Our guide to events, goings-on and things to do in Grand Rapids and all around West Michigan for the month of October.
10/3
Adam Sandler: You’re My Best Friend Tour
Van Andel Arena
130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m.
vanandelarena.com
Adam Sandler is taking his signature brand of comedy back on the road with the You’re My Best Friend Tour. This 30+ city arena tour is bringing Sandler’s greatest hits to Grand Rapids—musical numbers, hilarious storytelling, and unexpected surprises—for a night that’s equal parts nostalgia, absurdity, and heart. Sandler’s last tours were sold out; his motto for this one? “Let’s have some fun.”
Art Bash for Creston
Kingma’s Market
2225 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
Oct. 3, 6-9 p.m.
crestongr.com/artbash
Established in 2006, this vibrant event has become a staple in the Creston neighborhood, celebrating the arts in an exhilarating atmosphere. Watch 12 local artists bring their visions to life in real-time, then participate in the live auction to take a piece of the action home. The evening buzzes with live music, refreshing drinks, and excellent opportunities for networking. Proceeds from the night are vital in advancing Creston Neighborhood Association’s mission.
10/4
Merchants and Makers
Rosa Parks Circle
155 Monroe Center, Grand Rapids
Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
downtowngr.org
Merchants and Makers goes beyond your average craft show. With events popping up in venues across West Michigan 10+ times per year, it’s not just an art show, craft fair, or vendor event... it’s a true party. Come hang out and shop a variety of local goods! Grab a cider, beer, wine, cold-pressed juice and locally made food.
Tune-Yards
Bell’s Eccentric Café
255 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo
Oct. 4, 8 p.m.
bellsbeer.com
Formed by Merrill Garbus in 2006, Tune-Yards has become a name synonymous with creativity and forward motion. Known for explosive performances, surprising song structures, and danceable rhythms, their music also highlights connections between song and social consciousness. This tour is supporting their sixth studio record, Better Dreaming.
10/5
Halloween Bash at the Market
Fulton Street Market
1145 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
Oct. 5, 3-7 p.m.
betkapopeproductions.com
You’re invited to one of the most anticipated events of the season: The FIFTH annual Halloween Bash at the Market! Join for a fun-filled, free, family-friendly celebration that brings the whole community together. Stroll through the market aisle and discover unique local vendors, enjoy delicious bites from your favorite food trucks, dance along to music, and take part in festive games and activities. Costumes encouraged, good times guaranteed.
10/10
Fred Armisen: Comedy For Musicians but Everyone Is Welcome
Fountain Street Church
24 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids
Oct. 10, 7 p.m.
fountainstreet.org
Fred Armisen brings his sharp wit and offbeat charm to the stage with this one-of-a-kind show that riffs on the quirks, struggles, and inside jokes of the music world. Whether you’re a lifelong band nerd, a weekend guitarist, or someone who can’t tell a C-sharp from a sharp suit, Armisen’s clever observations and musical sketches hit all the right notes.
Zoo Goes Boo
John Ball Zoo
1300 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
Oct. 10-26
jbzoo.org
Practice your cackle, grab your cloak and prepare for a ghoulishly good time collecting sweets at twisted treat stations, an endless supply of animal fun, and enchanting decorations. This is fun for the whole family, featuring otherworldly entertainment like magicians, fire performers, jugglers, villains and more! Trick-or-Treaters are encouraged to bring a bag for candy, and guests of all ages are encouraged to come in costume.
10/11
DOOMFEST II
The Pyramid Scheme
68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Oct. 11, 6 p.m.
pyramidschemebar.com
Grand Rapids Doomfest made its debut in 2024 at the Pyramid Scheme, bringing seven heavy-hitting bands together for a one-day festival that exceeded all expectations. Thanks to the support of the artists and fans, the event returns in 2025 as Doomfest II. This year’s edition scales to five bands, adds an epic light show, and introduces a live stream.
10/12
ART! at the Market
Fulton Street Market
1145 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
Oct. 12, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
fultonstreetmarket.org
Explore a celebration of creativity at ART! at the Market, where over 100 vendors showcase an array of handmade artwork and crafts at Fulton Street Market. Discover an eclectic showcase of artistic expressions, including sculptures and paintings, woodwork, crochet, jewelry, soap, candles, skincare, stickers, prints, clothing, bags, and more. Grab a cup of freshly brewed coffee and snack on treats from concessions vendors.
10/24
Grand Rapids Tattoo Festival
DeVos Place
303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Oct. 24-26
grandrapidstattoo.com
This unique festival offers a selection of over 200 of the best artists from all over the world right here in Grand Rapids for three days of tattooing, art making, merch selling, and much more. Attendees have the opportunity to get tattooed from traveling and local artists alike, many booking in advance, but some taking walk-ups on a first-come, first-serve basis. Even if you’re not getting tattooed, there will be art, merchandise, contests and more.
10/26
Merchants of the Macabre
Grand Rapids Downtown Market
435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
downtownmarketgr.com
Slip into the shadows and search through strange items of the magical, mystical, and macabre. 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.
10/28
The Vampire Circus
Miller Auditorium
1341 Theatre Dr, Kalamazoo
Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m.
millerauditorium.com
The Vampire Circus is a mix of circus, cabaret and theater. Enjoy a phenomenal night of live entertainment from the mind of a veteran Cirque Du Soleil performer, based on the multidisciplinary skills of international performers showcasing theater, dance, and gymnastics. This amazing show pushes the physical boundaries of human performance with acrobatics, comical audience interactions, contortionists, jugglers, acrobats, and clowns.
10/31
Greensky Bluegrass
Wings Event Center
3600 Vanrick Dr., Kalamazoo
Oct. 31-Nov. 1
wingseventcenter.com
Hailing from Kalamazoo, Greensky Bluegrass is coming home to celebrate “exactly 25 years” with a special two-night concert at Wings Event Center, with guests Lindsay Lou, Sam Bush and Holly Bowling. The group has built a reputation as one of the most electrifying live bands in modern Americana, fusing the rich traditions of bluegrass with the expansive spirit of jam rock.
Daft Disko - French House & Disco Halloween
Elevation at The Intersection
133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW,
Grand Rapids
Oct. 31, 9 p.m.
sectionlive.com
Get ready to dance at Daft Disko: A French House & Disco Halloween—a party fueled by glittering grooves, inspired by Daft Punk, Justice, Kavinsky, Stardust, Modjo, Chic, and many more. Dance late into the night with funk, house, disco, costumes, and nonstop beats.
Vamp Stamp: Vampire Glow Rave
Bell’s Eccentric Café
355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo
Oct. 31, 7-11:30 p.m.
bellsbeer.com
Don your costume and join party vampires N3on Tiger, DJ Tribewalker, Drivingmisshazy, and Dos Lopez for a Halloween party you won’t ever forget. Heart-pounding dance music, a mind-bending laser light show by Morfog, a sea of costumed creatures, hosted by a group of wild vampires. Are you ready to rave with the creatures of the night?
11/1
Betka Pope Productions Presents Grave Rave
The Pyramid Scheme
68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Nov. 1, 8 p.m.
Betka-Pope Productions invites you to descend into the underworld of dance at the GRAVE RAVE, with live music by Garbage Angel, Grand Rapids’ premiere Halloween band, rising from the grave to shred your soul. There will be pop-up performances and audience activities all night long, including a costume contest hosted by “manic feral bimbo drag succubus” Cherub Sinn.
