Good Morning Grand Rapids!

ArtPrize may be behind us, but spooky season’s just gettin’ going. This week, there’s a monster-themed dance party, a witchy hat craft night, and a Halloween drag show to help get you in the Halloween spirit.

Let’s get into it! 🎃 

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

🏭 $1 Million Grant Supports Factory Yards Redevelopment: A state grant is helping turn a former industrial site on Grand Rapids’ southwest side into a mixed-use development with housing, jobs and commercial space. The $1 million brownfield grant will fund environmental cleanup and rehabilitation at Factory Yards, a planned $146 million project expected to bring at least 200 housing units in its first phase, along with 200 jobs.

🏡 Hispanic Center Welcomes the Community Back: After operating from a temporary location during renovations, the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan has returned to its remodeled home on Cesar E. Chavez Avenue. The updated center received $1 million in state funding for improvements, including new classrooms and offices designed to support its programs and make services more accessible to the community.

📚 Southwest Side Arts Centers Help Young People Thrive: Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities is continuing to serve children and families through its Cook Library Center and Cook Arts Center. The organization’s two neighborhood centers offer seven programs, including after-school activities, summer programming and a year-round teen leadership program, providing young people with welcoming spaces for learning, creativity and connection.

🐕 Facility Dogs Bring Extra Support to Students: Priority Health announced a new group of highly trained facility dogs to support students’ social-emotional well-being at schools across Michigan. The Priority Pups Class of 2026 includes dogs assigned to schools in West Michigan, including Newaygo and Grant, where they’ll work alongside school staff to help students build emotional resilience.

🗣️ Residents Give Grand Rapids High Marks: The city’s latest community survey found that eight in 10 residents rate their quality of life positively, more than nine in 10 would recommend living in Grand Rapids, and 83% expect to stay for at least five years. The 2026 survey results also found improving perceptions of safety and positive ratings for parks, recreation and trails, while identifying areas where city services can improve.

🌮 Taco Tuesday (All Week!): Grand Rapids Taco Week is underway, with $3 tacos available across the city through October 18. Download the Grand Rapids Taco Week app to access discounts at participating restaurants and explore a variety of creative taco options.

🏅 Meijer Wins Customer Satisfaction Honors: West Michigan staple Meijer has beaten Buc-ee’s, QuikTrip, Casey’s, and other competitors for top customer satisfaction among convenience stores. See how the stores ranked.

🌳 Unity Park Opens in Roosevelt Park: After years of planning, Unity Park has officially opened in Grand Rapids’ Roosevelt Park neighborhood. City and community leaders celebrated the $2.23 million park with a ribbon cutting Wednesday, creating a new outdoor gathering space along Cesar E. Chavez Avenue.

🐼 Name That Panda!: Until October 17, you can help choose a name for the Smithsonian National Zoo’s new red panda cub. The three options are Dolly, Pyra, and Dolpa. Which one gets your vote?

📆 This Week’s Grand Events

Thursday, October 15

Caymus Vineyards TasteMaker Dinner - Ruth’s Chris Steak House - Enjoy a chef-crafted menu paired with standout Caymus Vineyards wines, finishing with Dark Chocolate Crème Brûlée. $130 / 6:00 PM

Wheeler Walker Jr. – Pullin’ Out: The Farewell Tour - The Intersection - Wheeler Walker Jr. brings his farewell tour to Grand Rapids, with supporting acts to be announced. $48.15–$165.15 / 7:00 PM doors, 8:00 PM show

The Wheated Legacy Dinner at Cork Wine & Grille - Cork Wine & Grille - Celebrate wheated bourbon with a curated selection of Weller and Van Winkle pours paired with a five-course dinner. $175 plus tax and 20% gratuity / 7:00–9:00 PM

IUIO, Grey Sky and Antholo-G - Mulligan’s Pub - Catch a free night of local live music in a casual pub setting. Free, ages 21+ / 8:00 PM–12:00 AM

Friday, October 16

Anthony Hamilton - Van Andel Arena - Enjoy an evening of soulful R&B featuring Anthony Hamilton, with Leela James and Raheem DeVaughn. Price varies / 8:00 PM

