Good Morning Grand Rapids!

You’d never guess the temperature’s falling, as it’s one of the hottest weeks of the year for Grand Rapids events! Between ArtPrize’s conclusion and Pulaski Days this weekend, we’ll be lucky if we find time to sleep.

Let’s get into it! 🍂 

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

🍬 RiverTown Crossings Welcomes New Tenants: From MooZoo Slime Shop and Sweet Kisses Bakery to Addiour Perfume and Ventrora Perfume, RiverTown Crossings is looking forward to welcoming its newest additions.

🧑‍🎨 ArtPrize’s Top 30 Announced: After HalfTime passed, ArtPrize’s top 30 exhibits have been announced, spanning 2D, 3D, installations, time-based art, design, and new media. Did any of your favorites make the list?

🎭 Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Turns 100: The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s 100th anniversary celebration continued with a free community block party following the closing of Come From Away. And if you didn’t know, every person on stage at the Civic Theatre is a local volunteer from the community.

📚 GRCC Makes History: Grand Rapids Community College has named Kathryn Rogalski its first permanent female president. Rogalski previously served as a vice president at a technical college in Wisconsin and brings 25 years of experience in higher education.

🇵🇱 Pulaski Days Celebrates Polish Pride: 2026 Pulaski Days in Grand Rapids brought together live music, kielbasa, and Polish heritage for another celebration of the city's Polish community.

📚 Grand Rapids Public Library Plans Redesign: The Grand Rapids Public Library’s planned redesign is moving forward, with Q&A sessions scheduled to give the community an opportunity to learn more about the plans.

📆 This Week’s Grand Events

Wednesday, September 30

Taking Back Sunday - GLC Live at 20 Monroe - Taking Back Sunday comes to Grand Rapids for a night of live music. 6:00 PM / $59.50+

Wild Food Foraging with I.Y.E Wellness - Blandford Nature Center - Learn to identify edible plants, trees, and mushrooms while exploring how to safely, legally, and ethically forage for wild foods. 6:00–8:00 PM / $32 non-member, $25.60 discounted, $7 children ages 3–12, free ages 0–2

Hora de cuentos en español para adultos con Teatro Hispano de Michigan - City Built Brewing Co. - Enjoy an evening of Spanish-language storytelling for adults celebrating language, storytelling, and Hispanic artistic traditions. 6:30–7:30 PM / Free

Thursday, October 1

Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons - Wealthy Theatre - Experience Coldplay and Imagine Dragons during a live, multi-sensory Candlelight concert in Grand Rapids. 8:45–10:00 PM / $19

Wine, Women & Chocolate - D2D Studio - Enjoy wine, chocolate, conversation, and stories of impact during this annual gathering supporting women across West Michigan. 5:30–7:30 PM / $65

Knitflix - Kiki's Delivery Service - Wealthy Theatre - Enjoy a craft and movie night presented by Unwind GR, with the lights on so crafters can work throughout the screening. 5:30 PM doors / 6:30 PM show / $17.20

Friday, October 2

Dan & Shay - Acrisure Amphitheater - Dan + Shay bring their country hits and new songs to Grand Rapids, with Tyler Hubbard and Josh Ross as special guests. 7:00 PM / $24–$124+

Modest Mouse - GLC Live at 20 Monroe - Modest Mouse comes to Grand Rapids for a night of live music. 7:00 PM / $66.50+

San Holo presents TRUE LOVE IN A MADE UP WORLD - The Intersection - San Holo brings his TRUE LOVE IN A MADE UP WORLD tour to Grand Rapids with support to be announced. 7:00 PM doors / 7:30 PM show / $48.15

Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer - Wealthy Theatre - Experience some of Hans Zimmer's most memorable film scores during an intimate candlelit live-music performance. 6:30 PM / $20

East Hills Wine Mile & Harvest Party - Chateau Grand Rapids - Celebrate First Friday with the East Hills Business Association and Chateau Grand Rapids at the inaugural Wine Mile and Harvest Party. 5:00–8:00 PM / $30

