Good Morning Grand Rapids!

Has anyone seen the leaves this week? Make sure to check ‘em out on your way to this weekend’s fall festivities!

Let’s get into it! 🍂 

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

🧑‍🚀 Earth to GR: Grand Rapids-born Artemis II astronaut Christina Koch has sent a piece of her mission back home, donating her NASA uniform and several patches for a temporary display you can see up close at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

👗 Hope For Single Moms Hits the Runway: On Thursday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m., the Goei Center hosts Hope For Single Moms’ annual Fashion For a Future fundraiser, a show with looks from The James Boutique and Roman James, community models, a spotlight on moms’ accomplishments, and a live auction to close out the night.

🎬 GVSU Students Premiere Feature Film: GVSU students Christian Vanover and Lucas Cuppy shot their indie thriller in just four days up in Traverse City, and on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 8 p.m., The Anatomy of a Man premieres at Celebration Cinema Studio Park. The story follows six recent grads whose cabin party takes a dark turn.

✍️ Women Who Write and Create Turns 11: This Saturday, Oct. 24, 27 West Michigan women authors gather at the Hilton Garden Inn East for a free afternoon of shopping, networking and panels on screenwriting, illustration and publishing. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.

📆 This Week’s Grand Events

Wednesday, October 21

Dementia Friendly Movies: American Graffiti - Event details - Enjoy a dementia-friendly screening of American Graffiti. Check the event page for the time and admission details.

Candy Harvest - Arvon Brewing Co. - Celebrate the annual Candy Harvest release with Halloween-inspired beers, including kettle sours infused with Halloween candy and spooky stouts. To-go cans are available for Halloween celebrations. Check the event page for hours and prices.

Between Worlds: Where Memory Lives - DeVos Place Convention Center - A juried Día de los Muertos exhibition exploring memory, ancestry, family, identity, loss, and celebration through painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, installations, and ofrendas. On display October 9–November 21, 2026. Check the event page for visiting hours and admission.

Fall Wildflowers - Brush Studio - Paint a fall floral design on a jar using stencils, customize the colors, and add a Halloween ghost. $30.

Thursday, October 22

Austin Snell: Colors Tour 2026 - Elevation at The Intersection - Austin Snell brings Colors Tour 2026 to Grand Rapids, with support TBA. 6:30 PM doors / 7:30 PM show / 28.40–143.15

Fashion For a Future 2026 - 2130 Blueberry Drive NW - Fashion runway event supporting families across West Michigan. 6:00–10:00 PM / $100 per person

Make Friends Networking Event at SpeakEz - SpeakEZ Lounge - Meet new people, break the ice, and make friends at a social evening. 6:30–8:30 PM / $11.90

Opening New Doors: A Ribbon Cutting & Community Celebration - Fountain Hill Center - Celebrate Fountain Hill Center’s new accessible space with cider, doughnuts, lawn games, a ribbon-cutting, and tours. 5:30–7:30 PM / Free

Friday, October 23

Prior Noon: Hometown Stache Bash - The Stache at The Intersection - Prior Noon headlines a hometown show with Corey Daokta, Harry Dean and The Dusty Boys, and Gabe Fuss. 6:30 PM doors / 7:30 PM show / $22

Judah & The Lion - The Intersection - Live performance, support TBA. 6:30 PM doors / 7:30 PM show / 48.15–242.15

Jessica Audiffred - Elevation at The Intersection - 18+ electronic music show, support TBA. 8:00 PM doors / 9:00 PM show / 28.40–35.40

No Collar Coyote: Live at the Rapid River Stillhouse - Rapid River Stillhouse - Grand Rapids’ own No Collar Coyote performs original rock. 9 PM / $5

Reggaeton Rave - GLC Live at 20 Monroe - 18+ late-night reggaeton. 9 PM / Tickets from $25

(Nearly) Full Moon Night Hike - Blandford Nature Center - Learn about Hunter’s Moon and lunar phases on a night hike, then see nocturnal animals in the Wildlife Center. 7–8 PM / $13 nonmembers, $10.40 members

Haunts & Howls - Humane Society of West Michigan - Family- and dog-friendly event with trunk-or-treat, cider and doughnuts, games, a haunted trail, and costume contests for dogs and children 12 and under. 6:30–8 PM / Adults $10, youth $5, children 2 and under free