Ryan Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen – Still Gettin’ Away With It Tour - GLC Live at 20 Monroe - Grammy- and Oscar-winning singer-songwriter Ryan Bingham performs with The Texas Gentlemen for an evening of live music. Price varies / 7:00 PM doors, 8:00 PM show

Free Show Friday: Ascension & Strange Skin (Industrial/Post-Punk) - Speciation Cellars - Experience a free night of industrial and post-punk music from Ascension and Strange Skin. Free / 9:00–11:00 PM

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – The Hard Road Tour - Elevation - Catch blues guitarist Christone “Kingfish” Ingram on his Hard Road Tour, with supporting acts to be announced. $41.90–$155.15 / 7:00 PM doors, 8:00 PM show

Innuendo – Live at the Rapid River Stillhouse - Rapid River Stillhouse - Enjoy a high-energy mix of rock, pop, and party anthems from this crowd-favorite band. $5 / 9:00 PM

Missing Rigby - New Holland Brewing Grand Rapids Brewpub - Hear live music from Missing Rigby, an electric multi-generational family band. Free / 7:00–10:00 PM

Sophia McIntosh at Chicago Beef Joint - Chicago Beef Joint - Spend the evening enjoying live music from Sophia McIntosh. Free / 6:00–9:00 PM

Buy Design for Design - Vivant Brewery + Spirits - Browse and purchase posters, prints, books, artifacts, and other design treasures supporting the West Michigan Graphic Design Archives. Free admission / 12:00–7:00 PM

Saturday, October 17

Crankdat – Night 2 - The Intersection - Electronic music artist Crankdat takes the stage with support from Warlord for an 18+ show. $62.65–$81.15 / 8:00 PM doors, 9:00 PM show

Zach Top - Van Andel Arena - Country star Zach Top brings his traditional country sound, heartfelt songwriting, and fan favorites to Grand Rapids. Price varies / 8:00 PM

Monster Mash Theme Night - SILVA - Celebrate Halloween with spooky vibes, killer tunes, and a chance to dress as your favorite monster. Free / 4:00–11:00 PM

Supersonic – North America’s Tribute to Oasis - Elevation - Hear a tribute to Oasis featuring the band's best-known songs in a live concert. $25.40–$35.40 / 7:00 PM doors, 8:00 PM show

Friends of Korea K-Connect Networking Event - Kroc Center - Connect with community leaders, organizations, businesses, and cultural enthusiasts interested in Korea and strengthening ties with West Michigan. $5 / 1:00–3:00 PM

DiscOH - 1130 Wealthy St. SE - Join a joyful celebration of music, movement, and community at this dance-focused gathering. $25 general admission, $50 VIP / 7:00–9:00 PM

Heart String Circus - Four Star Theatre - Enjoy a spooky night of music, immersive activities, variety performances, High Step Society, Vorteque, Fire Flower, Trailblazer, and Frick Frack Blackjack. $25–$50 / 8:00 PM–12:00 AM

Uli Rapp Jewelry Pop-up - Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - Meet Amsterdam-based jewelry artist Uli Rapp and explore handmade textile jewelry inspired by bold colors and autumn botanicals. Free / 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

WITCHY HAT BAR - Spruced Studio - Decorate your own witchy hat with florals, ribbons, bats, charms, feathers, gems, and more while enjoying themed refreshments. $69 / 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Sunday, October 18

Night of the Living Drag - GLC Live at 20 Monroe - Get ready for a Halloween-season drag spectacular at GLC Live. $37–$181+ / 7:00 PM doors, 8:00 PM show

Songs of Life: The Calvin Alumni Choir Celebrates 50 Years - Trinity Lutheran Church - Celebrate five decades of music and ministry with the Calvin Alumni Choir in a special choral performance. Free admission; $15 free-will offering welcome / 3:00 PM

🍎 Celebrating Apples!

Did you know that Kent Count grows over 32% of all of Michigan’s apples?

