Good Morning Grand Rapids!

We bid farewell to Dolly Parton, and to summer. There’s still a lot to look forward, to, though, between Kesha tonight at Acrisure Amphitheater and the Taco Fest this weekend.

Let’s get into it! ☀️ 

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

📆 Tonight In Grand Rapids!

Music fans, you won’t want to miss Pop legend Kesha tonight at Acrisure Ampiteheater. Come out and hear for yourself what freedom sounds like!

📆 This Weekend’s Grand Events

Wednesday, August 26

Kesha - Acrisure Amphitheater - Kesha brings The Freedom Tour to Grand Rapids with special guests Chromeo and Erika Jayne for a night of pop anthems and high-energy performances. 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Cut Flowers Gardening 101 and Farm Flower Bouquets - Blandford Nature Center - Learn the basics of starting a cut flower garden, including which varieties grow well in the area and how to choose flowers based on personal style and color preferences, then harvest flowers from Blandford Farm's flower field and arrange a bouquet to take home. 6:00–7:30 PM / $45 non-members, $36 members

GRAAMA African American Genealogy Group Kick-Off Event - Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives - Join special guest speaker Sophia Ward Brewer and fellow history enthusiasts for the launch of GRAAMA's growing African American Genealogy Group, bringing together individuals and families interested in researching, preserving, and celebrating their family history. 5:30–7:00 PM / Free

Thursday, August 27

Greensky Bluegrass - GLC Live at 20 Monroe - Greensky Bluegrass brings its celebrated bluegrass sound to Grand Rapids for a live performance. 7:00 PM / $52–$107

Grand Rapids Film Society: Roundtable - Annex Front Studio - A networking and discussion event for the local film community, with moderated small-group conversations about movies, community issues, creative ideas, and experiences. Doors 6:30 PM / Show 7:00–9:30 PM / Free

Matt Braunger - Elevation - SectionLive presents comedian Matt Braunger for an 18+ stand-up performance. Doors 6:30 PM / Show 7:30 PM / $35.40–$53.15

The Return Of The Carnival Of Sins: Mötley Crüe - Acrisure Amphitheater - Mötley Crüe brings its high-energy Return of the Carnival of Sins tour to Grand Rapids with special guests Tesla and Extreme, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the original tour and the band's 45th anniversary. 6:30 PM / $29–$219+

Friday, August 28

Ali Siddiq - DeVos Performance Hall - Comedian Ali Siddiq brings his Custom Fit Tour to Grand Rapids with sharp storytelling and stand-up comedy. 7:00 PM / $55–$190+

SILVA Silent Disco! - SILVA - SILVA hosts a silent disco in The Big Room with wireless headphones and DJs provided for a night of dancing. 7:30 PM / $22

TOTO + Christopher Cross + The Romantics - Acrisure Amphitheater - TOTO, Christopher Cross, and The Romantics bring an evening of classic rock hits and timeless favorites to Grand Rapids. 6:45 PM / $35+

Whiskey Bound - Live at Rapid River Stillhouse - Rapid River Stillhouse - West Michigan's Whiskey Bound brings a full-throttle mix of country and classic rock favorites to the Stillhouse stage. 9:00 PM / $5

Voices in Harmony - Wealthy Theatre - A benefit concert supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, bringing together local artists and community members for an evening celebrating creativity, connection, and purpose. 6:00–8:00 PM / $22.43

Toni Romiti: 16 Again Tour - The Stache at The Intersection - Toni Romiti brings her 16 Again Tour to The Stache in an all-ages performance. Doors 7:00 PM / Show 8:00 PM / $35.40–$110.15

TEN31 - The Mint - TEN31 takes the stage at The Mint for an energetic evening of live music and powerful performances. Doors 9:00 PM / Show 9:00 PM / $22.15

Relax at Rosa - Loren J. Clarke - Rosa Parks Circle - A free lunchtime concert featuring local musicians and food trucks in downtown Grand Rapids. 12:00–1:30 PM / Free

Grand Rapids Taco Fest 2026 - Riverside Park - A three-day festival featuring more than 20 food vendors serving Mexican cuisine alongside an extensive lineup of bands and live entertainment for all ages. 4:00–9:00 PM / $6.07–$8.89

Saturday, August 29

Baila Music Festival 2026 - Rosa Parks Circle - A full day of live Latin music, dancing, food trucks, and community fun in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. 11:00 AM–9:00 PM / Free

Bayker Blankenship - The Stache at The Intersection - Bayker Blankenship brings a late-night live music performance to The Stache. Doors 9:30 PM / Show 10:30 PM / $15.90

DeVa – Live at Rapid River Stillhouse - Rapid River Stillhouse - DeVa takes over the Stillhouse with a high-energy set built to keep the floor moving all night. 10:00 PM / $5 cover

I Love R&B Party – The Ultimate R&B Party Experience - Elevation - Concert Crave presents a 21+ R&B party experience featuring a night of music and dancing. Doors 8:00 PM / Show 9:00 PM / $28.40–$54.40

Grand Rapids Walk for Lupus - Blue Bridge - A morning awareness walk supporting lupus awareness, patient support services, and lupus research. 9:00 AM–12:00 PM / $25 per adult, children 17 and under free

Stan Society Presents Bop to the Top Summer Tour 2026 (18+) - GLC Live at 20 Monroe - Stan Society Presents brings the Bop to the Top Summer Tour 2026 to Grand Rapids for an 18+ concert experience. 8:00 PM / Tickets starting at $35+

Summer Music Series: Nathan Walton - Vander Mill - Grand Rapids - Nathan Walton performs outdoors as part of Vander Mill's summer music series, with a relaxed atmosphere for families and friends. 7:00–9:30 PM / Free

