Good Morning Grand Rapids!

Mother’s Day is the big news of this week. I’m super looking forward to getting out with my wife and the kids - weather permitting. Friday is almost as big, though, when Grand Rapids’ best and brightest will be celebrated at The Goei Center with the Best of Grand Rapid party.

Also, a quick side note - I’ve created a new section, Tonight in Grand Rapids, to help give you an idea of what’s going on and navigate the wall-to-wall goodness of Grand Rapids events each week. I’m including a poll right after, so do me a favor and let me know what you think about the new section!

Let’s get into it! 🌷

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

🛍️ Celebrate National Small Business Week with local businesses in Uptown Grand Rapids: Uptown Grand Rapids is encouraging residents to support locally owned cafes, restaurants, and shops, and vote in the ongoing BEST OF THE WEST competition as part of National Small Business Week highlighting the best of Grand Rapids.

🦌 A deer surprised staff and residents in a nursing facility setting: Local nurses got a big surprise in Hastings when a deer wandered into a skilled nursing facility, startling staff and creating a memorable scene for residents

🚲 East Grand Rapids is Getting Micromobility: City leaders have revised ordinances to support scooters, bikes, and other small transit options as part of broader mobility planning efforts.

🍜 A Burmese Restaurateur is Thriving: A Burmese refugee shares a story of resilience and growth while establishing a thriving restaurant career in West Michigan’s food industry.

🚌 Grand Rapids DASH shuttle expands service with increased service levels:
The downtown transit system has updated routes and introduced increased service levels to improve rider access and frequency.

🎉 Community prepares for the annual Best of Grand Rapids celebration:
The city is gearing up for the annual Best of Grand Rapids event highlighting reader-selected favorites across local businesses and entertainment.

🎭 Opera Grand Rapids Announces Its Upcoming Season and Finale Performance:
The organization revealed its upcoming season, including a closing production of Madame Butterfly.

🤩 Tonight in Grand Rapids!

There’s a ton to get into this Thursday. Those that didn’t get a chance to go out Monday will have a second chance to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, with an evening of dancing and themed cocktails at the IDC. Local historians will have a special opportunity with a special screening of historic footage at Wealthy Theatre. Arts and craft lovers will have several chances to get crafty with both a sip and paint at Long Road Distillers and a whimsical moss workshop at Spruced Studio.

📆 This Weekend’s Grand Events

Thursday, May 7

Guided Shinrin-Yoku: Rest & Reconnect in Nature - Blandford Nature Center - Guided forest bathing experience focused on relaxation, mindfulness, and connection with nature. 6:00–8:00 PM / $30 non-members, $24 members

Cocktails & Canvas: Spring Blooms Paint & Sip - Long Road Distillers - Instructor-led painting session with drinks included and no experience required. 6:30–8:30 PM / $45

Cinco de Mayo at IDC - IDC - Late-night Cinco de Mayo party featuring DJ sets and themed cocktails. 8:00 PM / $10

Preserving Our Neighborhoods: Fundraiser for Hermitage at Diamond - Wealthy Theatre - Documentary screenings and discussion on historic preservation efforts in Grand Rapids. 7:00–9:00 PM / $10

Trivia Night @ KDL - Kent District Library - Team-based trivia event with themed rounds and multimedia questions. 6:30–7:30 PM / Free

Whimsical Mossy Wreath Workshop - Spruced Studio - Hands-on workshop creating a decorative spring wreath with guided instruction. 5:30–7:30 PM / $75

Friday, May 8

Midwest Foundation Fellowship - Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - Morning gathering of leaders for fellowship, prayer, and keynote speaker presentation. 7:00–7:30 AM / $25

Pottery for Beginners: Hands-On Wheel Workshop - Heartside District - Introductory pottery class with guided instruction on the wheel. 6:00 PM / $90

Silent Disco at Studio Park Plaza - Studio Park - Outdoor silent disco with multiple DJ channels and wireless headphones. 6:00–10:00 PM / $10

Millionaire$ - The Stache at The Intersection - High-energy pop/hip-hop concert with supporting acts. Doors 6:30 PM / Show 7:30 PM / Prices vary

Dayseeker: The Pale Moonlight Tour - GLC Live at 20 Monroe - Post-hardcore band performing on their latest tour. Doors 6:00 PM / $140–$213

Best of Grand Rapids Party - The Goei Center - Large-scale celebration featuring top local businesses, food tastings, drinks, and live performances. 7:00–10:00 PM / $75–$105

Saturday, May 9

Amway River Bank Run 2026 - DeVos Place Convention Center - Major annual race event featuring 25K, 10K, 5K, and community walk options. 7:00–8:00 AM / $90

