Looking for things to do in Grand Rapids and West Michigan this weekend? November 13–15 brings a packed lineup of entertainment, cultural events, live music, shopping, and holiday festivities.
From the return of Grand Rapids Comic Con and an award-winning Broadway musical to a new ballet production, special musical performances, and a holiday shopping kickoff in Holland, there are plenty of ways to make the most of your weekend.
Here are seven things to do in Grand Rapids and West Michigan this weekend.
1. Grand Rapids Comic Con Returns to DeVos Place
Friday, November 13–Sunday, November 15, 2026 DeVos Place, Grand Rapids Tickets: https://www.grcomiccon.com
Pop culture fans, comic book collectors, gamers, and cosplay enthusiasts have a reason to celebrate as Grand Rapids Comic Con returns to DeVos Place for three days of entertainment and fan-focused activities.
Running November 13–15, the annual convention brings together several corners of the entertainment world, with opportunities to explore comics, meet celebrity guests, experience cosplay, participate in gaming, and browse an assortment of vendors.
With three days of programming and activities, attendees can spend an afternoon exploring the convention or make an entire weekend out of the experience.
2. Experience Two Special Performances With Violinist Vadim Gluzman
Friday, November 13, at 7:30 p.m. Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Avenue, Muskegon
Saturday, November 14, at 7:30 p.m. The Block, 360 W. Western Avenue, Muskegon
Tickets: Friday tickets start at $19 for adults and $10 for students. Saturday tickets start at $35.
Information: westmichigansymphony.org or 231-727-8001 (Frauenthal) / 231-726-3231 (The Block).
Internationally acclaimed violinist Vadim Gluzman is spending the weekend in Muskegon, offering audiences two opportunities to experience his artistry in very different musical settings.
The weekend begins Friday evening at the Frauenthal Center, where Gluzman joins the West Michigan Symphony for a performance of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s beloved Violin Concerto. The concert opens the orchestra’s 2026–27 Masterworks Series.
The story behind the concerto stretches back nearly 150 years. In 1878, Tchaikovsky dedicated the work to famed violinist Leopold Auer, who famously rejected the composition, describing it as unplayable. The concerto eventually became one of the most celebrated works in the violin repertoire.
Friday’s program also includes American composer Valerie Coleman’s Seven O’Clock Shout, a vibrant tribute to frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8, known for its lyrical melodies and exuberant orchestral color.
On Saturday, Gluzman returns to Muskegon for a more intimate chamber music experience at The Block, West Michigan Symphony’s live listening room. Joined by his wife, pianist Angela Yoffe, he will perform a self-curated program featuring favorite works by composers including Prokofiev, Bach, and Bartók.
Together, the two performances offer audiences an opportunity to experience Gluzman in both a full orchestral setting and the more personal atmosphere of chamber music.
Following Friday’s concert, audience members can also attend a post-concert gathering in the Frauenthal’s lower-level Frau Lounge, where beverages, desserts, and charcuterie will be available for purchase.
3. Explore Grand Rapids’ Black History Through a New Documentary Celebration
Friday, November 13, 2026 Doors open at 6 p.m.; program begins at 7 p.m. Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives (GRAAMA), Wealthy Theatre Annex, 1110 Wealthy Street SE, Grand Rapids.
Grand Rapids history, culture, and the Black freedom struggle take center stage Friday evening as the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives hosts a special community celebration marking the completion of the documentary A City Within a City: The Black Freedom Struggle in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Titled BLACK LOVE. BLACK VOICES. BLACK FUTURES., the evening will feature the exclusive unveiling of the documentary’s newly completed trailer, alongside poetry, music, art, and community celebration.
Featured guests include Detroit Poet Laureate Jessica Care Moore and her son, musician and emerging creative talent King Moore. The program will also showcase a curated lineup of Grand Rapids poets, musicians, and cultural voices.
The documentary draws on the historical scholarship of Dr. Todd E. Robinson, whose book A City Within a City: The Black Freedom Struggle in Grand Rapids, Michigan examines the concept of managerial racism, as well as Dr. Randall Jelks’ African Americans in the Furniture City.
By bringing together historical research, personal experiences, and community voices, the project aims to make an important part of Grand Rapids history accessible to a broader audience.
4. See Deos Contemporary Ballet’s Reimagined Production of Giselle
Friday, November 13, at 7 p.m. Saturday, November 14, at 7 p.m. Sunday, November 15, at 2 p.m.
