching decorations, 13 twisted treat stations, and an endless supply of animal fun. Immerse yourself in the festivities, grab your best cape, and be captivated by magicians, fire performers, jugglers, facepainters and more. You may even catch a glimpse of some villains too! Trick-or-Treaters are encouraged to bring a bag for candy. Allergy-friendly options will also be available, just look for booths with teal pumpkins and ask for a special token. Tokens can be redeemed for allergy-friendly options at a specialty booth.
10/18
Club 90’s Presents Pink Pony Club - A Chappell Roan Night
The Intersection
133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Oct. 18, 8 p.m.
sectionlive.com
Step into the world of Chappell Roan for a night of epic music, dance, and fun! Embrace the vibrant, eclectic style of this themed dance party with touring DJs spinning your favorite hits so you can dance all night long. (This is a tribute night. Chappell Roan will not be at the event.)
10/19
Kate Nash
The Pyramid Scheme
68 Commerce Dr. SW, Grand Rapids
Oct. 19, 7 p.m.
pyramidschemebar.com
Nearly 20 years into her ever-evolving career, London and LA-based, Brit award-winning singer, songwriter, actor and activist Kate Nash has seen it all. She’s achieved huge commercial success, seen the darker side of the industry after being dropped in 2012, forged her own path as a successful independent artist, and starred in HBO’s hit wrestling drama, GLOW. See her in Grands Rapids this month!
10/25
Grand Rapids Tattoo Festival
DeVos Place Convention Center
333 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Oct. 25-27
grandrapidstattoo.com
The 2nd Annual Grand Rapids Tattoo Festival offers a selection of more than 250 of the best artists from all over the world for three days of tattooing, art making, merch selling, and much more. At the Festival, attendees will have the opportunity to get tattooed from traveling and local artists alike—either book in advance or find artists taking walk up tattoos on a first-come, first-serve basis. There will also be contests where you can enter your tattoos that you have previously collected, watch contests take place, and see some of the best artists from across the globe practice their craft.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey
Van Andel Arena
130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
Oct. 25-27
vanandelarena.com
Bringing to life an arena spectacle at an unbelievable scale, The Greatest Show on Earth will debut stunning feats of real human achievement, musical performances blended with aerial artistry, modern comedy and never-before-seen acts on highwire, trapeze, bicycles and more. The reimagined American icon captivates families through a multi-platform, 360-degree experience that brings fans into the action.
10/26
The Rocky Horror Picture Show w/ Live Shadow Cast
1341 Theatre Dr., Kalamazoo
Oct. 26, 8 p.m.
millerauditorium.com
Damn it Janet! The Rocky Horror Picture Show is back at Miller Auditorium! Tune in for a screening of the original unedited movie with the professional live shadow cast, Rocky Horror in Abundance. Get dressed as your favorite character and join us for an audience participation experience like no other! Add on an exclusive VIP experience to round out the night! Merchandise and prop bags will be available at the show for purchase with cash only.
10/27
Merchants of the Macabre Oddities Market
Downtown Market
435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
downtownmarketgr.com
Slip into the shadows and search through strange items of the magical, mystical, and macabre at the Downtown Market. This peculiar gathering of unusual vendors and mysterious merchants will present their wares under the Market Shed, where taxidermy, skeletal specimens, tarot cards, art prints, and true crime memorabilia rule supreme! Make your way through the intriguing offerings of this oddities market, then head inside for a bite to eat from the Market Hall.
