Our guide to events, goings-on and things to do in Grand Rapids and all around West Michigan for the month of September.
9/5
Kalamashoegazer
Bell’s Eccentric Café & General Store
355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo
Sept. 5-6
bellsbeer.com
The longest running Shoegaze & Dreampop festival in the US is hosted right here in Kalamazoo. Now in its 16th year, Kalamashoegazer is back with 12 bands performing at Bell’s Back Room across two days, including Cigarettes for Breakfast, Origami Phase, Desert Liminal and more.
9/6
Eastown Streetfair 2025
415 Ethel Ave SE, Grand Rapids
Sept. 6, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
facebook.com/eastowngr
The Eastown Streetfair is a family-friendly celebration of arts, crafts, food, drinks, music, and the Eastown neighborhood; one of Grand Rapids’ most eclectic districts! Stroll through 150+ local vendors, listen to live music all day, indulge in delicious local food, and get a drink at the beer tent. And for the kids, have a blast at our Full Filled Fairgrounds, with Arts in Motion Studio, Bricks 4 Kidz, a mobile library and more!
One Well Block Party
4213 Portage St, Kalamazoo
Sept. 6, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
onewellbrewing.com
Mark your calendar for another party of the year at One Well Brewing, featuring live music with partners at Sounds of the Zoo, pinball, foosball, darts, duckpin bowling, games from amazing community partners, food and drink specials, and so much more!
Grand Armory Brewing’s 10th Anniversary
17 S. 2nd St., Grand Haven
Sept. 6, 3-11 p.m.
facebook.com/GrandArmoryBrew
Grand Haven’s very own Grand Armory Brewing is turning 10 and you’re invited to the party. Join rain or shine as they celebrate a decade of drafts with righteously good food, delicious and unique pours, live music from bands like The Reverend Jesse Ray, and more.
9/13
KDL Vibes
Kent District Library Cascade Branch
2870 Jacksmith Ave. SE, Grand Rapids
Sept. 13, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
vibes.kdl.org
There’s no better way to enjoy summer than with a music festival featuring your favorite West Michigan artists from the KDL Vibes collection (a free platform supporting local musicians). Enjoy coffee and classic cars, bring your kids to the bounce house, chat with other music fans, and get introduced to your next favorite band—all while hanging out at the library.
9/14
Poppy - They’re All Around Us Tour
GLC Live at 20 Monroe
11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Sept. 14, 7 p.m.
glcliveat20monroe.com
Poppy is a pop chameleon who refuses to be pinned down. Emerging from YouTube with surreal, uncanny videos, she’s since shapeshifted through bubblegum pop, industrial metal, and avant-garde electronica, all with a wink of performance art. Always blurring the line between satire and sincerity, Poppy is less an ever-evolving experiment in what pop music can be.
9/17
Weird Al Yankovic: Bigger and Weirder Tour
Miller Auditorium
1341 Theatre Dr., Kalamazoo
Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m.
millerauditorium.com
Weird Al brings his legendary full-production multimedia comedy rock show back to the concert stage with the BIGGER & WEIRDER 2025 Tour, playing his iconic hits as well as some never-performed-live-before fan favorites. Al’s long-time band is joined by four additional players to create a super-sized concert experience.
9/18
ArtPrize 2025
Grand Rapids
Sept. 18-Oct. 4
artprize.org
During ArtPrize, the city transforms into a canvas filled with the works of artists from around the world. Wander through streets, parks, galleries, and restaurants to discover sculptures, paintings, installations, and more—with artists up for $600,000 in grants and awards. On Friday, Sept. 19, it all kicks off with an opening celebration at Rosa Parks Circle, including live music, community activities, interactive art and fireworks along the Grand River.
The Front Bottoms - 10 Years of Back On Top
The Intersection
133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Sept. 18, 7 p.m.
sectionlive.com
With Back On Top, released a decade ago, The Front Bottoms leaned into their scrappy charm while cranking up the ambition. The New Jersey duo, known for turning awkward honesty into anthems, sharpened their storytelling on tracks like “Cough It Out” and “Help,” mixing acoustic grit with bigger, punchier production. It’s an album that balanced singalong hooks with the band’s trademark stream-of-consciousness wit.
9/20
Dumpling Fest: Around the World
555 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Sept. 20, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
grapf.org
For one day only, explore dumplings from cultures across the world, all in one location—presented by the Grand Rapids Asian Pacific Foundation. From savory to sweet, steamed to fried, discover flavors that will make your heart and stomach happy, in this beautiful, family-friendly riverside setting.
Creston Pride Festival 2025
123 Caledonia St. NE, Grand Rapids
Sept. 21, 12-6 p.m.
envivochurch.org/crestonpride
Join this autumn Pride celebration for The World’s Smallest Pride Parade, live entertainment, food trucks, an artist market featuring local creators, engaging community booths, and more surprises still to be announced.
9/25
Pokey LaFarge
Park Theatre
246 S. River Ave., Holland
Sept. 25, 7 p.m.
parktheatreholland.org
After crisscrossing the nation looking for a home, Pokey LaFarge, the Illinois-born singer/songwriter/actor, pursued a major life change, working 12-hour days on a local farm—a turn of events that catalyzed an extraordinary burst of creativity and redefined his sense of purpose as an artist. See it in action at Park Theatre this month.
9/26
OktoberfestGR
Riverside Park
2000 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Sept. 26-27
oktoberfestgr.com
This annual party celebrates German and Bavarian heritage with tons of delicious and authentic imported German beer, German food like doner kebab, bratwurst and wiener schnitzel, live music and games—and it’s fun for all ages!
9/27
Wealthy Street Block Party
751 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids
Sept. 27, 12-6 p.m.
facebook.com/EastHillsGR
Join for a day of local flavor and festive vibes at the Wealthy Street Block Party, featuring live music, kids’ activities, food trucks, craft drinks, and a street full of neighbors, makers, and music lovers. Just don’t forget to bring a lawn chair or blanket!
TransFuse Night Market
Fulton Street Farmers Market
1145 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
Sept. 27, 5-10 p.m.
facebook.com/transfigureprintco
Join for the 3rd annual TransFuse Art Market, a special collab between Transfigure and GR Trans Foundation. This year, the event will be a night market held outdoors at Fulton Street Farmers Market. With queer and trans art, live performances, local food and drink, and community resources, the goal is to invest in each other’s lives and give strength to each other through communal celebration.
Vintage in the Zoo
Grand Rapids Downtown Market
435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
vintageinthezoo.com
This FREE, single-day outdoor true vintage & handmade market offers 60+ fresh and unique small businesses & entrepreneurs an opportunity to sell their goods at the Downtown Market. Shop the region’s best vintage and handmade vendors, and enjoy delicious food and drinks from some of the Market Hall local vendors. Plus, vinyl sounds will be live from WIDR FM’s DJ Dan Steely.
10/1
The Lumineers
Van Andel Arena
Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m.
vanandelarena.com
Since their breakout 2012 self-titled debut album, the Lumineers have achieved incredible milestones. With foot-stomping folk anthems and tender ballads alike, the band has built a reputation for turning raw storytelling into sing-along moments. The band is touring now in support of their fifth studio album, Automatic, released early 2025—with special guest Chance Pena.
