October is here, and West Michigan is jumping straight into fall with one of the most packed weekends of the season. ArtPrize 2026 reaches its finale, Pulaski Days fills Grand Rapids with Polish food and tradition, Downtown Holland Fall Fest brings giant pumpkin carving to the lakeshore, and some major national acts are hitting stages across the city.

From Dan + Shay, Modest Mouse, The Red Clay Strays, San Holo, and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead to Star Trek with the Grand Rapids Symphony and fall festivities at Meijer Gardens, there’s something for just about everyone.

Here are some of the biggest events happening around Grand Rapids and West Michigan this weekend.

All Weekend & Multi-Day Events

ArtPrize 2026 – Final Weekend

Friday & Saturday | Throughout Grand Rapids

This is your last chance to experience ArtPrize 2026. The international art competition officially wraps up Saturday, October 3, after transforming nearly four square miles of Grand Rapids into a massive citywide gallery. Art is displayed inside museums, galleries, businesses, parks, restaurants, and unexpected spaces throughout downtown, and viewing the entries is free. ArtPrize

Saturday night brings the grand finale with the ArtPrize Awards Celebration and Fashion Show at Acrisure Amphitheater, featuring the announcement of winning artists, a fashion runway presentation, live music, ballet, symphony, and opera performances. ArtPrize

Pulaski Days

Friday–Sunday | Polish Halls Throughout Grand Rapids

One of Grand Rapids’ favorite fall traditions is back. Pulaski Days celebrates Polish heritage with live polka music, dancing, traditional food, drinks, and festivities at Polish and Lithuanian halls throughout the city. This year’s celebration runs through Sunday, October 4. Pulaski Days

Saturday’s Pulaski Days Parade begins at 11 a.m. on the West Side, featuring floats, marching and polka bands, the Pulaski Queen and Court, and plenty of Polish pride. GRKIDS Events

Autumn Weekends at Meijer Gardens

Friday–Sunday | Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Meijer Gardens is leaning into fall with an expanded Autumn Weekends series featuring seasonal food and drinks, family activities, harvest-themed fun, and live music throughout the weekend. Meijer Gardens

The weekend also includes the Fall Bonsai Show on Saturday and Sunday, where visitors can see bonsai at different stages of development, watch artists work, and shop for trees, tools, and supplies. Meijer Gardens

Downtown Holland Fall Fest

Friday & Saturday | Downtown Holland

One of West Michigan’s biggest fall celebrations returns with giant professional pumpkin carving, a makers market, community tulip planting, hayrides, children’s activities, a Touch a Truck event, and more. Friday evening also features a Fire Truck Parade through downtown Holland. WMTA

Friday, October 2

Dan + Shay – The Young Tour

Acrisure Amphitheater | 7 p.m.

Country duo Dan + Shay bring The Young Tour to downtown Grand Rapids with special guests Tyler Hubbard and Josh Ross. The amphitheater is also hosting a free pre-party from 4:30–6:30 p.m. along the Grand River with line dancing, lessons, and other activities. Acrisure Amphitheater

Modest Mouse

GLC Live at 20 Monroe

Alternative-rock favorites Modest Mouse take over GLC Live at 20 Monroe Friday night with Caroline Rose joining the lineup. www.livenation.me

San Holo – TRUE LOVE IN A MADE UP WORLD

The Intersection | 7:30 p.m.

Electronic music fans can catch San Holo as he brings his TRUE LOVE IN A MADE UP WORLD tour to The Intersection. Ookay and Saturn Skies are scheduled to provide support for the all-ages show. The Intersection

The Music of Star Trek

DeVos Performance Hall | 7:30 p.m.

Space, the final frontier—performed by the Grand Rapids Symphony. The orchestra celebrates some of the most recognizable music from across the Star Trek franchise in a concert designed for longtime fans and newcomers alike. GR Symphony

Downtown Holland Fall Fest – Opening Day

Friday’s Fall Fest schedule includes professional pumpkin carving, the makers market, community tulip planting, tasting tours, and the Fire Truck Parade at 7 p.m. Downtown Holland

Pulaski Days

Friday is a great night to begin hopping between Grand Rapids’ Polish halls for traditional food, polka music, dancing, and drinks. Pulaski Days celebrations continue throughout the weekend. Eastern Avenue Hall

Saturday, October 3

The Red Clay Strays – Grateful Tour

Van Andel Arena | 6:30 p.m.

The Red Clay Strays bring their Grateful Tour to Van Andel Arena with special guests The Revivalists and Haley Reinhart. The show combines roots rock, Americana, country, and Southern influences for one of Saturday night’s biggest concerts. Van Andel Arena

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead

GLC Live at 20 Monroe | 6:30 p.m.