Saturday, October 24

(Nolan Patin Is) Elvira: Live On The Big Scream - Midtown - An evening celebrating Elvira with camp, comedy, and spooky entertainment. 7–10 PM / $20

Festive Fall Arrangement Class - Eastern Floral - Create a seasonal floral arrangement. 10–11 AM / $65

Sleeping With Sirens: An Ending In Itself Tour - GLC Live at 20 Monroe - Tour performance. 6 PM / Tickets from $59.50

Blüejay: Live at Rapid River Stillhouse - Rapid River Stillhouse - DJ Blüejay plays bass, dubstep, and riddim. 10 PM / $5

Lakeview: Wreck My Night Tour - The Stache at The Intersection - All-ages show. 6:30 PM doors / 7:30 PM show / 28.40–90.15

Grand Rapids Pride Pageant: The Luminary Crown - Grand Rapids Pride Center - A pageant celebrating leadership, creativity, advocacy, and visibility in West Michigan’s 2SLGBTQ+ community. 1–4 PM / $50

Harvest In Bloom - Eastern Floral - Create a fall floral arrangement in a faux pumpkin vase. 10–11 AM / $65

Merchants of the Macabre Oddities Market - Grand Rapids Downtown Market - Shop vendors featuring taxidermy, skeletal specimens, tarot, art prints, and true crime memorabilia. 10 AM–6 PM / Free

R&B Fest: A Celebration of ’90s & ’00s R&B - Elevation at The Intersection - 21+ R&B event. 4 PM doors and show / Prices vary

West Side Donut Dash - Blandford Nature Center - Kids’ half-mile and 5K trail run, with a T-shirt, medal, timed 5K results, and a donut with water or cider. 9:30 AM–12 PM / $45

Amaze & Amuse: A Modern Day Magic Show (18+) with Trino and Parker William - Wealthy Theatre - Adult comedy, magic, illusions, and audience participation. 6 PM doors / 7–8 PM show / 33–60

Free Halloween Show: Garbage Angel! - Speciation Cellars - Grand Rapids Halloween band performs at a spooky party; costumes encouraged. 9–11 PM / Free

Don’t Call It a Pop-Up: The House of Jazz Concert - 4485 Plainfield Avenue NE, Suite 205 - Wenso Ashby presents a one-night jazz lounge featuring contemporary jazz, neo-soul, and deep grooves. 7–9 PM / $23.18

### Sunday, October 25

All Them Witches - The Intersection - All Them Witches perform with support from Emma Ruth Rundle. All ages. 7 PM doors / 8 PM show / Prices vary

Sunday, October 25

Autumn Weekends at Meijer Gardens - Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - Celebrate the fall harvest with live music, seasonal food and beverages, and daytime activities for all ages. Explore the gardens, enjoy seasonal flavors, and take part in activities inspired by harvest traditions. All Day/Free

Michigan’s Farm Garden: Autumn Family Activities - Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - Young guests and their families can explore the sights, textures, and rhythms of the harvest through interactive, drop-in activities. Try the farm-inspired Harvest Relay on the South Lawn and enjoy imaginative play at the Little Farms Produce Stand. Friday and Saturday, 11 AM–2 PM./Free

🍁 Celebrating Van Andel Arena!

Did you know that Van Andel Arena turned 30 earlier this month?

📅 Add to Your Calendar

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: The Greatest Show on Earth – Van Andel Arena – The Greatest Show on Earth returns to Grand Rapids with superhuman feats, spectacular performances, and an adrenaline-charged musical mashup featuring country star Maddox Batson. – October 29–November 1, 2026 / Times vary / 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

CHRISTKINDL MARKT 2026 – Grand Rapids Downtown Market – Grand Rapids’ fourth annual Christkindl Markt brings an authentic European-inspired Christmas village to the Downtown Market with more than 60 artisan food and gift vendors, holiday entertainment, family activities, and seasonal drinks. – November 18–December 24, 2026 / Times vary / Prices vary

ENLIGHTEN Presented by PNC Bank – Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park – Explore a transformed Meijer Gardens illuminated by spectacular light installations, music, interactive experiences, and a one-mile outdoor trail, followed by the beloved Christmas & Holiday Traditions display. – November 23, 2026–January 10, 2027 / 5:30–10:00 PM / $32 adults, $24 seniors and students, $16 children 3–13, free under 2

🏃 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.

The Overground Relay on October 25

Guiding Light 5K Run/Walk on October 10

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