Good Morning Grand Rapids!

Hope you guys didn’t wash away last night! Hope even more the nice weather comes back for the weekend. There’s too much good stuff, it’s be a tragedy to get rained out!

Let’s get into it! ☀️ 

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

🍓 Pride Festival to Feature Grammy-Winning Headliner: Grand Rapids Pride is expanding its celebration once again, with organizers announcing a Grammy-winning artist will headline this year’s festival, marking another major milestone for the city’s long-running LGBTQ+ community event.

☕ “Democracy Café” Brings Conversation to the Community: A new civic engagement series invites residents to take part in informal dialogue sessions through Grand Rapids Democracy Café, designed to encourage open discussion around community issues ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.

🚲 Community Bike Ride Showcases Public Art: Residents will soon be able to explore the city’s creative landscape on wheels through a guided ride highlighting murals and installations during a public art and community bike event, combining cycling with local culture and design.

🌳 City Seeks Input on Parks Master Plan: Grand Rapids officials are asking for resident feedback as part of a citywide parks master planning process, which will help shape future investments in green spaces, recreation, and public amenities.

🧱 Vintage Market Expands With “Glasshouse” Space: Elevated Market is growing its footprint with the launch of The Glasshouse expansion project, a soft-opening addition aimed at expanding its vintage and vendor offerings.

☕ New Cherry Street Café in the Works: A new neighborhood café, Porch Light Cafe, is set to open on Cherry Street from local chef Katie Barnes, adding to the city’s growing independent food scene.

🌮 Bridge Street Welcomes New Mexican Kitchen: After a fast renovation cycle, Adobe Mexican Kitchen is preparing to open a new location near Bridge Street Market, expanding local dining options in the corridor.

🏭 Heinz Factory Redevelopment Gains Momentum: Plans to transform the historic Madison Avenue Heinz building into an innovation hub continue moving forward as a Detroit-based firm joins the redevelopment project, signaling renewed investment in the long-vacant industrial site.

📚 GRPL Hosts Juneteenth Mobile Museum Exhibit: The Grand Rapids Public Library is marking Juneteenth with a special installation featuring the Black History 101 Mobile Museum at its main branch, showcasing thousands of artifacts tied to Black history and culture.

📆 This Weekend’s Grand Events

Wednesday, June 17

MGK – Lost American Tour - Acrisure Amphitheater - MGK and Wiz Khalifa bring the Lost American Tour to Grand Rapids with a high-energy hip-hop/rock stadium show. 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Thursday, June 18

The Aquabats – Gigantish Tour 2026 - Elevation - All-ages ska/rock show with The Aquabats. Doors 6:00 PM / Show 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Glassophilia: Why Do We Love Glass? - Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - Sculpture Forum talk exploring the artistic appeal of glass. 6:00–8:00 PM / Free

Sips & Succulents Workshop - Spruced Studio - DIY succulent arranging workshop with a complimentary glass of wine. 6:00–7:15 PM / $38–$48

Eclectic Threads: The Gathering of Misfits - AllArtWorks - Mixed-media exhibition featuring paintings and handmade books. 6:00–8:00 PM / Free

The Fair Chase Film Festival - Wealthy Theatre - Outdoor/hunting-themed film showcase with 6 short films. 7:00 PM / $16

Kail Lowry: Fatherless Behavior Tour - GLC Live at 20 Monroe - Live podcast-style comedy storytelling show. Doors 6:30 PM / Show 7:30 PM / $48–$140+

Josh Rose & The Founding Fathers - Midtown at Studio Park - Genre-blending live music with storytelling and humor. 7:00 PM / $20–$25

Friday, June 19

Blue Jay Bridge Live - Rapid River Stillhouse - High-energy cover band spanning pop, country, and rock. 9:00 PM / $5 cover

Tash Sultana - Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater - Outdoor amphitheater concert from Tash Sultana. 6:30 PM / $78–$83

