12 ways to celebrate Independence Day in West Michigan

Looking to make the most of your Fourth of July weekend? From booming fireworks displays to lakeside dance parties and cherry picking at a century-old orchard, West Michigan is bursting with celebrations for everyone.

Kentwood to celebrate Fourth with pancakes, parades & fireworks

Kentwood is rolling out the red, white, and blue for its annual Fourth of July celebration—and you're invited.

Loving Day, Juneteenth bring history to life

Grand Rapids will honor two major milestones in American history this June—Loving Day and Juneteenth

Kilts, clans, and competition

What started as a simple idea over drinks has grown into one of West Michigan’s more distinctive summer events.

Hop to it! Cascade Twp. to host Easter egg hunt

Cascade Charter Township is rolling out the pastel carpet for a brand-new tradition this spring: its first-ever community Easter Egg Hunt, taking place Saturday, April 19.

20th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Get ready to don your greenest attire and embrace the luck of the Irish at the Annual Downtown Holland St. Patrick’s Day Parade!

Winter Wassail Festival Celebrates Cider

Winter may have a grip on Michigan, but Virtue Cider is warming things up with the return of its Winter Wassail Festival.

ArtPrize Economic Impact Tops $71 Million

ArtPrize's 2024 economic impact report is in, and the numbers paint a compelling picture for the future of this iconic open art competition.

Searching For Its Very Own Clark Griswold

The City of Kentwood is looking for its very own Clark Griswold, the beloved and eccentric character from the holiday classic National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

West Michigan Celebrates Hispanic Heritage

Hispanic Heritage Month is now in full swing in West Michigan!

Celebrate with a Bang!

The Fourth of July is a time for families to come together, celebrate, and create lasting memories.

Outdoor market shatters expectations

Fewer than two full weeks into its 26-day run, West Michigan’s largest traditional European Christmas market is proving to be quite the success story. 

Fall festivals far and near

The first bout of fall weather provides the perfect excuse to dig those barn boots out of the closet, don that new flannel, and head out to country...
Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival chef kitchen

Celebrating International Food & Beverages

A festival that celebrates the international food and beverage industry will return to DeVos Place Nov. 16-18.

A ‘wild and operatic’ ArtPrize opening

ArtPrize 2023 opens Sept. 14 with a kickoff party at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 5 to 10 p.m., featuring the wild and operatic national touring act, Squonk Opera, followed by a fireworks display. 

Celebrations a-plenty this September

While ArtPrize promises to keep residents and visitors highly engaged over the next two weeks, a number of other exciting community events are on the City of Grand Rapids calendar.

Festival welcomes FLITE

Confluence festival, now in its third year, announced that this year’s festival will include a new focus on aviation.

Robotics, esports expanded in Confluence

Confluence, a free festival that connects the worlds of art, music, science, and technology through programs and shared experiences, has announced plans to expand its esports and robotics programming.

Dance two nights away!

The Grand Rapids Ballet is inviting the West Michigan community to its second annual Summer Dance Festival Aug. 25 and 26.
Metro Cruise Warm Up

Cascade to jump-start annual auto show

Classic car lovers can get a sneak peak Thursday in Cascade of what's in store for the upcoming annual 28th Street Metro Cruise.

NEWSLETTERS

JULY/AUGUST 2025 ISSUE