News Summary
This weekend, Grand Rapids will host an exciting array of events, including free concerts, a beer festival, and a vintage market, all aimed at uniting the community. Kicking off with the ArtPrize Halftime concert featuring Tiera Kennedy, the festivities continue with the Mustard Plug return show, Beer City Brewers Fest, and the Arabian Nights Gala. The weekend wraps up with a Vintage & Handmade Market, showcasing local vendors and artisans, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Grand Rapids is set to buzz with excitement this weekend as it hosts a variety of events celebrating music, culture, and community. Attendees can look forward to concerts, a beer festival, and market events, all taking place from September 26 to 28, 2025.
ArtPrize Halftime
The weekend kicks off with ArtPrize Halftime, a free outdoor concert at Sixth Street Park on Friday, September 26. This event aims to create a community-centered atmosphere as part of the ArtPrize season. The lineup includes Alabama-born rising star Tiera Kennedy, who performs R&B and country music promoting inclusivity and empowerment. Supporting acts feature Michigan blues-guitar prodigy Jake Kershaw and the local band The Bootstrap Boys. No tickets are required, and more information can be found at artprize.org.
Mustard Plug Return Show
On Saturday, September 27, the renowned ska-punk band Mustard Plug will perform at the Pyramid Scheme, with doors opening at 7 p.m. This all-ages concert costs $17 in advance, available through Live Nation. Known for their energetic performances and deep roots in West Michigan, Mustard Plug will be joined by Canadian ska band Planet Smashers along with openers The Kilograms and The Write-Ups.
Beer City Brewers Fest
Also on Saturday, from 3 to 8 p.m., craft beer enthusiasts can enjoy the Beer City Brewers Fest at Calder Plaza. Admission is free, but tasting tickets (available on-site) are required for those over the age of 21. The festival will feature over 20 professional and homebrewers collaborating on unique beers for public voting, along with live music, food trucks, and artisan vendors.
Arabian Nights Gala
Adding to the cultural offerings, the Arabian Nights Gala will take place at the JW Marriott Grand Rapids on Saturday evening. Tickets range from $150 for general admission to $1,400 for a VIP table accommodating eight. This lavish, themed gala invites attendees to experience a Middle Eastern atmosphere complete with a bazaar reception, a grand dinner, belly dancers, DJ sets, and unique cocktails, creating a memorable evening for foodies and culture enthusiasts aged 21 and over.
Vintage & Handmade Market
Closing out the weekend on Sunday, September 28, the Vintage & Handmade Market will showcase over 60 vendors at the Downtown Market from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This free event offers a variety of curated vintage items and handmade goods, along with local food stalls and live DJ performances designed to attract shoppers, families, and local business supporters.
Additional Events and Announcements
In addition to these highlighted events, Grand Rapids will host the Midwest Groove Smooth Jazz & Old School R&B Festival on Saturday at Rosa Parks Circle, celebrating Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. This festival will run from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Sunday, there will be a National Community Band Concert at Reeths Puffer High School Center for the Performing Arts at 3:30 p.m., featuring a range of music. Other activities throughout the weekend include the Kindleberger Summer Festival, a Grand Haven Beach Vault event, and a Macatawa Water Festival, along with an author event at the Grand Rapids Public Library featuring bestselling authors Bonnie Jo Campbell and Josh Malerman.
In a notable announcement, Skelletones Music Venue has declared it will close at the end of the year, with the last day of operation set for New Year’s Eve. The owner, Mark Leech, cited a combination of reasons for this decision, indicating potential plans for a return in a new location in the future. This venue has historically served as a platform for young musicians and teens in the Grand Rapids area.
Additionally, the new The Big Room at Silva Complex opened recently and is expected to host diverse events and performances with a capacity for 1,500 guests, expanding the entertainment landscape in Grand Rapids.
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Additional Resources
- Grand Rapids Magazine: Five Fun Things to Do in GR
- Wikipedia: Grand Rapids
- Crain’s Grand Rapids: Skelletones to Close
- Google Search: Grand Rapids Events 2025
- Fox17: Weekend Events Across West Michigan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Music
- Local Spins: Grand Rapids Return to the River
- Google News: Grand Rapids Music News
- MLive: Grand Rapids Riverfront Festival
- Google Search: Grand Rapids Culture Events
- Grand Rapids Magazine: Five Can’t Miss Events
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Event
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