Union High School Performing Arts Center, 1800 Tremont Blvd. NW, Grand Rapids.
Tickets: $45 general admission. Information: https://deosballet.com/store/giselle-ticket
One of ballet’s most enduring stories gets a distinctly different interpretation this weekend as Deos Contemporary Ballet presents the world premiere of its new production of Giselle in Grand Rapids.
Originally performed at the Paris Opéra in 1841, Giselle has remained one of the defining works of classical ballet for nearly two centuries. Its story of love, betrayal, and redemption has inspired generations of dancers and countless reinterpretations.
Deos Contemporary Ballet takes the familiar story in a new direction, setting its production in New York City’s Lower East Side garment district in 1906. The new setting introduces additional social and economic dimensions while maintaining the central themes that have made the ballet an enduring classic.
Founded in 2018 by Artistic Director Tess Sinke, Deos Contemporary Ballet was established to honor classical ballet traditions while exploring new approaches to choreography and theatrical storytelling.
What began as a summer-only company has grown into a year-round professional organization presenting original works and reimagined classics throughout West Michigan.
5. Get Into the Holiday Spirit at Downtown Holland’s Shop ’Til You Drop
Friday, November 13, 2026, 6–9 p.m. Downtown Holland, Michigan
The holiday shopping season officially gets underway in Downtown Holland Friday evening as more than 40 local businesses participate in the annual Shop ’Til You Drop event.
Running from 6 to 9 p.m., the late-night shopping event gives visitors an opportunity to get an early start on holiday gift shopping while taking advantage of special discounts available exclusively during the three-hour event.
Participating businesses will stay open late, inviting shoppers to explore downtown, browse local merchandise, and discover gifts while enjoying the atmosphere of Holland’s shopping district.
According to Downtown Holland Marketing Coordinator Kara de Alvare, the event serves as the official kickoff to the holiday shopping season and includes approximately 43 downtown Holland businesses.
6. Dress Up for Boots & Ballgowns, a Fall Gala Benefiting an Animal Sanctuary
Saturday, November 14, 2026, 5:30–10 p.m. The Gilmore, 5179 W. River Drive NE, Comstock Park.
Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/boots-ballgowns-fall-gala-tickets-HM2TS7
Western style meets philanthropy Saturday evening as Boots & Ballgowns takes over The Gilmore for an upscale fall gala benefiting Indian Paintbrush Farm Sanctuary.
Guests are encouraged to pull on their boots, dress up their denim, and add a little western sparkle for an evening celebrating rescued animals while supporting the sanctuary’s mission.
The event will feature premium passed hors d’oeuvres prepared by Gilmore Catering, themed cocktails, live music, and both silent and live auctions.
One of the evening’s special opportunities will be the chance to meet some of the animal ambassadors from Indian Paintbrush Farm Sanctuary.
The sanctuary provides rescued animals with lifelong care, safety, and compassion. Through the evening’s fundraising efforts, organizers hope to generate additional support for the animals who call the sanctuary home.
With its combination of western-inspired fashion, food, entertainment, and philanthropy, the event offers a different kind of Saturday night out.
7. See Six-Time Tony Award Winner Maybe Happy Ending at DeVos Performance Hall
November 10–15, 2026 DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids.
A six-time Tony Award-winning musical is making its way to Grand Rapids this week as Broadway Grand Rapids presents Maybe Happy Ending, a theatrical production exploring love, connection, adventure, and what it means to be human.
Running November 10–15 at DeVos Performance Hall, the production arrives with an impressive collection of accolades, including six Tony Awards and the coveted Best Musical honor.
The production has earned widespread critical praise for its emotional depth and originality. USA Today called it “one of the best musicals in years,” while Observer described it as “The best musical in eons!”
The New York Post also praised the show, comparing its emotional impact to the best of Pixar.
At its heart, Maybe Happy Ending explores human connection and the relationships that shape our lives, offering audiences an original theatrical adventure that combines humor, emotion, and an imaginative story.
For Broadway fans, the production offers an opportunity to experience one of the theater world’s most celebrated recent musicals without leaving West Michigan.
Whether you’re interested in the arts, live music, history, shopping, Broadway theater, or family-friendly entertainment, November 13–15 brings plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy West Michigan.