FALL CAKE POP WORKSHOP - Spruced Studio - Learn how to make, shape, dip, and decorate fall-inspired cake pops in this beginner-friendly workshop. 6:00–8:30 PM / $72

Young Hearted Brave - Live at the Rapid River Stillhouse - Rapid River Stillhouse - Zach brings original music and reimagined covers spanning the 1960s through today to the Stillhouse for an intimate night of live music. 9:00 PM / $5

Preserved! - LaFontsee Galleries - Explore an exhibition celebrating how art and conservation preserve moments, places, and natural areas for future generations. 5:30–9:00 PM / $30–$50

Free Show: MOODS (Jazz/Psych) - Speciation Cellars - Enjoy spontaneous composition, fearless improvisation, jazz, psychedelic soundscapes, and original compositions from MOODS. 9:00–11:00 PM / Free

The Music of Star Trek - DeVos Performance Hall - The Grand Rapids Symphony performs some of the best-known music from the Star Trek franchise in a concert for the whole family. 7:30–10:00 PM / $22–$110

Saturday, October 3

Hot in Herre – 2000’s Dance Party - Elevation - Blisspop presents an 18+ dance party celebrating the music of the 2000s. 8:00 PM doors / 9:00 PM show / $96

Joe Russo's Almost Dead - GLC Live at 20 Monroe - Joe Russo's Almost Dead comes to Grand Rapids for a night of live music. 6:30 PM doors / 7:30 PM show / $64+

Lindsay Lou - The BIG Room - Michigan-born singer-songwriter Lindsay Lou brings her folk, rock, and traditional-music-inspired sound to Grand Rapids. 7:00 PM / $25

Zach John King: Get To Drinkin’ Tour - The Stache at The Intersection - Zach John King brings his Get To Drinkin’ Tour to Grand Rapids with support from Macy Todd. 6:30 PM doors / 7:30 PM show / $63

Fall Frenzy at Adventure Point - Adventure Point - Enjoy a family day of fall adventures as the air turns crisp and pumpkin spice returns. 10:00 AM–4:00 PM / $20

ArtPrize 2026: Awards & Fashion Show - ArtPrize - Celebrate ArtPrize artists and winners before an evening fashion show featuring couture, ballet, symphony, opera, and a drone show. 6:30–10:00 PM / Free

The Red Clay Strays - Van Andel Arena - The Red Clay Strays bring their Grateful Tour to Grand Rapids with The Revivalists and Haley Reinhart. 6:30 PM / Price varies

Crashing Out - Premiere and Q&A - Wealthy Theatre - Attend the premiere of the Grand Rapids-made indie comedy Crashing Out, followed by a Q&A with the cast. 6:00 PM doors / 7:00–9:00 PM / $4

The Music of Star Trek - DeVos Performance Hall - The Grand Rapids Symphony performs some of the best-known music from the Star Trek franchise in a concert for the whole family. 7:30–10:00 PM / $22–$110

Sunday, October 4

Monster House (Family Film Series) - Wealthy Theatre - Three teens take on a decrepit neighboring house after discovering that it may be alive and hiding frightening secrets. 1:00 PM doors / 2:00 PM movie / $10 adult, $8 member/student/senior, $5 children 12 and under

Sixth Annual Halloween Bash - Fulton Street Artisans Market - Browse local artists, makers, and creators while enjoying food trucks, activities, and community fun at this annual Halloween market. 2:00–5:00 PM / Free

The Art of Bonsai Photography Class at Meijer Gardens - Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - Explore composition, lighting, and perspective while photographing bonsai during the Fall Show. 9:00–11:30 AM / $40, members receive 10% off

Sound Journey: An Evening of Sound, Movement, & Connection - Four Star Theatre - Connect through vibration, voice, and movement during this immersive gathering at the Four Star Theater. 3:00–6:00 PM / $25

🍁 Celebrating ArtPrize!

Did you know this weekend’s award show is trying to set the Guinness World Record for the largest fashion show of all time?

📅 Add to Your Calendar

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.

Guiding Light 5K Run/Walk on October 10

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