News Summary
The Confluence Festival will take place in Grand Rapids, featuring art, music, science, and technology activities. This year’s festival, held at Kendall College, is free and aims to inspire creativity. The event includes STEAM activities, esports battles, and partnerships with organizations like Girl Scouts and Kent District Library. Pre-festival networking on September 19 will showcase an art installation. Concurrently, Tech Week Grand Rapids will highlight over 70 technology events, emphasizing innovation and education for the community.
Grand Rapids will host the Confluence Festival on Saturday, September 20, offering a day filled with diverse activities centered around art, music, science, and technology. This year marks the first time the festival will be held at the Kendall College of Art and Design in downtown Grand Rapids, making the event accessible to more attendees.
The festival is free to the public and aims to provide attendees with meaningful learning experiences that inspire curiosity and creativity. Activities will kick off at 10 AM and continue until 6 PM, featuring a range of attractions including STEAM activities in the Future Innovators Zone, battles at the Esports Expo, and interactive robot demonstrations.
This year’s Confluence Festival has partnered with several new organizations, including the Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore, Red Bull Tetris, and the Kent District Library. Returning partners comprise well-known institutions such as Air Zoo, Frederik Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids Public Museum, and WGVU, among others. These partnerships enhance the festival’s offerings and promote collaboration in the creative and technological fields.
In preparation for the main event, the festival will launch with Friday@ on September 19 at KCAD. This pre-festival event will feature networking opportunities along with live music. Attendees will also have the chance to view a spectacular art installation, Kalopeiron, a large LED hexagon kaleidoscope by local artist Two Eagles Marcus.
Alongside the Confluence Festival, Tech Week Grand Rapids will occur, coinciding with the festival’s events. Tech Week showcases over 70 events centered on various technological topics, drawing thousands of participants each year. A highlight of Tech Week is the Student Tech Showcase, which will welcome over 2,000 middle school students at the Grandville Robotics and Engineering Center. This initiative underscores the importance of bridging technology and education for younger generations.
The festival and Tech Week are organized by Ferris State University, which plays a vital role in promoting the region’s assets in innovation and technology. The event is described as a launchpad for discovering career paths in rapidly evolving fields, making it a valuable experience for students and young thinkers.
Confluence invites attendees to explore the intersection of art and technology, offering an expanded esports expo featuring enhanced free-play areas this year. This aspect of the festival aims to engage the community in emerging digital entertainment landscapes and provides a unique platform for participants to showcase their skills.
For more details about the festival, individuals are encouraged to visit the official festival website. The Confluence Festival and Tech Week serve as essential opportunities for local residents and visitors alike to engage in a dynamic exploration of creativity and innovation in Grand Rapids.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Tech Week Returns to Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Weekend Events: Family Fun and Cultural Activities
Additional Resources
- Grand Rapids Magazine: Confluence Festival Returns
- WOOD TV: Grand Rapids Hosts Tech Events
- MLive: Events Planned for Grand Rapids Tech Week 2025
- Wikipedia: Confluence Festival
- FOX17: Get Ready for Confluence Fest
- Google Search: Grand Rapids Tech Week
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.