Tim McGraw - Acrisure Amphitheater - Tim McGraw brings the Pawn Shop Guitar Tour to Grand Rapids with special guest 49 Winchester. 7:00 PM / Prices vary

The Table & The Vine | A Curated Dinner & Wine Pairing Experience - The 1530 Events - A five-course dining experience featuring exclusive Chateau Chantal wines paired with a menu by Executive Chef Darrin Mayweather, followed by an after-hours experience with wine, snacks, a DJ, and live art. 6:00–11:00 PM / Starting at $125 per person

Community Art Bar - Harmony Brewing Company - Eastown - A free community craft night sponsored by Harmony Brewing Co. and Hot Glue Creux, featuring crafts and a vinyl set curated by DJ Lindsay Patton. 9:00–11:00 PM / Free

B-Movie Euphoria Presents: Showgirls - Wealthy Theatre - B-Movie Euphoria celebrates the cult classic Showgirls with special guest host Sarah Jean Anderson for an evening of camp, glamour, chaos, and unapologetic excess. Doors 6:00 PM / Show 7:00 PM / $17

Grand Rapids Taco Fest 2026 - Riverside Park - A three-day festival featuring more than 20 food vendors serving Mexican cuisine alongside an extensive lineup of bands and live entertainment for all ages. 4:00–9:00 PM / $6.07–$8.89

Sunday, August 30

Hidden Brain on Stage with Shankar Vedantam - GLC Live at 20 Monroe - Shankar Vedantam brings Hidden Brain to the stage for a live presentation exploring the hidden patterns behind human behavior. Doors 5:00 PM / Show 6:00 PM / $54–$124

Dahlia Photography - Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - An intimate photography workshop with Dianne Carroll Burdick offering exclusive access to the National Dahlia Show and an opportunity to photograph its extraordinary collection of blooms. 9:00–11:00 AM / $45

GRFS Presents: Metropolis at Wealthy Theatre - Wealthy Theatre - Grand Rapids Film Society presents Fritz Lang's 1927 futuristic classic Metropolis with a live metal score performed by The Silent Light. Doors 6:30 PM / Movie 7:30 PM / $15 general admission, $12 members and students

Josh Groban - Acrisure Amphitheater - Josh Groban brings his Stage, Screen, and Symphony tour to Grand Rapids with the Grand Rapids Symphony, combining Broadway selections and songs from his new album CINEMATIC with a full symphonic arrangement. 7:30 PM / $24–$150+

Grand Rapids Taco Fest 2026 - Riverside Park - A three-day festival featuring more than 20 food vendors serving Mexican cuisine alongside an extensive lineup of bands and live entertainment for all ages. 4:00–9:00 PM / $6.07–$8.89

🎙️ Celebrating Dolly Parton

Did you know that Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery are opening a Dolly Parton-themed corn maze this September?

📅 Add to Your Calendar

TLC & Salt-N-Pepa: It's Iconic The Tour – Acrisure Amphitheater – Two of the biggest groups in hip-hop and R&B history join forces for their first co-headlining tour, with special guest En Vogue. – September 3, 2026 / 7:30 PM / Prices vary

Pitbull: I'm Back Tour – Acrisure Amphitheater – Global superstar Pitbull brings his high-energy I'm Back Tour to Grand Rapids with special guest Lil Jon. – September 10, 2026 / 8:00 PM / Prices vary

Billy Idol: It's a Nice Day To... Tour Again – Acrisure Amphitheater – Rock icon Billy Idol brings his signature hits and energetic live show to Grand Rapids with special guest Susanna Hoffs. – September 11, 2026 / 7:30 PM / Prices vary

John Mulaney – Acrisure Amphitheater – Acclaimed comedian John Mulaney brings his live stand-up show to Grand Rapids with Fred Armisen, Mike Birbiglia, and Nick Kroll. – September 12, 2026 / 7:30 PM / Prices vary

The B-52s & Devo: Cosmic De-Evolution Tour – Acrisure Amphitheater – Two hugely influential new-wave bands join forces for a major co-headlining tour, with DJ Cummerbund. – September 19, 2026 / 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Mumford & Sons: PRIZEFIGHTER Tour – Acrisure Amphitheater – Grammy-winning British folk-rock band Mumford & Sons brings its PRIZEFIGHTER Tour to Grand Rapids with special guest The Marcus King Band. – September 22, 2026 / 7:30 PM / Prices vary

Brooks & Dunn: Neon Moon Tour – Acrisure Amphitheater – Country Music Hall of Famers Brooks & Dunn bring their Neon Moon Tour to Grand Rapids with David Lee Murphy and Willow Avalon. – September 25, 2026 / 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Dan + Shay: The Young Tour – Acrisure Amphitheater – Grammy-winning country duo Dan + Shay bring The Young Tour to Grand Rapids with Tyler Hubbard and Josh Ross. – October 2, 2026 / 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Neil deGrasse Tyson: An Astrophysicist Goes to the Movies Part II – DeVos Performance Hall – Astrophysicist and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson explores the science that movies got right and wrong, from The Wizard of Oz and Mary Poppins to Harry Potter and A Bug's Life. – October 5, 2026 / 7:30 PM / Prices vary

Gabriel Iglesias: The 1976 Tour – Van Andel Arena – One of America's most popular stand-up comedians brings his large-scale touring show to Grand Rapids. – November 13, 2026 / 8:00 PM / Prices vary

ArtPrize 2026 – Grand Rapids – International art competition and citywide cultural festival transforming Grand Rapids into a massive exhibition featuring thousands of artists and works throughout the city. – September 17–October 3, 2026 / Free to view

🏃 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.

Millennium Meadows Marathon on August 30.

Last Chance BQ.2 - Grand Rapids on September 13.

Healthy Kids Running Series Fall 2026 - Grand Rapids, MI on September 13–October 11.