📅 Add to Your Calendar

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: The Greatest Show on Earth – Van Andel Arena – The legendary circus returns with acrobatics, world-class performers, spectacular stunts and a soundtrack of contemporary hits. – October 29–November 1, 2026 / Multiple performances / 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

Pentatonix: Christmas in the City Tour – Van Andel Arena – The Grammy-winning a cappella group brings its signature vocal arrangements and festive holiday repertoire to Grand Rapids. – November 15, 2026 / 6:00 PM / Prices vary

Maybe Happy Ending – DeVos Performance Hall – The six-time Tony Award-winning musical follows two helper robots whose unexpected connection leads to a deeply human story about love, memory and what makes life meaningful. – November 10–15, 2026 / Multiple performances / Prices vary

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve – Van Andel Arena – The rock ensemble combines elaborate lighting, theatrical storytelling and symphonic rock for its celebrated holiday production, featuring two performances in Grand Rapids. – December 6, 2026 / 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM / Prices vary

Jonas Brothers: The Burning Up Tour All Over Again – Van Andel Arena – Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas revisit the era of their iconic Burning Up Tour, bringing the nostalgia and hits of their earlier career back to the arena. – December 15, 2026 / 7:30 PM / Prices vary

60th Annual Great Lakes Invitational – Van Andel Arena – College hockey takes center stage as Michigan Tech, Michigan State, Western Michigan and Lindenwood compete in the long-running tournament for the MacInnes Cup. – December 29–30, 2026 / Games begin at 3:30 PM and 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Harlem Globetrotters: Rivalry Tour – Van Andel Arena – The world-famous basketball entertainers bring their signature trick shots, comedy, crowd interaction and on-court showmanship to Grand Rapids. – January 3, 2027 / 2:00 PM / Prices vary

SIX – DeVos Performance Hall – The hit musical transforms the six wives of Henry VIII into modern pop stars, turning Tudor history into a high-energy concert about power, identity and sisterhood. – January 12–17, 2027 / Multiple performances / Prices vary

Dancing with the Stars Live – Van Andel Arena – Professional dancers from the hit television series bring ballroom choreography, dazzling costumes and theatrical performances to the stage. – January 27, 2027 / 7:30 PM / Prices vary

Nickelback: Everything Under the Sun Tour – Van Andel Arena – The Canadian rock band brings its catalog of arena-rock hits to Grand Rapids, with Don Broco joining as special guest. – February 10, 2027 / 6:30 PM / Prices vary

Disney On Ice Presents Find Your Hero – Van Andel Arena – Disney favorites including Moana, Elsa, Anna, Mirabel, Belle and the Little Mermaid take to the ice in a family show filled with skating, music and stories of courage. – February 18–21, 2027 / Seven performances / Prices vary

TobyMac: Hits Deep Tour – Van Andel Arena – TobyMac headlines a night of contemporary Christian music alongside Jeremy Camp, Seph Schlueter and Katy Nichole. – March 7, 2027 / Prices vary

Monster Jam – Van Andel Arena – Monster trucks return for a three-day, five-show weekend celebrating the tour’s 35th anniversary, with high-flying jumps, stunts and head-to-head competitions. – March 12–14, 2027 / Multiple performances / Prices vary

Ali Wong: Live – DeVos Performance Hall – The Emmy-winning comedian, writer and actor brings her stand-up tour to Grand Rapids for an evening of sharp, personal comedy. – March 23, 2027 / 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Justin Willman: One for the Ages Tour – DeVos Performance Hall – The magician and star of Magic for Humans mixes astonishing illusions with comedy in a family-friendly show recommended for ages eight and up. – April 3, 2027 / 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Iliza Shlesinger: Free Nights & Weekends Tour – DeVos Performance Hall – Stand-up comedian Iliza Shlesinger brings her fast-paced observational humor to downtown Grand Rapids. – April 8, 2027 / 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Brit Floyd: Animals 50 Tour – DeVos Performance Hall – The acclaimed Pink Floyd tribute production celebrates the landmark Animals album with a full-album performance, elaborate staging and classic songs from the band’s catalog. – April 9, 2027 / 8:00 PM / Prices vary

Staind: Break the Cycle Tour – Van Andel Arena – Staind celebrates the legacy of its multi-platinum album Break the Cycle, joined by Seether, Hoobastank and Hinder for a major night of post-grunge and alternative rock. – April 13, 2027 / 6:00 PM / Prices 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.

University of Michigan Health-West Grand Rapids Marathon on October 18