I Set My Friends On Fire - Elevation - Post-hardcore live performance with support. Doors 6:00 PM / Show 7:00 PM / $30.64

Winyah – No Place I’d Rather Be Tour - The Stache at The Intersection - Indie/alt live show. Doors 7:00 PM / Show 8:00 PM / $35

Megan Moroney – Cloud 9 Tour - Van Andel Arena - Major country headliner with special guests. 7:00 PM / $90–$130

Juneteenth Jam - Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives - Community celebration of Black art, culture, and music. 4:00–8:00 PM / Free

Pride Concert 2026 – WMVP - St. Cecilia Music Center - Pride-themed concert celebrating music and community. 7:00 PM / $22.46

Last Call Comedy: The Dirty Show - Tellers Lounge - Stand-up comedy showcase with touring comedians. 9:00–10:30 PM / $23

Wealthy Street Alive - Uptown Grand Rapids - Neighborhood street festival revival event. 12:00–3:00 PM / Free

Saturday, June 20

girl so in love: Olivia Rodrigo Night - The Stache at The Intersection - Fan dance party themed around Olivia Rodrigo. 8:00 PM / Prices vary

Foraged Botanical Ink Workshop - Gathered Botanicals - Learn to make natural inks from plants. 10:30 AM–12:00 PM / $35

Grand Rapids Record & CD Show - American Legion Post 179 - Vinyl, CD, and music memorabilia market. 9:00 AM–4:00 PM / Free

Soulful Sounds in Grand Rapids - The Sweet House - Jazzy R&B performance with modern soul styling. 7:00–9:00 PM / $40–$90

Treat Trot Grand Rapids - Riverside Park - Community 5K run with family activities. 7:00–10:00 AM / $17–$42

Rob Schneider Live - GLC Live at 20 Monroe - Stand-up comedy performance. 8:00 PM / $49–$213+

Harmonies for Humanity - The Stray - Benefit concert supporting refugee relief. 7:00–9:00 PM / $15 minimum donation

Summer Music Series: The Spuddies - Vander Mill - Grand Rapids - Outdoor patio live music event. 7:00–9:30 PM / Free

Unseen Oceans Opening Celebration - Grand Rapids Public Museum - Museum exhibit opening with family activities. 11:00 AM–3:00 PM / General admission

Sunday, June 21

Jordan Jensen - The Intersection - Stand-up comedy performance. 7:00 PM / $35–$60

Americana Sundays: Nic Gareiss - ArtRat Gallery - Dance and music performance rooted in folk traditions. 3:00–5:00 PM / $25

Summer Solstice Celebration - Millennium Park - Wellness festival with yoga, music, and community events. 9:00 AM–8:00 PM / $30–$70

The Great Grand River Blueprint - Blue Bridge - Participatory cyanotype art project creating a massive public print. 12:00–4:00 PM / Free

🌍️ Ga Is Grand!

Did you know that the Ga District in Ghana is one of Grand Rapids’ sister cities?

📅 Add to Your Calendar

Latvian Song & Dance Festival 2026 – July 1–5 @ Downtown Grand Rapids Venues – Grand Rapids hosts the Latvian Song & Dance Festival for the first time, featuring massive choral and dance performances, cultural exhibitions, and community events across multiple downtown venues, including a 500-voice choir and 750-member dance ensemble. – July 1–5 / Schedule varies / Free–ticketed events

The Guess Who – Acrisure Amphitheater – Legendary rock band The Guess Who performs live as part of their 2026 tour, bringing classic hits and high-energy live performance to downtown Grand Rapids. – Date & time vary / Prices vary

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.

Boston Square Wellness Collective’s 3rd Annual Spring Into Action 5K on June 20, 2026

Treat Trot Grand Rapids on June 20, 2026

KeyBank Gran Fondo on June 27, 2026

myTEAM TRIUMPH West MI – GR Gran Fondo on June 27, 2026