Jam-band fans can catch Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Saturday evening at GLC Live at 20 Monroe. www.livenation.me

Hot in Herre – 2000s Dance Party

Elevation | 9 p.m.

Throw it back to the era of flip phones, burned CDs, and early-2000s club hits when Hot in Herre takes over Elevation. The dance party is open to guests 18 and older. The Intersection

Zach John King – Get To Drinkin’ Tour

The Stache | 7:30 p.m.

Singer-songwriter Zach John King brings his Get To Drinkin’ Tour to The Stache with Macy Todd joining as support. The Intersection

ArtPrize Awards Celebration & Fashion Show

Acrisure Amphitheater | Evening

ArtPrize concludes in a big way Saturday night. The final celebration at Acrisure Amphitheater will honor this year’s winning artists before transitioning into a fashion show featuring RC Caylan Atelier, along with live performances incorporating ballet, symphony, and opera. ArtPrize

The Music of Star Trek

DeVos Performance Hall | 7:30 p.m.

Saturday provides another chance to hear the Grand Rapids Symphony perform music from throughout the Star Trek universe. GR Symphony

Pulaski Days Parade

West Side Grand Rapids | 11 a.m.

Celebrate Grand Rapids’ Polish heritage with floats, bands, community organizations, and the Pulaski Queen and Court during one of the signature events of Pulaski Days. GRKIDS Events

Autumn Weekends: Zondo

Frederik Meijer Gardens | 2–4 p.m.

Saturday’s Autumn Weekends live music features Zondo at the Meijer Gardens amphitheater. The afternoon pairs live music with food, drinks, and harvest-inspired activities. Meijer Gardens

Fall Bonsai Show

Frederik Meijer Gardens | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

The West Michigan Bonsai Club presents trees ranging from works in progress to mature bonsai, along with demonstrations and shopping opportunities. Meijer Gardens

Downtown Holland Fall Fest – Final Day

Saturday is loaded with family activities in Holland, including the Farmers Market, makers market, Touch a Truck, hayrides, pumpkin painting, street performers, giant pumpkin carving, and community tulip planting. Downtown Holland

Lakeside Fall Festival

Lakeshore Drive, Muskegon | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Muskegon’s Lakeside neighborhood celebrates fall with local shopping, food, live music, a petting zoo, pumpkin decorating, carriage rides, street performers, a kids zone, axe throwing, and a scarecrow contest. Michigan

Sunday, October 4

Autumn Weekends: Trillium with Special Guest Ben Traverse

Frederik Meijer Gardens | 2–4 p.m.

Slow things down Sunday afternoon with live music at Meijer Gardens. Trillium brings Celtic music influenced by traditions from Ireland, Scotland, Québec, and Métis communities, joined by special guest Ben Traverse. The performance is included with general admission. Meijer Gardens

The Autumn Weekends experience also includes seasonal food and beverages, harvest activities, lawn games, and family programming around the gardens. Meijer Gardens

Fall Bonsai Show – Final Day

Frederik Meijer Gardens | 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Sunday is your final chance to explore the Fall Bonsai Show and see the wide range of miniature trees created and cared for by West Michigan bonsai artists. Meijer Gardens

The Music of Star Trek – Sunday Matinee

DeVos Performance Hall | 3 p.m.

The Grand Rapids Symphony’s official schedule also lists a Sunday matinee of The Music of Star Trek, giving fans one more opportunity to boldly go to DeVos Performance Hall. GR Symphony

Lucy Darling: You’re Welcome

DeVos Performance Hall | 7 p.m.

Award-winning performer Carisa Hendrix brings her Lucy Darling character to Grand Rapids for an evening mixing comedy, magic, music, and variety entertainment. DeVos Performance Hall

Pulaski Days – Final Day

Sunday wraps up the annual Pulaski Days celebration after a weekend of Polish food, live music, dancing, and community traditions throughout Grand Rapids. Pulaski Days

Make the Most of Your Weekend

This weekend has a little bit of everything. You can catch Dan + Shay, Modest Mouse, San Holo, The Red Clay Strays, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, or Zach John King, hear the Grand Rapids Symphony perform the music of Star Trek, or dance your way back to the 2000s at Hot in Herre.

It’s also a huge weekend for fall traditions. ArtPrize celebrates its final day Saturday, Pulaski Days takes over the Polish halls, Holland Fall Fest brings giant pumpkins to downtown Holland, and Autumn Weekends at Meijer Gardens offers live music, seasonal food, family activities, and the Fall Bonsai Show.

So grab your friends, pick an event, and make the most of the first weekend of October.

Event schedules, ticket availability, and other details can change, so check with the venue or organizer before heading out.