Mommy & Me Dance - Social Dance Studio - Beginner-friendly dance class followed by a mini dance party for moms and kids. 10:00–11:30 AM / $15 per child (moms free)

Cacao Pop-Up with Cacao de Luca - Gathered Botanicals - Drop-in event featuring handcrafted sipping chocolate and take-home cacao products. 11:00 AM–2:00 PM / Free

Taste of Summer - Riverside Park - Food truck festival with tasting portions, live music, and artisan vendors. 12:00–8:00 PM / Free

Mommy & Me Bag Charm Workshop - Three Blue Brushes - Creative workshop designing custom bag charms with decorative materials. 1:00–3:00 PM / $45

Sugar Cookie Decorating Class: The Sweetest Brunch - The Honeysuckle Co. - Beginner-friendly cookie decorating class with all supplies and snacks included. 3:00–4:30 PM / $59

Helen DeVos Legacy Award Gala - St. Cecilia Music Center - Formal gala honoring community leadership and contributions to arts and culture. 5:00 PM / $175

Grand Rapids Tequila Fest - DeVos Place Convention Center - Tasting event featuring tequila, mezcal, cocktails, food trucks, and live entertainment. 6:00–9:00 PM / Prices vary

Ingrid Andress - The Stache at The Intersection - Country-pop artist performing an intimate live set. Doors 6:30 PM / Show 7:30 PM / Prices vary

Avery Anna - The Intersection - Live performance from rising country artist on tour. Doors 6:30 PM / Show 7:30 PM / Prices vary

GOLDEN: A K-Pop Party! (18+) - Elevation - Club-style dance party featuring K-pop hits and DJ sets. Doors 8:00 PM / Show 9:00 PM / $28

Sunday, May 10

Mother’s Day Tea with Mum - Amway Grand Plaza Catering - Elegant Mother’s Day tea in the Pantlind Lobby featuring premium loose-leaf teas, tiered savory bites, scones, and pastries. 10:00 AM–12:00 PM / $59 adults, $34 children

Mommy & Me! Mother’s Day Paint Party - We Rock The Spectrum – Grand Rapids - Guided parent-child painting session creating a colorful butterfly on canvas with acrylic paints. 11:00 AM–12:30 PM / $30 per pair

City Lights and Morning Bites: Mother’s Day Brunch - AC Hotel Grand Rapids Downtown - Downtown brunch experience with curated dishes, cocktails, and a social atmosphere celebrating Mother’s Day. 1:00–4:00 PM / $43.73

Porcelain & Petals: Mother’s Day Tea & Craft - Spruced Studio - Lighthearted tea and craft workshop featuring drinks, treats, and a themed creative activity. 2:00–4:00 PM / $59 per person

Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet at Cork Wine & Grille - Cork Wine & Grille - All-day brunch buffet with omelets, carved meats, salads, desserts, and classic breakfast favorites. 10:00 AM–4:00 PM / $39 adults, $16 children, free under 4

👩‍🦰 Celebrating Mother’s Day!

Did you know that Mother’s Day has its roots in central Michigan, when Juliet Calhoun Blakely initiated a celebration for mother’s starting in the late 1800s.

📅 Add to Your Calendar

Tulip Time Festival 2026 – May 1–10 @ Holland Tulip Time – Classic Dutch heritage festival with millions of tulips in bloom, parades, cultural events, and family fun near Grand Rapids. – All day daily / Prices vary

Cider Week GR – May 8–16 @ Multiple Grand Rapids Locations – Nine days of cider tastings, orchard tours, pairing dinners, and celebrations of Michigan’s hard cider scene. – Various times / Prices vary

Michigan Cider Fest – May 16 @ Rosa Parks Circle – Outdoor festival featuring Michigan ciders, food trucks, music, and games in downtown Grand Rapids. – 3:00 PM–7:00 PM / Tickets required (21+ event)

Jelly Roll: The Little ASS Shed Tour – June 13 @ Acrisure Amphitheater – Grammy‑winning artist performs live with special guest Kashus Culpepper in a high‑energy summer concert. – 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Grand Rapids Asian‑Pacific Festival 2026 – June 12–13 @ Calder Plaza – Two days of cultural performances, art exhibits, cuisine, and family activities celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander heritage. – 11:00 AM–11:00 PM / Free (food & vendor costs vary)

🏃 Upcoming Runs & Walks!

Last year, one of our readers wrote in asking about running and walking events happening around Grand Rapids. We aim to please! Here are a few running and walking events happening in the next few weeks and months, so you can start warming up now.

Amway River Bank Run on May 9, 2026

Walk MS: Grand Rapids on May 30, 2026