News Summary
Grand Rapids is alive with summer festivities featuring outdoor concerts and cultural festivals. Events at Rosa Parks Circle and Frederik Meijer Gardens showcase local music and cuisine. Cultural festivals, including the Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Foundation festival and the Homecoming of the Three Fires Pow Wow, highlight community diversity. Families can enjoy various activities leading up to Father’s Day, making this summer vibrant and entertaining for all.
Grand Rapids is buzzing with energy as it embraces the summer season through a series of exciting outdoor concert performances and cultural festivals. The city is set to host multiple events throughout June, July, and September, providing both locals and visitors with ample entertainment and enriching experiences.
Outdoor Concert Series at Rosa Parks Circle
The “Relax at Rosa” outdoor concert series will kick off on Thursday, July 3, at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids. This free concert series will run every Thursday from noon to 1:30 p.m. until September 11, featuring over 20 Michigan-based bands and artists. Presented by the Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI), the concerts aim to enhance the vibrant atmosphere of the downtown area for workers, residents, and visitors alike.
Each weekly concert will also offer a rotating selection of local food trucks, giving attendees the chance to enjoy diverse dining options while they listen to live music. The schedule for the first few weeks includes:
- July 3: Aaron Wayne Otto & Sunken Melody with food trucks like Boss Hoggs BBQ and Dune Buggy.
- July 10: Cabildo & EPCYAF featuring Pressed In Time and Cheezy Duz It food trucks.
- July 17: Hannah Laine complemented by Cousins Maine Lobster and Tacos Los Compadres.
- July 24: Libby DeCamp with Family Thyme Food Truck and Tacos Mexico.
- July 31: Al’Exist and Patty Matters along with Sanse Filipino Cuisine.
Subsequent dates will continue to showcase a mix of music and food, culminating in the final performance on September 11 featuring Adrian Wright & the Great Let Go’s.
To expand access to the music, community radio station 88.1 WYCE will broadcast the performances on GR Live, offering a chance for those unable to attend in person to enjoy the series from wherever they are.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Evening Concerts
In addition to the concert series at Rosa Parks Circle, the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park will host its 2025 Ayers Basement Systems Tuesday Evening Music Club starting July 1. This series will feature over ten performances of indie bands and folk musicians, including a special performance by the Grand Rapids Ballet, occurring on select Tuesday evenings through August.
Tickets for these concerts range from $10 to $32 and can be purchased at the box office. Attendees can enjoy picnic options or concession food, with gates opening at 6 p.m. and performances beginning at 7 p.m. The lineup includes notable performances such as:
- July 1: MexiCuba and Cabildo.
- July 8: Headband Henny and Hannah Laine.
- July 15: marsfade and The Rebel Eves.
- July 22: Grand Rapids Chorus Sweet Adelines and Great Lakes Brass.
- July 29: 6-Pak.
- August 5: August and Hannah Rose Graves Band.
- August 12: Franklin Park.
- August 19: The Accidentals with special guests.
Cultural Festivals and Family Events
Grand Rapids will also celebrate its cultural diversity through various festivals. The Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Foundation’s annual festival is scheduled for June 12 to June 15 at Calder Plaza, focusing on Asian and Pacific cultures with live performances and martial arts demonstrations. The festival will feature free events, including a K-Pop cover dance competition and a concert by singer-songwriter Voy Kwan.
Additionally, the community can look forward to the 43rd annual Homecoming of the Three Fires Pow Wow, taking place on June 14-15 at Riverside Park, showcasing Indigenous cultures through music and dance. Other events include the Sparta Beer and Brat Street Fest on June 13-14, offering craft beer and food along with live entertainment.
As Father’s Day approaches, there are various activities planned, including free admission for dads at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum on June 15 and a special exhibit featuring Detroit Tigers memorabilia at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
As summer fully unfolds, Grand Rapids is set to provide a vibrant atmosphere filled with music, culture, and community spirit for all to enjoy.
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Additional Resources
- GR Magazine: Hot Days, Cool Tunes at Rosa Rolls On
- MLive: Meijer Gardens Announces Tuesday Evening Music Series Lineup
- Local Spins: The Fray Delivers Heartfelt Messages for 2000 Fans in Grand Rapids
- MLive: Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival Returns with Live Music
- WZZM: Bring Back Analog – Grand Rapids Vintage Audio Equipment
- Wikipedia: Grand Rapids
- Google Search: Grand Rapids Events
- Google Scholar: Grand Rapids Summer Events
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Grand Rapids
- Google News: Grand Rapids Concerts
