Good Morning Grand Rapids!

Yes, we needed the rain, but did we need to get it all at once? At least they rescheduled the Coast Guard boat festival,

Let’s get into it! ⛵️ 

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

☕ The Hoxie Approved for Creston: Grand Rapids' Planning Commission has approved The Hoxie, a café by day and cocktail bar by night, to open in a long-vacant building in the Creston neighborhood, bringing a unique new gathering space to the area. Read more about The Hoxie's approval.

🥙 Cava Coming to West Michigan: Mediterranean fast-casual favorite Cava is opening its first West Michigan location at The Shops at CenterPoint, bringing customizable bowls, pitas, salads, and dips to Grand Rapids. Learn more about Cava's expansion into West Michigan.

👽 Return to the River Festival Teases Lineup: The Return to the River Festival continues building anticipation with a cryptic, alien-themed "decoded transmission" hinting at the artists performing during the August 22–23 festival. Check out the mysterious lineup teaser.

⚓ Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Rebounds: The Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival resumed after severe weather canceled Monday's Parade of Ships, as visitors and residents continue supporting the community following last week's tragic loss of the Karolkiewicz family. Read more about the Coast Guard Festival's return.

🍼 Diaper Drive Supports Local Families: Saint Gianna's No Cost Baby Boutique is hosting a community diaper donation drive to help provide diapers and other essentials to West Michigan families facing financial hardship. Learn how to support the diaper donation drive.

📆 This Weekend’s Grand Events

Wednesday, July 29

5 Seconds of Summer - Acrisure Amphitheater - Australian pop-rock band 5 Seconds of Summer brings its EVERYONE'S A STAR! World Tour to Grand Rapids with special guest The Band CAMINO. 8:00 PM / $24–145+

Little Stranger - The Intersection - Genre-blending duo Little Stranger performs with Wax, Jarv, and Damn Skippy. Doors 7:00 PM / Show 8:00 PM / Prices vary

Full Moon Family Trivia Night - Blandford Nature Center - Enjoy nature-themed trivia under the full moon with family, friends, prizes, and a relaxed outdoor atmosphere. 6:30–8:30 PM / $10 ($8 members; free for ages 2 and under)

Thursday, July 30

Wildlife Experience with Blandford Nature Center - Grand Rapids Public Library – West Side Branch - Meet birds, mammals, and other wildlife ambassadors from Blandford Nature Center in this interactive program for ages 6–18. 3:00–4:00 PM / Free

Big E's Live Music Featuring For Your Soul - Big E's Sports Grill - Enjoy live music from For Your Soul alongside food and drinks. 6:00–8:00 PM / Free

Chicago & Styx - Acrisure Amphitheater - Classic rock legends Chicago and Styx co-headline an evening of timeless hits. 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Friday, July 31

Merchants and Makers at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival - Merchants and Makers - Browse handmade art, jewelry, crafts, and more from over 140 Michigan makers during the Coast Guard Festival market. 9:00 AM–5:00 PM / Free

Baila at Rosa Latin Dance Series - Rosa Parks Circle - Free outdoor evening of salsa, bachata, merengue, cumbia, dancing, food, and community. 6:00–8:00 PM / Free

Backyard Bonfire at the Blandford Farm - Blandford Farm - Family-friendly evening featuring crafts, s'mores, storytelling, and bonfire fun. 6:00–7:30 PM / $16 ($12.80 members; free for ages 0–2)

Back to the Future - Wealthy Theatre - Steven Spielberg's beloved time-travel adventure follows Marty McFly as he races to restore history after being accidentally sent back to 1955. Doors 6:30 PM / Movie 7:30 PM / $10 ($8 members)

Sorry to Bother You (Art House Theater Day) - Wealthy Theatre - Celebrate Art House Theater Day with Boots Riley's wildly inventive satire about a telemarketer whose success leads him into an increasingly bizarre corporate world. Doors 7:00 PM / Movie 8:00 PM / $10 ($8 members)

Bikini Trill - The Stache at The Intersection - Reggae-rock trio Bikini Trill performs with support to be announced. Doors 7:00 PM / Show 8:00 PM / Prices vary

The Coral Reefer Band - Acrisure Amphitheater - Jimmy Buffett's legendary backing band brings the Keep the Party Going Tour to Grand Rapids. 8:00 PM / Prices vary

Innuendo - Rapid River Stillhouse - Crowd-favorite cover band performs a night of rock, pop, and party favorites. 9:00 PM / $5 cover

Date Night: The Dirty Show - Tellers Lounge - Last Call Comedy presents an adults-only evening of stand-up featuring touring comedians from around the country. 9:00–10:30 PM / $20

2000's Rave – Party Like It's 2003 - Elevation - Dance the night away to the biggest hits of the early 2000s at this nostalgic throwback rave. Doors 9:00 PM / Show 9:00 PM / $22.15–25.90

Saturday, August 1

Bluey's Big Play - DeVos Performance Hall - Live stage adaptation of the Emmy Award-winning children's series featuring Bluey and her family. 11:00 AM / From $10

Blacksmith 102: Advance Beginner Class - Blandford Nature Center - Build on the skills learned in Blacksmith 101 while forging your own marshmallow fork using traditional blacksmithing techniques. 12:00–4:00 PM / $110 members, $130 non-members

COLLIDE Series 26 - Calvin University - Deos Contemporary Ballet presents two new works exploring mythology, remembrance, and the human experience. 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM / $45

Radiant Summer Art Exhibition Opening Reception - LaFontsee Galleries - Celebrate the gallery's summer exhibition with art, conversation, and community. 6:00–9:00 PM / Free

Lynyrd Skynyrd x Foreigner: Double Trouble Double Vision Tour - Acrisure Amphitheater - Rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner co-headline an evening of classic hits with special guest Six Gun Sally. 6:30 PM / Prices vary

Nate Bargatze - Van Andel Arena - Grammy- and Emmy-nominated comedian brings his Big Dumb Eyes Tour to Grand Rapids. 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Summer Music Series: Rebekah Rhys - Vander Mill - Enjoy live music on the patio during Vander Mill's summer concert series. 7:00–9:30 PM / Free

Sunday, August 2

Bluey's Big Play - DeVos Performance Hall - Live theatrical adventure featuring Bluey, Bingo, Mum, and Dad. 11:00 AM / From $10

Ponyo - Wealthy Theatre - Studio Ghibli's family favorite screens as part of the Family Film Series. Doors 1:00 PM / Movie 2:00 PM / $10 ($8 members)

Christopher Titus – Doomed To Repeat Tour - The Intersection - Veteran comedian Christopher Titus performs his latest stand-up tour. Doors 6:00 PM / Show 7:00 PM / $40.15–65.15

Ritual of Riffs - The Stache at The Intersection - Grand Rapids Doomfest showcase featuring Bonehawk, Ghost Pipe, Wolftooth, and Warhand. Doors 6:00 PM / Show 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Stewart Copeland – Have I Said Too Much - Wealthy Theatre - The Police drummer Stewart Copeland shares stories from his remarkable career during a live spoken-word event. 8:00 PM / $188.20

🚢 Honoring the Coast Guard

Did you know that the Michigan Coast Guard was founded in 1876?

📅 Add to Your Calendar

Upheaval Festival 2026 – Belknap Park – Multi-day rock and metal festival featuring national touring acts, local performers, and immersive festival experiences in one of Grand Rapids’ largest summer music events. – July dates vary / Multi-day / Ticketed

Breakaway Music Festival Michigan 2026 – Grand Rapids Area – Touring EDM and hip-hop festival bringing nationally known DJs and live acts, large-scale stage production, and nightlife-oriented programming to West Michigan. – Summer 2026 / Dates & pricing 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.

Sigue la Tormenta – Follow the Storm 5K/10K + 1 Mile Fun Run on August 2, 2026